Veneto occupies the gap between the Dolomites and the Adriatic. To the east is the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The population of Veneto's largest city, Venice, is swollen with tourists. Veneto is Italy's fifth largest region in population, 8th in land area.
Most tourists don't get out of Venice unless they tour the Palladian villas stetched out along the Brenta riviera or have managed to stay on the east side of Lake Garda. The Veneto is an important wine country (which you can walk, the easy but lux way is with a tour devoted to walking the ever popular prosecco hills. Winter sports enthusiasts crowd into resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Po delta offers bird-watching and nature photography. Spas like the Terme Euganee (Euganean Spas) make you happy and pretty.
The Veneto has lots to offer, including a rail line from Turin that's like a necklace strung with gems like Vicenza, Verona, Padua and Venice.
Map of the Veneto Region of Italy
Getting Your Bearings
The map shows the major cities of the Veneto, which stretches from Lake Garda to the Adriatic. The orange line from Lake Garda to Venice (Venezia) represents the Autostrada A57, an extension of A4 that runs from Turin to Trieste. The main rail line from Turin to Trieste parallels this road. This makes the Veneto all the more convenient for a long vacation. Relax on the shores of Lake Garda, see opera or a play in the Verona Roman Arena, sip wine in the walled city of Soave, see Palladio's town Vicenza, discover the origins of modern medical practices in Padua, see the Palladian villas along the Brenta canal around Mira, and head into everyone's favorite canal city, Venice. All on a road or single train line. At the beginning and end of all this there are airports.
The chunk of land that juts into the Adriatic below Chioggia is the Po Delta. Great place to go if you like wetland parks and boat tours.
Three Veneto Cities That Aren't Venice
Padua
At the very least: visit Giotto's fresco cycle inside the Scrovegni Chapel, consecrated in 1305, tour the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua (pictured), and see MUSME, the Museum of the History of Medicine to learn the politics behind anatomical medicine
Verona
Head up the stairs of the Lamberti tower in the center of the market square, the Piazza delle Erbe, to get this view looking down on beautiful Verona. Gawk at the interior of the famous Romanesque Catedral, the Duomo of Verona and eat well.
Bassano del Grappa
On one side of the famous, old Ponte degli Alpini bridge are the grappa distilleries, walk across to the bar on the opposite side, have a drink and a nibble and get this view of the Brenta river and the town of Bassano del Grappa.
Palladian Villas Along the Brenta Canal
The Villa Foscari, called "La Malcontenta" stands near the Naviglio del Brenta, the navigable canal that connects Padua with Venice.
Villa "La Malcontenta"
From here you head west along the canal, passing Oriago and Villa Allegri, to the clot of villas surrounding the town of Mira, the Barchessa Alessandri, Villa Bon Tessier, Eco Museo "Ad Mira Brenta" in Villa Principe Pio, the Barchessa Valmarana and the Villa Widmann, which has an information point for the villas. Heading toward Dolo, you'll pass the Villa Brusoni Scalella, Villa Tito, and Villa Badoer Fattoretto. Heading toward Stra, the first villa you come across is the one we recommend seeing, the Villa Nazionale Pisani is a stunner, the grandest of them all, containing one of Italy's more interesting gardens, including the hedge maze called the Labyrinth of Love. It's difficult. You can imagine lovers heading off with a bottle of Prosecco and getting romantically lost before the woman in the central tower spots them and tells them the way out. Yes, you can make use of her, too.
The villa Pisani has a mere 114 rooms, don't expect to visit them all. It's big enough for heavy-handed rulers: Napolean once owned the villa, and Hitler and Mussolini first met in person here in 1934.
Other villas in and around the town of Stra include the Villa Foscarini Rossi, the Villa Benzi Smania and the Villa Sagredo.
Villa Pisani, Morning
Other Compelling Places to See in the Veneto
Looking for a hidden gem in the Veneto? Try Marostica. It has a fabulous central piazza, a strange one. You see, in the front, there's a checkerboard. Yes, Marostica is famous for a human game of chess played in front of 4,000 people in September.
Marostica has two castles. It is known for its cherries, which you can taste on the last Sunday in May during the Cherry Festival.
Marostica
Chioggia is on the map because I like it. You can drive many of the streets there, even though, like Venice, it's got canals. At the heart of its historic center is a long piazza full of bars and restaurants, the Corso del Popolo. It's got a good vibe. Chioggia also has a great, historic fish market.There's lots to see and do:
- Corso del Popolo, the wide main street through the heart of the historic center, is a good place for strolling, shopping, or enjoying a drink at an outdoor table (here there's not a big price increase for sitting outside).
- Piazzetta Vigo and Bridge Piazzetta Vigo is at the end of Corso del Popolo by the port. Here you'll find a bar, ice cream, hotel, souvenir shops, and sometimes entertainment. From the square a picturesque white marble bridge crosses the Vena Canal to the Church of San Domenico. Just around the corner to the left of the piazza is the port where the vaporetto (boat bus) and tourist boat docks.
- Fish Market - Chioggia has a great fresh fish market on weekday mornings. Many restaurants serve fantastic seafood meals for less than you'd pay in Venice.
- Clock Tower and clock musuem, on Corso del Popolo, can be visited on Sundays and holidays.
- The Duomo, or cathedral is at the opposite end of Corso del Popolo from the port. It became a cathedral in 1110 but was rebuilt in 1623. The cathedral has a marble pulpit with gold canopy and a decorated 17th century altar. There's a nice 19th century stained glass window. Next to the duomo is a 14th century bell tower.
- The Sacred Art Museum is near the duomo. It contains items from the churches and religous paintings but has limited hours.
- The Museum of the South Lagoon is in a building that was once a monastary. It houses artifacts and pictures relating to the south lagoon including models of boats, agricultural equipment, and some paintings. There's an old stone town gate near the museum.
- Sottomarina is lined with fine sand beaches and there's a walking street that runs along the sea. The town is modern and has several hotels.
Chioggia Canal
And Finally: Venice
Of course you can't talk about the Veneto without mentioning Venice. The colors of Venice might startle you. The fountain of free wine that fueled the famous boatmaking in the Arsenale will astound and amaze you ("At its peak, wine consumption for each worker seems to have peaked at 5 liters a day.") Think about it while you snack on the grilled Scallops or Moeche (Soft Shelled Crabs of Venice). Head to the Lido for a swim, or, at the right time, the Bienale di Venezia. You can also do some pretty amazing stuff with Walks of Italy, like Dine Around Venice: Authentic Food & Wine Experience with Moonlight Gondola Ride. Plan your trip:
Venice Hotels Venice Weather and Historic Climate Venice HostelsVenice Apartments
More Italy Travel Planning Resources
- Travel Planning Timeline: Learn what you need to plan when.
- What Will an Italy Vacation Cost?: Tools for budgeting your Italian vacation.
- Unplanned Attractions: Save time for the good life in Italy.
