Veneto

The Veneto is a region of tremendous contrasts, encompassing the breathtaking natural beauty of the Dolomites, Lake Garda and the rolling Euganean Hills, and the man-made delights of magnificent ancient cities such as Verona, Vicenza and Padova.

 The region includes the eastern part of the Po Valley and, to the north, a part of the Dolomites. The extensive plain, with the Po delta, is rich in water. It is a region which combines two different and unique landscapes: the lagoon zone, close to Venice and the majestic peaks of the Dolomites in the Cadore area. The landscape sometimes looks flat and unappealing, yet its small cities are fascinating treasure troves of art and beacons of fine living. The Alps begin only a few miles to the north, dotted with charming towns at their foothills and lined with picturesque world-class vineyards.

Most people speed through the Veneto on their way to our favorite Italian city, Venice. Other important cities are Murano, Treviso, Trieste and Cortina d’Ampezzo one of Europe's classiest ski resorts.

LAKE GARDA is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Venice and Milan. It is in an alpine region and was formed by glaciers at the end of the last ice age. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the south-east), Brescia (south-west), and Trento (north). The lake is a major tourist destination, with a number of hotels and resorts along its shore.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, the Pearl of the Dolomites, lies in a stunning valley surrounded by magnificent peaks. Cortina was home to the first Winter Olympics in Italy and still hosts many international ski events today, due to its reliable snow record, superbly maintained pistes and chic yet relaxed ambience. Nowhere is more picturesque than chic Cortina, the most up market of Italian resorts. Dramatic pink-tinged peaks rise sheerly from the top of the slopes, giving picture-postcard views from wherever you are.

VERONA deserves to be seen for various reasons; first of all its magnificent monuments, but also the extraordinary charm it has for visitors from all over the world, who are enchanted by the heartbreaking tale of Romeo and Juliet. During the period of the Republic of Venice, Verona transformed and some important buildings were added, the Della Scala court became an active artistic and cultural production centre, attracting artists and poets such as Giotto, Altichiero, Dante and Petrarca. The city has a very ancient and well preserved historical centre, with buildings, churches and palaces of different ages and styles, and famous squares such as the immense Piazza Bra, where you can see the Arena, the famous Roman amphitheatre, and Piazza Mercato Vecchio with the Scala della Ragione and the panoramic Torre dei Lamberti.

VICENZA is well known in Italy and worldwide for its Palladian, for the Teatro Olimpico and the villas. Once inside the Medieval quarters of the city centre the beauty and splendor of the surroundings is overwhelming.

Vicenza is a city of art, gastronomy and tourism with the cobbled streets lined with elegant shops but it is also an important for economy, produce and export, on an industrial, agricultural and artiginal level.

PADOVA is an old university town with an illustrious academic history.  Rich in art and architecture, it has two particularly outstanding sights.  The magnificent Cappella degli Scrovegni, north of the city centre, is famous for Giotto’s lyrical frescoes.  Close to the railway station, it forms part of the complex incorporating the Eremitani church and museums. The Basilica di San Antonio, which forms the local point in the southern part of the city, is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Italy.

VENICE, gateway to the Orient, is one of the few cities in the world that can be truly described as unique. Over an extraordinarily long period, the city was embellished with monuments of rare splendor that today make it a tourist attraction like none other in the entire world.  

Especially in October and November, it very often happens that the tide rises and the water overflows the banks of the canals, flooding the city: the foundations, the alleyways, the fields, the ground floor of the houses, the churches and the shops. The rising water is a problem for the Venetians but it is an unusual, exciting experience for tourists as it is a unique event. Seeing Piazza San Marco flooded by a still lake of water is most certainly a unique, magical moment, which has been immortalized several times over the years by famous photographers.

Gondolas are one of Venice’s most famous symbols worldwide. This typical Venetian boat is extremely ancient and is the result of a series of extremely complex craft techniques. In spite of its considerable weight it is quite ease to maneuver by just one person using a single oar.

MURANO , a small island in the Venetian lagoon, has been famous for centuries as a center for one of the "arts of the fire": glass. Since 1292, when Venetian glass companies had to relocate to the island, most of its population has lived by glass production. The complete scale of glass items, from small pearls to mirrors, chandeliers, tableware and purely decorative objects, is manufactured on Murano. The latter category, was to reach its highest degree of sophistication during the twentieth century. With its old houses, canals, and bridges, Murano has the same quaint charm as Venice. Of note are a Venetian-Byzantine basilica (7th–12th cent.) and a museum of old and new Venetian glass.

TREVISO is a city to discover on foot, its charm can be witnessed by passing under the arcades of its major streets or in the thousands of alleys that wind around in the medieval part, or by following the canals that cross and around the city. Treviso bewitches visitors with its sense of hospitality and love of life, which can be felt everywhere in its fashionable restaurants, bars, shops, squares and cultural spots.

GETTING AROUND An extensive rail network and good bus services make this region easy to explore by public transport, though only buses operate around Lake Garda.  Motorways and main roads provide good links between the main cities.  The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, which operates from London to Venice, offers a novel approach to the area.