11 experiences
What was once nothing more than a refuge from the barbarian raids, turned into an exquisite floating city of marble palaces. Venice, once a humble lagoon grew to become a center of trade, art, cultural fusion, and unprecedented extravagance. The aptly named Grand Canal offers the first-row seat to the jewels of Venetian architecture. As you reach the end of the canal, Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica welcome you with open arms and promise of luxury. Better yet, dive under the surface of the apparent treasures into the narrow back streets hiding churches lined with Veronese marble, colorful facades of local residences, bustling bistros, and clandestine artisan fashion stores. Plunge into la bea vita (the beautiful life) the way locals do. Don’t rush. Enjoy lavish cicheti (Venetian tapas). Wash them down with Veneto’s signature bubbly, prosecco. Learn, smell, taste, and explore more things to do in Venice!
0 experiences
Most known for being the setting of the Shakespeare’s tragic yet beautiful Romeo & Juliet, Verona attracts an array of multinational of visitors. Its romantic piazzas and tangled lanes make for a perfect romantic getaway. However, there is much more to this town than all the romantic fluff. In fact, this city is a lively cultural center of the region. Thanks to its rich artistic heritage not one but several annual fairs, shows, and operas take place around Verona. It’s dominated by an impressively well-preserved 1st-century amphitheater which hosts the city’s annual opera festival each summer. The concoction of ancient churches, fascinating quaint bridges, regional wine and food, impressive art in all shapes and forms makes Verona one of the most attractive cities in northern Italy. Plus, if you get bored in the city, you can always venture to the stunning Lake Garda and surrounding hills for a refreshing hike!
0 experiences
Hiding in the center of the Veneto plains, surrounded by lagoons, and Alpine foothills, lies the city of Padua (Padova in Italian). Padua is an incredibly vivacious and dynamic city with grand historical and monumental heritage. Better yet, the natural and cultural perks that surround it are unmatched: Euganean Springs and Hills, well-preserved Medieval defensive walls, villas, castles and lovely patchwork countryside riddled with springs. Although the town is only an hour drive from Venice, its medieval marketplaces and hip student population seem a whole world away. This former medieval city-state is home to Italy’s second-oldest university as well as a former contender for dominance over Veneto region. The remarkable frescos and landmarks including Giotto’s masterpiece Cappella degli Scrovegni and Titian’s St Anthony in the Scoletta del Santo remind of this golden age! Don’t hesitate, find out more about what to do in Padua!
11 experiences
What was once nothing more than a refuge from the barbarian raids, turned into an exquisite floating city of marble palaces. Venice, once a humble lagoon grew to become a center of trade, art, cultural fusion, and unprecedented extravagance. The aptly named Grand Canal offers the first-row seat to the jewels of Venetian architecture. As you reach the end of the canal, Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica welcome you with open arms and promise of luxury. Better yet, dive under the surface of the apparent treasures into the narrow back streets hiding churches lined with Veronese marble, colorful facades of local residences, bustling bistros, and clandestine artisan fashion stores. Plunge into la bea vita (the beautiful life) the way locals do. Don’t rush. Enjoy lavish cicheti (Venetian tapas). Wash them down with Veneto’s signature bubbly, prosecco. Learn, smell, taste, and explore more things to do in Venice!
0 experiences
Most known for being the setting of the Shakespeare’s tragic yet beautiful Romeo & Juliet, Verona attracts an array of multinational of visitors. Its romantic piazzas and tangled lanes make for a perfect romantic getaway. However, there is much more to this town than all the romantic fluff. In fact, this city is a lively cultural center of the region. Thanks to its rich artistic heritage not one but several annual fairs, shows, and operas take place around Verona. It’s dominated by an impressively well-preserved 1st-century amphitheater which hosts the city’s annual opera festival each summer. The concoction of ancient churches, fascinating quaint bridges, regional wine and food, impressive art in all shapes and forms makes Verona one of the most attractive cities in northern Italy. Plus, if you get bored in the city, you can always venture to the stunning Lake Garda and surrounding hills for a refreshing hike!
0 experiences
Hiding in the center of the Veneto plains, surrounded by lagoons, and Alpine foothills, lies the city of Padua (Padova in Italian). Padua is an incredibly vivacious and dynamic city with grand historical and monumental heritage. Better yet, the natural and cultural perks that surround it are unmatched: Euganean Springs and Hills, well-preserved Medieval defensive walls, villas, castles and lovely patchwork countryside riddled with springs. Although the town is only an hour drive from Venice, its medieval marketplaces and hip student population seem a whole world away. This former medieval city-state is home to Italy’s second-oldest university as well as a former contender for dominance over Veneto region. The remarkable frescos and landmarks including Giotto’s masterpiece Cappella degli Scrovegni and Titian’s St Anthony in the Scoletta del Santo remind of this golden age! Don’t hesitate, find out more about what to do in Padua!
Venice is not the only gem hiding in Veneto. The region’s rich cultural and traditional heritage creates a whole new universe of exceptional experiences. Naturally, the most known of Veneto attractions when it comes to folklore is the Venice Carnival. In the earlier centuries of its celebration, it was a three-month affair where inhibitions dissolved. The entire city, safe behind the anonymity of a mask, slipped into a world of decadence. However, beyond the Carnival, Veneto celebrates a rich history of traditions and folklore. Near Vicenza, in the town square of Marostica, the townsfolk don period costume to play a game of living chess. Treviso celebrates the winter solstice in early January by lighting a giant bonfire. On the third Sunday of July, Venice once again comes together to celebrate the Redentore Festival. It combines spectacular fireworks with tradition as Venice thanks for the end of the plague of 1576.
Bordering the Adriatic Sea, the Veneto lays claim to genuinely spectacular landscapes. Beyond the canals and waterways of the region’s capital, Venice, lie the Dolomite Mountains. These ranges, which form part of the Southern Limestone Alps, boast crisp alpine air and stunning scenery. The Cortina d’Ampezzo plays host to the hugely popular skiing town of the same name and draws a crowd of adrenaline hungry skiers and mountaineers. A two-hour drive away is the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. This park, covering an area of 15,000 hectares, is characterized by windswept wilderness and boasts the gorgeous Cadini del Brenton and Soffia waterfalls. Just west of Verona is Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda. Stretching from the Po Valley in the North as the lake comes south, it gives way to beautiful shorelines perfect for lounging and water sports. Indeed, running out of things to do in Veneto is a real challenge!
It might surprise you, but Veneto region is a chest of musical treasures. For instance, music is everywhere in Venice. So much so, that it became famous as the “Republic of Music.” Stroll down the canals, and you will hear the folk-songs of old being sung by the gondoliers pushing their boats around the city’s waterways. St. Mark’s Basilica, with its two organs, points to Venice’s deeply religious music history. However, Veneto was also instrumental in the evolution of opera. In the heart of Verona, sits the “Arena.” Built in the 1st century AD of white and pink limestone, this former Roman Amphitheatre has been hosting open-air concerts since the 16th century. And who could forget the Teatro Olimpico? It is one of only three remaining Renaissance theatres and still puts on plays and musical performances. If you ever can’t decide on what to do in Veneto, just listen!
Also known as the Floating City, it is the capital of Veneto as well as one of the most imposing cities in the world.
Venice, thanks to its opulent history, priceless architectural heritage, Carnival, Murano glass, and Burano lace, is the highlight of Veneto. Built on water, it connects to the mainland by a rail as well as a road bridge. Consequently, you can explore it on foot walking through its quaint narrow streets and bridges or on water, riding a typical Venetian gondola or a modern motorboat.
However, looking beyond the golden glow of Venice, you will discover that the whole of Veneto boasts historic, artistic, and natural gems. Other main cities include the romantic, Verona (made famous by the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet), historic Padua, rich Vicenza or Treviso with ancient canals of its own.
Thanks to its natural diversity, Veneto region offers an incredibly vast and eclectic array of activities. For instance, if you love sport-oriented vacations, you can enjoy a plethora of winter sports in Alpine resorts from the Dolomites to Lessinia; Active summer travelers can indulge in the golden coast offering beach volleyball, water skiing, sailing, surfing, or cycling; and the history and art lovers can throw themselves into explorations of museums galleries, medieval churches, and much more. In any case, it's hard to run out of exciting things to do in Veneto. Browse below to find inspiration for your next trip!