Veneto: The region of the architect Palladio, with Venice as “the jewel in the crown”
The city of Venice is, as a matter of course, the symbol of this region, but there are many other beautiful cities of art. Nowadays, the Veneto is one of the richest regions of Italy and home to many multinationals. The landscape of the Veneto is rich in variety, from the snow-covered mountain ranges of the Dolomites to the plains along the Po river and from the waving shores of Lake Garda to the beaches of the Adriatic and the lagoon of Venice.
Throughout the ages, the region has always been overshadowed by its crown jewel, Venice. This city dominated the Mediterranean for many centuries and still is one of the most beloved places for tourists to visit, even if only once in a lifetime.
A museum on the water
The splendour of the past has richly contributed to Venice’s world-wide spread fame. The city is a kind of museum built on water and the unique tides of the lagoon provide an exquisite extra.
You can spend hours in this city and find, in each and every corner, yet another work of art, such as the Basilica of San Marco, the luscious Palace of the Doges, the churches of Santa Maria della Salute, Frari en San Zaccaria with their priceless frescoes and paintings, or the Galleria dell’ Academia, the Ca’ Rezzonico, the Biennale, and Palazzo Grassi, where world famous exhibitions are held. Along the largest canal, the Canal Grande, which “snakes” its way through the city and dividing it into two parts, many noble palaces show their contours – quite often as not through the mists, normal to the typical Venetian weather conditions. One of the most famous of them is the Gothic Ca’ d’ Oro, the “house of gold”.
A short trip on the lagoon
When you visit the city of Venice, you should try to make time for a boat-trip on the lagoon. The small island of Murano is world-famous for its glass blowing industry, whilst on Burano, you will be seduced by absolutely beautiful, handmade lace. Torcello, less famous but also worth while a visit could then be followed by the Lido, which, since the coming into existence of the “jet set”,
caters to the wishes of the rich and famous and where the headquarters of the International Film Festival are established. For those who are not interested in worldly goods; there are many islets in this shallow lagoon, offering you a richness in flora and fauna which could be just – or even more, depending on one’s taste - as satisfying to look at.
Inland palaces
More inland, there is another, very interesting aspect of the Venetian aristocratic life of yesterday-year; the palaces and country estates, built mostly between the 15th and 18th centuries, all little gems of architectural beauty. There are lots of them, all different and designed by different but always famous architects and all situated in the loveliest spots. The shadow of these villas is best reflected by the river Brenta, finding its course from, let’s say, Padua till the Venetian lagoon. Special mention deserve the villa’s Barbaro in Maser and Malcontenta in Oriago, both by Palladio, and the monumental villa Pisani in Stra.
Highlights of Medieval art
The Veneto region counts, apart from the rivers Po and Brenta, also the Pieve and the Adige, and takes care of many leisurely spots along all those riverbanks. The biggest river of them all, the Po, a majestic waterway, has quite a many city on its banks, all of them full of high quality Medieval art. In first instance there is Padua, one of the eldest cities with an University in Europe. Just like any city anywhere, traffic can be murderous but try to visit the Scrovegni chapel with frescoes by Giotto, the Baptistry as well as the majestic Roman/Gothic Basilica of Saint Anthony, with 8 small domes which contributed to establish this city as a religious centre.
Palladio, romance and castles
The city of Vicenza is, exceptions excluded, a Palladio-happening. He more or less designed everything: the Teatro Olimpico, the Villa Rotonda, the basilica and many palaces and country estates.
Continuing, we find the city of Verona with its famous amphitheatre and wonderful acoustics.
Opera lovers from all over the world gather in Verona to listen to their beloved musical works of art. Verona is, of course, also the city of Romeo and Juliet, the tragic lovestory made eternally known by William Shakespeare. The city claims the house where Juliet grew up in, with even the famous balcony, but you should realise that Shakespeare never visited Verona, and that the tourist industry most probably “invented” the house plus balcony. However, Juliet could have lived there, and romance should rule supreme in this course…..
Also in Verona, go see the Piazza delle Erbe and the Piazza dei Signori, the tombs of the Scala family and the Castelvecchio with its ancient stone bridge across the river Adige.
The last city of art on this route is Treviso, surrounded by city walls dating from the 15th century, crossed by canals. Here, too, you will find a choice of historical palaces with beautiful frescoes.
But there are many smaller cities, little diamonds in the Veneto crown. Of course, depending on your interest and time, you either pay them a visit or you don’t. Just a few names: Asolo, Bassano del Grappa, Este, Feltre, Vittorio Veneto and Monselice.
Lakes and snow
The Eastern shores of Lake Garda have been named the Riviera of the Olives, and are very much sought after by tourists from the Northern parts of Europe because of the mild climate, the wide variety of water sports and the hospitality of the inhabitants.
Towards the North, past Belluno and getting closer to the Dolomites, the landscape gets more mountainous. The Cardore-area is very spectacular, especially Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the most famous skiing resorts in Europe where the hotels are mostly 5-stars, the restaurants serve delectable food, the jet-set gathers and the prices are accordingly. The city lies in a valley, not far from the intensely blue Lake Misurina.
Delicious food
The gastronomy of the Veneto is simple but very tasty. Try, by all means, the “risi e bisi” (rice with peas and other vegetables), the spaghetti with a “calamari” sauce, sardines in a sweet-sour sauce called “saòr” or the “baccala alla Vicentina (salted cod stewed in milk). All these dishes ought to be accompanied by the wonderful wines of this region, such as the Prosecco from Conegliano, the Cartizze, Bardolino and Valpolicella. When you do not have to drive, wash away the remnants of your meal with a grappa, the traditional drink from the Veneto. We can assure you; you will love it, love each other, your holiday and Italy and will look forward to your next meal……
