The Veneto is the most visited of Italy's twenty regions. Its capital is Venice but an exploration of other parts of the region has much to offer too.
Venice is one of the world's top destinations and there is no doubt you will be spending some time there but do try to see something else of the area.
The Veneto is not only Venice and the best way to explore what else is on offer is by car. The charming little town of Treviso is only about half an hour’s drive from Venice (after you have taken the vaporetto or a more expensive water taxi from your hotel to the VTB boat stop).
Treviso
Treviso is a pretty walled town and some of it is very similar to Venice, although not on such a grand scale. There are many beautiful large villas.and the main shopping street, Calmaggiore, is lined with covered arcades an is completely pedestrianised. Treviso’s contemporary claim to fame is as birthplace of Benetton, the fashion king.
As you wander you will come across something of more ancient residence, the Fontana delle Tette (Tit Fountain) which was erected by the town’s governor in 1559. Legend says red wine flowed from one breast and white from the other for three days each year on the appointment of a new town governor. Nowadays all you will get is water. It is near the rear side of the Duomo.
Walk along the Canal Buranelli, there are tables where you can sit and have a quiet lunch. Try to find time for a visit to Ardizzoni pastry shop, for a “Medieval Breakfast” - a Treviso cake par excellence, the Zonclada, is an ancient dessert which was already known in 1313.
Prosecco Road
Treviso is the home of Prosecco, the Italian version of Champagne (many say it is better than the French version). The Prosecco Road is narrow and winding. Stop off in Refrontolo to taste the sweet wine, 'D.o.c.passito’ , which Mozart praised so highly in his opera Don Juan. The Prosecco Road starts at Conegliano and ends at Valdobbiadene.
Palladian Villas
There are a number of fine villas in the area. One is Villa Barbaro, in the village of Maser, close to Asolo. Completed in 1549, it has some fabulous frescoes. At the rear of the house is a nymphaeum (grotto) dedicated to the Gods, where a statue shows Neptune resting on his couch.
Asolo
Only 10 km from the Villa Barbaro is the mountain village of Asola. The poet, Robert Browning, came here in the 19th-century and stayed until he died in 1889. Like many of these ancient hill-top towns, Asolo has a castle, known as Rocca, dating from the Middle Ages. It’s just an empty shell, although the exterior is well-preserved. The walk up to the castle takes ten minutes from the square. Good views..
The centre of Asolo is closed to traffic. You have to park just outside the city centre but it’s just a few minutes walk to the centre where there are a number of antique shops and handicraft workshops. It’s a quiet little place - easy to see why it is still a place where artists and writers come to stay.
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