The 7 Best Things to Experience in the Veneto Italy

Oh the things to experience in the Veneto, Italy!

This region is the home to Venice, the Eastern shores of Lago di Garda, a bit of the Dolomites and the vineyards that produce Prosecco.

So yes.

There are a plethora of things to do in the Veneto.

And it’s a diverse region as well.

Ready to dive in?

You know the drill.

We’ll start with the where.

Where is the Veneto Region?

The Veneto region is located in Northeastern Italy.

It has quite a bit of coastline with a good portion of it being the Venetian Lagoon.

As you venture from the coast, you’ll hit the fertile plains as you head north and west.

Further north you’ll hit the mountains of the Dolomites.

So the Veneto region is very diverse geographically.

There are 7 provinces and close to 5 million people in the region.

Let’s explore some of the best things to experience in the Veneto.

Take in authentic Vicenza (and the genius of Palladio)

Vicenza was a revelation to me.

I have to admit, I kind of randomly picked it not knowing a whole lot about it. 

When I arrived I was so surprised.

It was far less touristed and touristy than where I had just come from — Venice.

I saw the locals riding bicycles everywhere. 

It just felt so real to me as I was with the Italians and not a ton of travelers.

Then I wandered about, discovering more about Andrea Palladio, the great architect who designed so many buildings in and around Vicenza.

While Palladio was born in neighboring Padua, Vicenza was his home from the time he turned 16.

He designed the Basilica Palladiana, the Palazzo Chiericati, the Loggia del Capitanio, as well as numerous Villas around Vicenza and the Veneto region. 

Villa Rotunda is the most famous Villa in Vicenza, but I unfortunately missed it due to my poor navigation skills at the time. Ooops!

The one site I visited — and that I highly recommend — is the Teatro Olimpico which was designed by Palladio

He died before it was completed.

It was meant to be more of an academic exercise as it’s based on the reconstruction of the ancient Roman theatre at Orange, France.

I thought it was pretty cool and it’s right in the heart of town so it’s easy to walk to.

While Vicenza is not on most travelers’ lists of things to do in the Veneto, I think it should be because it is simply a place to enjoy Italian life.

The city is big enough to have plenty of tourist infrastructure, yet small enough to not feel overwhelming.

There is also a lovely park called Parco Querini that I ran through one morning.

As always, there are numerous churches scattered about town.

If you walk up the hill as I did (in search of those villas!) you’ll be rewarded with some views of the city and the landscape beyond.

Plus there is the magnificent Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico.

Back in the city center you can’t miss the gorgeous Piazza dei Signori — where you’ll see some of those stunning Palladio buildings — as it’s a great spot for sitting down and having a drink or a bite to eat.

Don’t miss the wee Piazetta Palladio just off the above where you’ll find the statue of the famous architect.

This is a city I highly recommend and that I really want to visit again so I can experience the things I missed.

See a show at the Arena in Verona (and wander the city)

Verona is not as famous as Venice but not as un-famous (is that a word?) as Vicenza.

But I love this city.

It’s actually a city I think I could live in for a while.

And that’s saying a lot because I’m not a city gal as many of you know.

However, Verona has some cool aspects and sites to it.

First of all, the Arena.

Wow!

Seeing a show in this Verona Arena is one of best things to experience in the Veneto.

The Arena dates back to the 1st Century CE/AD. 

And there is quite a bit of it that is still intact — and a good part that has since fallen.

But you must see a show — if possible — here.

In summer the Opera Festival is in full swing so do try to catch a performance.

I stayed in Verona just past the end of the Opera Festival season but sometimes you can catch a concert outside the opera season. 

I saw an Italian female pop star called Laura Pausini on my visit.

It was so much fun!

I had some seats way up high but it didn’t matter.

To be in an ancient arena with a bunch of Italians singing along with Laura was such an experience.

It’s a favorite travel memory.

As for the rest of Verona, well it’s just delightful to wander about and get lost.

Don’t miss a walk up Torre dei Lamberti to take in the views or seeing the Gothic Basilica di Santa Anastasia.

And there is the Piazza Brá where the Arena is and the more touristy Piazza delle Erbe.

My favorite is the piazza just off the Piazza delle Erbe — Piazza dei Signori with its statue of Dante. 

It’s a smaller and quieter spot.

Verona is a wonderful city to walk around.

There are more churches for sure and there are also a few gates from the old city walls.

Also do wander along the Adige River which almost completely surrounds the old town.

You’ll find some fabulous places to eat and drink here.

Look for the places tucked away from the main tourist sites as the food will be better and better priced.

I can’t say enough good things about Verona.

Drink wine in the Valpolicella wine region

And just about 20km outside the fantastic city of Verona is the equally fabulous wine region of Valpolicella.

I love this wine region.

In fact I’ve traveled to this destination 3 times now.

And I’m quite sure I’ll return.

The Valpolicella wine region is fairly well-known by some and not so much by others.

The wines are delicious ranging from the light Valpolicella Classico to the medium bodied Valpolicella Ripasso to the very full bodied Amarone della Valpolicella.

Don’t forget the dessert wine called Recioto as it’s quite tasty.

While the towns aren’t as big or well-known as Tuscany or Piedmont — they’re über small — there are a few gems like San Pietro in Cariano and San Giorgio di Valpolicella with its beautiful church.

Mostly this area is about being in the vineyards — touring wineries, tasting some incredible wine and eating some delicious food to accompany that wine.

I have always gotten out for runs and walks while in this area as it’s a wonderful spot to run or walk or even cycle through the beautiful landscape.

Do be sure to taste wine (make an appointment) at:

• Corte Aleardi — a small, family run winery that is one of my favorites.

 

• Serego Alighieri — The Alighieri family, who owns the vineyard, are direct descendants of Dante Alighieri — yes, that Dante of Divine Comedy. Also has a guesthouse on the property to lay your wine-filled head.

 

• Allegrini — one of the larger producers but with an excellent portfolio of wines.

 

• Buglioni — In 2014 I stayed in Dimora del Buglioni which is the farm house in the vineyards of this winery. So naturally I tasted their wines. And they are excellent. They also have a restaurant — Locanda del Buglioni just down the gravel road — that offers up some delicious, local food. I actually stayed again in 2019. I love Buglioni! The wines, the hospitality, the food!

 

• Brunelli — sits just down the hill from San Pietro in Cariano, has a lovely tasting room and some outstanding wines.

 

• Rubinelli Vajol — the difficult to find winery is worth it. Wines are fabulous and the location is lovely down a wee gravel road. 

 

• Ugolini — the location is gorgeous as is the villa that was built on the land. The wines are pretty darn good too. 

 

For wine lovers, a few days and nights in the vines of Valpolicella is one of the absolute best things to experience in the Veneto.

Taste some bubbly in the Prosecco hills

One of the other fun wine things to experience in the Veneto is to visit the wineries of the Prosecco region.

Located in the eastern part of the Veneto between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano this is another spot that I have only driven through and have yet to truly experience.

But I know many of you love this delightful sparkling wine so tasting it at its source is a must.

Prosecco is actually a DOC — Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which is a category for defining wine regions and wine names in Italy.

The current Prosecco DOC production zone is actually quite large spanning nine provinces that also include areas in the neighboring region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. 

But the most of the vineyards are in the Veneto region around the towns of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano.

Prosecco is actually made from an Italian grape Glera along with up to 15% of other varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio or some less-familiar Italian grapes.

This is an easy drinking, inexpensive, low in alcohol bubbly that goes well with all kinds of food or is great to drink on its own.

Since I have not toured any of the wineries, I don’t have any specific vineyards to recommend.

But I will say that I find it’s a good idea to try one of the bigger producers to see what it’s all about but also find a smaller producer. 

Typically you’ll find you enjoy the experience more at smaller producers, but not always.

I simply think it’s a good way to get a taste of both, so to speak. 

Other places to explore in the Veneto region — and some final thoughts

I want to mention other destinations in the Veneto region as there is a lot here — a lot that I have yet to experience. 

Here’s quick list:

Padua — University city that is the home to master painter Giotto with a good food scene

Basso del Grappa — smaller city on the shores of the Brenta River with Medieval and Venetian architecture and the famous (and potent) adult beverage, grappa, is produced here

Treviso — beautiful historical center with lots of art and palaces

Asolo — one of the prettiest walled Medieval cities (high on my list!)

Marostica — town near Basso del Grappa that holds a live chess festival every other year where the people, dressed in Medieval costumes, are the chess pieces. It’s featured in my Location Inspiration Guide: A Journey Through Italy.

Cortina d’Ampezzo — famous ski resort town in the northern reaches of the region

So you can see that the this region is more than Venice.

There really are a lot of things to experience in the Veneto — and a lot of variety.

The Veneto really is quite diverse.

Put this region on your list — go beyond Venice.

Dig deeper and fully experience this amazing region of Northern Italy.

Personally, I can’t wait to return!

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places have opened.

Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home (or close to home) and stay safe!

 

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