Plan a trip to Veneto

What do Casanova, the womanizer, Vivaldi, the famous composer, Marco Polo, the explorer, Carpaccio, the painter after whom the famous dish is named, and Pierre Cardin, the fashion designer, have in common? They were all born in Venice, the capital of the Veneto region.

The Veneto region is located in the northeastern part of the Italian boot, covering an area of nearly 11,400 miles, and it is home to approximately 5 million inhabitants. Veneto borders Austria in the north, the province of Friuli Venezia Giulia in the northeast, the province of Tarantino Alto Adige in the northwest, the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Emilia Romagna province in the south, and Lombardy in the west.

The Po River, Italy’s longest river, which flows from west to east, forms the border between Veneto and both Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. The river empties into the Adriatic Sea in a wide delta surrounded by a rich and fertile valley, and its northern border extends along the Veneto plain, with the spectacular Dolomites rising above its northern portion.

The name “Veneto” originates with the tribes who lived in the area until the Roman conquest in the 3rd century BC. The Romans developed the area which was considered to be strategically important as a gateway to the sea and the northern regions of Eastern Europe. They established several important key cities in the region, and the native inhabitants accepted the Roman culture and its laws.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and the brutal invasion by the Hun tribes, led by the cruel leader Attila, the residents of the area fled for their lives. Searching for refuge, they discovered the deserted lagoon islands in the Adriatic Sea, east of the mainland. Thus began the establishment of Venice, the city that sits on 118 islands, including 170 canals crossed by 400 bridges. Venice, considered to be the most beautiful and exceptional city in the Veneto region, serves as its capital. From a bird’s eye view of the city, one can see that Venice is shaped like a big fish resting in the lagoon water. In fact, the Venetian writer Tiziano Scarpa wrote a travel book about his beloved city and named it Venice is a Fish.

With about 30 million tourists a year, Veneto is the most visited of all of the Italian provinces. It is hard to believe that, until the mid- 20th century, this was the poorest of Italy’s northern districts. Following a massive industrial and agricultural development boom, the region became one of the wealthiest in Italy and Europe. Today, Veneto’s economy is fueled by agriculture and industry, but its mainstay is tourism -and for good reason.

The beauty of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracts visitors year-round. In the winter, it is an ideal location for all types of winter sports, especially skiing, and, in the summer, it is a haven for hikers, cyclists, and rafting enthusiasts. Add to this anyone who is looking for a tranquil vacation amidst lush landscapes, breathtaking mountain ranges, stunning beaches, and small lakes – such as Lake Carca, Lake Mizzorina, and Lake Santa Croce - with their clear, blue waters, and it’s no wonder that Veneto is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations.

The well-known Lake Garda, located in Veneto, is Italy’s largest lake. The northern head of Lake Garda sits at the foothills of the Dolomites, surrounded by historic, picturesque coastal towns. At the southern end of the lake, there is a long, narrow peninsula that juts into the water, and it is here that the charming, lush medieval town of Sirmione is perched. 

Other popular tourist destinations in Veneto include Verona, located in the northern part of the region, which is best known as the setting for the Romeo and Juliet love story. The Verona Arena, a huge 1st century Roman amphitheater located in the heart of the city, is a landmark, and it hosts the great opera festival every summer as well as many other concerts and cultural events.

Padua is one of Italy’s main art cities as well as an ancient university city, and there are many thermal spas, such as those in Abano Terme, located in the surrounding area. The beautiful, 20-mile Prosecco Road at the foot of the Dolomites passes between the vineyards and the wineries which produce the much-loved prosecco wines.

There are other elegant and magnificent cities in the region, such as Vicenza, a Renaissance city and home of the famous architect, Andrea Palladio, and the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa, which sits in a stunning location along the River Brenta at the foot of Monte Grappa. The Grappa drink, a high-content alcoholic beverage that is said to aid digestion after a heavy meal – and a folk remedy that is said to relieve an assortment of other maladies! - originated here.

This area is also known for its white asparagus crops, and there is a festival held annually in September in which asparagus dishes are the star attraction. The radicchio russo (purple chicory) is another crop which is indigenous to Veneto, and it is prominent in the local cuisine, as are the small pink artichokes that are grown by monks on one of Veneto’s lagoon islands.

As you wind along the roads in Veneto, you’ll pass through many corn fields from which polenta, a dish made from corn flour, is made as well as some of the local pasta. In October, after the corn kernels have been crushed and ground, the polenta festival is celebrated in various places in the region.

While we’re on the topic of festivals, how can we not dedicate a few words to the famous Carnival of Venice? Celebrated by over a million tourists every year, the carnival takes place for close to two weeks during the month of February. Balls, replicating the style of Venice’s former aristocracy, are held in the city palaces, and masses of people dress in elaborate costumes and masks, strolling along the city’s streets. If you’re looking for great selfies to post, this festival is for you! A contest is held on the main stage at the end of each day to choose the most outstanding costume, and you’ll find stalls with masks, costumes, and glasses of Italian vin brûlé - a hot, spicy sweet wine – being sold, adding to the generally joyful – and intoxicated! - atmosphere.

And dessert in Veneto? Tiramisu, of course! This popular, mouthwatering dessert dish originated in the city of Treviso, which is located northwest of Venice. “Tiramisu” means, literally, "lift me up" – and is the appropriate name for this iconic dish. The rich mascarpone cheese, stimulating coffee, and quality cocoa powder that are at its core are energizing- and delicious!