Veneto/Venice

*** = highly recommended

### = Luke hasn't been but wants to go

The Veneto region is a fiercely independent one, with Venice as its capital and major tourist draw.  However, it hosts many other sights, such as Verona (the backdrop of Romeo and Juliet) and Padua (a university town with the famous Scrovegni Chapel and Basilica of St. Anthony).

Venice

Getting There

Getting Around

The Grand Canal bisects the city; four bridges (along with traghetti "da parada" aka "Gondola Ferries", smaller gondolas that cost €4 a crossing) cross the Canal.  Vaporetti (ferries) run up and down the canal and connect the outlying islands. Venice is divided up into six sestieri (districts); also see Slow Travel's map and description:

How to Ride Vaporetti

Reid's Italy has a nice introduction.

Sights

A city of ancient palaces sinking slowly into a lagoon, Venice itself is the main sight.  Just wander around and get lost in the canals!  Following are some of the specific tourist attractions; also check out Wikitravel and Frommer'sViews on Venice also has a great list of sights for each sestiero, including information on attractions for children, cooking classes, and supermarkets.

Islands / Venetian Lagoon

The islands around Venice in the lagoon give you another look at the city (and the trip there/back is fun), and some aren't as crowded as Venice itself

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

Venice is known for seafood, as it is surrounded by the grand canal.  Another Venitian favorite is cicheti (also spelled cicchetti), or bar snacks, which are a bit like Spanish tapas (here's a Rick Steves guide to them), traditionally served at a bar called a bacaro.  Also check out Time Out's and Frommer's listings...The Times has a great list as well.

*** = Luke went there and liked it

Bars

Time Out's Bar List

--> also look up "bacaro", "enoteca", and "cichetti" in Restaurants, above

Ombra = a small glass of wine

Bàcari = bars

Spritz = white wine, Campari, and sparkling water

See separate Verona page

Padua (Padova)

Known for its university, Padua hosts the Scrovegni Chapel, which has frescos by Giotto, and Basilica of St. Anthony, a popular pilgrimage site (which also has Donatello statues and Renaissance carvings).

Vicenza

Rick Steves recommends this town for its Venice-like Rennaissance palaces, many designed by architect Andrea Palladio.  Palladio also designed the splendid Olympic Theater.  Rick rec's Zi Teresa, a local restaurant.

Treviso

Not far from Venice, and featuring some canals (various articles say you can get some of the charm of Venice without the crowds).

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Home to the 1956 Winter Olympics (and the 2026 one!), this Dolomite town is known for some of the best skiing in Italy, if not Europe. The local language (Ladin) is related to Swiss Romansch.

Food

Resources

Hiking