Veneto

Veneto is a region in northeastern Italy. Considering its geography, it constitutes the eighth-largest Italian region in terms of surface area. It borders Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the Adriatic Sea to the east, Austria to the north, Trentino-Alto Adige to the northwest, Lombardy to the west, and Emilia-Romagna to the south.

From a natural point of view, it offers a diversified landscape capable of satisfying every type of visitor: here, nothing is lacking, from the mountains to the hills, the sea, the rivers and the spas. Just think of Lake Garda, the Jesolo seafront, the Po Delta area, the famous Cortina d'Ampezzo and the thermal baths of Abano-Montegrotto. To be precise, more than 50 per cent of the territory consists of plains, 14 per cent of hills and 30 per cent of mountains, which include the Carnic Alps, the eastern Dolomites and the Venetian Pre-Alps. In addition, the region has a coastline that stretches approximately 150 kilometres along the Adriatic Sea, characterised by a sandy coastal zone.

The history of Veneto is very ancient. The place's name derives from the first inhabitants of this land, the Veneti, who settled here more than 4000 years ago. They allied themselves with Rome in the 3rd century B.C. to face the barbarian threat. Many cities were founded in Roman times and still retain evidence of this, first and foremost Verona with its famous amphitheatre: the Arena. The Veneto region is known as 'The land of Venice', and its history was inevitably marked by that of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, which, founded in 697, had a life of more than 1100 years and became one of the most significant commercial and naval powers in the entire Mediterranean. However, Veneto's illustrious past has always continued to be an integral part of the regional identity. Even today, it is still one of the driving regions of the Italian economy.

The region has a great artistic and historical heritage, beautiful cities and villages. The area boasts no less than 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Dolomites, the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, Venice and its lagoon, the city of Verona, the city of Vicenza and Palladio's villas of the Veneto, Padua's 14th-century fresco cycles, the Botanical Garden of Padua, the Venetian works of defence between the 16th and 17th centuries and three of the one hundred and eleven prehistoric pile-dwelling sites in the Alps.

The Veneto can be reached by plane, ship, car or train. The main airports are the Marco Polo International Airport in Venice - Tessera, the Valerio Catullo Airport in Verona - Villafranca and the Antonio Canova Airport in Treviso. Venice Marco Polo is the leading international airport in the region. The airports of Verona and Treviso are served by many low-cost airlines. The entire area is well connected by railway lines that make it easy to reach the main cities of art, which have stations very close to the centre. There is also an efficient public transport system and a dense road and motorway network. From the port of Venice, ferries and fast ships connect the city with Croatia, Dalmatia, Istria, Greece and Turkey daily.

There are numerous destinations of interest. Besides the beauty of world-famous Venice, this region is famous for the charm of Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, Padua, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces including those of the great Giotto, and Vicenza, the city of Palladio. Also noteworthy are the walled cities, including Marostica, Asolo, Montagnana, Este, Cittadella, and Castelfranco Veneto. The Riviera del Brenta, adorned with majestic Venetian villas inherited from the Serenissima Republic of Venice, is also well worth a visit. 

Veneto's seven provincial capital cities are Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Verona, Treviso, Rovigo and Belluno.

Venice stands on over 100 islets and has 435 bridges spanning 176 canals. It is adorned with magnificent palaces and monuments like St Mark's Basilica. The city boasts Europe's oldest Jewish ghetto (13th century) and the world's oldest casino (1638). Venice is also the home of Marco Polo, the traveller par excellence who, in his book 'Il Milione', recounted his journey to discover China along the Silk Road. Another city pride is Murano glass and Burano lace, the jewels in the crown of Made in Italy.

Padua is famous for three things: the Prato without grass, the Santo without a name and the Caffè without doors. The first is the Prato della Valle square; the second is St Anthony, the city's patron saint; and the third is the 19th-century Caffè Pedrocchi, which used to be open 24 hours a day. Padua boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: its Botanical Garden and the 14th-century painting cycles included in Padova Urbs Picta, including the Scrovegni Chapel that Giotto frescoed. Padua is also the city of Italy's second oldest university, the Bo, where Galileo Galilei's chair still stands and where the world's first woman graduated. 

Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet. The entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers many historical and cultural points of interest, first and foremost, its Arena, venue for concerts, musicals and operas. Also of great charm is the Castelvecchio fortress, an imposing construction on the northern bank of the Adige River dating back to the mid-14th century.

Vicenza is the home of Palladio, the famous Renaissance architect who created most of his wonders here, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. He gave the city and the surrounding landscape buildings of majestic elegance, including the Basilica Palladiana, the Olympic Theatre, the Loggia del Capitaniato and, just outside the town, Villa Almerico Capra, known as 'La Rotonda'. 

Treviso is called 'Little Venice' because of its calm canals called 'cagnani'. The area of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene is famous for being the home of Prosecco. Treviso is also the birthplace of one of the most famous desserts in the world: Tiramisù. The city also holds the world's oldest mathematics book 'L'Aritmetica di Treviso' (original name: 'L'Arte de labbacho'), dating back to 1478. 

Rovigo rises in Polesine, known as 'the land of the great rivers', the fertile flat land between the Po and Adige rivers. It is a relatively small and quiet town with monuments, theatres and palaces, and it hosts art exhibitions and other cultural events.

Belluno has a pretty historical centre with arcades and beautiful Renaissance and Gothic palaces. 

The city's most significant peculiarity is the landscape it stands in: it offers a breathtaking view of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park is ideal for lovers of all winter sports, trekking and walking, and has lush nature with many species of flora and fauna.