Veneto, North-East tastes

Veneto has a thousand facets. The sea, the mountains, the lagoon, the hills, the plains, the lakes, the cities of art and the historical villages. It’s one of the most varied mosaics of Italy and it’s one of the best known Italian geographical areas. It’s the Italian region where the most tourists go. It’s an area that can meet all the tourists’ needs even the most demanding ones by offering a wide range of options for their holidays, at the seaside, in the cultural

towns, at the thermal baths, in the sports facilities not to mention the food and the wine. The food and wine heritage match the landscapes by offering plenty of excellent products like the cheese, the salami and the typical dishes. Each corner of this region will let you discover many different specialties to taste. If you don’t want to miss anything from Veneto and know the best of its tastes and its routes you can visit the website www.veneto.eu.

The royal lagoon

The lagoon of Venice was entered into the Unesco World Heritage in 1987 and it’s featured by the extraordinary variety of water and islands. A liquid universe with Venice in its core, open towards the Adriatic Sea through three port mouths, Lido-San Nicolò, the Northern entrance, Malamocco, the Central one and Chioggia, the Southern one. From Venice to Burano, from Murano to Torcello, from Saint Erasmus to San Servolo, from Giudecca to San Giorgio Maggiore, just to mention a few important places, the lagoon is a wonderful patchwork of islands more or less

important and more or less inhabited. The scent of the sea is everywhere, also in the countryside around the islands that give some of the best products of this part of Veneto like the white cuttlefish from Chioggia and the schia, a little shellfish from the lagoon. They are perfectly sided by the products from the soil like the green celery, the sea pumpkin, the potato, the chicory, the radicchio, the carrot and all the products from Chioggia, a beautiful city in the Southern edge of the lagoon, besides the purple artichoke from Saint Erasmus and the white peach from Venice.

Overlooking the Dolomites

The wide mountain range that goes up towards the Alpes and the Dolomites from the big Venetian plain is called the Pre-Alps. It’s the mountain range that reaches Friuli from Lake Garda, that crosses the Asiago highland and the villages of Asiago, Rotzo, Roana, Lusiana Conco, Gallio, Foza and Enego, from Mount Baldo that has been known as “the botanic garden of Europe” since the 16th century, from Lessinia, the area of the huge natural bridge of Veja which is heaven for the Winter sports lovers, the Pre-Alps of Vicenza with Recoaro Terme, the Little Dolomites and Tonezza del Cimone, the realm

of the mountain bikers, the mythical Mount Grappa, the sacred Mount of our homeland up to Alpago, Cansiglio and Nevegal, where the green-blue Lake Santa Croce is set. In this land of landscapes, mountains, villages, valleys, green fields and thick forests the milk and the butter are made to produce famous cheese like the Asiago Dop (Protected Designation of Origin), the Morlacco, which is produced on the Mount Grappa’s highland, the Bastardo which is produced in the mountains pastures of the Grappa mountain range and the Nevegal that gets its name from the nearby mountain area.

Cathedrals of stones

The Queen of the Dolomites is Cortina d’Ampezzo, it’s the elegant trendy heart of this area of the Alps, it’s a city of art full of traditions where many events are regularly held and it’s one of the most favourite destinations of celebrities and aristocrats. The Dolomites have belonged to the World Unesco Heritage for ten years now, they are considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. The valley of Agordo and Biois, Falcade, Arabba, Fodom, Auronzo di Cadore, Misurina and the three Peaks of Lavaredo are considered natural monuments, then Cadore and San Vito di Cadore,

the Marmolada, the highest peak on the Dolomites, the charming Pettorina valley, the Comelico valley and Padola, the Zoldo valley, Alleghe and the Fiorentina valley are the pieces of this fantastic natural mosaic. The skiers, the climbers, the hikers, the cyclists love these areas, the territory of Belluno offers some very good cheese among which the Agordino which is produced in the pastures facing the Marmolada, the Casel Bellunese, a half-fat cheese and the Dolomites, a soft cheese as well as the honey, the vegetables, the fruit, the grapes that produce high quality wines.

The liquid border

The Po delta is a labyrinth of water where the land meets the sea, it’s an area of the Southern Veneto where the magic and the wonders disclose breathless views, where the natural beauty match the continuous important human touch. The Po delta is nature, water, land and much more like the town of Adria with its characteristic historical centre and its well documented history thanks to the several collections and findings that are kept at the National Archaeological Museum, Rosolina, a town set in an area that is featured by the vegetable

gardens that are spread in the lagoon of Caleri and the fishing valleys where you can see the botanical garden of Porto Caleri and Porto Tolle whose territory is featured by the marshes, the barene (sort of plains), the inlets and the islets with sandy beaches and lagoons among which the Sacca degli Scardovari, the ideal habitat for the cultivation of the famous Dop (Protected Designation of Origin) mussels from Scardovari. The other local typical products are the rice, the garlic, the melon and the honey that are produced in the delta’s areas.

The Mediterranean lake

Lake Garda is the biggest Italian lake, in its Southern part it’s surrounded by the morainic hills that were created by the melting of the ice and by the mountains in the Northern part that keep the climate mild. It’s bigger in the Southern part but it gets more narrow towards the North so it looks like a fiord surrounded by the mountains. The most famous villages on the Venetian side of the lake are Malcesine which is considered the gem of the lake with its castle, it’s the village that inspired Goethe, where the panoramic

cableway connects Mount Baldo with Lazise, an important historical centre of the olive trees coast, Garda where you can see the elegant palaces in the Venetian style, the Medieval village of Torri del Benaco, the fortress-city of Peschiera del Garda, Bardolino, the land of wine and Brenzone sul Garda, the heaven for the sea sports lovers like the sailing, the windsurf and the kitesurf. The very good oil from Garda is a Dop product and the most famous wines are the Bardolino and the Chiaretto which is the rosé type.

Sandy horizons

The coastline stretches from Friuli to the Po delta. The water of the Adriatic Sea touches its sandy beaches, the lagoon is sometimes in the background or by the Po delta. Jesolo offers many cultural, sporting and other events related to food and wine, Eraclea is surrounded by a natural oasis, Bibione provides a wide network of cycle routes, Caorle has a beautiful historical fishing village, the Lido of Venice is the home of the very famous International Film Festival, Cavallino Treporti is a wonderful place if you love

the tourism in the open air, Rosolina stretches between the dunes and the pine forests, in Sottomarina you can dive and discover the seabed off the coastline, this is the area of the sea, the beaches, the tourists facilities where you can have fun and enjoy your holidays, it’s the favourite destination of millions of tourists. The fish is the king of tables here. The fried fish and the grilled fish is perfect with the wine from Veneto and you’ll be surrounded by the tastes and the typical sea atmosphere.

World sparkling wine

There are many hilly areas in Veneto, around Vicenza, the one of Soave, the hills around Asola and the Berici ones, the Euganei hills and Valpolicella, the hills of the Prosecco wine, the Coneliano and the Valdobbiadene hills that have been recently entered into the World Unesco Heritage. Northern of Treviso, just one hour far from Venice the magic landscapes of this hilly area are set, they are featured by the cities of art and the rural villages, it’s the land where they produce one of the most famous sparkling wine in the world, the Prosecco wine. Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, Vittorio Veneto and Follina are important

places for the art and the wine culture. It’s “the route of Prosecco and Conegliano-Valdobbiadene hills” that guides the tourists along the ancient castles, the abbeys, the monasteries and the aristocratic villas as well as the historical wine cellars where you can also taste the local specialities like the salami, the cheese, the very good meat and you can taste the local wine, the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg, the white wine Hills of Conegliano Docg, the red wine Hills of Conegliano Docg, the Verdiso Igt, the Refrontolo Passito Docg and the Torchiato of Fregona Docg.

Under the shadow of the Dolomites

The most Northern city in Veneto is Belluno, it’s set at the foot of the Dolomites and it’s an amazing mountain Roman amphitheatre. The interesting historical centre features the beautiful Duomo Square which is surrounded by many ancient fountains among which the fountain of San Gioatà stands out. You can stop there and see the beautiful historical palaces like Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo dei Rettori, Palazzo Scoville and the cathedral of San Martino. Piazza dei Martiri has got a Renaissance layout and it’s the real commercial core of the city. Belluno is related to

the famous Baroque sculpture by Andrea Brustolon who enriched the city with his works. Many of his works are kept in the church of Saint Peter or at Palazzo Fulcis where the civic museum is based, it also keeps some masterpieces by Domenico Tintoretto, Sebastiano Ricci, Ippolito Caffi and other artists belonging to the period between the 14th century and the beginning of the 20th century. In Belluno you must taste the Pastin, a dish with chopped flavoured meat that is served with polenta or spread on the bread with the cheese.

Glints on the water

The atmosphere is magic in Treviso. There are many historical treasures within its walls among which the beautiful Duomo that keeps the painting of the Annunciation by Tiziano. The Civic Museums also belong to the artistic and cultural route of this city, they are based in Santa Caterina, in the Luigi Bailo Museum, at Cà dei Carraresi where many important international exhibitions are held. Treviso is an historical city that deserves to be explored on foot, you can stroll along the river

Sile or the canals that offer beautiful views, you can visit the house with the arcades and their beautiful painted front sides that are mirrored in the water of the Buranelli canal so to breath the atmosphere of this city and its water. The local best products are the Igp (Protected Geographical Indication) Red Redicchio (chicory) and the best known Docg (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) Superior Prosecco Wine from Conegliano Valdobbiadene.

The enchantment of Palladio

Vicenza is part of the World Unesco Heritage and it’s one of the most beautiful places in this region. It’s a real jewel-case of treasures by the famous architect Palladio, it’s a very elegant city that offers breathless views on the squares and the streets. It’s an art gallery in the open air that catches the tourists’ attention who are amazed by the beauty of the Cathedral by Palladio that overlooks Piazza dei Signori, it’s spread with elegant buildings and palaces from the Renaissance period. The Romanesque, the Baroque and the Neoclassical

styles are all present in Vicenza along an emotional route where the Olympic Theatre, the first modern roofed permanent theatre of that time, is one of the main landmarks. Another iconic work by Palladio is Villa Capra which is called “La Rotonda”. The art is also sided by the historical parks like Campo Marzo and the Salvi Gardens but a wide range of tastes is also at your disposal like the soppressa from Vicenza which is a big sausage made with the pork meat and other typical dishes like the codfish with polenta.

VicenzaFrom Giotto to Sant’Antonio

Padova has a very ancient history, an amazing route that wraps the past and the present where many traditions and art masterpieces come together. There are plenty of beautiful things to see like the Palazzo della Ragione, the Loggia dei Carraresi that witness the glamour of the Carraresi family in the past. The most important art-piece of the city is the Chapel of Scrovegni that features a precious group of frescos by Giotto, then there are also the sculptures by Donatello and the modern shapes of Libeskind’s monument. The city is running to be entered into the World Unesco Heritage but the University’s

Botanic Garden has already been accepted. Padua is mainly famous because of Saint Anthony that has always attracted thousands of tourists and pilgrims who are amazed by the huge church and by the Abbey of Santa Giustina and the Cathedral. Prato della Valle and the walk under the arcades of the historical centre are two charming destinations, from there you can reach the elegant Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta. Venison and poultry can be found on your dishes as well as the salami and the sweets of the Saint like the amarettoni di Sant’Antonio, the Pan del Santo and the Merletti di Sant’Antonio.

The lordly sitting-room

Venice is one of the most amazing cities in the world, it’s an explosion of beauty and art, romantic feelings and magic. Touching its beauty by sailing the gondola is a unique experience, you’ll be overwhelmed by the bridges, the palaces, the narrow streets and the little squares. The views are incredible from the Canal Grande (The Great Canal), the majestic San Marco Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Fenice Theatre, the treasures in the heart of the Serenissima, San Marco Cathedral,

the tower bell and the Doge’s Palace. Venice must be disclosed slowly, little by little. There are several art galleries that display amazing exhibitions as well as many craft workshops and locals where you can taste the typical food specialties. The “bacari” are the typical taverns of Venice that keep the most typical traditions where you can sip a good glass of wine, the spritz, and also many other specialities like the tasty “sarde in saor” and the croutons of creamed cod.

The amphitheatre of wonders

Verona became famous thanks to two young lovers, the protagonists of one of the best works by Shakespeare so it became the city of the sweethearts. It’s one of the best-known Italian cities of art and its historical centre has been entered into The World Unesco Heritage. The heart of the city is the Roman Amphitheatre where the opera has been historically put on stage as well as many other shows and concerts. The historical centre is spread with noble palaces that witness the enlightened past and the huge military palaces like the Barbieri Palace where the city hall is based nowadays and the Palace of Gran Guardia. There are plenty

of churches too among which the Duomo stands out, it keeps a painting by Tiziano then there is the Gothic church of Santa Anastasia and the church of San Zeno, a Roman treasure that keeps the tryptic painting by Mantegna. You can’t miss a visit of Castelvecchio, once a fortress and a museum of Medieval, Renaissance and Modern art nowadays as well as the Chapter Library. Among the best traditional dishes there are pasta and beans, the stewed meat with the pearà that is beef meat with a sauce made of grated bread, cheese, pith, stock and black pepper, the “pastissada de caval” a very old recipe with the horse meat and the polenta.

Padana moods

Rovigo is the most Southern city in Veneto, it’s a real cultural, artistic and environmental discovery. It was born as an episcopal feud, it’s spread with Medieval palaces among which the Donà and the Mozza towers stand out since they are the main landmarks of this city. The Mozza Tower was an ancient Medieval stronghold. Rovigo also keeps many details from its past related to the Republic of Venice that was called “La Serenissima” like the elegant Roncale palace and also some treasures related to the architecture of the area of Ferrara and Emilia like the Roverella palace where the art gallery

of the Accademia dei Concordi is now based. You can also visit the Church of Beata Vergine del Soccorso which is featured by an octagonal layout and the Duomo that keeps an interesting collection of artworks, then there is the Olivetan Monastery of San Bartolomeo and the Great Rivers Museum, dedicated to the peasant civilization and its traditions. The main dishes of the local cuisine are the risotto polesano, cooked with the eel and the sea bass, the stewed folaga with the beans and the “in tecia” guinea-fowl that is cooked in an earthenware pot with oil, butter, onions and pepper, and the hen in saor.