The
Veneto is in northeast Italy and is
surrounded by Austria, the Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna,
Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions and the Adriatic
Sea. The main towns in this region are Venezia/Venice,
Verona and Padova. The landscape is mostly flat with some mountains
and hills. There’s a lot of diversity (and beauty) here in
the Veneto…..lakes, the Dolomites, the seaside, Venice, spas,
art, hill towns, fabulous architecture, castles and much more…..I’m
the first to say that a first trip to Italy must include a stop
in Venice, but once done there, you have so much else to see in
the Veneto. It’s a perfect spot to tour at any time of the
year. You’ve got ski villages, wine roads, villa tours and
artistic villages to visit (there’s something for everyone).
Sit in one of the cafes in Piazza San Marco in Venice at the end
of a day….enjoy the music, there are less crowds at the off
peak….the piazza is yours! Shop the market in Verona —
buy a picnic….contemplate the pure beauty of a village like
Asolo…..The food and wine of the area is as diverse as there
are things to do in this region….rice, corn, grains, unique
spices, olives, fruits, fish, game, apples, meats, vegetables,
prosciutto, Grana Padana (so delicious), Asiago and Provolone
cheeses….then Soave, Bardolino, Prosecco and Valpolicella
wines (again, among many others) to quench your thirst. Risi e
bisi (rice and peas), risotto (yum), pasta e fagioli and some
interesting dishes with cod (not a favorite of mine) are specialties
that you must try while visiting the Veneto.
