There’s so much more to this underrated region than meets the eye.

Picturesque bridges and canals, gothic architecture, gondolas, and Murano glass, there are so many reasons the floating city of Venice ranks high on the list of must-see sights in the Veneto region.

But there’s no reason your exploration of the Veneto should start and end in Venice alone.

Lovers of classical art and architecture will swoon over pristine Palladian villas. Nature lovers will be thrilled by the breathtaking grandeur of the Italian Alps. Foodies will drool over mouthwatering products from the area, like tasty vintages of Amarone, artisan cheeses, or the trove of good eats you’ll find tucked away in the region’s many charming villages.

By all means, visit Venice, but don’t miss a chance to explore the rest of the Veneto, too.

Here are my suggestions for 8 of the most evocative, interesting places to visit, plus a few tips on where to eat, where to sleep and experiences that will make your time here all the more magical.

1. The Brenta Riviera

One of the most delightful day trips you can take from Venice is by classic Venetian boat to the Brenta River-Canal.

The gentle waterway flows all the way from Padova into the lagoon of La Serenissima. Venetian nobility built fabulous country homes along its banks, and some of the finest examples of architect Andrea Palladio’s villas are clustered here.

On board your motoscafo a sumptuous Venetian-style picnic awaits. With the Prosecco DOCG flowing freely, cruise the lazy Brenta canal, floating from one Palladian villa to the next..

Our pick for the best place to lay your head in the area: Hotel Villa Franceschi. The hotel is both a family home and a historical Palladian villa, once the home of the Doge’s jeweler.

Despite its lofty pedigree, this is a down-to-earth, family-owned property, exuding the kind of warmth and personalized service that comes from people who are passionate about the preservation of their regional traditions.

2. Treviso

From Venice, you’re just 40 minutes to the historic center of inexplicably underrated Treviso.

Nicknamed “Citta’ d’Acqua” (the City of Water) for the pretty canals that zigzag through town, and Citta’ Dipinta (the Painted City) for the frescoed pastel facades of Treviso’s buildings. These monikers hint at the fortified town’s distinctive character.

You’ll catch glimpses of unexpected beauty everywhere: picturesque “Little Venice” features arcaded walkways, cobblestone streets, charming canal vistas, plus trendy shops (Benetton’s empire began here), and near-daily markets.

Start your visit in Piazza dei Signori for a coffee and to watch the town spring to life. Don’t miss the colorful fish market that’s held on the little islet of Peschiera. For brunch, Malvasia is a quirky, artsy restaurant with original interior design details that are straight out of a storybook.

Sweet dreams are made at Maison Matilda. This super-stylish, 6-room guest house is in the very heart of town and services a fantastic all-day breakfast—quite a unique concept in Italy.

3. The Prosecco Hills: Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, Follina

Make a “b-line” (the “b” stands for bubbly) straight for Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, and Follina. These are the best places to hit up if you want to sip DOCG bubbles while wistfully gazing onto the terraced hillsides of this enchanting wine-producing region.

Did you know there is the equivalent of a “Grand Cru” of Prosecco? Let us organize a day of hiking or cycling, or even a vespa ride, in the Prosecco hills followed by a tasting of the very highest quality Prosecco – Prosecco Cartizze -- a DOCG Prosecco produced only from grapes grown on the slopes of Cartizze hill.

One way to experience the Prosecco hills’ quiet charm is by booking dinner at Trattoria alla Cima. With a special reservation, you can sup among the vines…literally!

Imagine dining by the warm glow of lantern lights while sitting in the very vineyards from which your Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG was grown.

4. Bassano del Grappa

The Veneto region is, far and away, Italy’s biggest wine-producing region with over 220,000 acres of vines. What better way to recycle all those stems, skins, and seeds than by turning them into something useful?

Grappa – Italy’s famous rocket fuel digestivo – can be found throughout the area, but perhaps nowhere is it more celebrated than in Bassano del Grappa.

Start your visit to Bassano with a walk across the town’s beautiful wooden bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, to soak in the scenery and the history. At the foot of the bridge, turn your attention to Instagram-worthy Grapperia Nardini.

For two centuries, the Nardini family has honed its craft, turning pomace into “aquavita,” and, in the process, put one of Italy’s most iconic spirits on the drinks menu everywhere.

Bassano could well be the Veneto’s hippest town. In the evening, gather alongside locals at the retro Grapperia to sample from among Nardini’s 22 grappe, or toss back a “mezzo e mezzo,” or “half and half,” their signature aperitivo. Cin cin!

5. Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Veneto region extends far north, to the Italian Alps, encompassing the fashionable ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Cortina is the gateway to all things outdoorsy in the Dolomites. Walk to chairlifts that will whisk you far above the tree line and into the clouds.

Vistas stretch for miles, encompassing views of several peaks and mountain ranges. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing—even winter sledding—are all easy to organize, with trails ranging from easy, to moderate to off-the-charts, Olympic-level hard.

For the ultimate experience, let us book you one incredible night in the Starlight Room. This luxury cottage resides all by itself on a mountaintop high above Cortina. Arrive in the evening (via Land Rover or ski mobile) to a table set for a 3-course dinner for two, complete with wines and a roaring fire.

The hut is encased in windows on all sides, and can rotate on itself, allowing allowing for 360° stargazing in any direction. In the morning, awaken to the sun cresting over the majestic pink peaks.

This is surely one of the most spectacular and unusual lodgings in the Veneto.

6. Verona

Verona is as famous as Venice itself. Strategically located along the banks of the Adige River, Verona is the setting of Shakespeare’s two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

It’s a Renaissance gem, and no self-respecting Veneto itinerary would dare omit a visit here.

You certainly don’t need to be an opera aficionado to appreciate the thrill of a performance in Verona’s Roman Arena. Built 50 years before Rome’s Colosseum, it’s still a fully functional, threatre.

During the summer, grand theatrical sets and beautiful music take center stage against the backdrop of an ancient 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater. It’s an experience that’s almost guaranteed to give you goosebumps.

7. Lake Garda

The Veneto’s boundaries extend west to the shores of Lake Garda. A stunning natural backdrop of sandy shores, gentle hills, palm trees, clear blue waters, plus the lake’s warm, Mediterranean climate, are a heaven for nature enthusiasts.

The delightful Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais sits between Verona and Lake Garda. A 17th-century country mansion, set among beautiful gardens and its own wine-producing vineyards, Villabella.

It follows naturally, then, that the hotel’s esteemed concierge is also a qualified sommelier, equally comfortable taking you to harvest the estate’s grapes, as he is setting you up with an Italian nonna for a traditional cooking lesson.

For a great day on the waters of Lake Garda, rent a boat (or hire a skipper) to tour the lake. An absolute must is to dock at Locanda San Vigilio.

Occupying a small promontory directly on the lake and surrounded by cypress, olive, lemon, and olive trees, lunch or dinner here is a special experience. A cobblestone path around the private harbor leads to the restaurant’s outdoor tables where you can sit back and drink in the sensational view, which is even more spectacular at sunset.

8. Padova

Padova’s history dates back to 1183 BC, making it almost 500 years older than Rome! You’ll fall in love with this bustling, thoroughly modern university city. With stylish restaurants, a buzzing outdoor café scene, great shopping, and a large central market, the city of Padova is a delight to stroll.

The city’s most beloved church, the imposing Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, is a must-see, along with the Scrovegni Chapel. The chapel is covered in incredible frescoes by the artist Giotto, and are second in importance only to those of the Sistine Chapel.

Since the Chapel is only available with a guided visit and reservations, let us combine a visit to the Chapel with a morning street food.

Eat your way through the city’s main square, Piazza delle Erbe, tasting what’s in season, before discovering Giotto’s masterpiece.

While the Catholic Saint Anthony plays an outsized role here, Padova also has a strong Jewish heritage dating back the 1200s. Follow the narrow cobblestone streets of the Jewish Ghetto in the historic center where the Jewish community had been forced to live in centuries past.

I hope these ideas are the starting point for making magical discoveries on your next visit to Venice and the Veneto.

If you like this itinerary, or you’d like help in customizing this or a similar food and wine itinerary for you, get in touch. We’d love to help!

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The 8 Most Magical Places to visit in the Veneto (that are not Venice)