: FLOURISHING REGION

Where

Venice is the capital city of Veneto Region.

It is one of the most flourish economies of and it is located in a strategic position with respect to Milan and Germany. Situated in Italy’s northeast, Veneto extends from Weather the to the Adriatic Sea. Once the heartland of the Venetian Republic, Veneto is today among the This region has many different wealthiest, most developed and industrialized regions of climates. More temperate and Italy. The region boasts the perfect varied landscape, chilled by lakes and sea, very from mountains and hills, to plains and the coast. hot and humid inside the With the varied landscape, Veneto’s climate can change region. from area to area. For example, the plains have a continental coast, whereas the Adriatic enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. The best time to visit Veneto is early spring to early summer, and late fall to early winter. Midsummer to early fall is often very humid and has an abundance of rain and flooding, especially near the lagoon area of .

Having one of the country’s richest historical, natural, artistic, cultural, musical and culinary heritages, Veneto is an ideal location for a robust Italian experience, all in one place.

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Food Specialities

Polenta: Though not originally from Veneto, Polenta is a favorite among the natives of Veneto, typically enjoyed witch meat, fish, or cheese.

Soapa Calda: A specialty soup of region made with chicken broth, pigeon, and chicken.

Zaletti: Also known as polenta cookies, this cookie uses corn fl o u r t o g i v e i t ’ s y e l l o w appearance, though it does not have an overwhelming corn taste. TOURS AND ACTIVITIES The recipe uses tiny currants infused in rum to give the most Walking and Trekking: If you’re looking for unspoiled amazing flavor to the crumbly nature, Veneto is the place to visit. There are plenty of cookie. excursions and walking/trekking trails such as the Galani: Galani, or frills, are the National Park of the Dolomites of , or the Park of typical Venetian sweets for Lessinia on the foothills of the Alps. Carnevale. They are delicate, crispy cookies made from ribbon- Mountain Biking: Veneto offers a wide variety of like pieces of fried dough. mountain biking trails for all experience levels, accompanied by breathtaking landscapes. The best trails Pandoro: Pandoro is a traditional to blaze are part of the Asiago Plateau. Christmas bread from Verona that gets its name from its yellow Skiing, Snowboarding, and Mountain Sports: If you’re color. The yellow or golden color looking for the adrenaline rush of winter sports, the comes from the large amount of Dolomites to Lessinia offer everything you need. Famous egg yolks that are in the bread. resorts like Cortina d’Ampezzo, Falcade, and San Vito di Pandoro is baked in a special star- Cadore offer first-class experiences in skiing, shaped mold. Unlike panettone, pandoro does not contain any snowboarding, snow-rafting, cross-country dried fruits or nuts. Pandoro may skiing, snowshoe walks, dogsled races, and climbing. be served with many types of creams or sauces, such as Sailing, Surfing, and Water Sports: Part of the diverse mascarpone topping, melted landscape has to offer Veneto boasts a beautiful coast chocolate, or flavored whipped that stretches from Bibione to Cavallino, and has the cream. perfect setting for the nautically inclined. Whether you’re into sailing, surfing, waterskiing, or even beach volleyball, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Golf: Golf enthusiasts will find several opportunities to play the back nine in the hills of Veneto, with Lake Garda www.helloitalytours.com 2 in the background or near the coast.

Island Excursion: Take an excursion to the northern lagoon of Venice and visit the most famous islands: Murano, known throughout the world for its glass and crystal making, Burano for the hand-made laces and colored houses, and Torcello as the first human settlement in the lagoon.

Wine Trails: No Italian vacation is complete without experiencing the many wines the country has to offer, and Veneto is no exception. If you love great wines, explore the many wine trails, from Bardolino to Pramaggiore, and from Conegliano to the other areas that have become known for their wine production.

PLACES TO SEE

Venice: One of the sinking cities of the largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy, Piazza world, Venice sits on a group of 118 small Erbe, a world-class example of architecture islands separated by canals and linked by from the Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance bridges. It is located in the marshy Veneto periods harmoniously conjoined with the Lagoon which stretches along the shoreline, period of the Della Scala Family and 19th between the mouths of the Po and the Piave century palazzo, and lastly, Juliet’s house, Rivers. The city is listed as a UNESCO World from Romeo and Juliet, where William Heritage Site, along with its lagoon. Venice Shakespeare’s tragic love story unfolds. has an unmatched elegance and romantic beauty that makes it a pinnacle of the Italian Dolomites: One of Veneto’s crowning glories touristic landscape. Its churches, buildings, is its natural wonders, the Dolomites. old bridges, monuments, and piazzas are Recently declared a UNESCO World testament of the artistic and cultural energy Heritage Site, the Dolomites are known for that surround the history of this city. While their majestic views and their world-class ski you’re here, explore the Doge’s Palace, with resorts, including the ‘pearl’ of the its sinister secret passageways and trails, or the Piazza San Marco, with its Basilica magnificent Byzantine mosaics and domes.

Verona: Known as the ‘city of lovers,’ Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Verona is situated in southwestern Veneto, close to the eastern bank of Lake Garda. Some of the Dolomites, the exclusive ski resort Cortina many sites here include the Arena, the third- d’Ampezzo. www.helloitalytours.com 3

Vicenza is home to many of Andrea Palladio’s villas found throughout Veneto, together Padua: In the central area of the Veneto with the state homes he designed, including plains, among the lagoon, hills and Alpine Villa Capra Valmarana and Villa Poiana. Other foothills, lies the Province of Padua, a short architectural marvels from Palladio include boat ride from Venice. Padua offers a mixture Loggia del Capitanio, and Basilica Palladiana. of art, culture, cuisine, and traditions. Here the piazzas are the main feature, particularly Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Frutti. Overlooking the two piazzas is one of Padua’s several symbolic monuments, Palazzo della Ragione, also referred to as the ‘Salone,’ a unique work with its hall decorated with the astrological cycle.

Close by checking out the famous Astrological Clock. Designed in the 14th century, the Clock marks the hours and minutes, in addition to month, day, moon phases, and the astrological place. A final stop on your itinerary should be Padua’s botanical garden, the oldest in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded during the epoch of the Venetian Republic in the 16th century, it was conceived as a place dedicated to the study and cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs.

Vicenza: In central Veneto, lies the Province of Vicenza, an ever-changing landscape of mountains, valleys, and watercourses. Vicenza is a province filled with art cities, food and wine tours, and architecture that is sure to enrich any vacation.

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