Few people realise that Venice is the capital of a whole region in Italy, the Veneto has a varied and incredible scenery from the flat lands of the Po delta, a real birdwatchers paradise, to mountain hideaways such as Cortina and Arabba: the chic mountainous ski resorts of the Dolomites. The historical towns of the region offer everything from canal boat holidays to Palladian gems. Verona, has an incredible amphitheatre where operatic performances occur during the summer months.  (We recommend you pay a little more and go for the better seats as 4 hours on a concrete bench can push anyone’s tolerance!)  Treviso is built on a system of canals like Venice, and is a popular stopping point for many people heading north to the mountains. Many seasoned skiers will tell you that Italy offers better snow and better slopes than France and often at a lower cost but simply doesn't want to brag about it.

If you are looking for a holiday villa in the Veneto then you may find private Italian villas with pools in this region rather elusive as the Veneto is often dismissed as region lacking in charm and investment in this type of property is rare. Guide books may enthuse about Venice, Verona and the eastern banks of Lake Garda but skip over the smaller pretty villages hidden away in the countryside where a holiday villa would be a real treat. Each of the larger vineyards has therefore developed its own private boutique hotel for visiting buyers or for holidaymakers looking for something a little different.

The Veneto loves its food and menus can seem a little daunting to those unused to such a wide and varied diet; be adventurous and you’ll dine like the Bourbons, Napoleon and King Ferdinand “Barbarossa” all of whom have fought up and down this area since the early 1400’s. The Veneto celebrates almost every event, be it the birth of local celebrity, an historical event or the harvesting of a particular crop. The best of which is the cherry festival in Marostica, which is followed by a chess game using live pieces in the town square. The Veneto is well known for its classic flinty dry whites such as Soave and Pinot Grigio, the reds Bardolino and Valpolicella: the sparkling Prosecco is now a popular celebratory treat even in the UK. But who can honestly say that the fiery Grappa from Bassano is anything but the epitome of the Venetian spirit? All the local wineries organise wine, olive oil and grappa tasting and the Poli distillery even has a museum - just make sure you have a nominated driver!

Shopping opportunities in the Veneto are best taken in the smaller towns. Places like cobbled Adria, the fishing town of Caorle, Mantova or Padova will be cheaper than the more famous cities and offer an equally wide range for fashion conscious locals. A lot of sportswear is made in the industrial areas near Mestre and Vicenza and 70% of the world’s fashion designers have their sunglasses made by Luxottica, who are also based in the Veneto. Worth remembering if you forgot to pack a pair.

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