Veneto and la “Serenissima” Republic of Venice

In its heyday, the mighty Republic of Venice ruled a huge maritime empire which also included a good part of the northern Italian mainland, a region called “Veneto”.  In the far north of the region, it’s possible to experience an Alpine adventure in the Dolomites. With their distinct and jagged peaks, these breathtaking mountains seem to protect the traditional culture and the picturesque villages of the area.  A true paradise for nature lovers, these bold limestone pillars offer great opportunities for climbers, hikers, bikers and ski lovers. There is a loop drive that begins in Venice, passes Pieve di Cadore and goes to Cortina, pearl of the Dolomites, extremely glamour and vibrant during ski season, much quieter and relaxing but not less beautiful in the Summer.

Verona at the base of the Alps near the Adige river, is another leading city of this extraordinary region.  Ancient Romans considered Verona an ideal, last stop before heading north over the Alps and in the city center it’s still possible to admire the well preserved “Arena”, the fourth largest amphitheater in the Roman world. Today, the “Arena” di Verona is a popular and charming venue for artistic and cultural events and it currently hosts Verona’s famous Summer Opera Festival. Piazza Erbe, a medieval square surrounded by narrow alleys is the city’s food and herbs market place. Enjoy the pleasure to wander along these ancients lanes and why not, get lost, admiring the outside walls of the houses that are still beautifully decorated by 16th c. frescoes, a peculiarity of this area that earned Verona the nickname “painted city”.  Verona used to be one of the wealthiest cities in Europe for centuries, as its surviving castles, fortified walls, gorgeous medieval churches and ornate family tombs still witness.  Shakespeare drew inspiration from the local history for his tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”, therefore, one of the most popular attractions is the famous romantic Juliet’s balcony

Like the rest of Veneto, the city of Padova was ruled by Venice for centuries and you can still admire the winged lion of St. Mark throughout the city, in the churches and on the city walls. Padova was nicknamed the “brain of Veneto” for its prestigious university founded in 1222, one the first and most renowned in Europe, a sort of haven for free thinking intellectuals who went there to learn and study from every corner of the world. The great scientist Galileo Galilei called the 18 years that he spent as a part of the university’s faculty the best period of his life. Don’t miss to visit  Europe’s oldest surviving anatomy theatre, built in the late 1500s.  In the historical center of Padova you can also stroll along medieval narrow streets and incredible 17 miles of porticos to find your way to one of the most important pilgrimage churches in all the world: the Basilica of Sant’ Antonio. The Basilica was built as a shrine for the tomb of the Saint in 1232 and filled with magnificent artworks and statues by the Renaissance master, Donatello.

The majestic  and UNESCO World Heritage Palazzo della Ragione was once Padova’s medieval law court. It is now surrounded by a vibrant food market which is known for having the freshest and  most delicious selection of herbs, fruits, vegetable and cheese. Last but not least, the Scrovegni Chapel, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with precious 14th c. frescoes painted by the great master Giotto and is one of Italy’s most beloved art treasures.  The Stories of Mary and Jesus are created with an intense realism: lush nature and detailed animals were used as a magnificent background for the religious scenes, making this unique artist, the first modern painter Veneto is also blessed by an extraordinary wine-making culture rooted in a two-thousand-year-old tradition; from the Valdobbiadene area located in the province of Treviso that is primarily known as the home of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG with its incredible floral aromas and sharp fruity notes, to the Amarone, a rich and romantic red wine made with partially dried grapes and aged for a minimum of two years in wood, not to mention the red wine region of the Valpolicella. The best way to discover the great variety of Veneto wines is to hit the road, travelling off the beaten paths, going from vineyard to vineyard along the foothills, visiting wineries, meeting and chatting with local producers who would gladly provide information about local food products and suggest combinations with local wines.  The “Wine Roads” wind through historical, artistic and natural places that will never stop fascinating its many visitors.  Another unmissable venue is the Lake Garda; well positioned a few hours from Venice and en route to Milan, it presents a wonderful choice to stay and explore for a few days: Sirmione with its 13th c. Castello Scaligero and the Grotto of Catullo, ruins of a roman residential villa, the lovely hamlet of Lazise that in May holds a medieval festival with town people in costumes, not to mention Bardolino and Limone sul Garda. A trip in Veneto would not be complete without visiting the incomparable city of Venice, that was the greatest seaport in late medieval Europe and the continent’s commercial and cultural link to Asia.   Venice is unique environmentally, architecturally and historically, and in its days as a republic the city was styled la “Serenissima” (the most serene or sublime). It remains a major Italian port in the northern Adriatic Sea and is one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centres. Since the fall of the Venetian Republic in late 1700s, the city has held an unrivaled place in the Western imagination and has been endlessly described in prose and verse.  The luminous spectacle of ornate marble and frescoed palaces, bell towers, and domes reflected in the clear waters of the lagoon under a blue sky has been painted, photographed, and filmed to such an extent that it is difficult to distinguish the real city from its romantic representations. A  visitor arriving in Venice is still transported into another world, one whose atmosphere and beauty remain incomparable.  In 1987 this amazing and delicate gem and its lagoon were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The list of venues to see is huge and extremely rich: San Marco square and basilica, the Doges Palace, Ca’ Rezzonico, Palazzo Mocenigo, Palazzo Fortuny, Palazzo Grassi, the Accademia Museum, Venice’s amazing basilicas, the wonderful small islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello, the picturesque area of the Jewish Ghetto and its five, amazing synagogues, and if you want to jump to Modern Art, don’t miss the superb Peggy Guggenheim Collection who lived and died at Palazzo dei Leoni, and the Biennale di Venezia, one of the most important Contemporary Art Events in Europe, founded in late 1800s, not to mention the Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Lido, the oldest in the world dating to 1932.  But perhaps, the best way to breath Venice’s essence is wandering aimlessly and getting lost among its numerous, striking alleys and bridges.