A Venetian Sojourn
Italy
Pink palaces, teal canals, golden domes, the Veneto is unlike anywhere else. From Venice's lagoon by vaporetto to Murano's glass furnaces, then on to the Brenta Riviera's Palladian villas, Vicenza's architectural masterpieces, and Asolo's hundred hilltop vistas.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Venice
Piazza San Marco's 250-year-old cafes, gondoliers on the rio, Titians in the Accademia. Take the vaporetto to Murano before joining the mainland route.
- Murano
The glassblowing island, ten minutes by vaporetto from Venice. Furnaces have burned here since 1291; glassmakers were forbidden to leave lest they share their secrets.
- Brenta Riviera
Thirty Palladian villas line the Brenta canal between Mira and Stra, including Palladio's Villa Foscari. Best toured by flat-bottomed burchiello boat from the water.
- Vicenza
Palladio's city: 23 of his buildings survive here, including the Teatro Olimpico, the world's oldest surviving indoor theatre, and the Basilica on the central piazza.
- Asolo
The town of a hundred vistas on a hill above the Treviso plain. Browning, Eleonora Duse, and Freya Stark all lived here for the view.
- Treviso
A smaller, quieter Venice: arcaded streets, painted facades, and canals running through the market. Prosecco country begins in the hills above town.
Where to Eat
- Osteria alle TestiereSeafood
Intimate eatery in Venice known for its fresh seafood dishes and extensive wine list.
- Trattoria al Gatto NeroItalian
Family-run restaurant on Burano island offering traditional Venetian cuisine in a cozy setting.
- Antica Trattoria Poste VecieItalian
Historic restaurant in Venice serving classic Italian dishes in a charming atmosphere.
Things to Do
- Murano Glass MuseumMuseum
Explore the history of glassmaking with exhibits showcasing Murano's renowned glass art.
- Villa Pisani National MuseumHistoric Site
Visit the grand 18th-century villa with frescoed rooms and expansive gardens in Stra.
- Piazza dei SignoriHistoric Site
Central square in Vicenza surrounded by Renaissance architecture and lively cafes.