Romeo, Prosecco and Piazzas:
A Journey of Veneto’s Treasures
By Amy Lively Jensen
Most travelers know Venice as a floating dream of Gothic palaces and a labyrinth of canals, but to travel only there is to miss the beating heart of the Veneto. This is a region in northeastern Italy which has a treasure trove of medieval towns, including romantic Verona; the premiere Prosecco vineyards of Cartizze; Treviso called “little Venice”; Venice itself and others. These may be less well known, but this is where the true Venetian lifestyle actually lives. It’s one of Italy’s best kept secrets.
At the site of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, the world got glimpses of Verona, Italy. Olympians celebrated with a spectacular show at the historic Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheater built in the first century. The amphitheater still resonates with centuries of applause from gladiators to opera singers.
Nestled in the heart of northern Italy 75 miles from Venice, Verona became a Roman settlement in 49 BC. They preserved their 2,0000-year legacy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Verona is a city that wears its history proudly. The Arena di Verona is one of the world's best-preserved amphitheaters. It hosts a summer opera festival which is one of the world’s oldest and most spectacular open-air music events. This arena is the largest opera stage on earth, hosting 400,000 spectators each season. The city’s oldest bridge is Ponte Pietra completed 100 BC. It retains two original white stone arches from the Roman era and offers picturesque views of the Adige River. The Piazza delle Erbe was once a bustling Roman forum where merchants sold silk, spices and wine. It now serves as the vibrant heart of the city’s historic center. Statues, frescoed palaces and towers rise above this lively market square.
Thanks to Shakespeare, who set “Romeo and Juliet” here, Verona has the reputation for being one of Italy’s most romantic towns. The masterpiece about Juliet Capulet and her devoted Romeo has been adopted fully by this town. As in his story, there is a small marble balcony and directly beneath it is a bronze statue of Juliet. A popular legend claims that rubbing her right breast brings good luck and true love, causing that part of the statue to shine brightly from years of touching.
A short journey northeast from Verona lies a landscape of rolling hills, vineyards and sunlit terraces clinging to steep slopes. This is the region of Veneto which has a remarkable geographic contrast. To the north, there is a spectacular mountain range, the Dolomites. Known as the “Pale Mountains,” they are lauded for their unique jagged peaks and sheer vertical walls. The Dolomites began as coral reefs in the ancient tropical sea.
Winding through a ribbon of scenic roads is the Strada del Prosecco, the famous Prosecco Wine Road. It is one of Italy’s oldest wine roads, tracing a path through villages where church towers rise above orderly rows of Glera grapes. It is a UNESCO-listed scenic route between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, renowned for steep vineyards and small family-run wineries offering tastings. It is one of Italy’s most visited wine areas, and the birthplace of Prosecco.
For wine enthusiasts, the revered Cartizze zone producing Superiore di Cartizze is the pinnacle of the appellation. It is often referred to as the “Grand Cru” of the Prosecco world. The wine is refined and expressive with fine bubbles and the most expensive agricultural real estate in Italy.
A wine tasting here often begins with a tour of the vines, hand brushing leaves and buds, and entertaining stories. Because of the incline, all viticulture is “heroic,” meaning it must be done entirely by hand. Most tastings take place at small, family-run estates where you might be guided by the owners themselves. Many tours offer vineyard walks to see centenarian vines-some over 100 years old-growing in ancient sandstone and clay soils. Prosecco isn’t reserved only for grand celebrations. It Is poured at midday gatherings, at weddings, after harvest, and on ordinary evenings that deserve brightness.
A short drive from the Prosecco terraces brings you to Treviso, a city often called the “Little Venice” for its serene canals and quiet charm. Strolling in this walled city of red brick and willow-draped waterways you’ll pass colorful houses and gentle bridges. Treviso is the culinary gem of Veneto. It is best known as the birthplace of tiramisu, a dessert that has become an Italian culinary icon. At Le Beccherie in the 1960’s, chefs first layered mascarpone cream, coffee-soaked lady fingers and cocoa to create the sweet pick-me-up. One bite, paired with a glass of Prosecco from the nearby hills, is enough to make the world slow down, if only for a minute. But Treviso isn’t just about sweets. Treviso is the home of crisp, slightly bitter red radicchio. Often roasted, grilled, or mixed into risotto, chicory is the star ingredient.
Near Treviso is Venice, the capital of the region of Veneto. It is built on a group of 126 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals. Areas of the city are linked by 472 bridges. Venice has often been ranked one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The Grand Canal is Venice’s “main street” lined with over 200 Renaissance and Gothic palaces and the busy spectacle of gondolas and vaporetti (water taxis). St. Mark’s Square serves as the city’s social, religious and political heart. St. Mark’s Basilica is known as the “Golden Church” for its incredible acre of solid gold mosaics that narrate biblical stories and Venetian history. This Byzantine masterpiece houses the relics of St. Mark. Nearby is Doge’s Palace, the grand historic palace full of ornate rooms and art collections. Its pinkish marble columns on the balcony mark where death sentences were announced. The Bridge of Sighs is an iconic corner of Venice, connecting Doge’s Palace to the historic New Prisons. The New Prisons Is a journey into the dark past of the city. One of the world’s most famous opera houses is Teatro La Fenice. It is the prestigious heart of Venetian musical history and the site of legendary premieres by Verdi and Rossini. The oldest and most iconic bridge in Venice is Rialto Bridge. It affords stunning views and markets.
A yearly event, the Carnival of Venice is one of the world's most famous and elaborate festivals with handmade masks, period costumes and theatrical performances. The Grand Opening features a “floating parade” along the Grand Canal with illuminated boats and live music. At the Arsenale Water Show there is a spectacle of lights, dance and acrobatics. While many of the street celebrations are free, the “true” Carnival experience happens behind the closed doors of private palaces. Often cited as the most exclusive gala in the world, tickets to the II Ballo del Doge party often cost over $1200 and require a mandatory high-end period costume.
Once you’ve ticked off the must-see landmarks, don’t miss the nearby islands. Just a short ferry ride away, visit Murano, internationally acclaimed for its vibrant, hand-blown glass. Visitors can attend live glassblowing demonstrations at historic factories and visit the museum and shops.
Burano is the world-renowned “Island of Lace.” It’s famous for a needle-lace tradition that dates back to the 16th century. The island is instantly recognizable for its vibrant, multi-colored houses which were originally painted so fisherman could find their way home through the lagoon’s thick fog. At the Lace Museum, visitors can watch elderly master lacemakers at work.
Traveling here isn’t just about seeing places; it’s about tasting them as well as feeling them. It’s about raising a glass of Prosecco as the sun sets over a terraced hillside, strolling through Verona’s romantic streets and discovering that every bite, every sip, every step tells a story, In Veneto, life is meant to be savored, one sparkling moment at a time.
