Veneto
Veneto is the region that gave the world more than its share of the things people picture when they picture Italy, and then got on with being one of the country's most prosperous corners. Venice is here, of course, the lagoon city that needs no introduction. But so are Verona of the balcony and the opera, elegant Padua and Vicenza, the Prosecco hills, the shores of Lake Garda, and the Dolomites rising white in the north. Most visitors come for Venice and leave never knowing the rest. That is their mistake, and your opportunity.
Region Profile
Landscape
Remarkable variety in one region. The Dolomite Alps rise dramatically in the north, giving way to wine hills like the Prosecco country and a broad, fertile plain. To the east lies the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic coast, and to the west the shores of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. Mountains, lake, plain, and sea, all within Veneto.
General Vibe
Prosperous, confident, and varied. Veneto is one of Italy's wealthiest and most productive regions, with a strong work ethic and a high quality of daily life. The cities are handsome and human-scaled, the wine and food culture runs deep, and life ranges from Venice's tourist intensity to the calm prosperity of the inland towns and hills.
Weather
Veneto has a range of climates. The plain, where most cities sit, is humid continental: hot, muggy summers often around 30°C (86°F) and cold, foggy winters. The Adriatic coast and Lake Garda are milder, while the Dolomites in the north are alpine, cool in summer and snowy in winter. Venice and the lagoon share the humid plain pattern, with seasonal acqua alta flooding.
Affordability
A wide spread. Venice proper is expensive, among the priciest in Italy. But the inland cities, Verona, Padua, Vicenza, offer better value, with two-bedroom apartments often between about €200,000 and €400,000. Smaller towns, the countryside, and the Dolomite foothills are cheaper still. The mainland around Venice (Mestre) is far more affordable than the islands.
Explore the Cities
