Venice. &the Veneto. Marissa Fabris

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3 Venice &the Veneto Marissa Fabris

4 Hunter Publishing, Inc. 130 Campus Drive Edison, NJ / /fax IN CANADA Ulysses Travel Publications 4176 Saint-Denis Montreal, Québec H2W 2M5 Canada , Ext. 2232/fax IN THE UK Windsor Books International The Boundary, Wheatley Road Garsington, Oxford OX44 9EJ England /fax ISBN Hunter Publishing, Inc. Manufactured in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability or any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. See for the latest information on travel to Venice and the Veneto. Front cover, Venice (Superstock); back cover and spine photos, Carnival masks ( All other color photos by author, unless otherwise indicated. Maps by Toni Wheeler 2005 Hunter Publishing, Inc. Index by Nancy Wolff

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6 v Contents Contents Introduction 1 Discovering the Veneto 1 A Land of Infinite Wonders 2 Geography 2 Climate 4 Understanding the People 5 Population 5 Language 5 Religion 6 The Veneto s Place in Time 6 A Brief History 6 Art & Architecture 8 UNESCO & the Veneto 9 The Veneto Today 9 Economy 9 Government 10 A Lively Culture 10 Holidays, Festivals & Celebrations 10 Food & Drink 10 Wine, Spirits & Other Beverages 13 Associations 19 Accommodations 19 Types of Accommodations 19 High Season/Low Season 23 Adventures & Activities 23 Hiking 24 Special Interest Trips 25 Travel Essentials 25 Planning Your Trip 25 Animals 25 Currency, Credit Cards, ATMs, Traveler s Checks, Banking 25 Electrical Current/Adaptors 26 Passport Regulations, Visas & Documents 26 Time Difference 26 Travel Insurance 26 What to Pack 27

7 Contents vi When to Visit 27 Arriving in the Veneto 27 By Plane 27 By Train 28 By Car 28 Exploring 29 By Car 29 By Bus 30 By Train 30 Useful Resources 31 Admission Fees 31 Business Hours 31 Churches 32 Emergencies 32 Holidays 32 Internet Cafés 33 Personal Health & Safety/Security 33 Postal Service 33 Registering in Italy 33 Saints Days 34 The Province of Belluno 37 Getting There & Getting Around 39 Adventures 40 Skiing 40 Food & Drink 40 Websites 41 Vocabulary 41 Belluno 41 Getting Around 42 Sightseeing 42 Tourist Office 43 Feltre 43 Sightseeing 43 Adventures 44 Festivities 44 Cultural Adventures 44 Horseback Riding 45 Dining Out 45 Accommodations 45 Shopping 45 Tourist Office 46

8 vii Contents Longarone 46 Getting There 46 Cadore 47 Pieve di Cadore, Tai di Cadore, Lozzo di Cadore 47 Sightseeing 47 Adventures 48 Driving Adventure 48 On Foot 48 Accommodations 48 Shopping 49 Tourist Office 49 Sappada 49 Adventures 50 In Winter 50 In Summer 51 Adventures for the Soul 51 Traditional Adventures 51 Dining Out 52 Accommodations 52 Shopping 53 Tourist Office 53 Websites 53 Auronzo & Misurina 53 Adventures 53 Driving Adventures 53 Adventure Sports Operators 54 In Winter 54 In Summer 55 Accommodations 56 Tourist Office 56 Websites 56 Cortina d Ampezzo 56 Adventures 57 Driving Adventure 57 Adventure Sports Operators 57 In Winter 58 In Summer 60 Mountain Biking 60 On Foot 60 Dining Out 64 Accommodations 65

9 Contents viii Nightlife & Entertainment 66 Shopping 66 Tourist Office 67 Websites 67 Arabba 67 Adventures 68 In Winter 68 Accommodations 68 Hotels 68 Apartments 69 Tourist Office 69 Website 70 Marmolada 70 Winter Adventure Glacial Skiing 70 Ski Schools 70 Sightseeing 70 Accommodations 70 Tourist Office 71 Website 71 Province of Padua 73 Padua 73 Getting There 73 Getting Around 75 Sightseeing 78 Tour Operators 84 Adventures 84 On Water 84 Festivities 85 Culinary Adventures 85 Cooking Classes 85 Cultural Adventures - Linguistic 86 Dining Out 86 Accommodations 88 Hotels 88 Apartments 90 Bed & Breakfasts 90 Budget Accommodations 90 Shopping 91 Nightlife & Entertainment 91 Nightclubs 91 Tourist Offices 92

10 ix Contents Useful Websites 92 I Colli Euganei: The Euganean Hills 92 Getting There 94 Getting Around 94 Sightseeing 95 Adventures 97 On Foot 97 Family Adventures 98 On Bikes 98 On Horseback 99 Adventures for the Soul 99 Public Pools 99 Private Pools 100 Golf 100 With Wine 100 Festivities 101 Food & Drink 102 Accommodations 103 Hotels & Resorts 103 Apartments 105 Bed & Breakfasts 105 Shopping 105 Nightlife & Entertainment 106 Tourist Offices 106 Websites 106 Bassa Padovana: Este, Monselice, Montagnana 107 Getting There 107 Getting Around 108 Sightseeing 108 Adventures 110 On Foot 110 On Bikes 111 Festivals 112 Food & Drink 112 Accommodations 113 Hotels 113 Agriturismi 114 Budget Accommodations 114 Nightlife & Entertainment 115 Shopping 115 Tourist Offices 115

11 Contents x Cittadella 116 Sightseeing 116 Getting There 117 Getting Around 118 Adventures 118 Culinary Adventures Cooking Classes 118 Food & Drink 118 Accommodations 119 Nightlife & Culture 120 Shopping 120 Local Resources 121 Province of Rovigo 123 Rovigo 123 Getting There 123 Sightseeing 124 Dining Out 126 Accommodations 126 Shopping 126 Nightlife 127 Tourist Office 127 Websites 127 Delta del Po (Po Delta) 127 Getting There 128 Getting Around 128 Sightseeing 128 Adventures 129 On Bikes 129 On Water 129 On Foot 130 Beaches 130 Dining Out 130 Accommodations 131 Budget 131 Resorts 131 Shopping 132 Tourist Offices 132 Websites 132 Province of Treviso 133 Treviso 133 Getting There 135

12 xi Contents Getting Around 135 Sightseeing 135 Adventures 138 With Wine 138 Festivities 138 Dining Out 139 Accommodations 141 Shopping 142 Markets 142 Typical Goods 142 Nightlife & Entertainment 142 Tourist Office 143 Websites 143 Parco del Sile 143 Sightseeing 144 Adventures 144 On Water 144 On Foot 144 Tourist Office 145 Websites 145 Asolo 145 Getting There 146 Getting Around 148 Sightseeing 148 Adventures 150 Golf 150 On Foot 150 Festivities 151 Dining Out 152 Accommodations 153 Shopping 154 Markets 155 Nightlife & Entertainment 155 Tourist Office 155 Website 155 Montebelluna 155 Getting There 156 Sightseeing 156 Shopping 157 Tourist Office 157 Castelfranco Veneto 157

13 Contents xii Getting There 157 Sightseeing 158 Adventures 160 Festivities 160 Dining Out 160 Accommodations 161 Shopping 161 Nightlife & Entertainment 161 Tourist Office 162 Websites 162 Prosecco Country 162 Getting There 163 Getting Around 163 Sightseeing 164 Adventures 165 Driving 165 With Wine 166 Wine Schools 167 Wineries 167 On Bikes 168 On Foot 168 Festivities 169 Family Adventures 169 Tour Operators 170 Dining Out 170 Accommodations 172 Hotels 172 Agriturismi 172 Bed & Breakfasts 173 Shopping 173 Tourist Offices 174 Websites 174 Monte Grappa & Environs 174 Getting There 175 Getting Around 175 Sightseeing 175 Adventure 178 Driving 178 On Foot 178 In Air 179 On Wheels 180

14 xiii Contents On Horseback 181 In Water 181 On Snow 182 Dining Out 182 Accommodations 183 Hotels 183 Bed & Breakfasts 184 Agriturismi 185 Shopping 185 Tourist Offices 185 Websites 185 Venice 187 Getting There 187 Getting Around 188 Tour Operators 191 Cumulative Tickets 192 Adventures 194 Traveling 194 Festivities 195 Food & Drink 197 Accommodations 198 Nightlife & Entertainment 198 Sports 198 Shopping 199 What to Buy 199 General Markets 199 Websites 200 Venetian Vocabulary 201 Santa Croce 204 Sightseeing 204 Dining Out 205 Accommodations 207 Shopping 208 San Polo 209 Sightseeing 210 Adventures 211 Cultural Adventures 211 Dining Out 211 Accommodations 212 Nightlife & Entertainment 213 Shopping 213

15 Contents xiv Cannaregio 213 Sightseeing 214 Adventures 216 Gondola Building 216 Art Courses 216 Dining Out 217 Accommodations 218 Budget Accommodations 219 Nightlife & Entertainment 219 Shopping 220 Internet Points 220 San Marco 220 Sightseeing 221 Dining Out 224 Accommodations 227 Budget Accommodations 228 Nightlife & Entertainment 228 Shopping 229 Castello 230 Sightseeing 231 Adventures 232 Cultural Adventures 232 Dining Out 232 Accommodations 233 Shopping 235 Dorsoduro 235 Sightseeing 236 Adventures 239 Gondola Workshops 239 Mask Making 239 Language Courses 240 On Water 240 Dining Out 240 Accommodations 242 Shopping 244 The Lagoon Islands 244 Murano 244 Getting There 245 Sightseeing 245 Adventures 246 Glass Production 246

16 xv Contents Shopping 247 Burano 247 Getting There 247 Sightseeing 248 Dining Out 248 Shopping 248 Torcello 249 Getting There 249 Sightseeing 249 Lido 250 Getting There 250 Getting Around 250 Accommodations 250 Giudecca 251 Getting There 252 Sightseeing 252 Adventures 253 Cooking Courses 253 Accommodations 253 Riviera del Brenta 254 Getting There & Getting Around 255 Adventures 255 The Villa Tour 255 On Water 257 Accommodations 258 Tourist Office 258 Veneto s Beach Towns 259 Getting There 259 Sightseeing 260 I Casoni 260 Beaches 260 Adventures 260 For the Soul 260 Dining Out 261 Accommodations 262 Shopping 262 Tourist Offices 262 Websites 263 Province of Verona 265

17 Contents xvi Verona 265 Getting There 268 Getting Around 268 Adventures on Foot/Sightseeing 269 Exploring Roman Verona 269 Scaligeri Verona 272 Sacred Verona 275 Other Sites 276 Adventures 277 On Water 277 Cultural Adventures 277 With Wine 279 Festivities 279 Schermi d Amore 279 Dining Out 279 Accommodations 282 Budget Accommodations 284 Shopping 284 Nightlife & Entertainment 285 Sports 286 Nightclubs 286 Internet Access Points 286 Tourist Offices 286 Websites 287 Soave 287 Getting There 288 Getting Around 288 Sightseeing 289 Adventures 289 Driving 289 With Wine 290 Festivities 292 Dining Out 292 Accommodations 293 Hotels 293 Shopping 294 Tourist Offices 294 Websites 294 South of Garda 294 Custoza, Villafranca & Valeggio sul Mincio 294 Getting There 295

18 xvii Contents Sightseeing 295 Adventures 296 On Foot 296 Family Adventures 297 With Wine 297 Festivities 298 Golf 298 Dining Out 298 Accommodations 299 Apartments 299 Shopping 300 Tourist Office 300 Websites 301 Lago di Garda 301 Getting There & Getting Around 302 Tour Operators 303 Adventures 303 Family Adventures 303 On Water 303 On Foot 303 On Bikes 304 Beaches 304 Food & Drink 304 Accommodations 305 Shopping 305 General Markets 305 Antique Markets 306 Nightlife 306 Websites 306 Peschiera del Garda 307 Sightseeing 307 Beaches 308 Adventures 308 By Car 308 On Foot 308 On Bikes 309 On Water 309 Family Adventures 309 Cultural Adventures 310 Dining Out 310 Accommodations 311

19 Contents xviii Hotels 311 Camping 311 Nightlife & Entertainment 312 Lazise 312 Sightseeing 312 Adventures 313 Family Adventures 313 On Water 313 On Bikes 313 Adventures for the Soul 314 Festivities 314 Dining Out 314 Accommodations 315 Alternative Accommodations 315 Bardolino 315 Adventures 316 Bicycle Rentals 316 Culinary Adventure 316 With Wine 316 Accommodations 317 Nightlife 318 Garda 318 Adventures 318 On Wheels 319 In Water 319 Festivities 319 Dining Out 320 Accommodations 320 Valpolicella Zone 320 Adventures 321 On Foot 321 With Wine 322 Dining Out 323 Accommodations 324 Torri del Benaco 326 Sightseeing 327 Adventures 327 On Horseback 328 Dining Out 328 Accommodations 329 Nightlife 329

20 xix Contents Malcesine & Monte Baldo 330 Sightseeing 330 Adventures 331 On Foot 331 In Air 331 On Wheels 331 On Water 332 Windsurfing & Sailing 332 Diving 333 Golf 333 Beaches 333 Dining Out 333 Accommodations 335 Province of Vicenza 337 Vicenza 337 Getting There 338 Getting Around 338 Sightseeing 341 Adventures 346 Cultural Adventures 346 Dining Out 346 Accommodations 348 Shopping 348 Nightlife & Entertainment 349 Local Resources 349 Websites 350 Bassano del Grappa 350 Getting There 350 Getting Around 351 Sightseeing 351 Adventures 354 Cultural Adventure 354 Discovering Bassano s Firewater 354 Festivities 355 Dining Out 355 Accommodations 357 Shopping 359 Markets 359 Shops 359 Nightlife & Entertainment 359 Local Resources 360