Destination Guides > Italy > Veneto

Veneto

Although heavily influenced by Venice, the Veneto region has much more to offer and includes plenty of attractions in Padova, Verona and Vicenza.

Venice (Venezia)

There's no other place like it. Venice's relationship with water has played an important part in the city's history. In its heyday, the Venetian Republic spanned the Adriatic including places such as Dubrovnik, Butrint and Corfu. Nowadays Venice is one of Europe's most beautiful cities with a wealth of attractions including the Doge's Palace and Piazza San Marco. Venice's attractions aren't limited to the tourist trodden centre, as 96% of the city's buildings are listed as historic monuments.

Practical Information

Venice Tourist Information Centre

Piazza San Marco, Venice

Tel (041) 522 6356

American Express

San Marco 1471, Venice

Tel (041) 520 0844

Coming & Going

Venezia - Santa Lucia is the main train station, don't get off at Venezia Mestre unless you want to see the suburbs on the mainland.

Buses terminate at Piazzale Roma, across the canal from Santa Lucia Train Station.

Stazione Maritima is where you can catch ferries to the Adriatic ports in Albania, Croatia and Greece.

To get to Marco Polo airport (website www.veniceairport.it), catch bus 5 from Piazzale Roma (€2.60). Alternatively the ATVO (website www.atvo.it) airport shuttle bus is quicker, but runs less frequently, and costs €3.

Some budget airlines, including Ryanair, fly into Treviso Airport (website www.trevisoairport.it/?lan=en). The ATVO (website www.atvo.it) shuttle bus connects with all flights and costs €4.50.

Local Transport

The only way to get around is to walk or catch a vaporetto. Vaporetti, run by ACTV (website www.actv.it) are water buses which make a good low cost canal tour. Tickets cost €3.50 or €10 for a 24-hour ticket although short trips across the Grand Canal cost €1.80.

ACTV also run regular buses connecting Venice with its suburbs on the mainland. This is a good option is you are camping or need to get to the airport.

Accommodation

Alloggi Gerotto Calderan

Campo San Geremia 283 a, 30121 Venezia

Tel (041) 715562

Archie's House

San Leonardo 1814 B, Venice (Venezia) 30121

Tel (041) 720 884

B&B Rota

Calle Larga dei Botteri, 30131 Venice

Tel (041) 716200

Ca' Venezia

Calle dei Furlani 3271, 30122 Venice

Tel (041) 241 3870

CaSa Linger Hostel

Salizada Sant'Antonin 3541, 30122 Venice

Foresteria Valdese di Venezia

Palazzo Cavagnis, Castello 5170, 30122 Venezia

Vaporetto Rialto

Tel (041) 5286797

Holiday Centre Lato Azzurro

Via Forti 13, 30141 Sant'Erasmo (Venezia)

Ostello Domus Civica

S.Polo 3082, 30125 Venezia

Tel (041) 721103

Ostello Santa Fosca

Cannaregio 2372 Santa Maria dei Servi, Venice

Vaporetti 1, 82 (direction: S.Marco-Lido; stop: S.Marcuola)

Tel (041) 715775

Ostello Venezia

Fondamenta Zitelle (Giudecca) 86, 30133 Venezia (Venezia)

Vaporetti 41, 42, 82 (stop: Zitelle)

Tel (041) 523 8211

Residence Santa Croce

Santa Croce 555, Venezia

Tel 320 7682965

Padua (Padova)

This bustling university city is only 30 minutes by train from Venice and it makes a convenient place to stay, particularly when all of Venice is booked out. Padova also has its own charm and (along with Perugia) the university is one of the most popular places for travellers to study Italian.

Practical Information

Padua Tourist Information Centre

in the train station

Tel (049) 875 2077

Coming & Going

Frequent trains connect Padova with Venice, Milan and Bologna. Buses, which depart from Via Trieste 42, go to Venice and other regional cities as well as further afield to Trieste and Milan.

Accommodation

Ostello Città di Padova

Via Aleardo Aleardi 30, 35122 Padova (Padova)

Bus 3, 8, 12, 18, 22

Tel (049) 8752219

Vicenza

Prosperous Vicenza attracts architecture buffs from around the world who come to see the work of Palladio (Andrea di Pietro della Gondola). The famous architect lived in Vicenza and examples of his work can be seen all over the city. Pick up a walking tour brochure from the tourist office which covers the most famous examples of Palladian architecture.

Practical Information

Vicenza Tourist Information Centre

Piazza Matteotti 12, Vicenza

Tel (0445) 320 854

Coming & Going

Vicenza is well connected by train to most major cities in Northern Italy, especially Venice, Padova, Milan and Verona. Buses are good for getting to other towns nearby and offer an alternative to the train if you're heading to Verona. Buses depart from the bus terminal on Viale Milano near the train station.

Accommodation

Ostello Olimpico

Viale Giuriolo 9, 36100 Vicenza (Vicenza)

Bus 1, 2, 4, 5, 7

Tel (0444) 540222

Verona

This beautiful city with it's famous Arena was imortalised by Shakespeare when he made Verona the setting for Romeo and Juilette. Verona's association with this famous play is now one of the city's biggest drawcards.

Practical Information

Verona Tourist Information Centre

Via Leoncino 61, Verona

Tel (045) 806 8680

Coming & Going

Buses run between Verona and Mantua and Vicenza and the train goes everywhere else. There are direct trains to Austria and Germany as well as Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome.

Accommodation

Casa della Giovane

Via Pigna 7, 37121 Verona

Tel (045) 596 880

Villa Francescatti

Salita Fontana del Ferro 15, 37129 Verona (Verona)

Tel (045) 590360