Discover the marvels of Veneto
Venetian Lagoon
Prosecco Hills
Dolomites
Veneto is an Artistic Treasure House
Antonio Canova, one of the pre-eminent sculptors of his time, received commissions from popes, heads of state, other European notables and, in one case, the state of North Carolina. The statue above is a plaster model of a statue of George Washington that had been commissioned for that state’s capitol. We will see one of them when visiting the Gipsoteca Canoviana in Possagno on our Small-Town Gems Tour.
The Gipsoteca houses a collection of Canova's plaster models, providing insight into his artistic process and showcasing his mastery of form and detail. Canova's ability to capture the likeness and spirit of his subjects, combined with his technical skill, made him one of the most celebrated sculptors of his time.
Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
Giovanni Bellini, a prominent Italian Renaissance painter, is credited with revolutionizing Venetian painting by introducing a more sensuous and coloristic style. Utilizing clear, slow-drying oil paints, Bellini achieved deep, rich hues and intricate shading. His fluid, atmospheric landscapes significantly influenced the Venetian school of painting, particularly his pupils Giorgione and Titian.
In 1514, Bellini commenced work on "The Feast of the Gods" (depicted above). Following his death, he was interred in the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, the customary burial place of the Venetian doges.
Giovanni Bellini (1430-1516)
Palladio, considered the pioneer of modern architecture, designed buildings that continue to inspire architects today. Both our Cities of Art and Small Town Gems tours includes visits to several of his palaces, churches, and villas. Drawing inspiration from classical Greek and Roman architecture, he created a style that was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. His designs gained significant popularity in England and eventually spread to North America, due in part to the efforts of Thomas Jefferson.
Andrea Palladio (1508-1580)
Veneto is a leading producer of famous Italian wines
The grapes used for Prosecco DOC are primarily Glera, a typical variety grown in north-eastern Italy since Roman times. The most famous and widespread type has fine and persistent bubbles and is characterized based on its sugar content. We will visit its primary production area in Valdobbiadene, in the foothills of the Dolomites, recognized since 2019 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mixed with Campari or Aperol and a slice of orange, it makes a refreshing pre-dinner “aperitivo”.
Prosecco
The Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is one of the most famous red wines. It is produced in the area between Lake Garda and Verona in Veneto. Amarone is unique due to its wine-making process. After the grapes are picked, they are dried for a period of around 120 days. The dried grapes are then pressed and aged in barrels for at least two years. This creates an elevated content of sugar that gives the wine a higher alcohol content and enhanced flavors. We will have the opportunity to sample some on our 10-day Cities of Art itinerary.
Amarone
Veneto is the largest producer of wine in Italy, particularly in the provinces of Verona and Treviso. With this enormous production, there is no shortage of fresh marc, the skins and stems left over from wine production. These are fermented, then distilled, making Veneto also the number one producer of Grappa in Italy. Grappa is consumed as a “digestivo”, an after-dinner drink, savored in small glasses. Our wine-tasting excursions in both our Cities of Art and Small-Town Gems itineraries will provide plenty of opportunities to sample the local wares.
Grappa
Veneto is a leader in fine craftsmanship
The oldest document showing the name of a Venetian “fiolario” or glassmaker is dated December 20, 982 in Rialto. It was in 1291 that the Great Council decreed to move all the furnaces to the island of Murano due to numerous cases of fire that had occurred in the town. Since then, Venice, and Murano in particular, have been synonymous with the highest quality of hand-made blown glass products.
Glass
There is evidence of ceramic production in Veneto beginning circa 1000 BC, and from that point on undergoing steady and unimpeded exchange throughout Europe. The abundance of white kaolin clay in the Berici Hills and the sands around Venice, transformable into fine glazes, made the Veneto process often copied. The resulting fierce competition that arose for the best artisans made Veneto the center of ceramic production that it remains today.
Ceramics
The first written evidence of the importance of this sector in the province dates back to the early 14th century, with the signing of the statute of the “Vicenza Guild of Goldsmiths”, a corporation of more than 150 craftsmen who practiced their profession in a city with a population of just twenty thousand. Today, Italy is the world’s largest gold jewelry exporter and Vicenza is the most important national production district.
Jewelry
Veneto is famous for unique agricultural products
The Marostica cherry was the first cherry in Italy to obtain the European IGP recognition mark, Protected Geographical Indication. This wonderful fruit is produced by 121 families on just over 143 acres centered around Marostica. Their skin color ranges from dark to fiery red, depending on the variety. They are characterized by a medium firm, juicy pulp with a full, sweet and very pleasant taste. They are harvested throughout May. Our Timeless Cities tour visits there. In late May we will include a visit to the renowned annual Cherry Festival.
Cherries
White asparagus, unlike the green variety, is harvested from beneath ground level. Native to western Asia, its arrival in Veneto is subject to legend - perhaps introduced by St. Anthony of Padua in the 1200s. The white asparagus is traditionally grown in Veneto's province of Treviso where it thrives in the humid climate of the Piave River Valley. Steam cooked, seasoned and drizzled with olive oil, it makes for a delicious side dish, but it can also be enjoyed in a number of different risottos, pastas and frittatas.
White Asparagus
Modern cultivation of the plant began in the fifteenth century in the Veneto region of Italy. The varieties of radicchio are named after the Italian regions where they originate. Chioggia is the most common variety grown and is characterized by maroon, round, grapefruit-size heads. Treviso is an elongated version of radicchio resembling large Belgian endive, or a red romaine heart. Castelfranco, seen here, has light yellow heads, flecked with red and is only available in the winter months. All, per the New York Times, are becoming popular in the U.S.