The Veneto Region in north-east of Italy, which lies on the Adriatic Coast plays home to some of the most famous and visited cities in the world. Aside from the cities such as Venice, Verona, Vincenza and others, the province is also a major wine-growing region (with big names including Soave whites, the Valpolicella zone's reds and the easy drinking sparkler, Prosecco). Key sights are La Serenissima aka Venice; Verona where Romeo wooed Juliet; Vicenza, where the influential architect Palladio honed his skills; Padua, rich with a cycle of Giotto frescoes and mystic Chioggia, a mini-Venice without the crowds.

Elegant Palladian villas dot the vine-stripped landscape while the snow-covered Alpine peaks are reflected in the calm waters of Lake Garda, surrounded by lemon and olive groves. Take time out to sample regional specialties including white asparagus (grown all over), risotto with cuttlefish, linguine alle vongole (clams) and fegato alla Veneziana (grilled liver with onions).

Veneto is also famous for its wines and if you have time it is well worth the effort (and money) to arrange a "wine tour" so you can visit a number of vineyards, wineries and enotecas (wine cellars). If you can't tour the wine district, at least visit some of the many wine bars found throughout the towns and cities. From local wine history you will learn that up until even the 19th century, wine "must" was poured into holes in the impermeable rock strata then covered with slabs of stone. The wine was removed after fermentation, then bottled. Modern production processes have long since replaced these fascinating, romantic and ancient techniques.