We are winding our way to Milan in the dying weeks of our holiday. Do we visit Venice on our way?
We have appreciated and enjoyed its uniqueness on a previous visit when it was early summer and already busy with tourists and holidaymakers.
Were either of us keen to go back? The answer is a resounding “no”. It will be more fun to explore unknown territory to see more of what Italy has to offer “off the beaten track”.
We settle on spending a few days in Treviso; a pleasant day’s drive from Pula in Croatia via Trieste. “Nothing to see there but the airport!” advised a kind-hearted colleague when He shared this plan. This immediately prompted a Google Search; a closer look at our trusty Lonely Planet and DK Eyewitness travel books. Everything looked okay and we decided to take the risk.
From Trieste, our mostly reliable GPS (programmed to avoid toll roads) took us to Treviso on the quieter and more scenic route, the food bowl of northern Italy. We leisurely drove kilometre after kilometre along roads surrounded by vineyards and farmland trying to distinguish what the crops were.
It was late afternoon when we entered the walled city of Treviso, completely unaware of what was in store for us!
Treviso is not just another quaint Italian city. Treviso is:
- the home of the Luciano Benetton, the founder of the fashion brand United Colors of Benetton – visit their flagship store in the central piazza (I have a number of Benetton items in my wardrobe)
- the home of the highest quality Prosecco wines. The region is renowned for the highest quality Prosecco wines and only wines grown in the area can claim to be Prosecco (we love our Prosecco)
- the home of Pinarello bike (cycling enthusiasts will know what this means)
- the birthplace of one of Italy’s most delectable of Italian desserts, Tiramisu.
Treviso has more to offer! The city is the little-hidden treasure that few tourists have discovered. Known as the “Little Venice”, Treviso has none of the grandeur of Venice but is equally enticing for those who have already visited Venice and are looking for a more tourist-free experience. Instead of over-priced coffee, the Veneto tourist traps and throngs of tourists queuing for photo opportunities wander along Treviso’s more quaint canals, cobbled and narrow winding streets, wander into the churches and cathedrals, enjoy a coffee or pre-dinner aperitif in the central piazza and watch the locals living life! And, if you want a photo opportunity, stroll to Dantes Bridge.
There’s an added bonus for us. We have arrived during one of the highlights of Treviso’s summer, the “Suoni Di Marca” – 18 days of concerts, performance, markets, food and wine on the city walls are held every summer. Free outdoor concerts are common in cities and towns throughout Europe over the summer months.
Each evening after dinner, we joined the locals milling about on the ramparts until late evening waiting for the concerts to start on the large stage set up on the corner tower. The Bueno Vista Social Club had the crowd (including us) jiving to their catchy Cuban salsa music one evening.
For those of you who disembark at Treviso’s airport and rush straight to Venice, plan to stay a day two in Treviso next time to enjoy the charm of this under-rated city and the hospitality of its citizens. If you are arriving in Venice, then at least make time for a day trip before the secret is out.
P.S
We stayed at Brick House. Our apartment was well appointed inside the walls of the medieval city, clean and spacious with generous amenities. Our host, Alberto was very gracious and a mine of information sitting down with us on our arrival to consider our interests and share ideas on what we should see and do during our stay in Treviso, including providing options on local restaurants where we could appreciate local cuisine.
On our first evening, we enjoyed a delicious pizza and pasta meal at La Giaconda on Viale Frà Giocondo located not far from the Brick House in front of the city walls. Alissia was very helpful by translating the Italian menu for us and very accommodating to our dietary requirements.
On another evening, we enjoyed cocktails and a pasta dinner at a trattoria recommended by Alberto of the Brick House, Trattoria Hesperia. The trattoria is well-known for its simple but tasty traditional Apulian dishes which are made with fresh local produce.
La Beccherie is the birthplace of the Italian dessert, Tiramisu. Unfortunately, it was closed for a much deserved holiday break during our visit. However, I am sure we will be visiting Treviso again to make sure we taste the real thing. If you visit Treviso and try their tiramisu before we do or been there and tried it before, leave us a comment below and tell us what you think.
