We wound our way to Milan in the dying weeks of our holiday. Do we visit Venice on our way? We had appreciated and enjoyed its uniqueness on a previous visit, even though it was crowded with tourists. It would be more fun to explore somewhere “off the beaten track”. We settled on Treviso, a great alternative to visiting busy Venice

We were to arrive 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.

The scenic drive to Treviso

From Trieste, our drive, avoiding 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.

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The ornate entrance to the walled Italian city of Treviso, also known as “Little Venice” because of its canals.

It was late afternoon when we entered the walled city of Treviso, completely unaware of what was in store for us!

Why you should visit Treviso

Treviso is not just another quaint Italian city. Treviso is:

  • The home of Luciano Benetton, the founder of the fashion brand United Colors of Benetton – visit their flagship store in the central piazza (I have some 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 the Pinarello bike (cycling enthusiasts will know what this means).
  • The birthplace of one of Italy’s most delectable desserts, Tiramisu.
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The flagship store of United Colors of Benetton in Treviso’s Piazza Indipendenza

Treviso has more to offer! The city is a little hidden treasure that few tourists have discovered. Known as “Little Venice”, Treviso has none of the grandeur of Venice but is equally enticing for those looking for a more tourist-free experience.

Instead of over-priced coffee, the Veneto tourist traps and throngs of tourists queuing for photo opportunities, visitors can wander along Treviso’s more quaint canals, cobbled and narrow winding streets, drop 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.

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Dantes Bridge and the canals of Treviso

Entertainment in Treviso

If you’re after entertainment, you won’t be disappointed. We arrived during one of the highlights of Treviso’s summer, the “Suoni Di Marca” – 18 days of concerts, performances, markets, food and wine on the city walls, which 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 Buena Vista Social Club had the crowd (including us) jiving to their catchy Cuban salsa music one evening.

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Grup Compay Secundo (the Buena Vista Social Club) performing at Suoni di Marca in Treviso, 2018

For those of you who disembark at Treviso’s airport and rush straight to Venice, plan instead to stay a day or two in Treviso. Enjoy the charm of this under-rated city and the hospitality of its citizens. If you are arriving in Venice, then make time for a day trip before the secret is out. It’s a 40-minute drive or train ride from Venice.

Where we stayed

We stayed at Brick House. Inside the walls of the medieval city, our apartment was well-appointed, clean and spacious with generous amenities. Our host, Alberto, was very gracious and a mine of information. On our arrival, he sat down with us 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.

Where we dined

On our first evening, we enjoyed a delicious pizza and pasta meal at La Giaconda on Viale Frà Giocondo, in front of the city walls, close to the Brick House. Alissia was very helpful in 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, 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 have been there and tried it before, leave us a comment below and tell us what you think.