A worthy achievement

The Veneto region is now among the world's top destinations according to Lonely Planet: the only Italian region in the "Best in Travel" list.

From the Gazzettino newspaper:

"... Recognised for its variety of experiences, landscapes, and culture within a single territory; visitor numbers and arrivals continue to rise.

Veneto has officially made it onto Lonely Planet’s "Best in Travel" 2027 list—a curated selection of the best experiences and destinations compiled by an international network of writers, serving as a key travel reference for millions of people for years.

Veneto: "Diverse landscapes, hidden gems, and food & wine"

The "Best in Travel" list comprises 50 entries, split between 25 "top" destinations and 25 experiences. Veneto is the only Italian region to appear in the destinations list; according to the authors, it offers "highly diverse landscapes, numerous hidden gems waiting to be discovered, and a rich culinary and wine heritage."

The international jury explained their choice as follows: "Beyond Venice lies a Veneto waiting to be discovered: from the Dolomites to Lake Garda, from the art cities of Verona, Vicenza and Padua to the Prosecco hills and the Po Delta. It is a surprisingly diverse region where nature, culture, and culinary traditions coexist in a territory rich in history and beauty."

Authentic experiences in Veneto, even off the beaten path

The selection stems from observing the evolving needs of travelers: a desire to slow down, escape crowded hotspots, and seek out authentic experiences—even if it means venturing off the beaten path. This philosophy, the jury explains, underpins the entire 2027 guide, which is organised by destination and experience, and categorised by geographical area. What particularly impressed the Lonely Planet team was the variety of landscapes Veneto offers within a relatively compact area: from the UNESCO-listed Dolomite peaks of Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Agordino region to the shores of Lake Garda, featuring villages like Malcesine and Bardolino; from the UNESCO-listed hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene - the heart of Prosecco production—to the plains crisscrossed by the Po River and its tributaries.

Art: Venice and beyond

Alongside Venice—an essential stop—the region is home to more intimate art cities and "hidden corners" waiting to be discovered: Verona, with its Arena and Shakespearean sites; Vicenza, dotted with Palladian villas; Padua, featuring Giotto’s frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel; and Treviso, traversed by the canals of the Sile River. There are also the thermal spa areas of the Euganean Hills, perfect for a leisurely wellness retreat, and the coastline stretching from Chioggia toward the Po Delta, a landscape of fishing lagoons and nature reserves.

Veneto at the table: wines and local products

The final piece of the puzzle is the region's culinary and wine heritage: in addition to Prosecco, Veneto boasts Valpolicella wines, mountain cheeses, Treviso radicchio, and a tradition of osterie and bacari (wine bars) that—especially outside Venice—still offer an authentic experience far removed from the typical tourist trails..."

As Venetians we, at Villa San Bastiano Fogazzaro are very proud of this acknowledgement and can suggest a few points.

Come for Venice — but don’t stop there

Veneto is one of those regions where you can get an unusually wide range of Italy in a relatively compact area: monumental cities, wine country, mountains, lakes, beaches, and small medieval towns.

Venice is obviously the headline. But it really is extraordinary: a functioning city built around canals, with Gothic palaces, tiny alleyways, neighborhood squares, churches packed with Renaissance art, and islands such as Murano and Burano.

The advantage of visiting Veneto rather than simply taking a “Venice trip” is that Venice can be the spectacular opening act rather than the whole holiday.

The landscape changes dramatically

Head north and you reach the Dolomites, including the mountains around Cortina d’Ampezzo. Head west and you can reach the shores of Lake Garda. Between the mountains and plains are vineyard-covered hills, while the eastern edge of the region reaches the Adriatic

And Vicenza is worth visiting if you like architecture, elegant Italian cities, and places that feel culturally important without being overwhelmed by tourists.

The main reason is Andrea Palladio. Vicenza is essentially his city: the historic centre and surrounding Palladian villas form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. His architecture had an enormous influence well beyond Italy - you'll recognise the symmetry, columns, and classical façades that later became characteristic of grand houses and civic buildings across Europe and North America.

But I wouldn't visit only for architecture. Vicenza has a particularly pleasant scale: beautiful piazzas, porticoes, cafés, Venetian-era palazzi and enough going on to make wandering enjoyable, while being much calmer than nearby Venice or Verona.

And the food is distinctly local. Look for baccalà alla vicentina (slow-cooked stockfish, traditionally served with polenta), bigoli pasta, Asiago cheeses, and wines from the surrounding Veneto hills.

You will find more detailed information and suggestions in our related blogs.

Enjoy!