The verdant Veneto region in northeast Italy is a land of sparkling prosecco, timeless landscapes, and charm. Little has changed in Venice’s design for the past 700 years. It is a dense network of waterways with 118 islands and more than 400 bridges over its 150 canals. Instead of main streets, you will find main canals, instead of cars you will find gondolas. Venice and its lagoon are UNESCO World Heritage listed and the whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece. Venice Carnevale takes place every February, its iconic Venetian masks and costumes a spectacular feast for the senses. Nearby towns of Padua and Verona can be reached by car or train or are best appreciated on a guided tour of this region. Lake Garda, located halfway between Milan and Venice, is not to be missed, beautifully embedded between high mountains, olive groves and vineyards. Scattered around its shoreline are enchanting villages, ancient villas, castles and historic sites. 

Last but not least are the Dolomites Bellunesi National Park, hardwood and coniferous forests, rock walls, and water features at the southern limit of the Dolomites and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All the seasons are great for enjoying the beauty of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Also, a must-see is the mountain Ski town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, easy to navigate and full of alpine culture, is also a beautiful summer destination, offering excellent hiking, sublime views and lots of fresh, fragrant air. To get there, drive two and half hours north from Venice or two hours south from Innsbruck, Austria.