Elegant Treviso
Treviso, a city that exerts chicness and style is home to prosecco, tiramisu and Benetton. This traditional town makes a great base to explore Veneto and is a place to unwind and absorb culture.
Treviso is a less- touristy town in the Veneto region of north-east Italy that is an underrated gem often overshadowed by the iconic status of its neighbour Venice, that is just 26 km away. The town fills with little waterways calling itself città d’acque making it an important feature of the townscape. The river Side runs to the south of the center that lines with beautiful houses, hortensia bushes and water wheels. The tranquil atmosphere is much different from its neighbouring Venice and it does not depend on tourism, there are no tacky tourist shops and it is evident that this town has a sense of prosperity.
We ate delicious food in this town, everything ranging from traditional beef tartare to cacio e Pepe to boar stews and scallops with porcini mushrooms. You will find lots of cute standing bars in the old town where you can go for a glass of wine or restaurant hop as we did one evening. One of favourite antipasti dishes was a butter brioche that was served with beautiful salted anchovies. Just heavenly.
Markets
On a Tuesday the market takes over the whole of city centre Treviso. It spreads across several squares where you can find everything from clothes to homeware to food. This market is clearly where locals do their weekly shopping. We where also lucky enough to stumble across a large antique market that travels in different towns in the region on Sundays. Also, a street market is held every Saturday morning, where they sell high-quality clothing and vintage gems. The antique market brought in collectors and serious buyers looking for cars, paintings, silver ware and furniture. We strolled through the market in the morning for a couple of hours and found antique brass handles, silver ware and onyx statues to take back home with us. There where so many beautiful things, like old painting frames, statues, glass blown vases, books and cast iron chairs where items clearly have a history.
We where also lucky that there was a circus in town as we always have wanted to take our little boy to an old fashioned circus that was a real treat for us. Apparently, every morning (except Monday) a seafood market is held on the Isola della Pescheria, a small island in the middle of the Cagnan river. Also Piazza Giustinian holds an organic farmers’ market three times a week, selling local wine, cheese and charcuterie.
Things to Do:
1. Explore the Historic Center:
Wander through the labyrinthine streets and alleys of Treviso’s historic center, with its charming canals and beautifully preserved medieval buildings.
2. Piazza dei Signori:
Visit this vibrant square surrounded by elegant buildings and cafes. Don’t miss the Palazzo dei Trecento, a stunning Gothic palace.
3. Treviso Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Pietro):
Admire the architectural beauty of this 12th-century cathedral and its impressive frescoes.
4. Museum of Santa Caterina:
This former convent houses a rich collection of medieval and Renaissance art, providing insight into Treviso’s cultural heritage.
5. Canoeing on the Sile River:
Rent a canoe and paddle along the tranquil Sile River to experience the serene natural beauty of the region.
6. Prosecco Vineyards:
Take a short drive to the Prosecco wine region and visit some of the local vineyards for a wine tasting experience.
7. Cicchetti and Prosecco Tasting:
Enjoy an authentic Venetian tradition by indulging in “cicchetti” (small snacks) and a glass of Prosecco at the town’s local osterias.
Culinary Delights:
Treviso’s cuisine is a delicious blend of Italian and Venetian flavors. Try these local specialties:
Risotto al Radicchio: Creamy risotto made with the famous Treviso radicchio.
Polenta: A staple dish often served with a variety of sauces.
Tiramisu: Savor the original version of this iconic Italian dessert in its birthplace.
Shopping:
Explore Treviso’s boutique shops and markets, especially in the historic center, where you can find local wines, cheese, and handcrafted goods.
When to Visit:
Treviso is beautiful year-round, but the best times to visit are in the spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and the tourist crowds are thinner.
watching the old school tent style circus
