Rovigo
Overview
Rovigo, located in the Veneto region, is a city rich in traditions. Its historic center features charming squares and landmarks such as the Rovigo Cathedral and the Teatro Sociale. The city serves as a gateway to the Valli del Mezzano Natural Park, offering opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation. Rovigo provides a tranquil setting for visitors looking to explore Venetian culture away from the more tourist-heavy destinations.
Gastronomy
The culinary tradition of Rovigo and its province reflects the deep connection between land and water, with recipes passed down through generations and ingredients renowned for their quality. The region is home to important agricultural and fishing districts, including the Lusia and Rosolina Horticultural Districts and the Rovigo-Chioggia Fishery District. These contribute to the production of some of the area’s most famous ingredients, such as the Insalata di Lusia IGP, known for its crisp texture and delicate flavor, and the Cozze di Scardovari DOP, prized for their rich, meaty texture due to the unique lagoon environment.
Other standout local products include the Riso del Delta del Po IGP, cultivated in the reclaimed lands of the Po Delta and ideal for creamy risottos, and the Aglio Bianco Polesano DOP, a highly aromatic garlic with exceptional shelf life. Rovigo is Italy’s second-largest garlic producer, covering around 387 hectares and accounting for 11% of national production.
Among the region’s signature dishes, polenta polesana holds a special place, with origins dating back to the 16th century when maize was introduced to Europe. Made from locally milled corn, this staple is served alongside stews, fish, and cheeses. The risotto alla canarola is another regional favorite, a delicate risotto made with Po Delta rice and seasoned with lagoon fish. Traditional soups include pasta e fasoi (pasta and beans), a hearty and flavorful dish, and fasoi in potacin (braised beans), slowly cooked with aromatic herbs to enhance their natural taste.
The bondola polesana is a notable cured meat from the area, a distinctive, large sausage made from selected pork cuts and natural spices, traditionally served with polenta or rustic bread. To conclude a meal, the region offers unique desserts like the sweet potato pie and sugoli, a velvety pudding made from grape must and flour.
Wine and beverages
The Polesine region produces both red and white wines, known for their light and aromatic profiles with a characteristic hint of minerality. Among the most popular reds, the Fortana stands out with its bright ruby color, distinctive vinous aroma, and dry finish. The Merlot, another widely produced red, boasts an intense ruby hue that lightens with aging. For white wine lovers, the Bianco del Bosco offers a light, aromatic choice, while the Sauvignon is known for its crisp, slightly salty taste.
Beyond wines, Rovigo is home to traditional beverages such as the Po Delta acacia honey liqueur, a sweet, aromatic liqueur made from the region’s renowned honey. Grappa, a classic Italian grape-based spirit, is also widely enjoyed in different variations.
Points of interest
Rovigo’s history dates back to at least 838 AD when it was recorded as “villa Rodigo.” Over the centuries, it evolved into a significant regional center under the rule of the Este family and later the Republic of Venice, both of which left lasting architectural and cultural influences.
The Museo dei Grandi Fiumi, housed in a former 17th-century monastery, offers an in-depth look at the region’s history and culture, featuring archaeological and ethnographic exhibits. Its multimedia installations provide an engaging overview of over 3,500 years of history, from the Bronze Age to the Renaissance.
Rovigo’s historic center is characterized by medieval towers, such as Torre Donà and Torre Grimani, remnants of the city’s ancient fortifications. The city’s main squares, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and Piazza Garibaldi, serve as lively gathering spots surrounded by notable buildings, including the Teatro Sociale, a prime example of Liberty-style architecture.
The Teatro Sociale, inaugurated in 1819, has hosted significant cultural events and performances throughout its history. Following a fire in 1902, it was rebuilt in the Liberty style and remains one of Rovigo’s iconic landmarks.
The Tempio della Beata Vergine del Soccorso, commonly known as “La Rotonda” due to its octagonal shape, is a baroque masterpiece that houses valuable artworks, including large canvas paintings (teleri) depicting local rulers and Marian legends.
Palazzo Roverella, a 15th-century palace, is another cultural gem, hosting the Pinacoteca dell’Accademia dei Concordi, which features works by Venetian masters such as Bellini, Tintoretto, and Tiepolo. The palace also holds high-profile temporary exhibitions.
Rovigo is a lively city with various festivals and events, including its traditional October fair. Another defining feature is the city’s passion for rugby, with local teams achieving notable success at both national and international levels.
A local legend suggests that Rovigo earned its nickname “Città delle Rose” (City of Roses) due to its name’s Greek origin, meaning “rose.” Even the poet Ludovico Ariosto referenced Rovigo’s beauty and its rose cultivation tradition in his epic poem Orlando Furioso.
Vicenza
Overview
Vicenza, located in the Veneto region, is renowned for its architecture, particularly the works of Andrea Palladio, the famed Renaissance architect. The historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features landmarks such as the Teatro Olimpico, the Basilica Palladiana, and numerous elegant palaces. Overlooking the city, Monte Berico adds to its picturesque charm. Vicenza is also an important cultural and commercial hub, known for its goldsmithing tradition, which dates back centuries. This city is perfect for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and those who appreciate the Venetian heritage.
Gastronomy
Vicenza and the Colli Berici boast a long-standing culinary tradition rooted in simple yet flavorful cuisine that highlights local and seasonal ingredients. Strolling through the historic center or the rolling hills, visitors will find trattorias, agriturismi, and traditional osterias serving dishes rich in history and authenticity. A must-try is baccalà alla vicentina, a creamy, slow-cooked stockfish dish served with steaming polenta, or a plate of fettuccine al tartufo dei Berici, infused with the intense aroma of local truffles.
The region’s cuisine offers a variety of traditional pasta dishes, including bigoli con l’anatra, a thick, rustic pasta that holds onto a rich duck sauce, and gargati col consiero, a short, ridged pasta served with a flavorful white ragù. Among the most cherished main courses are pollo in tecia, a slow-cooked, aromatic chicken dish, and polenta e Sopressa Vicentina, a classic pairing of soft polenta and the region’s distinctive, spiced cured meat, recognized as a DOP product.
Vicenza’s desserts reflect its rustic culinary roots. The Putana is a cornmeal-based cake enriched with raisins and apples, while the Macafame is a bread pudding made with dried fruits. The Zaleti, cornmeal cookies scented with lemon and studded with raisins, are another favorite.
Local agricultural products also play a key role in Vicenza’s cuisine. Notable ingredients include radicchio rosso di Asigliano, a crisp and slightly bitter red chicory perfect for salads or risotto, rampussolo di Villaga, a delicate wild herb, and risi e bisi di Lumignano, a creamy risotto-like dish featuring fresh peas. The area also produces Nanto extra virgin olive oil, with a harmonious fruity flavor, and the renowned cherries from Castegnero, a sweet and juicy fruit that marks the beginning of summer.
Wine and beverages
The province of Vicenza is home to an extraordinary variety of high-quality wines, thanks to its unique terroir and deep-rooted winemaking tradition. The Colli Berici, Gambellara, Breganze, and Carmenere regions produce a diverse range of wines that appeal to every palate.
Among the native grape varieties, Durella stands out for its naturally high acidity, making it ideal for producing crisp and mineral-rich sparkling wines. Garganega, the principal grape of Gambellara, yields both elegant dry whites and luscious passito wines. Tai Rosso, a hallmark of the Colli Berici, is a red wine with delicate aromas and a smooth, slightly spicy flavor. The lesser-known Groppello offers a rustic and bold character, while Vespaiola, grown primarily in Breganze, is the base for Torcolato, a sweet, velvety passito wine that pairs beautifully with blue cheeses.
No discussion of Vicenza’s beverages would be complete without mentioning the city’s beloved aperitif, the spritz. This Venetian classic combines white wine or prosecco with a splash of seltzer and bitter liqueur, creating a refreshing and sociable drink enjoyed in the city’s cafés and traditional bacari. The Vicenza variation typically features Bitter Campari or Aperol and is often accompanied by local cicchetti, such as crostini with baccalà mantecato or spunciotti (small bites of cured meats and cheeses).
Beyond wines and cocktails, Vicenza also produces fine artisanal spirits, including grappa, distilled from the pomace of native grape varieties, and herbal liqueurs traditionally enjoyed as digestifs.
Points of interest
The Veneto region is home to some of the most magnificent villas in Italy, and Vicenza is at the heart of this architectural legacy. The city and its surroundings boast numerous masterpieces by Andrea Palladio, such as Villa La Rotonda, one of his most iconic creations, and Villa Pojana. Other notable estates include Villa Barbarigo in Noventa Vicentina, Villa Pisani, Villa Fracanzan Piovene in Orgiano, Villa Priuli Crisanti in Val Liona, and Villa Montruglio in Mossano—each a testament to the grandeur of Venetian nobility.
The historic center of Vicenza is an open-air museum, where every street and square tells a story of centuries past. Walking along Corso Palladio, the city’s main thoroughfare, visitors encounter the renowned Teatro Olimpico, the world’s oldest covered theater from the modern era, as well as Palazzo Chiericati, home to the city’s civic art gallery.
Piazza dei Signori, dominated by the majestic Basilica Palladiana, serves as the city’s vibrant heart, hosting exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Nearby, the Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico stands as a significant spiritual site, commemorating a Marian apparition in 1426. The sanctuary houses valuable artworks and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. In 2026, Vicenza will celebrate the Giubileo Mariano Monte Berico 600, marking six centuries of devotion to the sanctuary.
Vicenza is also a city that embraces conviviality, with Piazza delle Erbe serving as a lively social hub where locals and visitors gather for aperitifs. For outdoor enthusiasts, the city offers scenic cycling routes, including the Vicenza-Noventa path along the Riviera Berica, which connects to other cycling trails leading toward the Euganean Hills and the Wine Route. The 85-km Treviso-Ostiglia route, one of Veneto’s most important cycling corridors, is also accessible from Vicenza.
Those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature can explore the Alta Via dei Berici hiking trail, visit the serene Lago di Fimon, or discover the charming village of Costozza. Nestled between the Colli Berici and the Riviera Berica, Costozza is renowned for its elegant villas and enchanting atmosphere, making it a perfect escape into the region’s pastoral beauty.
