Escape the crowds of Venice with a weekend to explore the captivating region of Veneto. Stroll around enchanting hill towns, savour the delicious cuisine and famous wines of the Veneto region and visit a famous Renaissance country estate designed by Andrea Palladio. For your first day, discover two of the most beautiful venetian hamlets: Marostica and Cittadella, Italy.

Cittadella, Italy

Cittadella (Italy) is a beautiful walled town placed perfectly between Padua, Venice, Verona and Vicenza. Unlike the neighbouring fortresses with their quadrangular formats in keeping with the military standards of the time Citadella is distinguished by its circular walls, which, with their four gates situated at the cardinal points – each bearing the name of the city which it faces – its two main intersecting roads, and 16 towers, making it a sort of ‘ideal city’, always ready to confront any type of threat.

Its walkway is unique in Europe and entirely passable: you walk on the walls at 15 meters height in complete safety, throughout 32 towers and turrets and 4 beautiful bastions.

The rampart walk provides great views down onto the medieval town centre and on a clear day to the north you can see the Dolomites, which in winter and spring make a dramatic snow-topped background to the town.

Cittadella (Italy) is an interesting place to spend a couple of hours. It’s very enjoyable to discover also the historic centre, the square and the cathedral. It has a few typical Italian shops (lots of shoes), some pleasant bars in the central part of town, and several places to eat.
Cittadella combines well with other local villages to make a full day out.

Marostica

Marostica is mainly famous for its chess festival, which is known as Partita a Scacchi dI Marostica. The festival takes place on the second weekend in September on even numbered years.

The tickets would have to be bought in advance either in person or online since the festival attracts a large number of tourists from across Italy and other countries in Europe.

And in the odd numbered years the town organizes a chess tournament. During the living game a story is re-enacted in which the participants dress in various costumes. The festival is definitely worth a visit since it has been organized for decades.

We suggest you to walking around the town and through its streets that are very picturesque lined with old charming houses.

Getting to Cittadella/Marostica

Cittadella (Italy) /Marostica are fairly straightforward to reach by public transport.
By air: The nearest airport is Treviso Airport, served by Ryanair (as ‘Venice Treviso’). The main airport in Venice, Marco Polo Airport, is also convenient for this part of the Veneto.