If you’re a culture buff, we get why Venice, the floating city, would be at the top of your travel bucket list.
The gondola rides, the strolling down picturesque streets, the marveling at iconic monuments like the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, and the list goes on.
We’re sorry to inform you, but you’re not alone.
An estimated 30 million tourists fly from all over the world every year to see La serenissima up close, except it’s anything but serene or idyllic once you step out of Venezia-Santa Lucia Station.
Picture bustling crowds, overpriced restaurants where a simple pasta dish could set you back by as much as $30, and perhaps more shockingly-even, an average overnight rate of $253––but hey, who said Venice is Italy’s only canal-lined gem oozing Old World charm?
World, Meet Treviso
Located a short half-hour train ride from Venice itself, Treviso is a cultural treasure of the Veneto region that remains largely undiscovered by a majority of visitors, despite the fact it’s built around a complex system of waterways, and it’s far cheaper to visit:
Similarly to other European cities, Treviso has a walled Old Town where a majority of the historical monuments are concentrated:
It developed around Piazza dei Signori, a square completely surrounded by regal palaces, including the 13th-century Palazzo del Podestà, with a Civic Tower boasting incredible views of the medieval townscape below, and the brickwork-built Palazzo dei Trecento.
Starting from the square, there are narrow, pedestrian-friendly cobbled lanes leading to more charming piazzette, a Neoclassical Duomo, and magnificent fountains, most notably the 16th-century Fontana delle Tette, that used to dispense wine––don’t be too excited, that’s no longer the case.
Surrounding the Old Town, Treviso’s ramparts are also open for exploring, and if you’re not short on time, you’re welcome to walk the northern section, that extends for over a kilometer––may we add it’s worth it for the views alone?
Does Treviso Have Canals Like Venice?
Unlike Venice, Treviso isn’t built on water proper: it does have canals, but these run alongside streets, and contrary to its celebrity sister’s, they’re not all navigable, so don’t expect to find richly-decorated gondolas traveling down the stream.
They’re nothing short of gorgeous, nonetheless:
One of them in particular, Canale Dei Buranelli, was named after a wealthy family of merchants who lived in Burano, an island-municipality in the Venetian Lagoon, in the 16th-century, and it’s easily the most recognizable postcard picture of town.
Located in the very center, it runs along pastel-colored houses, centuries-old watermills still perfectly operating, and colonnaded buildings that previously hosted local fishermen, who came all the way from Burano to sell their daily catch in Treviso.
The tradition has waned over time, especially after the importance of the river trade waned, but to this day, you’ll be able to find a fish market on Isolotto della Pescheria, a tiny islet in the middle of the Sile River, connected to the mainland by a footbridge.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to buy the fish to cook it yourself: chances are it’ll get it served to you fresh at any of the local restaurants bordering the water.
An Underrated Italian Capital Of Food––And The Birthplace Of Tiramisu!
No trip to Italy is complete without a tour of the local restaurant scene, and if you’re a devoted foodie like us, you won’t be disappointed in Treviso’s culinary efforts.
Our favorite restaurant for seafood in town is Mare Crudo, a casual eatery renowned for their raw fish dishes, as well as more traditional Mediterranean offerings, though it’s not exactly on the cheaper end––we get it, you’re not swapping Venice for Treviso to spend just as much on meals.
In that case, make sure you pay Trattoria Alter Ego a visit: for around $17, you’ll be served some superb pasta paired with inexpensive, quality wine, and even Treviso natives themselves seem to have a soft spot for this place on Tripadvisor: ‘it’s like at home!‘
If you’re craving pizza in a casual, no frills environment, which is the case for us most nights on a trip to Italy, Zeus in the Centro Storico is the place to go: the pasta was not particularly great, but their wood-fired Neapolitan is impeccable.
We’re not sure about you, but we’re huge sweet fiends ourselves, and we couldn’t contain our excitement upon finding out that Treviso is the actual birthplace of tiramisu, the creamy, deliciously-soggy, coffee-infused Italian dessert that’s taken over the world.
The most exciting thing is, you can actually try the original recipe, still served at Le Beccherie, an upscale restaurant that might require advance-booking––alternatively (we get it, you’re on a budget), the one sold at family-owned Camelia Bakery tastes just as heavenly.
How Cheap Is Treviso?
If you’re wondering how much a short weekend trip to Treviso will cost you this fall, let’s say less than a three-night stay in Venice ever will in the dead of winter.
As per Budget Your Trip estimates, a 3-night hotel stay will only set you back by $268 on average, while lunchtime menus in a good-value restaurants osteria can start from as little as $15.
The cheapest hotel on Booking.com this October, Hotel Aurora is a short 24-minute walk to Piazza dei Signori, and an even-shorter 18 minutes to Santa Margherita Bridge, one of the main access points into the Old Town, and it costs only $68 to book per night for 2 adults.
If you’re traveling in a couple, that’s a negligible $34 for a private room in a good-enough location.
In the city center itself, the privately-managed B&B Madam Treviso has room rates from $77 upward for two guests, or $38.50 each, while Hotel Treviso charges an acceptable $126 ($63 per person) for an overnight stay with breakfast included.
How Easy Is It To Get To Treviso?
Getting to Treviso this fall just couldn’t be easier:
Not only is it served by trains that arrive directly from Venice in just over half an hour, with at least 64 daily departures on regular dates, and tickets costing from $4.52, it has its own international airport hosting cheap flights from all over Europe.
Treviso Airport is, in reality, a secondary hub for Venice-bound travelers, as it is a short 35-minute drive from jam-packed Venice itself, and it is where European budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizzair have based most of their operations in the region of Veneto.
- Barcelona-El Prat, Spain
- Barcelona-Girona, Spain
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Cork, Ireland
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Faro, Portugal
- Ibiza, Spain
- Leeds-Bradford, United Kingdom
It’s worth noting prices may vary at any time, so you’re advised to book early for the cheapest possible rate.
Credit: Source link
