Road Trip from Venice (Through the Treviso Region)
A road trip from Venice should be on your bucket list if you’re a wine and Italian food fan. You’ll never know how much you’re missing if you only stay on the island of Venice!
Pour yourself a glass of your favorite vino, (or tea or coffee) and join me as I lead you on a road trip from Venice. We’ll embark on a culinary wine tour through the tiny towns and verdant vineyards of Veneto to inspire you to dream and plan your own adventure!
Disclosure: I was hosted on a three day food and wine press trip through the Province of Treviso, in Veneto, in order to share my experience with you. Thank you to Marca Treviso, Touring with Lara, and the Veneto region for their effort in making this such an enjoyable and delectable trip!
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If you want a fantastic tour guide, don’t hesitate to contact Lara from Touring with Lara. Her passion for this region of Italy is infectious, and you will learn so much from her wonderful stories about each place you’ll visit!
More Than Just Venice
When you realize that most tourists only visit 1% of a country like Italy, it makes sense that cities like Venice, Florence and Rome are so incredibly crowded, especially during high season.
While I love visiting Venice and encourage everyone to visit, there is so much more to be discovered, just minutes from this very popular, historic city. One problem with visiting a very touristy city is that you are eating in restaurants which cater to tourists, not locals. You need to get off the beaten path if you want to taste real Italian cuisine. I combined two trips to Europe into one 6 week trip, and this press trip was a beautiful finale to my time in Italy!
If you’re thinking you don’t want to drive in Italy, I’ve got you covered! We had the best van and driver from Treviso Car Service! I highly recommend them (we all loved Gianni, our most professional driver–see a fun photo at the bottom!) If you plan on doing a lot of wine tasting, this is a much smarter plan than renting a car.
The Road Trip Itinerary and How to Use this Interactive Map
I’ve created this interactive map just for you! It contains the following list which you can choose to see on the map concurrently, individually, or mix and match! The figure 8 road trips begin in Venice Mestre, where I usually rent a car, and ends at the Marco Polo Airport. You’ll see the legend on the map when you expand it.
- A 3 Night Road Trip Itinerary
- A 5 Night Road Trip Itinerary
- Transportation Locations (brown icons)
- Restaurants, Eateries and Food Shops (orange icons)
- Accommodations (purple icons)
- Wineries, Wine Tasting and Breweries (red icons)
- Places of Interest (teal icons)
- Spa/Wellness (green icon)
- Cooking Classes (dark blue icon)
PLEASE NOTE: this is a map from my personal experience on a press trip; it is NOT A COMPREHENSIVE map of the area as it would take me months to include all there is to see, visit and eat! The road trip itineraries are included as inspiration for you to plan your own road trip from Venice and include your favorite activities. This is a food and wine focused trip, but you can actually use this as the first and last legs of a road trip to the Dolomites, too!
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A Road Trip From Venice
I will be highlighting the three night road trip option from Venice as an example as that is what I experienced on my press trip. We departed from Treviso, and I highly recommend visiting Treviso if you’ve not yet been!
Day 1 ~ Venice to Treviso
Accommodation – B & B Hotel Treviso
After your breakfast in Venice, hit the road, whether by car rental or a hired driver. Plan to have an early lunch at Al Porticciolo 5, located on the Sile River. If weather permits, you can dine alfresco. Seafood is the specialty of the house, and the dishes are revised classics of Venetian dishes. I recommend looking at their website since my photos don’t do the dishes any favors with the dim lighting at dinner.
Arrive in Treviso and check in to your room at B & B Hotel Treviso. The rooms are spacious, light, bright and very clean. Some have balconies, and you can look forward to the included breakfast the next morning.
This hotel is perfect for exploring the city of Treviso, but you can also use it as a base for discovering much more beyond the immediate location. Walk to Piazza Borsa and pop into the Fondazione Marca Treviso to ask questions you may have about visiting the Treviso region. If you don’t plan on spending more time in the city, I recommend walking within the historic center to get a feel for Treviso, and definitely have an aperitivo. Use my post on visiting Treviso as a guide.
There are a plethora of dining options in Treviso, but our last night, we enjoyed Neapolitan style pizza at Unico Ristorante Pizzeria Treviso. DO NOT MISS OUT ON HAVING THE ORIGINAL TIRAMISÙ in Treviso (the home of this iconic dessert at Le Beccherie Ristorante.
Day 2 ~ Treviso to Crespano del Grappa
Accommodation – Wine Hotel San Giacomo Activity & Wellness
There are many options for today’s drive leaving from Treviso and finishing the day at Crespano del Grappa, which just so happens to be a sister city of Folsom, California!
From visiting Vaka Mora, a sustainable, family run dairy with the most delicious cheeses, salumi and gelato, to wine tasting at Villa Sandi or Locanda Sandi (or both!) This is just the beginning of some unforgettable culinary and wine experiences. Choose from the following (refer to the map for locations.)
If you’re a cheese or gelato lover, a stop a Vaka Mora is a must. Owner, Andrea, welcomed us to the dairy with a tour including visiting all the lovely ladies who produce milk for the freshest products! He also gave us a cheese making demonstration and included us in the cheese making process!
It was a lovely experience and we were able to take some of cheese with us. It was called “schiz” due to the squeaky sound it makes when you eat it. If that sounds familiar to those of you in the Midwest, you’re probably thinking cheese curds, right? However, this was cheese curds on another level: absolutely phenomenal!
Don’t let the morning hours stop you from having a gelato, as we did! After all, in Italy, there’s never a wrong time for gelato, especially if you’re seeing the cows that produced that very milk you’re enjoying!
For an upscale dining experience with some of the best wine selections in the Veneto region, make a reservation at Ristorante Barbesin. They proudly serve modern flavors with Venetian roots, and I can highly recommend this quality driven restaurant, and look forward to another visit.
One thing that stood out to me was the fact that they served cucina povera dishes alongside gourmet presentations, which most restaurants wouldn’t so brave, or capable, of pulling off. I was delighted to be able to try the Venetian rendition of pasta e fagioli, which was made using my favorite Borlotti beans, and it was so different to my family’s version, but I absolutely loved it (top right photo in the collage above.)
The dining experience was fabulous, including the attentive service and attention to detail. You should add Ristorante Barbesin to your Google map “WANT TO GO” list right now, even if you’re not planning to visit Venice anytime soon.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite experiences of my entire 6 week trip to Europe was my visit to Pasticceria Fraccano, another family owned business located in Castelfranco Veneto. It wasn’t as much the factory tour, which was a bucket list item for me, but the fact that the Fraccaro family has such a quality driven company which is using the original sourdough starter from 1932.
The pastries, panettone, pizza and everything we sampled at Pasticceria Fraccano were sublime! Don’t be surprised at what you can taste here as they have a bustling dining spot where locals come for lunch, families pop in for their pastries, and tourists can discover the best kinds of Italian souvenirs in the gift shop: edible ones!
I was delighted to learn that I could buy Fraccaro panettone on Amazon! I ordered four upon my return to Los Angeles and they were the most flavorful and moist panettone that I’ve purchased here in the US. Easter alert: you can also buy their limoncello Colomba di Pasqua (Easter Dove Bread) and other varieties in the US!
Castelfranco Veneto
Don’t miss a stop in the historic center of Castelfranco Veneto, even if it’s just for a coffee. Walk into the center of the town which is surrounded by a moat and wall, and take in some views that simply don’t exist outside of Europe. If you look at the top left photo in the collage above, the small storefront is the original Pasticceria Fraccaro, which was lovely to see after visiting the massive factory!
The civic tower, Torre Civica di Castelfranco Veneto is a symbol of the town, and a historic masterpiece.
Head to Wine Hotel San Giacomo to check in, and depending on how you feel, you can choose to have a massage in La Vigna Spa or go for a bit of sport. The hotel offers everything from Nordic walking and road biking to hang gliding!
This hotel has something for everyone, including wine tasting (this is my kind of sport!) and a restaurant called Il Melograno (The Pomegranate.) From here you can decide from among many other experiences, and it might be a very good idea to stay for two nights instead of one!
Our group loved this hotel and its staff, and even moreso after they went to a local bakery and bought us cream filled meringues for our road trip! If you know me personally, you’ll know that these are one of my favorite things on the planet! They were excellent, not too sweet, and lovely fresh cream. Although I didn’t visit, I can highly recommend Pasticceria Alpina in Paderno del Grappa simply from having one of their pastries (no website, sorry!)
If beer’s your cup of tea, then you’re in luck in taking this road trip from Venice! Award-winning brewery, 32 Via dei Birrai brewery is only a 12 minute drive from the Wine Hotel San Giacomo. Sustainability and quality are at the forefront of this beer company.
I really felt the passion from Fabiano, the master brewer, when he spoke of the process and what it means to him and his two partners. He gave us a tour and then we tasted some artisanal beers, and surprisingly, even a beer vinegar which was delicious! You can ship beer home if you’re a fan, or check out their gift packages, which are really popular for businesses who send corporate gifts.
I’m so fortunate to have dined at Salis Ristorante Enoteca twice, now, and I hope to be lucky enough to return again, and again. My first visit was in 2018 after winning a Valdo Prosecco trip to Venice contest. The food and wine was divine then, and the quality continues over 7 years later.
The restaurant overlooks the hills of Glera grape vineyards in Valdobbiadene, and the views are breathtaking. This is the home of Prosecco.
After lunch you can meander through the vineyards, soaking up the Italian sunshine and atmosphere that is so difficult to describe. In the collage above, you can spot Sara, from Marca Treviso working hard, even while in the midst of the beautiful Italian countryside!
From here, it’s a must to visit Villa Sandi Winery for some wine tasting and a tour.
Villa Sandi
Visiting Villa Sandi winery is an incredibly memorable experience simply due to its grandeur and history. Choose from one of four wine tours ranging from Classic, for dipping your toes into the Prosecco wine experience, to the Opere Experience which includes a magical, candlelight wine tasting in the historic cellars. The latter is on my own bucket list.
Locanda Sandi
Little sister to Villa Sandi, Locanda Sandi is a gorgeous spot where you can not only do more wine tasting, but you can also take a cooking class, dine like royalty, spend the night, to wake up to a beautiful buffet breakfast!
I actually spent my birthday here in 2024 with my good friend, Jill from Mad About Macarons, and it was such a wonderful experience! I highly recommend Locanda Sandi for everything they offer.
We had a marvelously fun time at our cooking class on our press trip! We made pumpkin flan with Alpine cheese and Parmigiano crisp, with homemade tagliatelle with fresh Porcini mushrooms and an Italian apple strudel! The best part was we ate the fruits of our labor, and then some! The chef kept bringing more food for us to taste, and it was all delectable!
After your time at Locanda Sandi, head back to the Wine Hotel San Giacomo for the night (unless you plan to stay here.)
Day 3 ~ Crespano del Grappa to Mogliano Veneto
Accommodation – The Foscarini*
Nonno Andrea Bistrot Agricola and Shop
From Crespano del Grappa, you’ll begin heading south again, and a visit to Nonno Andrea Bistrot Agricola and Shop is a great way to start the day (you could probably spend all day here!) 150 acres of organic farmland, restaurants and shops. It’s an ever-changing encounter with nature when you visit during different times of the year.
Each season presents a different experience. In spring 200,000 tulips come to life for a colorful display worth the drive. Summertime is for sunflowers, and the biggest celebration of all is in autumn, when Nonno Andrea goes all out for everything pumpkin!
What a Girl Eats (Photo courtesy of Stefania Lettini)
You’ll also find corn mazes, choo choo train rides (never too old for these!) stilt-walkers and lots of family fun activities.
Dining at Nonno Andrea
I would encourage you to visit Nonno Andrea simply for the food! Each dish that was served for our lunch was incredibly tasty, and it’s nice to know that all the ingredients are local and organic.
Nonno Andrea is an agriturismo, which I have shared with you in the past, is a great place to eat when in Italy. Check out their adorable illustrated menus! If you left the Wine Hotel San Giacomo in the morning, you’ll be here during lunchtime so I highly recommend trying whatever you fancy on the menu!
NOTE: many Italians tend to have a larger meal (dinner) during lunchtime and a lighter meal in the evening. On this 3 day road trip from Venice, I would advise doing this today so that you can enjoy wine tasting with some antipasto later, and then a light meal in the evening (if you’re hungry.)
In addition to the restaurants, the farm shop is such a joy! Not only does Nonno Andrea sell organic produce, but homemade jams, marmalades, pickles, preserved fruit and vegetables, oil and more. You can purchase organic wine, craft beers and organic honey. Not to mention an abundance of culinary gifts and those “edible souvenirs” that I love so much! As you can see above, I found white asparagus under oil.
Last stop before heading to The Foscarini Hotel is the historic Castello di Roncade.
Castello di Roncade
This marvel of Renaissance architecture is awe-inspiring, and if you have ever wanted to stay in a castle, you can! Rooms are available in the turrets (see the photo above) on the walls that surround the only pre-Palladian Venetian villa that are still standing! It’s worth taking a road trip from Venice simply to come here. This is another bucket list item I’ve added!
Wine Tasting and Tours at Castello di Roncade
During our press trip we were given a very informative and interesting tour of the winery and grounds, then went into the wine tasting room which was ready for us.
We tasted many fabulous wines, including their award-winning Cabernet Piave, DOC, Raboso as well as a Passito di Raboso, which I loved. The nibbles were great, too–always top quality, locally made products. There are five wine experiences to choose from ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours. I would recommend one of the longer wine tastings and tours because ours was truly enjoyable. I feel that half an hour, or even an hour would feel too rushed.
The Foscarini
On your last night, you’ll sleep well knowing you’re so close to the airport, but not so close that air traffic will keep you awake. The Foscarini is conveniently located on the main road from Venice to Treviso, is easy to find and very clean. Although my window faced the main road, it was very quiet and I had a great night’s sleep.
A light, Continental breakfast buffet is included, as well as coffee and hot drinks from the most advanced coffee machine I’ve ever seen! The coffee was actually quite good, too.
Day 4 ~ Mogliano Veneto to Venice Marco Polo Airport to end the Road Trip from Venice
From Mogliano Veneto, the Venice airport is a quick 15 minute drive without traffic. Even if you picked up a car from Mestre, you can drop it off at the airport as long as you pre-arrange to do so. If you hired Treviso Car Service, you’ll enjoy a stress free ride to wherever your last destination is. You may want to continue on your journey from Mestre, or visit Venice afterwards; this is all very manageable.
TRAVEL TIP: The award-winning lounge at the Marco Polo airport is worth a visit! The food is some of the best I’ve had in a lounge: the coffee is fantastic as well as their breakfast buffet options. PS if you say please and thank you to the staff, they’ll make you a beautiful cappuccino (it’s so sad that so few people use this courtesy with wait staff anymore.)
For more information go to Visit Treviso
and check out other suggested tours at Guide di Marca.
I hope you enjoyed my detailed 3 day road trip from Venice itinerary, and that it’s inspired you to visit Veneto!
“TREVISO, and the Garden of Venice: one destination, one hundred experiences.” – Visit Treviso
Here’s that photo I promised you: Gianni from Treviso Car Service was the most professional driver, but we still had fun!
*While The Foscarini is a lovely hotel, with clean rooms, and appealing breakfast, it is marketed as a 4 star luxury hotel according to Italian standards, which vary greatly. If you are from North America or the UK, expect a very nice, 3 star hotel experience.
Thank you to everyone at Marca Treviso, Touring with Lara, and the Veneto region for their effort in making this such an enjoyable and delicious trip!
Heading to Venice soon. Loved to see the pannetone you sampled. Waiting to do the same!
Fantastic, Elizabeth! Totally worth the drive!
Dear Christina,
Your Venice segment is better and more useful than any travel guide! Great tips and insight!
Thanks a lot for your careful and well-curated travel reviews.
Warm Regards,
Judith
What a compliment, Judith! Thank you so much!
TRAVEL HEADSET
Ciao Christina, absolutely love this post. So informative and I am adding this to my bucket list for sure!
Fantastic, thank YOU!
I love Venice and keep returning, but it’s never occurred to me to venture further afield until now! I’m so excited and just beginning to look into a possible trip into the Veneto and Treviso region, thank you!
Oh my goodness, Christina. Mamma Mia! What an incredible post. I feel so blessed to have been with you at Villa Sandi and a few of these locations back in October 2024 (is it that long already?) and all your gorgeous descriptions and pictures (love the postcards and the map!) really bring it all to life. Of course, I now want to go back with Antoine and show him some of these spots. It’s a really special part of the world. Thank you so much for sharing this. Jill x
We did have a great time, but I wish we could go back and redo that trip in the sunshine! That would be amazing, and yes, you must take Antoine to Hotel Colonna, too! Grazie mille for your kind words!