Places to visit between history and landscapes
Venice and its surroundings
The Venetian lagoon and its most fascinating itineraries
Staying at Teresa House makes it easy to discover some of the most fascinating places of the Venetian lagoon and its surroundings. Venice is not only the city of canals: around it stretches a unique territory made of historic islands, maritime villages, lagoon landscapes and river itineraries that tell centuries of history, traditions and life on the water.
From the colorful islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello, to the authentic nature of Sant’Erasmo, and the long strip of land of Pellestrina and the beaches of Lido di Venezia, every destination offers a different way to experience the lagoon. There are also evocative experiences such as the Brenta Riviera, with its Venetian villas and river navigation, and the maritime town of Chioggia, often called the “Little Venice”.
All these destinations are easily reachable from Teresa House by car, bus or bicycle, and represent some of the most interesting excursions you can plan during your stay.
Murano, Burano, Torcello
Just a few kilometres from Venice, in the heart of the northern lagoon, lies one of the most fascinating itineraries to experience during your stay at Teresa House: the tour of the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Three different places, each with its own character, yet connected by a thousand-year history of craftsmanship, maritime traditions and unique lagoon landscapes.
Travel time
From Teresa House you can easily reach the starting point of the tours:
By car: about 25–30 minutes to the parking area in Piazzale Roma, Venice
By bus: about 35–50 minutes to Piazzale Roma, Venice
From here, ACTV water buses (vaporetto) and organized tours depart towards Murano, Burano and Torcello.
From Venice you can also take the ACTV vaporetto line 12, which connects Venice with Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Discover more about this destination
Murano is famous worldwide for its artistic glassmaking, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century. Walking along its canals, visitors can explore historic workshops and furnaces where master glassmakers still shape glass using techniques passed down through generations. Don’t miss the Glass Museum and the beautiful Basilica of Saints Maria and Donato.
Continuing through the lagoon, you reach Burano, famous for its colorful houses reflected in the canals and its long-standing tradition of lace making. The atmosphere here is lively and authentic: among small squares, bridges and fishing boats you can visit the Lace Museum and taste the island’s typical bussolà, the traditional local biscuits.
The final stop is Torcello, the most peaceful and evocative of the three islands. Here time seems to slow down: green fields, quiet canals and ancient traces of Venice’s origins create a unique atmosphere. The heart of the island is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, renowned for its extraordinary Byzantine mosaics.
Visiting these islands means discovering the most authentic soul of the Venetian lagoon: a landscape shaped by water, light and traditions that tell centuries of history.
SANT’ERASMO ISLAND
Just a few minutes by vaporetto from Venice lies Sant’Erasmo Island, the largest agricultural island in the Venetian lagoon. Often called the “Garden of Venice”, it is an authentic place made of cultivated fields, scenic embankments and small roads surrounded by nature. Here the pace slows down and the lagoon reveals its quieter side, with agricultural traditions, open landscapes and spectacular views over the water.
Travel time
From Teresa House you can easily reach the starting point of the tours:
By car: about 25–30 minutes to the parking area in Piazzale Roma, Venice
By bus: about 35–50 minutes to Piazzale Roma, Venice
By bicycle: about 50 minutes to the vaporetto terminal in Piazzale Roma, Venice
From here, ACTV water buses (vaporetto) depart towards the northern lagoon and Sant’Erasmo Island.
Cyclists can check the availability of bicycle transport on vaporetti or use private boat services that allow bicycles on board.
Discover more about this destination
Sant’Erasmo is the largest inhabited island of the Venetian lagoon and has been for centuries the main agricultural area of Venice. Thanks to its fertile soil and the lagoon’s unique microclimate, the island is famous for the cultivation of vegetables and local produce widely appreciated in Venetian cuisine, including the famous Sant’Erasmo violet artichoke, a Slow Food protected product.
The island is crossed by small quiet roads that make it perfect to explore by bicycle, passing through cultivated fields, vineyards and rural houses overlooking the lagoon. Along the embankments you can enjoy beautiful views over the water and the nearby islands, offering a more natural and peaceful perspective compared to monumental Venice.
One of the most interesting landmarks is the Torre Massimiliana, a 19th-century fortress built during the Austrian period to defend the entrance to the lagoon. Today it is a cultural and panoramic point surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the island.
Visiting Sant’Erasmo means discovering a different side of Venice, where nature, agriculture and local traditions coexist within a unique lagoon landscape.
PELLESTRINA ISLAND
To the south of the Venetian lagoon lies Pellestrina Island, a narrow strip of land suspended between the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. Here the landscape changes completely: colorful houses overlooking the water, fishing boats, long natural beaches and a scenic road that runs along the entire island. Pellestrina is one of the most authentic places in the lagoon, ideal for those who want to discover a quieter side of Venice, far from the most crowded tourist routes.
Travel time
From Teresa House you can easily reach the starting point of the tours:
By car: about 25–30 minutes to the parking area in Piazzale Roma, Venice
By bus: about 35–50 minutes to Piazzale Roma, Venice
By bicycle: about 50 minutes to the vaporetto terminal in Piazzale Roma, Venice
From here you can continue by vaporetto to Lido di Venezia, and then cross by ferry to Pellestrina.
Cyclists can check the availability of bicycle transport on vaporetti or use private boat services that allow bicycles on board.
Discover more about this destination
Pellestrina is one of the most evocative and authentic islands of the Venetian lagoon. Inhabited for centuries by fishing communities, it still preserves a simple and genuine atmosphere made of colorful houses overlooking the canals, small harbours and deeply rooted maritime traditions.
The island is protected from the open sea by the famous Murazzi, an impressive defensive structure built by the Republic of Venice in the 18th century to protect the lagoon from the Adriatic storms. Walking or cycling along this coastal stretch offers spectacular views between the sea and the lagoon.
Pellestrina is particularly loved by cyclists because a scenic road runs along the entire island, connecting the small villages of San Pietro in Volta, Porto Secco and Pellestrina, and offering charming views between colorful houses, fishing boats and lagoon landscapes.
Visiting this island means discovering a slower and more authentic side of the Venetian lagoon, where the rhythm of life is still closely connected to the sea, fishing and local traditions. It is a perfect destination for a day immersed in nature, landscapes and maritime culture.
BRENTA RIVER TOUR
The Brenta River Tour is one of the most fascinating itineraries to discover the area between Venice and Padua. Sailing along the Brenta Canal, visitors pass through historic villages and admire the elegant Venetian Villas, summer residences built by Venetian noble families between the 16th and 18th centuries. Today several private operators organize boat tours that allow visitors to experience this journey through nature, history and architecture along one of the most scenic river landscapes in the Veneto region.
Travel time
By car: about 25–30 minutes to the public parking area in the centre of Stra, near Villa Pisani
By bus: about 35–40 minutes to the main stops along the Brenta Riviera
From these points it is easy to reach the docks where private river navigation services depart.
Discover more about this destination
Sailing along the Brenta means travelling along one of the most important waterways in Venetian history. From the 16th century onwards, the noble families of the Republic of Venice built magnificent countryside residences along the riverbanks, creating the famous Riviera del Brenta, a succession of monumental villas set within a beautiful river landscape.
During boat tours it is possible to admire from close up some of the most famous Venetian Villas, including the majestic Villa Pisani, one of the largest villas in the Veneto with more than 160 rooms, and the famous Villa Foscari, a Renaissance masterpiece designed by Andrea Palladio.
River excursions are organized by several navigation companies and can last a few hours or an entire day, often including guided visits to historic villas and stops in the small villages along the river.
This itinerary reveals a lesser-known side of the Veneto region: a landscape of calm waters, historic gardens and monumental architecture that tells the story of Venetian nobility and life along the river.
Lido di Venezia
Between the Venetian lagoon and the Adriatic Sea lies Lido di Venezia, a long sandy island famous for its golden beaches, elegant Liberty-style villas and relaxed atmosphere that has attracted visitors from all over the world for more than a century. Here Venice meets the sea: historic beach resorts, cycling paths and wide tree-lined avenues make the Lido a perfect destination for a day of nature, seaside views and architecture.
Travel time
By car: about 30 minutes to the Tronchetto ferry terminal
By bus: about 35–40 minutes to Piazzale Roma (Venice)
By bicycle: about 40 minutes to the Tronchetto ferry terminal
From here it is possible to cross the lagoon by ferry to Lido di Venezia, which directly connects Venice with the island.
To make travelling easier, visitors can register for the Venezia Unica City Pass, the city’s public transport card, often the most convenient option for exploring Venice.
Discover more about this destination
The Lido di Venezia is one of the most historic seaside destinations in Italy. Since the 19th century it has been a favourite retreat of the European aristocracy, who built elegant villas and seaside hotels along the coast. Even today the island preserves a refined charm, with wide tree-lined avenues, Liberty-style architecture and beach resorts overlooking one of the longest beaches of the Adriatic Sea.
The heart of the island is Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, the main boulevard connecting the lagoon to the sea and lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. Nearby stands the famous Palazzo del Cinema, home of the Venice International Film Festival, one of the most important film festivals in the world.
The Lido is also an ideal destination for exploring by bicycle: cycling paths and quiet streets allow visitors to cross the island from the lagoon side to the sea, reaching the more natural areas of Alberoni and San Nicolò, where the landscape becomes wilder and more characteristic.
Visiting the Lido means discovering a different side of Venice: an elegant and relaxed island where the lagoon meets the sea.
Chioggia
Overlooking the southern Venetian lagoon, Chioggia is a charming maritime town often called “Little Venice.” Stone bridges crossing quiet canals, colorful fishing boats and historic palaces define its picturesque centre, where daily life still follows the rhythms of the sea. Walking along Corso del Popolo, visitors discover lively markets, churches and beautiful views that tell centuries of lagoon traditions.
Travel time from Teresa House
By car: about 50–60 minutes to the public parking area Isola dell’Unione, close to the historic centre
By bus: about 1 hour to the Chioggia bus station
By bicycle: about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the historic centre of Chioggia
From here it is easy to reach the heart of the town and the main attractions on foot.
Discover more about this destination
Chioggia is one of the oldest towns of the Venetian lagoon and still maintains a strong connection with the sea and the fishing tradition. Its historic centre develops along the scenic Canal Vena, crossed by numerous stone bridges that recall the atmosphere of Venice, but with a more authentic and popular character.
The heart of the city is Corso del Popolo, a long pedestrian avenue lined with shops, historic cafés and monumental buildings. Here visitors can also find important landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Civic Museum of the South Lagoon, which tells the story and traditions of the southern lagoon.
Chioggia is also famous for its fish market, one of the most important in the Adriatic, where every day boats arrive with freshly caught fish. Just a few minutes from the centre lies Sottomarina, a seaside resort with a long sandy beach facing the Adriatic Sea.
Visiting Chioggia means discovering a more authentic and lively side of Venice, shaped by maritime traditions, picturesque canals and a vibrant food culture connected to the sea.
Historic towns of Veneto
Art, hills and walled cities just a short distance from Venice
A short distance from the Venetian lagoon lies a territory rich in medieval villages, walled towns and rolling hill landscapes that tell some of the most fascinating stories of the Veneto region. From Teresa House it is easy to organize day trips to destinations where art, architecture and nature come together in beautiful and evocative settings.
Among these destinations is Bassano del Grappa, famous for the Ponte degli Alpini and its views over the Prealps, and Marostica, known for its picturesque Chess Square (Piazza degli Scacchi). Not far away lies Cittadella, one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Europe, with its spectacular city walls that can be entirely walked along.
Continuing across the plains towards the first hills you reach Castelfranco Veneto, birthplace of the painter Giorgione, and Asolo, one of the most elegant villages in Veneto, surrounded by hills, vineyards and landscapes that stretch as far as the Dolomites. Finally, Possagno, birthplace of the sculptor Antonio Canova, where the majestic Canova Temple dominates the landscape at the foot of Monte Grappa.
These destinations offer some of the most fascinating excursions to plan during your stay, perfect for discovering the most authentic side of Veneto through art, history and beautiful landscapes.
Bassano del Grappa
At the foot of the Venetian Prealps, Bassano del Grappa is one of the most fascinating towns in the Veneto region. Its symbol is the famous Ponte degli Alpini, a historic covered wooden bridge designed by Andrea Palladio that crosses the Brenta River. With elegant squares, historic buildings and mountain views, Bassano is a perfect destination for a day trip combining culture, tradition and beautiful landscapes.
Travel time
By car: about 1 hour and 10 minutes to the Prato Santa Caterina public parking area, near the historic centre
By bus: about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Bassano del Grappa bus station
By bicycle: about 3 hours across the Venetian plain to the city centre
From the parking area and the bus station it is easy to reach the historic centre and the Ponte degli Alpini on foot.
Discover more about this destination
Bassano del Grappa is a town rich in history and traditions, located along the banks of the Brenta River and surrounded by a landscape that stretches from rolling hills to the mountains of the Venetian Prealps. The heart of the city is its historic centre, characterized by elegant arcades, lively squares and picturesque views over the river.
The most famous monument is the Ponte degli Alpini, the symbol of the city and a place deeply connected with Italian history. Rebuilt several times over the centuries, the bridge remains one of the most scenic viewpoints in Bassano.
The town is also well known for its tradition of grappa production, celebrated in the historic Poli Grappa Museum, and for its art museums, including the Civic Museum of Bassano, which preserves works by important Italian artists.
Walking through the streets of the centre you will find historic shops, traditional restaurants and terraces overlooking the river, while just outside the town begin the hills and scenic routes leading towards the Asiago plateau and the surrounding mountains.
Visiting Bassano del Grappa means discovering an elegant and authentic town, where history, culture and natural landscapes meet in one of the most charming places in Veneto.
Marostica
Located at the foot of the surrounding hills, Marostica is one of the most charming medieval villages in the Veneto region. The town is famous worldwide for its Piazza degli Scacchi (Chess Square), a large square paved with a chessboard pattern where every two years the famous living chess game takes place with people dressed in medieval costumes. Surrounded by perfectly preserved medieval walls and dominated by the Upper Castle, Marostica offers spectacular views, historic streets and a unique atmosphere where history meets the surrounding hills.
Travel time from Teresa House
By car: about 1 hour and 15 minutes to the public parking area near the historic centre
By bus: about 1 hour and 40 minutes to the Marostica town centre bus stop
By bicycle: about 3 hours across the Venetian plain to the historic village
From the parking area and the bus stop it is easy to reach the historic centre and Piazza degli Scacchi on foot.
Discover more about this destination
The heart of Marostica is the famous Piazza degli Scacchi, a large rectangular square paved with a chessboard pattern that recalls the historical event that made the town famous. According to tradition, in 1454 two noblemen challenged each other in a chess match to win the hand of the castle lord’s daughter, avoiding a duel. From this legend was born the spectacular Living Chess Game, which still animates the city every two years with performers dressed in medieval costumes.
Marostica is surrounded by perfectly preserved medieval walls that connect the Lower Castle with the Upper Castle, built on the hill overlooking the town. From the upper castle visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and the Venetian plain.
Walking through the streets of the historic centre you will find medieval buildings, elegant arcades and small artisan shops. Marostica is also famous for the production of the Marostica IGP cherry, one of the gastronomic specialties of the region.
Visiting Marostica means immersing yourself in a village rich in history, traditions and beautiful landscapes, perfect for a day trip dedicated to culture and nature.
Cittadella
In the heart of the Venetian plain, Cittadella is one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Europe. Its most distinctive feature is the impressive circular city wall, perfectly preserved and entirely walkable on foot. Walking along the walls offers a unique view over the town and the surrounding countryside, while the historic centre preserves elegant squares, historic buildings and an authentic atmosphere that tells centuries of Venetian history.
Travel time from Teresa House
By car: about 1 hour and 10 minutes to the public parking area near the city walls
By bus: about 1 hour and 40 minutes to the Cittadella town centre bus stop
By bicycle: about 2 hours and 30 minutes across the Venetian plain to the historic centre
From the parking area and the bus stop it is easy to reach the historic centre and the entrance to the medieval walls on foot.
Discover more about this destination
Founded in the 13th century as a fortified city of the Republic of Padua, Cittadella represents one of the best-preserved examples of medieval military architecture in Europe. The town is surrounded by a spectacular elliptical wall circuit about two kilometres long, characterized by towers, monumental gates and patrol walkways.
The unique feature of Cittadella is the possibility to walk the entire wall walk (camminamento di ronda) above the city walls, a panoramic path that offers extraordinary views over the historic town and the surrounding landscape. Walking along these walls allows visitors to relive the medieval atmosphere and understand the strategic importance the city once had in the defensive system of Veneto.
Inside the walls lies the historic centre, with elegant squares, historic buildings and monuments such as the Cathedral of Cittadella and the Social Theatre. Today the city is a popular destination for visitors thanks to its evocative atmosphere and the unique experience of walking on top of a perfectly preserved medieval wall.
Visiting Cittadella means taking a journey back in time, among towers, fortified gates and panoramic views that tell more than seven centuries of history.
Castelfranco veneto
Located between Treviso, Vicenza and Padua, Castelfranco Veneto is a medieval walled town famous for its impressive fortifications and for being the birthplace of the renowned Renaissance painter Giorgione. The historic centre is enclosed by a striking quadrangular city wall, with towers and moats that are still perfectly visible today. Walking through the streets of the town you will discover elegant squares, historic buildings and charming views that tell the story of one of the most fascinating fortified cities of the Venetian plain.
Travel time from Teresa House
By car: about 1 hour to the public parking area near the walls of the historic centre
By bus: about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Castelfranco Veneto bus station
By bicycle: about 2 hours and 30 minutes across the Venetian plain to the historic centre
From the parking area and the bus station it is easy to reach the historic centre and the medieval walls on foot.
Discover more about this destination
Founded in the 12th century as a military outpost of the Municipality of Treviso, Castelfranco Veneto still preserves its spectacular medieval city walls, one of the most distinctive architectural features of the town. The walls enclose the historic centre and create an evocative landscape of towers, fortified gates and canals surrounding the ancient village.
The city is especially known as the birthplace of Giorgione, one of the most important painters of the Venetian Renaissance. Inside the Cathedral of Castelfranco Veneto visitors can admire the famous Castelfranco Altarpiece, considered one of the artist’s greatest masterpieces.
Walking through the historic centre you will find lively squares, elegant arcades and small shops that make the town a pleasant place to explore at a relaxed pace. Thanks to its strategic location among several historic towns of Veneto, Castelfranco is an ideal destination for a cultural day trip dedicated to art, history and local traditions.
asolo
Nestled among the hills of the Treviso countryside, Asolo is one of the most charming villages in Veneto, often called the “City of a Hundred Horizons” for its panoramic views stretching across hills, vineyards and distant mountains. The small historic centre preserves elegant squares, Renaissance loggias and picturesque streets that tell centuries of history. Walking through Asolo means discovering a place rich in art, culture and beautiful landscapes, where time seems to move more slowly.
Travel time from Teresa House
By car: about 1 hour and 10 minutes to the public parking areas at the entrance of the village
By bus: about 1 hour and 40 minutes to the Asolo bus stop
By bicycle: about 2 hours and 30 minutes across the Venetian plain and the hills of Treviso
From the public parking areas it is easy to reach the historic centre with a short walk.
Discover more about this destination
Asolo is one of the most elegant historic villages in Veneto and over the centuries has fascinated artists, writers and travellers from across Europe. The historic centre develops around the charming Piazza Garibaldi, dominated by the Rocca of Asolo, the medieval fortress that rises on the hill above the town.
Walking through the narrow streets of the village you will encounter historic buildings, elegant arcades and monuments such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the beautiful Loggia della Ragione, a symbol of the city’s public life during the Renaissance.
From the Rocca and the panoramic viewpoints of the town, spectacular views open over the surrounding hills and the Venetian plain. Thanks to its romantic atmosphere and the landscape that surrounds it, Asolo is today one of the most beloved destinations for a cultural excursion among art, nature and history.
Visiting Asolo means discovering one of the most refined and picturesque villages of Veneto, where historic architecture and hill landscapes blend together in perfect harmony.
Possagno
Surrounded by hills at the foot of Monte Grappa, Possagno is a small village famous for being the birthplace of the great Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova. The symbol of the town is the majestic Canova Temple, an impressive neoclassical church designed by the artist himself and inspired by the temples of ancient Greece. Surrounded by beautiful hill landscapes, Possagno is a perfect destination for a day trip combining art, nature and spectacular views.
Travel time from Teresa House
By car: about 1 hour and 15 minutes to the public parking area near the Canova Temple
By bus: about 1 hour and 50 minutes to the Possagno bus stop
By bicycle: about 3 hours across the Venetian plain and the hills of Monte Grappa
From the parking area and the bus stop it is easy to reach the Canova Temple and the village centre on foot.
Discover more about this destination
Possagno is known worldwide as the birthplace of Antonio Canova, one of the most important sculptors of European Neoclassicism. The village still preserves many places connected to the life and work of the artist.
The most famous monument is the Canova Temple, a majestic church designed by Canova at the beginning of the 19th century. The building combines architectural elements inspired by the Greek Parthenon, the Roman Pantheon and Christian tradition, creating one of the most impressive monuments in Veneto.
Just a short walk from the temple stands the Antonio Canova Gypsotheca, the museum that preserves the original plaster models of the sculptor’s works. Here visitors can closely admire the forms and details of his famous sculptures before they were transformed into marble.
The landscape surrounding Possagno is equally fascinating: green hills, vineyards and panoramic views stretching towards Monte Grappa make this village an ideal destination for those who wish to combine culture, art and nature in a single excursion.
Visiting Possagno means discovering a place rich in history and beauty, where Canova’s artistic heritage blends with one of the most evocative landscapes of Veneto.