Bassano del Grappa sits charmingly on the banks of the river Brenta as it winds its way free from Alpine foothills through the Veneto plains to the Venetian lagoon. The town is famous for its namesake spirit, grappa, although there is plenty to enjoy in this lovely Veneto town with its Palladian architecture and ancient historic core.

Marostica - This splendid city rises head and shoulders above its neighbours in its characteristic natural setting on the slopes of the Asiago plateau. Famous throughout the world as the 'City of Chess'. Every two years a medieval themed festival is held here, when a giant chess game is enacted with human chess-pieces in the town square, Piazza del Castello, where the paving marks out a huge chessboard.

The Prosecco Wine Route (Strada del Vino Prosecco) stretches for 120km through the rolling hills between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano where you can admire long stretches of hillsides by Prosecco grapes, occasionally giving way to a small villages, wineries and ancient stone houses.

Venice is a city that breaks conventions. Grand palaces teeter on the edge of winding canals, bridges seem to levitate over water, and whole streets disappear at high tide. More than 100 islands form the city, grouped together in 16 sestieres, or districts. Although this sounds overwhelming, it’s actually very compact. Add that to the fact the biggest sites are all close together and exploring is easy.