Hugging the Adriatic Sea, Italy's region of Veneto has garnered much adoration over its long history. Shakespeare pays homage to at least three of the cities within Veneto's borders—including Verona, hometown of the star-crossed lovers, where buildings that inspired Romeo and Juliet's fictional love affair are still visitable. Verona's opera house, The Arena is the third-largest Roman amphitheatre in existence, and still operates as a house of music in the summertime.

The majestic, sinking city of Venice (Venezia) was, at its peak, one of the most powerful cities in Europe, earning the title “Queen of the Adriatic”. A living museum, Venice is one of the most travelled Italian cities, with reminders of its grandiose past at every watery turn. The islands of Murano and Burano, now considered part of Venice, are internationally praised for their glass works and lace, respectively, which are carefully crafted to generations-old specifications. Cortina d'Ampezzo and Lake Garda provide numerous reasons to get out of Veneto's larger cities, tempting travellers with their fine resorts, spas and shopping.