Veneto, home to lush, green valleys dwarfed by the majestic Dolomites, the romantic shores of Lake Garda, the beaches of Cavallino and the waterways of Venice, it is full of richness and fascination. It’s not only the beauty of the region that sees vacationers returning every year, Veneto’s boutique hotels take pride in offering a range of quality accommodation just as chic and elegant as the cities that house them.

St Mark’s Basilica, Venice

A must see for historians and design enthusiasts is Venice’s St Mark’s Basilica. From first glance this stunning Byzantine cathedral, with its walls of mosaics, seems to shimmer in the sunlight. Its central portal gives way to an equally luxuriant interior, with mosaicked ceilings and upper walls depicting the life of Christ and St Mark. Statues of bronze horses watch over the city, and the basilica’s treasury also houses an exclusive collection of Byzantine metals and enamels.

Romance in Verona

Verona’s charming streets are full of history and beautiful buildings, but it is also the home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, so love is always in the air. For lovers of opera, visit Verona’s iconic balcony. Outside, there is a pleasant courtyard where thousands of love notes are scrawled on the walls. Boutique hotels in Veneto also suggest The Arena, the region’s largest Roman amphitheater, for a romantic evening under the stars enjoying a concert or opera. For food lover’s, fall in love with the world’s best pizza at a restaurant overlooking the Adige River.