Veneto is much more than just the fairytale city of Venice; the region’s wine country is sprawling, lush, and full of surprises. Located in the northeast corner of Italy, surrounded by the Dolomite Mountains, Lake Garda, and the Adriatic Sea, Veneto is ripe for both exploration and relaxation. Famous world-over for the production of some seriously good food and drink, the region’s most impressive wine-related feats are the Bardolino, Custoza, Lugana Doc, and the Valdadige Doc.

Where to stay at a vineyard hotel in Veneto? Top regions & locations at a glance:

Verona & Lake Garda: Picture-perfect wine country

© Dimora Del Bugiardo Head to Verona for Romeo and Juliet and stay for the wine; vineyard hotels around Verona are some of the top in the region, boasting beautiful views of the traditional landscape, true farm-to-table in-house cuisine, and an intimate atmosphere. The warm and colorful scenery that stretches from around Verona to Lake Garda is responsible for world-renowned wine production. Verona is proud home to both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the annual wine-sharing event, VinItaly, which invites Italian producers to exhibit their wines. Take a wine-tasting tour at your hotel and pick up some insights into the rich history of wine-making in the region. Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, straddles the border of Veneto and Lombardy at the western end of the region. Aside from the natural beauty and recreational opportunity at the lake, the exclusive microclimate of the area is also ripe for growing vines—the Lugana Doc is a must-try, created from grapes that line a small stretch of the lake’s southern store. The Valdadige Valley, shaped by glaciers and the river Adige, also runs through this area. Lined with castles and forts, and interspersed with vineyard hotels, the valley beams with a romantic historicism and offers some tasty dry whites for sampling.

Venice & Padua: A unique winery experience

© Venissa Between the Venice Lagoon, the hills of Treviso, and the Adriatic Coast lies a Prosecco-producing, awe-inspiring, and extremely-diverse wine region. For a particularly unique experience, there are actually vineyard grounds in the Venice Lagoon, at a special place that is the proud only-home to a rare white wine variety. Heading north to the area surrounding the ancient university town, Padua, find yourself deep within luscious vineyards of the Colli Euganei region. The area brims with medieval villages, Monastic estates, and natural memorabilia from the last volcanic eruption. The city and commune of Padua is the setting for Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, attracting fans of high-culture from all over the world. More north still, cuddle up at a vineyard hotel at the foot of the Dolomite Mountains, treating yourself to a real escape into the luxurious and the scenic. The Dolomite Mountains, in addition to their accomplishments in wine, are also home to a suite of amazing hiking & biking trails and a special type of coffee brewed in the area. In villa-like hotels perched directly on timeless vineyards, take some time for love, for yourself, or with the family, spent cooped up playing cards by the fireplace. Some vineyard hotels even have in-house Michelin-star restaurants, while all of them promise superb service and the utmost comfort.

Good to know

Getting there: A vineyard hotel works as a great base for exploring Veneto by car; renting one at the airport is a sure-fire way to ensure you’ll have plenty of freedom and can get to your countryside hotel with ease. There are 3 airports in Veneto, in Venice, Treviso, and Verona. If you decide not to rent a car, Italy does have a very extensive rail system, which you can use to get to your hotel (maybe with the help of a taxi on either end). Alternatively, private or shared transfers between the 3 major airports and any spot in the region are easy to find, although best booked in advance.