Villas near Venice & Verona
Two of Veneto’s most picturesque cities lie just one hour apart, with Venice bordering the Adriatic Sea to the east and Verona just a short distance from the shores of Lake Garda to the west. Whether in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet or Gondolier’s serenade, these two destinations share more than their romantic reputations; they are both small cities with rich and ancient histories, once ruled over by the Venetian Republic.
Our villas in Veneto are perfectly located for exploring both Venice and Verona as well as the historic cities of Padua and Vicenza, the unrivalled landscapes of the Dolomites and Venetian Prealps, and the hill-top towns and winding Prosecco vineyards of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
At Tuscany Now & More we take pride in our service. We have 30 years’ experience matching every guest to the right villa. Someone from our small team visits or stays in every Verona and Venice villa we list and knows the area. This is why we keep our portfolio small — and probably why the world’s leading luxury travel magazine says we’re one of Italy’s top five villa rental companies.
Every Tuscany Now & More villa has a private swimming pool, free use of our concierge service, for pre-trip arrangements and an emergency number available 24/7 while you are in-destination. Your concierge can arrange a private chef, daily maid service, or shopping delivered to your villa, and memorable experiences like Veronese or Venetian cookery classes in your holiday rental’s kitchen.
Our villas near Verona and Venice range from 3 to 12 bedrooms, which are all air-conditioned, ideal for a warm Veneto summer.
To see what real travellers think of our service, and the experience of staying in a Tuscany Now & More luxury villa, read our verified reviews.
About Verona & Venice
At the foot of the Lessini Mountains, Verona is a city with a remarkable past, first founded by the Romans in the 1st-century. Beautifully restored bridges like the Ponte Pietra arch over the Adige river which meanders through its historic centre.
Of course, here you will find Juliet’s Balcony (“Casa di Giulietta”), where Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers met, but you will also find one of the largest surviving Roman amphitheatres. The Verona Arena hosts one of Italy’s most prestigious opera festivals throughout the summer months each year.
Verona is an underrated city, quieter than most tourist destinations with the sprawling vineyards of Valpolicella and Soave and the serene Lake Garda on its doorstep.
So iconic is Venice, that few words are needed to paint a vivid picture of this timeless city, with its unique blend of Western and Byzantine architecture and picturesque waterways. However, there is so much more to Venice than just the Rialto, the Grand Canal and the Piazza San Marco, it is also home to some of Italy’s finest Renaissance painters and architects and boasts some of the best museums and churches in the country.
Our luxury villas near Venice and Verona offer an ideal base for exploring Veneto’s natural landscape as well, from the island of Torcello to the Regional Parks of Lessinia and Delta del Po.
What to do in Verona
Beginning in the historic centre, cross the fortified Ponte Scaligero to reach the 14th century Castelvecchio. Once the home of the Scaliger dynasty that ruled over the city for 125 years, it is now a museum housing artefacts and Renaissance art.
Follow the Via Roma to Piazza Brà, one of the largest squares in Europe. Here you will find the Verona Arena built in the distinctive Veronese pink stone.
The Piazza delle Erbe is another bustling square in the old town, which is lined with restaurants and cafes and hosts a market each day. Climb the 12th-century Torre dei Lamberti along the square’s southern edge for panoramic views across the city and the surrounding mountains. Art lovers will also find Verona’s modern art museum here; the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti is located in the brick and marble striped Palazzo della Ragione, housing paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.
There are countless churches worth visiting in Verona and the Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare is surely one of the finest in the city. Also known as the Duomo, it is a breathtaking example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with deep rose-coloured marble columns lining the nave inside and an unmissable altarpiece by Titian.
Lovers of the outdoors who are looking for something more adventurous can enjoy a day rafting along the Adige river, finished off with a trip up to the Castel San Pietro via the Funicolare to watch the sunset over the city.
For more ideas on what to do in Verona, read our Verona travel guide.
What to do in Venice
From the pioneering Renaissance artists of the Venetian School to the city’s thriving contemporary scene, Venice is a must-visit location for all art enthusiasts.
Start your day early at the Palazzo Ducale in Saint Mark’s Square for some of the city’s most impressive narrative paintings by Vittore Carpaccio. The Museo Correr at the Piazza’s eastern end is also well worth visiting for its sumptuous Napoleonic interiors and sculptures by Antonio Canova. If it is not too busy, climb the Campanile for breathtaking views across Venice, the basilica and the lagoon.
Visit the Accademia, housed in what used to be the Scuola della Carità for masterpieces by Giovanni and Gentile Bellini, Mantegna, Veronese and Titian. Some of the finest works by Tintoretto can be found adorning the walls and ceilings of the Scuola di San Rocco.
Modern and contemporary art lovers will thrive at the Venice Biennale, which is held each year between May and November, showcasing works by leading artists and architects from around the world. The Guggenheim on the Grand Canal is home to the famous heiress’s collection of modern art, with works by the likes of Jackson Pollock, Kandinsky and Picasso
Italy’s most influential architect, Andrea Palladio designed the great Venetian churches of San Giorgio Maggiore and Il Redentore. His works cannot be found outside of Veneto so it is well worth exploring the Palladian villas adorning this region. In fact, our very own Villa Zambonina is attributed to him.
For peace and quiet, take the vaporetto to one of the outlying islands like Murano, which is famous for its glass blowers or Burano, known for its lacemakers and its picturesque, brightly-coloured buildings.
You’ll find more ideas on what to do in Venice in our insider’s guide to the city and Venice travel guide.
Food & Drink in Verona and Venice
From the heights of the Dolomites in the north to the Adriatic Sea, the cuisine of Verona and Venice reflects the diversity of the region. Each province has its speciality, from violet-petaled artichokes grown on Sant'Erasmo, an island in the Venetian lagoon, to white asparagus tips from Bassano del Grappa and Grana Padano cheese from the Po River Valley. Risotto is also a common primo in Veneto, owing to the substantial rice growing regions around the province of Verona, which is IGP protected.
Bassano also gives its name to the popular spirit Grappa, which is enjoyed as a digestivo throughout Veneto. Whilst the nearby province of Treviso is the birthplace of Tiramisu and home to the prestigious DOCG Prosecco vineyards of the Conegliano hills. Along with succulent white peaches, this sparkling wine is a key ingredient in the iconic Venetian Bellini cocktail.
Whilst rich meat stews such as Brasato all’Amarone (“beef braised in red wine”) are typical Veronese dishes, it is unsurprising that seafood is the primary staple of the Venetian diet. Specialities from the lagoon include Sarde in Saór (“sardines fried in a sweet and sour marinade”), Risotto al Nero di Seppia (“risotto cooked in cuttlefish ink”) and Baccalà Mantecato (“salted creamed cod”). Venice is also famous for its bacari, which are wine bars that serve a variety of cicchetti, the Venetian equivalent to tapas.
Travellers with a passion for wine should consult our award-winning concierges, who can arrange a wine tour of some of the finest Valpolicella, Saove and Prosecco DOC estates or a sommelier-led tasting in your villa. For an even more intimate experience with the vines, why not stay in the breathtaking Ca’ di Lista, which is situated within its own wine estate.
Shopping in Verona & Venice
In Verona, explore the cobblestone streets of Via Cappello, Corso Porta Borsari and Via Mazzini for clothes, artisanal crafts and food. For local produce like salami, Extra-virgin olive oil and wines of the region, head to Corso Sant’Anastasia.
Venice is known as a glamorous city and has a shopping scene to match; the biggest names in luxury fashion, from Bottega Veneta to Prada and Gucci can be found along the Salita S. Moise and Calle Larga XXII Marzo near Piazza San Marco. For authentic Venetian glass avoid the tourist hotspots and head to the artisanal studios and glassblowers workshops on Murano.
Several of our villas are conveniently located near the centre of Padua, which is the city to visit if you love an Italian market. They are held daily in the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, selling flowers, fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs. Market stalls often spill out into the neighbouring Piazza dei Signoria and transform the famous Prato della Valle every Saturday.
