Riviera del Brenta

The Brenta River winds its way between Venice and Padova, and flows past beautiful countryside and splendid villas along the way. During the height of the Venetian Republic the river was engineered to become a cargo canal to move goods and people from Venice to the interior hinterlands, and to transport mainland products to the lagoon city. As it became more easily navigable, the Brenta became a favored retreat among the aristocratic class and many of them constructed opulent villas to escape the city heat and enjoy the natural surroundings of the countryside.

The best architects of the day were employed to design these status-bearing palaces, most notably Palladio and Tiepolo. Their designs still stand for symmetry, beauty and elegance. The shoreline of the Brenta became so lined with palatial villas and manicured gardens that it started to look like another version of the Grand Canal. Shakespeare used the Brenta as one of the settings of his play, the Merchant of Venice. In an eleven-mile stretch from Villa Malcontenta to Stra there are 44 villas lined up along the canal's banks! The owners hosted sumptuous parties in the gardens and the salons, making it an extension of Venetian courtesan life. Hunting parties and manicured garden mazes were also common. The purpose was relaxation and enjoyment, along with a touch of decadence for which the Venetians were famous.

The best way to see the Riviera del Brenta is by boat. Schedule one of the many excursions that will transport you along the canal, traversing the canal locks and stopping at some of the incredible villas along the way. One of the first and most famous villas on the way inland Villa Foscari, a house with a history. Its glorious design was orchestrated by Palladio, but it became known as Malcontenta. According to local lore, it became so-named because a noble lady was banished here for her infidelity, and her unhappiness pervaded the whole house, making it the "villa of discontent".

Another notable palace is the Villa Pisani, which was built for Alvise Pisani, a doge of Venice. The perfectly proportioned, classically-styled mansion contains 114 rooms, because Pisani was the 114th doge of the Venetian Republic. It is surrounded by lush gardens, which include dignified statues, monumental fountains, and an elaborate labyrinth. Napoleon bought the villa in 1807, and it was here that Mussolini met with Hitler for the first time. Now it hosts exhibitions and special events.

The boat tour is a fascinating glimpse into a decadent past, especially nice at sunset. Other towns you'll pass along the way include Mira, Dolo and Stra, before arriving in Padova.