Venetian Travel Gems

Written by Sonia Almanza de Gambaro on Friday, 29 May 2009 01:09

Venice is of course one of the most beautiful places in the world. Visions of glimmering canals, handsome gondolieri, raven haired beauties and Italy’s rich art history brings travelers here at all times of year to experience this most unique city. Unfortunately Venice can also be one of the most expensive places in the world to visit, with hotel rates reaching easily into a thousand dollars a night during peak seasons. Pair four nights of that with a $1,400 plane ticket and there will be no pairing of granseola with pinot grigio to enjoy (pizza al trancio and aranciata anyone? Didn’t think so). However with a little spirit for adventure there are many options for the traveler on a budget to have the top-notch Venetian experience. I chose these wonderful hotels along the gorgeous Riviera del Brenta, because, not only are they merely a half-hour bus ride from the canals of Venice, but their location allows for further exploration into the splendid Veneto region.
Riviera del Brenta has an interesting history as the privileged holiday resort for Venetian aristocracy during the region’s golden age from the 16th to 18th centuries, it is the birthplace of shoe manufacturing (it remains to this day one of the most important areas for shoes) and it is located conveniently in between Venice and Padua. To come to visit Venice and not spend at least a day in Padua is incomprehensible. Giotto’s most influential work, the seven hundred year old frescoes inside the Scrovegni Chapel, are now fully restored to their original breathtaking glory, go see it! I came to Venice to write about the finest shoes for the discerning gentleman, the history & method of shoe manufacturing, and the gems of travel deals available which elude the average tourist. Here are my picks.

Hotel Ristorante Villa Goetzen

Touted as the “New Gateway to the Riviera Del Brenta,” Hotel Ristorante Villa Goetzen is the perfect place to rest your head and enjoy great food. Located in the heart of the charming small town of Dolo, the family run Goetzen has twelve cozy yet stylish rooms perfect for solo travelers and families alike. Nightly rates are fantastic considering its central location and its close proximity to Dolo train station (3.5km). Rooms range from €60 for a single to €140 for a quadruple (check with the hotel if you are travelling during peak season). I’ve always adored family businesses and the Goetzen is completely run by the Minchio family, Paolo, Paola and sons Cristian and Massimiliano, in fact Massimiliano is the chef! I enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch in their elegant restaurant and cannot wait to go back for some more of their fresh scampi crudi. Villa Goetzen is an incredible value!

Villa Goetzen
Ristorante Hotel Villa Goetzen - Via Matteotti, 6 - 30031 DOLO (VE)
Tel. +39 041 5102300 - Tel. e Fax +39 041 412600 P.IVA 02408990279
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http://www.villagoetzen.it/

Images courtesy of Villa Goetzen

Villa Goetzen canal

Villa Margherita & Villa Fraceschi

Next we have two beautiful hotels owned by the Famiglia Dal Corso; the 4 star Hotel Villa Margherita and the 5 star Hotel Villa Franceschi.
Both hotels are absolutely stunning in their landscape, beautiful interiors and architecture. Brothers Alessandro and Dario, who are fourth generation hoteliers/restaurateurs, pride themselves upon providing authentic Venetian hospitality to their guests. From fresh fruit in your room upon arrival, couverture (chocolate) service to modern amenities such as free internet, meeting rooms and satellite TV, both hotels provide comfort and luxury at reasonable prices.

I’ll begin with the romantic Villa Margherita. Comprised of the original 16th century villa and its 19th century addition, Villa Margherita originally served as the guest rooms for the noble Venetian Contarini family during the 17th century. It is one of many marvelous Palladian Villas built expressly for the elite of the Serenissima Republic, but perhaps its unique location on one of Riviera Brenta’s most scenic curves makes it one of the most beautiful. Villa Margherita is a perfect “example of the Venetian house, in which simplicity and elegance are at the service of its patrons.” Rooms are elegant and spacious with all the modern amenities needed. Guests can enjoy the comfort of Margherita’s parlours and drawing room with their warm fireplaces during the cold months and its spacious dining terrace which opens onto lush gardens during the warm. Most importantly (we are talking about Italy after all) food. Ristorante Margherita is the heart of the hotel and the chef is the head of the family. Remigio Dal Corso’s succulent fish dishes are not to be missed. Not only do his classic Venetian dishes please guests of the hotel but they please even the discriminating palates of the locals, no small feat I assure you. Rates during the peak season range from € 129 for a single to € 246 for a double room junior suite. During the low season (from 1st Jan. to 20th March, from 15th July to 31st Aug., from 3rd Nov. to 28th Dec.) prices range from €115 for a single to €216 for a double room junior suite.

Hotel Villa Margherita Venezia
Via Nazionale, 416/417 - Venezia (Mira Porte) - Italy
Tel. +39.041.4265800 - Fax +39.041.4265838 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.dalcorsohotellerie.com

If you want to feel like true Venetian aristocracy, book a suite at Villa Franceschi, the Dal Corso family’s latest venture. Villa Franceschi is a 16th century villa carefully restored to its original splendor and transformed into a 5 star paradise. An intimate collection of twenty-four exquisitely decorated rooms make Franceschi an exceptional locale for honeymooners, relaxation seekers, businesspeople and those who want luxury without having to schlep suitcases through Venice. Many of the rooms boast gorgeous views as well as marble wood-burning fireplaces; I recommend that those on their honeymoon request the suite with the Jacuzzi. In addition to all of this Villa Franceschi has a gym, sauna, parking, and private boat landing space on the Brenta. The villa is nestled comfortably upon a magnificent 33,000 square meter park. I haven’t tried La Barchessa restaurant yet but given the popularity of Ristorante Margherita I feel confident that the Dal Corso family would make sure that La Barchessa is up to par. Rates during the peak season range from € 175 for a double to € 420 for Double room Suite. During the Low season (from 1st Jan. to 20th March, from 15th July to 31st Aug., from 3rd Nov. to 28th Dec.) prices range from € 148 to € 380.

VILLA FRANCESCHI
Via Don Minzoni, 28
Mira Porte - Venezia
Tel. ++39 041 4266531
Fax ++39 041 5608996
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www.villafranceschi.com/
Franceschi Room

Ahhh, Venezia! Every time I go back I fall in love all over again. Here you have three lovely hotels to fall in love with yourself. Be sure to bring an Italian phrase book and don’t be alarmed if you don’t understand what the Venetians are saying amongst themselves, they speak their own dialect. I want to say a little about the food and eating abroad in general. If you have the pleasure of visiting the Veneto region I encourage you to try the typical Venetian dishes, the seafood in the area is unsurpassed. In the fall I was treated by my father-in-law to the best dinner that I have ever had at Antica Osteria Cera. My husband and I counted thirteen courses of the most delicious seafood we had ever tasted. Later I came to find out through research that Cera is one of the top five restaurants in Italy. The point is that I cringe every time I see an American munching on Burger King or having just a slice of pizza. When in Venice do as the Venetians do, eat the ENTIRE pizza! Indulge in a pastina alla ricotta for breakfast! You will not get fat, Venice is the best walking city in the entire world and the food is fresh. For dinner I recommend starting with a bollito misto (boiled seafood mixture) and a capesante (baked scallop in its shell). If you are really hungry enjoy Risotto al Branzino with a friend and finish off with a plentiful helping of Frittura (mixed fried seafood) with a good bottle of Prosecco or Franciacorta. Buon Viaggio!

Sonia Almanza de Gambaro

Scampi Crudi e Capesante