Places of interest in the Province of Vicenza are numerous. Vicenza is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the "City of Vicenza and Palladian Villas of Veneto." To begin with, a visit to the historic center of Vicenza is really worthwhile: piazza dei Signori, Palazzo Chiericati in Piazza Matteotti, Church of Santa Corona, Basilica Palladiana or Palazzo della Ragione, the Teatro Olimpico, and the Salvi Gardens. There are numerous works designed by Andrea Palladio, ranging from the famous Villa Rotonda just a short walk from the historic center to the Palazzo Porto in Piazza Castello, a very unusual and unfinished work that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Berici Mountains, in the vicinity of Vicenza represent another striking attraction.

Here are our suggestions: 10 things to see in Vicenza and its province. Lots of practical ideas for special experiences of culture, nature, leisure and taste.

1. Visiting Vicenza and its historic center:
The Salvi Gardens, 500 meters from the train station, can be a starting point to begin your visit. From there, you can set out on Corso Palladio and walk along it entirely. You will find numerous monuments of interest, the first one to visit being the Temple of San Lorenzo. The stop not to be missed is at the Teatro Olimpico in Piazza Matteotti.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays.

Hours from September to June are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4:45 p.m.) and in July and August from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5:45 p.m.).

It is impossible to buy tickets on site; you will have to go to the tourist information office to the right of the Theater.

In Matteotti Square, you can see the imposing Palazzo Chiericati, built in 1550 by Palladio.

The Basilica Palladiana in Piazza dei Signori, built by Palladio in 1546, is another stop to make during your day. The treat of the day for a romantic glimpse is to go to the San Michele Bridge, built between 1621 and 1623, under which the Retrone River flows.

We certainly recommend you visit an artisan's atelier in the city center: it will introduce you to another face of Vicenza!

2. Descending into the depths of the mountain: the Buso della Rana: I n summer you cannot miss an excursion to the Buso della Rana. This is the largest cave in the Veneto region, just a stone's throw from Vicenza: a cool summer idea, ideal for the whole family!

3. The wine and grappa tour: Exterior of the Poli distillery Vicenza and its hills are grape lands: to learn about a tasty local specialty, try a visit with tasting at the famous Poli distillery (aperitif and tasting of Poli's 5 best grappas), or a visit to Villa Angarano with wine and local produce tasting, in a setting

4. Visit to Villa Godi Malinverni In this paradise at the foot of the Altpiano di Asiago, Villa Godi Malinverni opens the doors of the mansion and gardens for a tour of history, art and beauty!

5. Visit Vicentini craft workshops To be a protagonist and not a spectator, immerse yourself in the workshops of Vicenza's artisan workshops. Vicenza is a city of arts and crafts, and many workshops offer everyone the chance to learn their ancient techniques. Visit Busato's art press or come right in to immerse yourself in a lithography workshop.

6. Palladian works: the must-see in and around Vicenza: The Olympic Theater in Vicenza is really worth a visit or even better, we recommend you experience the theater as a spectator (you can check out their summer programming). It is the oldest covered masonry theater in the world and famous for its trompe l'oeil.

We also recommend a visit to the Villa Valmarana Ai Nani, located on the outskirts of Vicenza, renowned for its fabulous fresco cycle by Giambattista Tiepolo and his son Giandomenico.

7. Berici Hills: festival tour or bike tour? The beautiful Berici Hills area is a place of extraordinary naturalistic richness, accompanied by a fervent artisan and food and wine vitality that produces a year-round calendar of festivals, celebrations and fairs. The Berici Hills are definitely worth the bike rides!

8. Visit to the Queens pottery factory
The Antonibon pottery factory began its production of excellence as early as the late 1600s, and today its creations are prized by kings, queens and ambassadors and are on display in the exhibition hall of the house. You will be able to enter the secrets of pottery making, an exciting family history linked to its territory.

9. Excursion to the headwaters of the Bacchiglione River
The province of Vicenza is committed to restoring the natural environment of the Dueville Woods, one of the most striking wetlands in the Veneto region. This is where the outcropping of the waters of the Bacchiglione River takes place, a very impressive spectacle in an enchanting landscape, to be admired in all its splendor precisely in summer.

10. Enjoy the summer Querini Park: sports and nature
In Vicenza, right in the historic center, you find a spectacular centuries-old park, a vast green lung where you can admire the architectural beauty of Palladio's city, in a succession of meadows, lakes, canals, hills, small temples and sculptures. Querini Park is enlivened by many summer initiatives: you can participate in many fun activities including yoga classes and lessons, belly dancing, tai chi, kung-fu, zumba, Polynesian dances and many other specialties!