Alex Mazzetto is a nature travel guide in the northeastern Italian region of Veneto, stretching along Venice and the Adriatic Sea up into the Dolomite Mountains. It’s a beautiful and diverse region, perfect for any kind of traveler. Alex leads personalized tours exploring nature, people, and local tastes in the region. Plus, he’s offering a 10% tour discount for all of my readers!
Welcome, Alex! Tell me a bit about yourself. Did you grow up in Veneto?
Alex in the Asiago mountains in the province of Vicenza (where the famous Asiago cheese is produced).
Yes, I grew up in Veneto. I lived all of my childhood in a small village in the province of Vicenza, at the foot of the Berici Hills and this is probably why I love nature and the outdoors so much.
I have always been a curious person. I never have enough while exploring a new place. I love discovering landscapes and local tastes, and meeting local people, especially if they have a good story to tell.
How long have you been leading tours?
This will be my third year. I worked with green tourism as an agriculture technician before deciding to get my license and become a guide.
As a technician, I visited many beautiful agriturismos and amazing rural landscapes in Veneto. Everywhere I visited, I found myself surprised that these places were almost unknown to tourists, and that they could be incredible off the beaten path destinations.
A lot of Americans dream of visiting Venice. It’s like a Disneyland for grown-ups. I would recommend no more than a couple of full days in Venice, and instead getting out to see more of the region. Alex, what do you say makes a great base to explore more of the region?
Well, Venice is Venice, one of the most popular (and crowded) destinations in the world. No doubt it is wonderful but Veneto is really much more than Venice.
Veneto has is strength in its big landscape variety. Consider in barely 150 km you can start from the sea level of Venice and arrive at the foot of the 3000 meters peaks of the Dolomites (a UNESCO site).
From Venice in just 100 km you can be at Garda Lake, the biggest Italian lake, which is less popular with American tourists, but is at least as picturesque and amazing as the more famous Como Lake.
Having said this, I can understand that sleeping a couple nights in Venice, walking under the moonlight and seeing the lights on the lagoon is a good life experience. However after that, my general advice is to find a good accommodation in a smaller city or in a local agriturismo in the countryside and visit the region from there.
The first advantage is the prices: Venice is Venice guys (expensive)! The second advantage is that you can move much more easily by car (in Venice you have no cars at all so you can move just by foot and by boat).
For example, Vicenza is small charming city. It is the city of the famous Palladio architect, and it is exactly between Venice and Verona. It has a super nice historical center, old palaces, and countryside villas, yet it's incredibly “out of the radar”. Most visitors make just a quick half-day visit, but they don't even consider it as a good starting point to see the region.
View of the Garda Lake from the Mount Baldo in Verona Province.
Speaking of Vicenza, it is famous for it’s ancient architecture. Can you explain more of the history of Vicenza? And what makes it a perfect Italian destination?
You say Vicenza and you immediately think of Palladio.
The history of this city is deeply connected with the history of this famous architect. Even though he was born in Padua, you can find most of its masterpieces in Vicenza: the Basilica, the Olympic Theatre, and the Rotonda Villa to mention just a few.
Palladio in his times was like a bolt of lightning. He was a revolutionary. He changed the old idea of villa, and he had an enormous influence on his contemporaries, which lasted in the next centuries. He is the architect of the Italian Renaissance, and Goethe in his “Italian Journey” said: “There is something divine in his projects.”
Vicenza is also a UNESCO site and UNESCO simply said that, “considering all the Palladio buildings, Vicenza is an exceptional art realization” and, “for its architecture the city of Vicenza has had a strong influence on most European countries and even the entire world's architecture and urbanistic rules.”
The historical center of Vicenza from the Palladio Basilica.
Also worth a visit, the medieval town of Verona is famous for Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” You can visit the fictionalized balcony and unique architecture in this romantic town. If someone had two full days to spend in beautiful Verona, what would you recommend to do?
Well, all the historical center is a must see: The beautiful Roman Arena is super famous, Piazza delle Erbe (Erbe square), the bridges, the Giusti palace with its garden, the San Zeno church, one glass of wine and the first day is gone.
The second day I would go for sure to Garda Lake for a boat tour and an ice cream walking in one of the lake's old villages. It will be an amazing experience!
I find that this northeastern area is perfect for the outdoor-loving adventurer. What types of adventurous activities do you like to lead in the region?
Yes Jessica, you are right, this area is perfect for outdoor lovers. Garda Lake is a paradise for hiking, climbing, windsurfing, biking, and paragliding. The Dolomites are one of the most beautiful settings you can have for a hike.
Unfortunately most foreign tourists, as said before, come here just for history, food, and wine. They tend to choose different destinations for their outdoor vacations. So I'll be honest, I have very few requests for adventurous activities even if I offer many outdoor activities like hiking, trekking with donkeys, biking, etc.
I would love to have more tourists coming here to discover also the natural side of Veneto. So this year beyond the usual daily hikes, I will be offering something new – a partnership with an alpine guide to offer a two days tour hiking + bouldering/climbing, a two days donkey trek sleeping open air in the wood. I also hope to organize a survival class for the summer.
A walk with the donkeys in the Berici hills in the Province of Vicenza.
I’ve noticed that the further north you go towards the Dolomites Mountains, the more Austrian the food and language becomes. What are your favorite foods in this region that mix together Italian and Austrian cultures?
Well, probably you refer to the near region called Trentino Alto Adige, which is just north of Veneto. There are some historical reasons from the First World War, which are too long to be explained here, but basically this region has always been a border region between the southern Mediterranean culture and the northern German one. So above all in the Bolzano province and in the northern mountain areas they speak German and Italian, and there is a big influence from the German culture.
I think the two dishes that represent that mix best are a first course called “Canederli” and a cake called “Strudel”. Canederli are bread dumplings made with poor ingredients like stale bread, milk, eggs and flour but usually cheese or speck is added. The word ‘canederli’ derives from the Austrian ‘knödel’. Strudel, well, it is one of my favorite pastries, and Strudel to the Italians means mountain atmosphere. There are many different Strudel recipes but it's hard to describe the sweetness of the classic one made with apples, raisin, pine nuts and cinnamon...
I know it probably makes you drool so you just have to come and try yourself!
Sticking to the food topic, risotto originated from the Veneto region. I’m still dreaming about rich seafood and squid ink risotto in Venice. What other foods are unique to Veneto?
Oh my God, that's a difficult question! There are so many that is really difficult to mention just a few of them. The landscape and geographical variety means great food variety. In a small area you can find dozens of local recipes. That is why after its historical cities, food and wine are the main reasons why tourists visit this region.
The first that come in my mind are the “Baccalà alla vicentina” (an old fish recipe), the Asiago cheese and the Sopressa from Vicenza, the polenta which is famous all over Veneto, the “Zaeti” biscuits in Padua with corn flour, “Pearà” and “Risotto Tastasal” in Verona (two super tasty meat dishes) and in Venice a famous antipasto called “Sardee in saor” made with sardines and onions.
With all the food, we need some good wine. Three of my favorite wine varietals come from Veneto: Prosecco, Valpolicella, and Amarone. For a wine lover, where would you recommend spending a day or two wine tasting?
If you are a wine lover, once you arrive to Veneto you will probably think you are in paradise!
As with many Italian regions, we have an incredible winery tradition originating from the Etruschi population hundreds of years before Christ, and as you say some of the worldwide renowned wines come from here.
Prosecco and Valpolicella areas are probably the most famous but in Veneto we have 14 DOCG labels (controlled and guaranteed designation of origin) and 28 DOC labels (controlled designation of origin) which are quality assurance labels for our wines. That means you have at least 42 areas producing great quality and controlled wines.
Some famous wine areas are near the Garda Lake with the Bardolino, Soave, and Custoza in the Verona province. But there are also some less known smaller areas like the Euganean hills in Padua and the Piave area. And if you love red wines you cannot miss some Cabernet from the Berici hills in Vicenza.
So, if you are looking for good wines, you will have so many to choose from!
Alex guiding a group inside a cave in the Berici hills where Neanderthal remains have been found.
There are plenty of great festivals in the region. Carnival in February, Marostica in September, and Sagra Harvest Festival in the fall. What can you tell us about these and other festivals in the region for a tourist who wants to celebrate local traditions?
Well, probably I'm not the right person to answer this question since I’m not a great fan of crowds, but as a local I have visited most of the festivals here during my life. The most famous is the Venice Carnival for sure, a festival full of people from all over the world, masks and colors. Epic pics are sure during the festival!
During summer every small village has its own "Sagra", a local festival with music and food.
Some local festivals are quite famous like the Pumpkin Festival in Vicenza countryside or the Gnocchi Festival in the mountains. Every small village here has something peculiar or its own typical food, so you can imagine how many small festivals we have!
Another famous festival is the Big Living Chess Festival in Marostica near the city of Bassano del Grappa. This festival takes place in the second weekend of September in the even-numbered years and is played using living pieces.
Talking about September, we cannot miss harvest festivals: wine is always a good reason to party in Italy! Harvest festivals, small and big ones, are spread all over the Veneto region during this time, so definitely I would say that September is a good month to visit Italy. Prices begin to lower down, most of the tourists are already back home and weather is usually quite good!
One major concern for a lot of tourists is to pick the right time of the year to visit. You mention September being a great time to visit. How would you describe the benefits/disadvantages of each season?
Oh, that's another hard question!
I don't know whether it is for the global warming or not, but weather has changed so much and has been so crazy in the last years that is quite difficult to give general advice.
For example, this year weather has been warm and with no rain at all until December!
It used to snow quite often in northern Italy, while now it is more just rainy...
Anyway, if you want a relaxing and local vacation I would choose the mid-seasons.
Summer has been super hot and quite humid in the last years and honestly, during summer I prefer to be in the mountains. We have the Dolomites at barely a couple of hours drive from Venice. But, visiting the main cities like Venice in July-August can be a struggle!
Spring is beautiful if you want to stay outdoors and have some outdoor activities like hiking or biking.
Fall, which used to be quite rainy, has been incredibly sunny and dry in the last years - perfect weather, stunning colors, and still many things to do as I mentioned before.
Anyway, listen to me, Veneto has so many different places that whatever the season you come and whatever the weather is, you will easily find something to do without getting bored!
Thank you so much for letting me interview you! What’s one last piece of advice you would give to someone traveling to Veneto, Italy?
First one (a universal one) is: don't read too many guidebooks. Explore and try to get lost far from the beaten tracks. While travelling, some of my most epic experiences have been when I travelled without a map just following my inspiration.
Second: Veneto is much much more than Venice and Verona. Be curious and explore!
Third: Hire me to enjoy a unique experience. :-D
Well, travelers, I think it’s finally time for you to take that awesome adventure in Italy! If you are including Veneto in your vacation, which you should, all of my clients and readers can get a 10% discount from Alex at El Sendero. Just mention Get Out Of Town during your booking!
