This beautiful city in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy has a lot going for it – mediaeval city walls, narrow cobbled streets, frescoed churches, pretty canals.

Just a short hop north of Venice, Treviso has much of the charm of that better-known city, without the exorbitant prices and hordes of tourists.

Plus, Treviso is the gateway to the Veneto Prosecco region. Really, what’s not to love?

 

For some reason, it took us a long time to discover this lovely city - and we're very pleased we did.
For some reason, it took us a long time to discover this lovely city - and we're very pleased we did.
Though Treviso attracts its share of visitors, this is not a tourist town; you won't find the restaurant touts and souvenir shops here.
Though Treviso attracts its share of visitors, this is not a tourist town; you won't find the restaurant touts and souvenir shops here.
Our sense is that this is a city of friendly people, happily going about their lives ...
Our sense is that this is a city of friendly people, happily going about their lives ...
... albeit in beautiful surroundings.
... albeit in beautiful surroundings.
 
Sections of the city's 14th century defensive wall remain intact, and a stroll along the tree-lined ramparts was on the 'Treviso to-do' list.
Sections of the city's 14th century defensive wall remain intact, and a stroll along the tree-lined ramparts was on the 'Treviso to-do' list.
Outside the city, the walls are flanked by parkland.
Outside the city, the walls are flanked by parkland.
And with several of the old city gates still in use as well, it all makes for a delightful introduction to the town.
And with several of the old city gates still in use as well, it all makes for a delightful introduction to the town.
The two rivers that flow through the centre of Treviso create a series of narrow canals that crisscross the city.
The two rivers that flow through the centre of Treviso create a series of narrow canals that crisscross the city.
And they're lovely - lined with Mediaeval and Renaissance palaces ...
And they're lovely - lined with Mediaeval and Renaissance palaces ...
... and little parks where willows weep towards the water.
... and little parks where willows weep towards the water.
The Buranelli Canal once served as a local washhouse ...
The Buranelli Canal once served as a local washhouse ...
Today it's a place where students gather to eat lunch.
Today it's a place where students gather to eat lunch.
Treviso's famous fish market is located on a small island in the centre of the city - Isola della Pescheria.
Treviso's famous fish market is located on a small island in the centre of the city - Isola della Pescheria.
 
And just across the bridge, the fresh produce market.
And just across the bridge, the fresh produce market.
This is Treviso's Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle - the religious heart of the city.
This is Treviso's Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle - the religious heart of the city.
It also houses Titian's Renaissance masterpiece, 'Assumption of the Virgin' (1518).
It also houses Titian's Renaissance masterpiece, 'Assumption of the Virgin' (1518).
It's still astonishing to us that you can wander into a church in Italy and enjoy works like this - for free, and often alone.
It's still astonishing to us that you can wander into a church in Italy and enjoy works like this - for free, and often alone.
Right next door is the 11th century Baptistery of St. John.
Right next door is the 11th century Baptistery of St. John.
 
Treviso is often described as an 'art' city; there are some fine galleries here.
Treviso is often described as an 'art' city; there are some fine galleries here.
 
 
At the Museo Luigi Bailo, we saw an exhibition of Arturo Martini's work.
At the Museo Luigi Bailo, we saw an exhibition of Arturo Martini's work.
Martini (1889-1947) was a renowned Italian sculptor and artist.
Martini (1889-1947) was a renowned Italian sculptor and artist.
For us, this well-curated exhibition - in a former 14th century convent - was an excellent introduction to his work.
For us, this well-curated exhibition - in a former 14th century convent - was an excellent introduction to his work.
After all that touring around Treviso, there was just time for a quick tidy up before we hit the road again.
After all that touring around Treviso, there was just time for a quick tidy up before we hit the road again.
We may have been slow to discover Treviso, but now the secret's out (for us, at least), we'll definitely be back.
We may have been slow to discover Treviso, but now the secret's out (for us, at least), we'll definitely be back.