Treviso

The Sile and Botteniga run through Treviso in channels that were used for mills and washing, so the old centre is crossed by small canals with waterwheels, weirs and the fish market on its own island. Sixteenth-century walls and gates by Fra Giocondo enclose the centre, and long arcades run along the main streets with frescoed facades surviving in patches. The city was heavily bombed in April 1944 and much of the centre was rebuilt. Radicchio rosso di Treviso, a bitter red chicory forced in the dark and washed in spring water, is the local crop, in season from late autumn.

What you actually see

• The canals - waterways with mills, weirs and an island fish market.
• The arcades - long porticoed streets with patches of fresco.
• The Fra Giocondo walls - sixteenth-century ramparts and gates.
• The radicchio - forced red chicory grown around the city.

When to go

April to October for the canals and arcades; radicchio season runs from late autumn into winter with markets and festivals. The city is quiet year-round.

Honest expectations

Much of the centre is postwar rebuilding after 1944 bombing. It has few headline sights, which is part of the appeal but not to everyone's taste.

Nearby

Venice lies south; Asolo is northwest.