There is a part of Italy that many travelers don’t see. A quieter, deeper Italy… the one that begins where the crowds of Venice slowly fade, and the rhythm of life becomes softer, more authentic. After more than twenty years living in the United States, I have learned something very important: people don’t just fall in love with Italy because of its famous landmarks… they fall in love with the feeling of Italy.
And that feeling often lives just beyond the obvious. One of those places, very close to my heart, is the magical Castello di Roncade. Only about 30 minutes from Venice, this extraordinary place feels like stepping into another time. Surrounded by vineyards and silence, it is the only pre-Palladian Venetian villa still enclosed by medieval walls and towers—almost like a fortress protecting centuries of history.
