Being stationed in Italy is quite an adventure, and there are plenty of chances to experience Italy in the Vicenza area. (Giuseppe Masci - Adobe Stock)
Source
Being stationed in Italy is quite an adventure, and there are plenty of chances to experience Italy in the Vicenza area. Vicenza, as a city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and right in your backyard.
Twice Weekly Market: What better way to live like an Italian than to shop at the local market? Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Piazza dei Signori comes alive with vendors selling cheese, sausage, flowers, clothing and more. The Thursday market is bigger than the Tuesday one. No matter which day you go, get there early. Food is often sold out around 1 p.m. and vendors start closing down at 2 p.m.
Piazza dei Signori: Translated as the “Square of the Lords,” this elegant place will make you feel like a lord or lady of old. It is home to the aforementioned market as well as many events and shows throughout the year.
Righetti (Self Restaurant Righetti): It’s up to you to keep up with your food and drink consumption at this “honest” restaurant in Vicenza. Located inside a 17th-century palace just a few steps from the Piazza dei Signori, enjoy a rotating daily menu of Italian fare. You order directly from the cooks and close at the cashier after the meal.
The Jewelry Museum: While in Vicenza you can visit the first jewelry museum in Italy. The two-story museum features 11 exhibition rooms and a bookshop. Kids will enjoy the educational activities, and everyone can enjoy the guided tours. The museum often hosts workshops and family activities.
Basilica Palladiana: Architect Andrea Palladio designed palaces, villas and buildings across Vicenza. The Basilica Palladiana is one of his most famous structures. The basilica was originally a medieval town hall. Today, it houses shops, bars, a walkable roof terrace and the Jewelry Museum. Other Palladio projects in Vicenza include the Teatro Olimpico, Villa Capra ‘La Rotonda’ and Palazzo Chiericati.
Matteo Grandi: For an elegant night out, check out the Michelin-starred restaurant, Matteo Grandi, located in the Basilica Palladiana. You can enjoy a seasonal four-course menu and select wine from their extensive wine menu. Romeo and Juliet: In a plot that later formed the famous Shakespearean play, Vicenza is the home of the original author of “Romeo and Juliet,” or Romeo and Giulietta as they were originally known. Luigi da Porto wrote the story as a novella and it features familiar characters such as Tybalt, Paris, Friar Lawrence and Mercutio. It was published in 1531 after Porto had died. You can visit his burial site in Vicenza at the Church of Santa Corona. The famous “fair Verona where is lay our scene” is only 30 minutes down the road.
