The saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” could just as easily apply to all of Italy – not least the Veneto region, which comprises a series of provinces including Treviso, Padua, Verona and Vicenza.

When people are asked of northern Italy, they often think of Venice.

With its twisting maze of canals, picturesque squares and gorgeous islands, including Murano (famous for its glass) and Burano (famous for its lace), it is easy to see why.

And while not downplaying Venice – it would be impossible to do so, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world – there is more to the region than just one city.

Treviso is in many ways a mini Venice. With its canals, bridges and narrow streets jam-packed with expensive boutiques, it is a haven for holiday-makers.

Even if you don’t want to spend hauls of cash, there is plenty to see.

The city’s fish market is fascinating to walk through, taking in the smell of the sea and hearing the Italians barter over prices.

Italy is overflowing with art and Treviso has wonderful frescoes still visible on the walls of a number of its buildings.

It also has lots of little bars where you can enjoy tapas-style treats and Prosecco.

Bearing in mind the mantra “When in Rome” (or Veneto), it would seem churlish not to enjoy a traditional regional drink, a blend of Prosecco and lemon.

A tour guide told us that before 10am people drank coffee – after 10am, alcohol.

Not far from Treviso, in Carbonera, is a gorgeous villa called Villa Tiepolo Passi.

The villa is owned by Count Passi and his family, who are keen to teach visitors about their way of life – and impressive collection of art.

The only thing more gorgeous than the art and the gardens was the young under-count, Gian-Luca, who works in fashion in Milan and was presumably hired for his Hollywood-style good looks.

We ate at the villa, a typical regional meal of risotto and fresh asparagus, which is grown locally.

Villa Tiepolo Passi is one of a number of villas across the region, all of which should be supported by the Italian government because they are fabulous.

One of the most famous is the Villa La Rotonda, created by Andrea Palladio, which is about an hour from Verona.

Palladio is widely considered to be one of the most influential Western architects and Villa La Rotunda will impress not only art buffs.

It is not open every day so it is worth checking in advance, because a visit inside is a must.

There are frescoes in the French baroque style decorating the internal walls – terrible, in my opinion, but a fascinating glimpse of what was in fashion at the time.

The actual villa is very cool because of a clever, early air conditioning system.

Just minutes away is Villa Valmarana ai Nani with frescoes by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo, also worth seeing although truthfully not quite as awe-inspiring as the villa itself.

About an hour and a quarter away is Padua, which boasts one of Italy’s most impressive frescoes – a depiction of the life of Jesus and heaven and hell in the Scrovegni Chapel, as portrayed by Giotto.

You cannot just walk into the chapel. Tickets must be booked for allocated 15-minute viewings. It is worth doing this in advance as the work is stunning and there is an informative 15-minute video beforehand.

We stayed in the huge Villa Corner della Regina, which has been converted into a hotel.

Many of the rooms have four-poster beds, high ceilings and high-tech showers.

I stayed in one of the modern, two-storey, apartment-style rooms, close to the swimming pool.

We ate in the hotel one night and in a second villa – Villa Ca’ Marcello – another.

Villa Ca’ Marcello is occupied and felt more like a home than other villas, although was no less impressive for it.

Like all the villas it was a case of where to look first – there was so much art, so many frescoes.

The final day found us in Venice, where we took a boat through the main island and viewing its major bridges, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Academia Bridge.

I wanted to get off – it’s all well and good seeing Venice from the water but there is also a lot to do on land.

We stopped on the small island of Mazzorbo, where we sampled more risotto – the Venetians are very proud of it – and drank yet more Prosecco.

Then we did something I have always wanted to do: got a speedboat to the airport.

Last time I was in Venice, I was with my sister. It’s an expensive city and we stayed in a grimy hostel and got a bus to catch our flight. This time it could not have been more different.

I was in the Veneto region for about four days, which was probably enough time – just.

But I would undoubtedly go back again, if only to see the handsome under-count.

  • Sunvil offers a selection of quality three-night city break packages, staying in hotels in both Venice and Verona from £442 per person based on two sharing a double room, including British Airways flights and transfers. Visit www.sunvil.co.uk or call 020 8758 4722
  • Solos offers group holidays and events for single travellers. They have four departures for Verona Opera 2013 and two departures for Verona City Break Winter 2013/14. Visit www.solosholidays.co.uk  or call 020 8951 2800
  • For more information on the Villas of Veneto, visit www.villevenete.net or www.veneto.to