Treviso is just 15 miles inland from Venice – but this busy provincial city seems very different from the world famous island tourist attraction. If you're considering hiring a car in Treviso, you'll soon find it stands amid the flat Veneto region of northern Italy, an area of long straight roads, old farms and picturesque vineyards. The city itself spreads across the plain with an ancient walled historic quarter at its heart. Modern Treviso houses the headquarters of leading fashion chains including Benetton, Sisley and Diadora. The A27 north-to-south motorway runs just to the east and the city traffic is helped by the SS13 inner ring road.
With beautiful historic buildings standing between meandering waterways, Treviso sounds similar indeed to Venice. But visitors will soon find that Treviso has none of its famous neighbour's overcrowding. In fact, rent a car in Treviso and you'll be able to drive round a largely undiscovered city, easily visiting all the sights. The old quarter features a maze of pretty historic streets lined with shady arcades and painted frescoes, interspersed with canals, moats and rivers. It may not have Venice's star quality, but Treviso certainly makes a beautiful city to visit or even base yourself in while touring the region. Highlights include, of course, the big Benetton store in the centre of its hometown. Look out too for the old waterwheels throughout the town and on a little island in the river you'll find a regular fish market. The city is dotted with attractive churches and bustling pavement cafes. Via Calmaggiore is Treviso's main shopping street. Unlike Venice, there are few tasteless tourist souvenir shops or cafes for foreign visitors – this is a city that normally caters to locals.