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Automobiles

The A27 connects Venice and Treviso; the journey takes around an hour. If you're coming from further afield, the E70 runs across the top of Italy, eventually passing through Turin and into Switzerland.

Planes

Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) flies from London Stansted and Liverpool to Treviso's small international airport (TSF), which is 15 minutes from the city centre by car. (Hail a cab or jump on the number 6 bus to your hotel.) Alternatively, BA (www.britishairways.com) runs regular flights to Venice's Marco Polo Airport, 30km away (the train journey train to Treviso takes half an hour, and costs just a few euro).

Trains

Treviso station (http://trenitalia.com) is just a 10-minute walk from the city centre, and has regular connections to Venice.

Dialing

Country code for Italy: +39. Treviso: 0422. (Remember to retain the '0' when dialling from outside Italy.)

Reads

United Colours of Benetton hails from Treviso, so read the fashion brand's rag-to-riches story in Jonathan Mantle's Benetton; go high-brow with an artfully dog-eared edition of Paradiso by Dante Alighieri, the third (and final) instalment in the Divine Comedy (look out for a mention of Treviso's Bridge of the Impossible); The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato blends history, mystery and romance, recounting the story of a 17th-century Murano glass blower.

Do go / Don't Go

Treviso is blessed with all-year charm, but the streets are at their liveliest in high season - avoid coming then if you want the sights to yourselves. The Trevisani are justifiably proud of their seasonal products and host festivals to welcome their return: time your visit to coincide with the start of the raddichio season for example (December-February), or the prosecco festival (February-June).

Cuisine

Taxis

Flagging a cab on Treviso's largely pedestrianised streets can be challenging, so book pick-ups and transfers through your hotel's concierge or try a transport hub (the train station is a safe bet).

Tipping

Service charge (coperto) is almost always included in restaurants and cafes; if in doubt, round up the total by a euro or three.

Currency

Euro (€).

Packing

Cobble-friendly footwear; sunglasses for posing on the café terraces in style; bubble wrap for Murano glass souvenirs.

Arts

Treviso's most famous museum, Museo di Santa Caterina (+39 0422 422192) at Via Santa Caterina hosts various art exhibitions throughout the year. Another arty stop-off for temporary exhibitions is Casa dei Carraresi (+39 0422 513150) at 33 via Palestro, a beautiful 13th-century building overlooking the river Cagnan and the Pescheria. As Treviso is so close to the famous glass-blowing island, Murano, you can find this delicate art here too. If you're after a souvenir to cherish, seek out the utterly charming glass-blower, Sandro Barbieri, who is based at 3 via Sant' Agata.

And...

Shopping

United Colours of Benetton is honoured with a monumental store on Piazza Indipendenza. Treviso's famous shopping streets are Via Calmaggiore, Corso del Popolo & Via XX Settembre, lined with stylish fashion and interior design stores. An antique market is held in the Borgo Cavour area on the fourth Sunday of every month; Asolo's antiques market is even better, held every second Sunday (except July and August).

Viewpoint

Unsurprisingly for a city built on pancake-flat plains, canals and cycle paths are more common than vistas over the city. That said, Ponte Dante offers up picture-perfect waterside views.

Something

Admire the mediaeval frescoes in the church of San Nicolò, including a tender rendering of the Madonna and her attendant angels by Tomaso da Modena.

February-March Treviso hosts its own Venetian-style carnival with masks, costumes, music and food stalls. March On the second Sunday of the month, Marathon day takes place between Vittorio Veneto and Treviso. A number of concerts are held in Treviso's city centre to spur on contestants and keep the crowds entertained. March Fiori D'Inverno is a gastronomic love affair, dedicated to seasonal produce. June Festa dei Buranelli, or the Buranelli Party, takes place in the second half of the month, with food stalls, concerts and puppet shows. December Radicchio season is celebrated, with the Festa del Radicchio di Treviso, held on Piazza dei Signori.