I love the historic alleyways, picturesque canals, and gondolas of Venice. For a true taste of Italy, however, you'll probably want to venture beyond the floating city's tourist-packed cobblestone streets. One of my favorite spots to visit is Bassano del Grappa, which is only an hour's train ride from Venice.
The enchanting city is located along the Brenta River at the base of the Dolomites. My family has nearly 200 years of history there, and every time I visit Bassano, I'm left more in awe. Though many tourists from Italy and the surrounding countries make their way through Bassano, I've noticed it remains a hidden gem among American travelers.
