Castelfranco Veneto is a small historic town, built where two Roman roads crossed and now the crossroads of the railway lines from Venice to Trento and Treviso to Padova. This makes it an ideal base for exploring the region. A ten minute walk to the station and and a €7, 45 minute train ride takes you to Venice's St Lucia station and the water buses all over the city. At the end of the day the train takes you back to the leafy quiet of tourist free historic Castelfranco.

The Albergo Roma is a modern hotel overlooking the old city wall and the market square. It caters mainly for businessmen visiting the many small industries that abound in the region, a regular and demanding clientele. It's not particularly atmospheric but reception is friendly and very helpful, rooms are clean and well appointed and there is a good continental breakfast buffet. Get the corner mini suite 318 if you can. There is a closed car park at the rear of the hotel.

The restaurant linked to... more