Rovigo is a town where several of our rugby fixtures are played and is located close to CHIOGGIA, where many of our groups to this area are based. 

Chioggia was founded by the Romans and was the second most important town in the Venetian Republic.  Situated at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon, it is one of Italy's major fishing ports.  There are several picturesque canals, all crowded with coloured boats, which divide the town into four sections.  The narrow streets called 'Calli', form an urban structure on a herringbone pattern.

Chioggia comes to life in its main square, a huge 'grand café', which is always open and crowded and where you can find the most important palaces and churches.  The old town offers a stimulating artistic tour, containing treasures from all periods and in all different styles - the Byzantine style of the rood-screens, the Romanesque bell towers, the Gothic oratories and palaces.  The churches are primarily Baroque, as are the more ornamental parts of the main square.

Every evening the inhabitants of Chioggia take a leisurely stroll up and down the main street the 'Corso del Popolo', commonly called La Piazza.

Chioggia is full of wonderful food that is brought in fresh daily from the sea and the market gardens.  Now a gourmets' Mecca, the cuisine owes a lot to the fact that many of its dishes were once the food of the poor. 

The popular fiestas are linked to history, religion and folklore.  The festivities begin on the first Sunday after Easter with the  'Feast of Christ Patron of the Fishermen', followed by the feast day of the town's patron saints ~ Felix and Fortunatus ~ on 11 June, and then culminate in the Saint Martin's Fair on 11 November.

Ten kilometres of clean, sandy beaches stretch out between Chioggia and the mouths of the Brenta and Adige rivers, offering fine sand that is washed by the gently lapping sea. 

Other day trips that can be taken from here are into Venice, approximately one hour away, as well as Verona and Lake Garda.