Veneto Walk

Arrive in Venice and transfer to Vicenza and check in to our hotel, a former aristocratic residence surrounded by rolling hills, lush olive groves and five acres of delightfully manicured gardens. Gather with fellow travelers for our welcome reception and dinner.

Today, we walk across the outer reaches of the Berici Hills among alders and poplars to the village of Bagnolo. There, we see our first Palladian villa, the great Villa Pisani. Return to Vicenza this afternoon by road.

Spend the morning exploring the medieval town of Vicenza, home of Andrea Palladio for most of his life. Visit the Basilica, one of his greatest projects, the Teatro Olimpico, and the superb palazzi that line the main streets. Later this afternoon, drive out of the town center to see the Villa Rotonda, one of Palladio’s last masterpieces. 

Depart Vicenza and drive to the Asiago Plateau, also known as dei Sette Comuni (the seven townships). Walk through the green forests to the edge of the plateau where we take in expansive views of the plains below. Continue our walk before driving to our hotel in Asiago, famous for its cheese.

Delve into the region’s World War I history as we explore the areas that were home to some of the bloodiest battles in Italy’s history. Walk around a deep gorge where we see gun emplacements designed to protect the Italian lines from the Austro-Hungarian forces to the north. Continue our walk this afternoon before returning to our hotel by road. Dinner is on our own this evening.

Drive to the southern edge of the Asiago Plateau to begin today’s walk. Pass through villages on the edge of the mighty Dolomite Mountains as we descend along ridges to the lovely town of Lugo di Vicenza. Stop for a visit to the Villa Godi, the first to be designed by Palladio. Afterward, drive to our hotel in Bassano del Grappa where we spend the next three nights. 

This morning, venture to the Riviera del Brenta, which stretches from Venice to Padua and is lined with opulent villas built in the 16th to 18th centuries. Follow the canal, which first enabled the Venetians to move inland and establish residences in the newly reclaimed farmland. Among the villas we pass is Villa Foscari at Malcontenta, one of Palladio’s most successful designs. We also visit Villa Cornaro, whose design was emulated in the United States, and the Villa Emo at Fanzolo.

We begin our day with a stroll through the delightful town of Bassano del Grappa, full of fine buildings and home of the fiery grappa drink as well as an unusual wooden bridge designed by Palladio. Later, embark on a walk across rolling hills to Marostica, a picturesque town completely surrounded by medieval walls. Return to Bassano by road.  

Walk today high on the Monte Grappa, which rises to nearly 6,000 feet above the Venetian Plain. Enjoy views extending from the coast up to the great peaks of the Dolomites. Drive down the mountain to the beautiful village of Asolo and check in to the famed Villa Cipriani, where we stay for the next three nights.  

This morning, take a short drive east for our walk along a ridge of hills and down to the town of Possagno, home of the great neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova. After a picnic lunch, venture to the artist’s studio to reimagine the life and work of this great sculptor, who was closely associated with some of Palladio’s villas. We return to Asolo by road.

A full day’s walking in the Asolo hills leads us to one of the last great villas created by Palladio, the Villa Barbaro at Maser. This masterpiece is not only decorated with the marvelous frescoes of Veronese, but also boasts superb sculptural works of Allesandro Vittoria. Return to Asolo by road and gather later this evening to toast our journey at a farewell dinner. 

After breakfast, depart for Venice airport to catch flights returning home.