Enjoy the tranquil hills of Veneto and visit
enchanting Asolo, Bassano del Grappa famous for its Palladian
bridge, and for being the home of Grappa. Also enjoy Villa
Barbaro designed by Andrea Palladio and many other fine examples
of Renaissance art and architecture. Enjoy some of the regional
cuisine, along with wine tastings and a visit to a local
vineyard on the Prosecco wine road. Limited driving time means
you spend the vast majority of the day off the vehicle enjoying
the company of the locals.
Throughout the day your friendly and informative guides, Monica
and Jonathan, will entertain you with the legends of Veneto.
Visit medieval Marostica, famous for its living game of chess.
This world-famous event, full of pageantry, is played with
living players dressed in sumptuous costumes upon a giant
chess-board that is permanently laid-out in the town square.
This event re-enacts a game first played here in 1454 between
two citizens to decide who would win the right to marry the
daughter of the Lord of the castle. At the point where the cool,
clear waters of the river Brenta emerge from the Dolomites you
will find Bassano del Grappa. Famous for both its alpine bridge
designed by Palladio and for being the home of Grappa "the
firewater of the mountains".
After lunch, fall under the spell of Asolo, a village under
enchantment, where every few steps journey back in time. Enjoy a
fascinating walking tour of the village which has been a popular
resort for centuries as the spacious villas dotted around the
landscape attest. Throughout the day you will pass a bewildering
succession of villas of different periods and styles. But, the
most famous villas of Veneto are the villas designed by
Palladio, whose designs have influenced architects all over the
world. Visit one of the best examples of his work, the Villa
Barbaro at Maser, a villa set in perfect harmony with the
surrounding countryside.
This tour is seasonal and only operates from April through
to Octobe
