Gardens and Gastronomy of the Veneto
Art, architecture and culinary traditions
Tour Summary
Venice’s influence extended well beyond the borders of the lagoon. Great artists such as Palladio, Titian and Veronese hailed from the lands conquered by the Venetians and left behind a lasting mark in the art and architecture throughout the Veneto.
The Villas of the Veneto are surrounded by wonderful Italian gardens, sophisticated and elegant in their design and vegetation. The artistic richness is accompanied by the culinary and gastronomic quality of this region which has held on to its traditions of the past, reinventing them with a contemporary flavour.
The cultivation of vineyards as far as the eye can see, and the production of high-quality wines such as the Prosecco Superiore and the Cartizze, are recognised brands all around the world: a visit to one of the most renowned wine-cellars of Valdobbiadene paired with a wine-tasting opportunity, will immerse you in the agricultural heart of the Veneto guaranteeing an unforgettable experience.
Art, the excellent wines, the variety of mountain cheeses, the rice fields and the extra virgin olive oil, intertwine seamlessly and make Veneto one of the richest and most fascinating regions of Italy.
Departure Dates
February - June and September - November
7 Days / 6 Nights
Activity Level
Moderate
Small Groups (8-20 pax)
Dedicated Tour Manager
Strict Covid-19 Safety Protocols
Dedicated Tour Manager
Strict Covid-19 Safety Protocols
Tour Highlights
Exclusive private lunch in Villa Arvedi
Wine tasting opportunities in Valdobbiadene
Dedicated Tour Manager for the duration of your stay
Carefully selected 4-star+ hotels in the historical centres of Verona and Asolo
Three nights in 4- or 5-star hotel in Verona and three nights in 4- or 5-star hotel in Asolo
- Three nights in 4- or 5-star hotel in Verona and three nights in 4- or 5-star hotel in Asolo
- Six lunches and four dinners in carefully selected restaurants or in privately owned villas and gardens
- Experienced licensed local guides for all your visits
- Comprehensive services of a dedicated Tour manager
- Wine-tasting experience in the hills above Verona
- All ground transportation
- Entrance fees to selected venues
This tour requires a moderate fitness levels with a few hours of walking on each day.
Terms and Conditions.
For all of the holidays that we offer, we require a minimum number of 8 travellers to have booked on to each holiday, in order for us to be able to operate it.
Prices shown are for groups of at least 20 travellers, and are variable dependant on the final group number.
For more details and a complete overview of our terms and conditions please visit our travel info and booking conditions page.
Day 1 - Verona
Independent flight from London Gatwick/Heathrow to Verona /Venice.
Dinner in a historical restaurant and first of three night in a 5-star hotel in Verona.
Day 2 - Verona
Villa Arvedi near Grezzana is a splendid 17th century Villa situated on a terrace overlooking the garden built in the shape of a sophisticated double fan motif. The Villa was bought by count Giovanni Arvedi in the 19th century and it still belongs to the family. Exclusive private lunch in the Villa. In the afternoon private visit to an olive oil producer which still uses an artisanal methods both in harvesting and in the pressing of the olives.
Day 3 - Verona - Isola della Scala
Isola della Scala. Visit the Riseria Ferron, founded in 1650 and still in the hands of the Ferron family. After a guided walk through the rice fields, a cooking demonstration will take us to lunch with special dishes, all prepared with rice. Return to Verona for some free time.
Day 4 - Verona - Asolo
Verona is not only a major Roman settlement , but also a city that flourished in the middle ages under the rule of the della Scala dynasty. Our walk today we’ll take us to the Romanesque basilica of san Zeno with its celebrated alterpiece by Andrea Mantegna, followed by a light lunch in a nearby restaurant in the centre of town. In the afternoon visit Giardino Giusti, an obligatory stop for the Grand Tour travellers, including Mozart and Goethe. Late afternoon drive to Asolo for the first of 3 nights at the Hotel Cipriani.
Day 5 - Asolo - Valsanzibio
Drive to Valsanzibio to visit one of the most spectacular gardens in the Veneto. Built in 1665 by the powerful and wealthy Barbarigo family, is now owned by the Ardemanni family. The garden is designed around and allegorical scheme blending together Art and Nature and it includes a 400 years old Boxwood Labirinth. Light lunch in the Villa. Return to Asolo for a leisure afternoon either in the gardens of the hotel or walking around the charming small town of Asolo. Dinner at the hotel
Day 6 - Asolo - Maser
Maser. Leave for a special private visit of the famous Villa Barbaro at Maser, designed by Andrea Palladio and frescoed inside by Paolo Veronese. On the way to lunch we will drive past Villa Emo at Fanzolo, also by Palladio.
Lunch at a sumptuous private Villa decorated inside with 18th century frescoes.
Continue to Castelfranco Veneto, birthplace of Giorgione, to admire his alterpiece of the Virgin in the Cathedral.
Return to Asolo
Dinner independently
Day 7 - Venice
Drive to Venice and by water taxis to Mazzorbo for lunch at the Venissa restaurant (1-star Michelin), tasting wine produced in their vineyards.
Alternatively:
On the way to Venice airport private visit to the celebrated Villa Malcontenta, a masterpiece of the architect Palladio.
Independent flight from Venice arriving in London G/H in the early evening.