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Vineyards, Venice & Vicenza
Nights: 10 (or 7)
Day 1: begin the day with a walk along Marostica’s ramparts to appreciate the fine views. The lower castle exhibits costumes worn by participants in the town’s human chess tournament – a colourful Accommodation: Hotel Albergo Due Mori, as above. Day 2: visit medieval Bassano del Grappa, for a nip or two of the town’s famous spirit and admire Palladio’s covered wooden bridge, used by Italian soldiers on their way to the First World War battlefront. Continue to the walled gem that is Asolo, beautifully sited among the cypress-clad foothills of the Dolomites, and presiding over a tightly grouped range of nearly thirty surrounding peaks. Take time on your arrival to admire the castle, cathedral and pre-Roman fortress. (27km) Accommodation: Hotel Duse (3*), Asolo. This small, charming hotel is found in the town’s historic centre on Via Robert Browning – the poet was one of many who fell in love with these narrow streets and named a volume of poems, Asolando, after the town. Your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis so that you can dine at your choice of restaurants in the town.
Day 3: heading east of Asolo, stop to visit the splendid Villa Barbaro, commissioned in 1555 and a close collaboration between Palladio and Veronese. Lively frescoes of rural views, false balconies, doors and windows create the illusion of greater space, perfectly complementing Palladio’s light, airy rooms. You then cross the River Piave and take a panoramic route to Solighetto. Solighetto is dominated by the 18th-century Villa Brandini d'Adda, head office of the Prosecco Consortium and a museum dedicated to opera singer Toti Dal Monte. Not too far away in Soligo, is the little church of Santa Maria Nova, which dates back to the 15th century. (31km) Accommodation: Locanda da Lino (3*), Solighetto. You are warmly welcomed by Marco Toffolin and his family to this beautifully restored farmhouse, where you enjoy delicious dinners in the atmospheric restaurant and stay in its quirky rooms, each named after a famous former guest, such as Marcello Mastroianni. There is also a choice of over 500 types of Italian and imported wines, including Rivasecca, the full-bodied red produced by the family themselves. Day 4: we suggest a gentle circuit to the north of Solighetto. Enjoy more lovely views, not forgetting to stop off at some of the many wine producers in order to enjoy tastings of prosecco, Italy’s ubiquitous sparkling aperitif wine. (15km) Accommodation: Locanda da Lino, as above. Day 5: Marco, a keen cyclist himself, will be only too pleased to advise or, if he can find time away from the restaurant, may even offer to accompany you on other routes. (40km) Accommodation: Locanda da Lino, as above. Day 6: after a transfer by Marco to Treviso, you take an easy and panoramic route along the River Sile to Mogliano Veneto. (15km) Accommodation: Villa Condulmer (4*), Mogliano Veneto. A handsome 18th-century nobleman's villa set in attractive and spacious grounds which incorporate an outdoor pool. It is romantic and charming, and the Italian countryside is breathtaking. It feels remote yet is less than 30 minutes from Venice. The staff here are friendly, the food is excellent (pay locally if you wish to dine here) and the rooms and common areas boast ornate Venetian décor. Accommodation: Villa Condulmer, as above. Day 8: you can choose how to arrive in Vicenza - you can catch the train to Padua and then cycle, or you may prefer to cycle all the way. (35 or 65km) Accommodation: Hotel Due Mori (3*), Vicenza. A welcoming hotel located in the old centre of town just behind the magnificent Piazza dei Signori. Take your pick of the local restaurants for dinner (pay locally).
Accommodation: Hotel Due Mori, as above. Recommendations for extra nights: Hotel Due Mori (Vicenza) for more time to explore this architectural gem of a town or Hotel Duse (Asolo) from where you can enjoy a circuit to the north of the town through some of Italy's northernmost olive groves. Locanda da Lino (Solighetto) is also recommended for extra nights of fine dining and exploration. 7-night option: We can offer this tour as a seven-night holiday. You stay two nights in Marostica, one night in Asolo, two nights (rather than three) in Solighetto, one night (rather than two) in Mogliano, and one night (rather than two) in Vicenza at the Due Mori. We give prices in the price panel. Please note that there would not be time in this option to visit Venice; if you wish to do so, you should add an extra night in Mogliano. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: The Secrets of Western Tuscany (grade 2), Saints, Gods & Angels (grade 2) Prices & travel 2008
Recommended destination airports: Brescia, Verona or Treviso Extra night prices 2008 (extra nights can be booked at any hotel):
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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Day 7: from Mogliano, you cycle to the nearby station and take the train (pay locally) the short distance to magical Venice. Stroll along the winding streets or take a gondola on
the canals; relax at a terrace with a proper cup of coffee, a glass of wine or grappa, and
enjoy this unique city. Along the Canal Grande are
various piazzas, churches and monasteries, most of them accessible to the
public, while the main sights are centred around the piazza of San Marco.