Tour Veneto , The Veneto and the Venetian Villas

Most travellers to the Veneto region are so dazzled by Venice that they neglet the rest. This package give you the opportunity to see much more: the extraordinary frescoes of Giotto in Padua, the romantic Verona where in summer period you could also assist to an Opera in the Roman Arena, the slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of the world's famous ski resort of the Dolomites, the pleasant city Treviso, home of Benetton, and Vicenza and its Villas. Noble families, especially those from Venice, often kept a second residence outside the city. These villas were generally as magnificent and grandiose as the town residences so that the families could also display their power and wealth beyond the city confines. Some of the most beautiful Veneto villas are located along the Brenta river.Lovers of great architecture can't miss Vicenza declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Students will detect practically every style of Italian architecture here, but above all else, Vicenza is the showcase for Andrea Palladio. Anyone who loves architecture, or even just anyone who has remodeled their house lately, has at least heard of Andrea Palladio, one of the most innovative and widely copied designers of all time. But Vicenza is also the City of Gold as the jewellery and goldsmithery sector has become a true "art" in the sapient hands of its craftsmen and manufactures. Vicenza gold has, in fact, conquered the whole world for the refinement and elegance of its design. An age-old tradition that it is expressed in small work shops just as in large modern factories, that found its ideal window in the important exhibitions organized by Vicenza Fair. A "must" for all those people around the world who work in the sector and recognize Vicenza as a "worldwide gold capital".

ITINERARY

1 Day:
Half day visit of the romantic town of Verona, which provided the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The sightseeing include a walking through the old centre and the nice squares, and its fashionable shops.

2 Day:
Full day visit of Vicenza, the city where lived and trained the greatest architect Palladio. The guided city tour includes the Palladio's Teatro Olimpico, the Church of Santa Corona and the famous 15th century Basilica Palladiana. In the afternoon, you will visit Villa La Rotonda, one of the most admired and copied creation, having served as a model for buildingss across Europe and USA. Stop for a wine tasting of Prosecco ( a light champagne-like wine)

3 Day:
Today a wonderful chance to journey along the Brenta River between Padua and Venice, where you can admire the many beautiful villas built along the canal, once summer residences of the Venetian nobility, renowned also thanks to such artists as Palladio and Tiepolo. Along the way, the boat stops at three of the most important mansions: Villa Pisani in the locality of Stra, Villa Barchessa Valmarana in Mira or the villa Wildmann, and the Villa Foscari also known as "Villa Malcontenta" (The Unhappy) where was confined the wife of one of Foscari against her will. Possibility to have lunch (optional) in a typical restaurant on the canal's bank. The journey end in Venice Maritime Station where passengers will disembark, retuning back by car or bus.

4. day Full day excursion to Venice

5 Day:
At disposal for optional excursions and departure.

OPTIONAL VISITS / EXCURSIONS

PADUA - The three big attractions of Padua are the Giotto frescoes in the Cappella degli Scrovegni, the relics of St. Antony and the Orto Botanico. The oldest botanic gardens in Europe, planted in 1545 by the university's medical faculty as a collection of medical herbs, has been declared World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Marostica and Bassano del Grappa
Full day excursion. The beautiful town of Marostica is famous for its human size chess game played in September. Bassano del Grappa located on the river Brenta is renowned for its grappa distilleries. In the afternoon a visit to the Alpine Bridge built by Andrea Palladio in the sixteenth century, Asolo and the Villa Barbaro at Maser, famous for its frescoes and paintings by the great Italian Renaissance painter, Paolo Veronese.