Italy - Venice & The Veneto - September 19-25, 2010

We rendezvous in glorious Vicenza. We have time to wander the streets and enjoy the atmosphere, the architecture and above all, to visit Palladio’s stunning Teatro Olimpico. We continue to the Villa Capra, perhaps better known as La Rotonda, for a brief visit. We drive to Asiago, a favourite summer resort of the Milanese and Venetians, for our Welcome Drink and Dinner.

This morning we transfer to Monte Cengio, scene of a very important First World War engagement, the Battle of Asiago, and walk through woods and open countryside to Fort Corbin, an impressive WWI fortification built on top of a cliff. We lunch here and learn the story of the fort and battle,before walking on to the fascinating mountain village of Tresche Conca in the foothills of the Dolomites. We return to Asiago for dinner in a family-run restaurant. The owner, an archaeologist, is working to preserve the culture of the Germano-Celtic tribes who settled the region and will show us some of his excavations and the tribal hut he has recreated. We will enjoy a traditional menu, accompanied by a local band playing folk music.

Our morning walk starts in Croce Sant’Antonio and meanders on a gentle uphill track, through woods of spruce and larch, with panoramic views. We continue walking to the top of the hill where we can see numerous trenches and bomb shelters of the 1st World War. We lunch on local products at a farm where the famous Asiago cheese is made. The afternoon walk is again dominated by views over Asiago as we walk down from the plateau to our hotel.

An easy walk from the village of San Luca down to a trail overlooking the valley, and on to the charming medieval town of Marostica, surrounded by the ancient walls of its castles and by the many streams that cascade down the hillside. The town is, perhaps, best known for its living chessboard in the main square. After lunch in a traditional osteria, we transfer to Bassano Del Grappa and walk the ancient streets to see the cathedral, upper castle and famous wooden bridge, designed by Palladio. We visit the Nardini Distillery to learn about – and taste – the renowned grappa. We drive to Asolo, one of the loveliest little towns in Italy, much admired by Robert Browning and known as the “City of a Hundred Horizons”. Dinner and overnight.

We walk from our hotel, with views of the valley and castle, to visit Villa Barbaro in Maser, designed by Palladio (c.1560) for the Barbaro brothers, Daniele (ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I of England), and Marcantonio (ambassador to King Charles IX of France). We have time to tour the carriage museum in the grounds, before lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon, we drive to the Villa Foscari, La Malcontenta, another of Palladio’s masterpieces. After a short visit, we board our private launch for the 90-minute cruise across the lagoon to the very heart of the city of Venice, an unforgettable arrival in La Serenissima. Dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we depart by private launch to the Island of Torcello, where we visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in 639. The island was much loved by Ernest Hemingway, who wrote Across the River and into the Trees here. We rejoin our launch and cruise to Burano, another island in the archipelago, famous for its lace-making, and lunch in a local trattoria. We return to the city and, with a local Venetian guide, wander the old alleyways back to our hotel, for our Farewell Dinner.

The Wayfarers see you safely on your way. However, you may wish to extend your stay in Venice.