Asolo, Veneto

Explore the Cities and Towns of Veneto

Overview

The town of Asolo ranks number 25 on a list published in Italy’s most famous newspaper “La Corriere della Serra” of the country’s 100 most beautiful villages. Dominated by “La Rocca” castle, the town has preserved its evocative medieval atmosphere. Porticoes and arcaded pavements flank the winding streets. Near to the central piazza many of the ancient buildings still display frescoes on their exteriors.

The name of this town forms the base of the Italian verb “Asolare” meaning to pass time in a meaningless but delightful way. In this sense, the town of Asolo is laid back in an quintessentially Italian way. Not a lot happens here; but the place, the people, the birdsong and the foliage which blanket Asolo and the surrounding area make the town and its environs, put simply, delightful.

Before the town became a Roman stronghold (which they may have called “Acelum”) the site was inhabited by the by ancient Veneti tribes. The walls around Asolo date back to the 14th century, the period when the town found itself caught up in the bitter conflicts between the local ruling families: the Scaglieri of Verona, the Carrasei (Lords of Padua) and the Serenissima (Venitian republic) herself.

In 1489 the “Lordship” of Asolo was granted to Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, as partial compensation for the island of Cyprus which she ceded to the Venetian Republic. Thus the town became the center of a Royal Court, a very small court, but one renowned for its refinement and for the quality of the artists who visited there: amongst whom was Pietro Bembo, who wrote the Gli Asolani a poetic essay explaining Platonic love.

During the 19th century the English Romantic poet Robert Browning lived in Asolo where he wrote Asolando, his last volume of poems. Since then many other writers and artists, attracted by the beauty of the place have chosen the town “for rest and inspiration”. Many poets, writers and architects visited and stayed in Asolo, including: Eugene Benson, Henry James, Carlo Scarpa, Ernest Hemingway, Giosue Carducci, Filippo De Pisis and Elizabeth Barret Browning (Robert Browning’s wife). Musicians including Igor Stravinsky and Gian Francesco Malipiero composed here. The famous Italian actress Eleanor Duse retired here, her legacy living on in the Duse Hotel and restaurant.

Asolo is glamorous and on the weekends, in the central piazza, rich Venetians come in convertible Ferraris, Lambourginis and Alfa Romeos, to sit in the sunny piazza drinking Prosecco, a wine produced in the Veneto, while staring at the often beautifully attired local inhabitants. The town isn’t big, but it is exquisite, enchanting and evocative of both days of old, and of the extreme affluence of modern times.

By Jesse Andrews, August 25, 2006

Gallery

Location

Private and Small Group Tours

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Hotel

Villas

Apartment

Gallery

City Centre of Asolo, Veneto Region, Italy

Beautiful City Centre of Asolo, Veneto Region, Italy

Countrisde surrouding Asolo, Veneto Region, Italy

Our Featured Properties

Villa Bellissima

Villa Prodigioso

Bella Vista Villa

Villa Delizioso

Quick Enquiry Form

Explore Towns and Cities in Veneto

Search Your Tour

Incredible Experiences in Italy for Exceptional Prices

Private Tour of Volterra and Her Incredible Landscapes including San Gimignano

Client Testimonials

Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per ... [Read More]
- Jo Ann West
I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we ... [Read More]
- Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n ... [Read More]
- Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group
I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You need to spend more ti ... [Read More]
- Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friends! ... [Read More]
- Lucretia Brower
Jesse & Giuseppe,Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever. ... [Read More]
- Bob & Sandy
Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we wer ... [Read More]
- Ron and Deb Crosby
I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings! ... [Read More]
- Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the ... [Read More]
- Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country. ... [Read More]
- Leon and Michele