Beautiful Villa Bellissima - Veneto Region, Verona Italy

SEMI-PRIVATE VENETO

Cycling and Enjoying the Beauty & Romance of the Veneto Region

Tour Code TUR-00386

Duration 7 days

Group Type Semi-Private

Departs From Veneto

Meeting Point Venice

Customize This Journey View Full Itinerary

Overview

Explore the Veneto's many hidden treasures and witness the impact this region has had on the many facet of the Italian way of life. We offer many unique travel experiences on this tour including bicycle routes along the Venetian trading canals, tours of a grapperia and prosecco winery, a visit of the hometown & studio's of one of Europe’s prominent sculptors, as well as examine Palladio’s influence on the world of architecture. The bicycling, with the exception of one day along the gentle rolling foothills of the Dolomites is mostly flat, easy terrain. Yet any route can be altered to include more mileage or a more challenging hilly route for the enthusiast.

This is an ideal tour for a mixed group of cyclist of any age or ability level as well as for families who wish to share the numerous cultural sights and enjoy the exquisite cuisine & wines at a pace & vantage point that only a bicycle allows

2014 Dates: May 11-17 18-24 May 25-31 June 1-7 8-14 Sept 7-13 14-20

Itinerary

Where We Visit: Veneto | Meeting Location: Venice

We meet in Veniceâ€™s famed San Marcoâ€™s Square and board a boat for the mouth of the Brenta Canal. This famous canal was tamed in the 17th century and it wasnâ€™t long before the rich and elite were building their Villas along the waterway. As you disembark the bikes will be waiting for you. We soon cross the canal lock and cruise along the quiet Villa-laden canal and note countless palaces, mansions and famous estates including the famous Palladian Villa La Malcontenta. Here we get a taste of what it was like before modern day cars arrived on the scene. It wasnâ€™t long ago the entire canal zone was filled with gondolas and ferry boats being pulled by horses along the shore. In the evenings the party would move from one Villa to another while the many fire flies would illuminate their way. Villa BarbaroOur last stop is the renowned 114 room Villa Pisani, the largest of the Villas constructed in a baroque style and considered to be on a par with great palaces like Versailles. Today it is still considered a National treasure. It is also here where Mussolini chose to first meet Hitler and sign their alliance before WWII. We spend time to tour the Villa and its grounds and may even opt to take a chance of getting through the Hedge Maze reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. In what I feel is the most charming of the canal towns, picturesque Dolo is where we stay. Before dinner feel free to wander this market town, then after a delightful dinner your opinion is sought regarding our on-going survey of the best Gelateria in the Veneto. Lodging: 3-star Albergo along Brenta Canal. Dinner: family-run trattoria specializing in exquisite seafood.

Where We Visit: Veneto

In the morning we transfer to the foothills of the Dolomites and enchanting Asolo. Although the town was an important Roman municipality in the 1st century its prominence wasnâ€™t secured until 1489 when Venice invested the Queen of Cypress, Caterina Cornaro, where her splendid reign here lasted Sarauntil 1509. Writers, Italian and foreign poets and artists brought by the historical events or attracted by the beauty of this place, visited and loved this city that soon became known as la CittÃ dai cento orizzonti" (the Town of a hundred horizons). The city has maintained a suggestive medieval look and the streets are typical: flanked by the gothic arcades of the old buildings and houses, with their facades decorated with frescos, their gracious mullioned windows and beautiful balconies all situated below the queenâ€™s castle and surrounded within a colorful rural landscape that combine to create what I feel is the prettiest setting in the Veneto Our ride takes us through this rural countryside and a gentle climb along the crest of the gentle hills covered in rows of vineyards, orchards and tiny hamlets. After twenty kilometers on a beautiful car-free bike path that skirts along the flowing canals we stop to view what is considered one of Palladioâ€™s finest works--the Villa Barbaro and soon arrive back in enchanting Asolo for sunset from one of the many idyllic squares. We invite you for a glass of the sparkling regional prosecco before dinner. Lodging: Beautiful 3-star townhouse in the medieval heart of Asolo. Dinner: at a fun Trattoria in town, featuring local specialties.

Where We Visit: Asolo

Ride through the enchanting hills of lush forest surrounding Asolo, past the farmsteads, and the tiny villages of the region. At a quiet hill town nestled at the base of Monte Grappa we arrive at the hometown of one Italyâ€™s most prominent sculptors, Antonio Canova (1757-1822). Here an enormous marble temple is seen for miles around and may be the largest monument dedicated to an artist. We take time to visit Canovaâ€™s gypsoteca whereby an examination of the casts, sketches and terracotta models demonstrate the development of many of Canova's works from the drawing board to the masterpieces which made him famous throughout the world. Of special interest is the Statue of George Washington which Canova first sketched, then molded in clay, baked in China clay, cast in plaster and finally carved in marble before shipping it to the United States. Unfortunately the statue was destroyed in a fire making the plaster cast version in Possagno a unique tribute to the first President of the United States. Why you may ask, is the plaster cast of Washington not in the United States? The United States on their part are doing all they can to get their hands on the statue, but Canova was most farseeing. Worried that his successors would dissipate the heritage in plaster and sketches he left the entire collection to the people of Possagno, who, he specifies in his will, can sell the plaster casts only after a unanimous vote of the town's population. So aficionados in the USA are fighting a vain battle. - this precious collection is set to be an integral part of this seemingly unimportant town for a long time yet. From the marble stairs of his neoclassic temple we enjoy ride that glides past the vast views of postcard landscapes and into the Dal Bello winery where we learn how they produce the tiny bubbles of their quality â€œProseccoâ€ wines. Lodging: same as day 2 Dinner: Free night out in town

Ceramics & the Old World "Water of Life"

Where We Visit: Vicenza

Gentle rolling country roads along the vineyards-lined Cismo River bring us to the fascinating town of Bassano del Grappa. As the name suggests, Grappa (eau de vie) is one of the specialties here. The centuries-old art of colorfully handcrafted ceramics is the other. We treat you to a tour of the ceramic museum, stroll through the picturesque alleyways and have lunch before continuing with our ride to a family-owned Grappa distillery established in the 15th century for a tour and tasting.Grappa Tour We later cycle through the vast farmland and to sleepy villages where two appearances of the Virgin Mary signaled the end of the plague and prompted the construction of a hilltop cathedral. This 17th century basilica now houses two great paintings and is the spot for views of nearby Vicenza. This impressive city turned out to be Palladioâ€™s personal â€œshowcaseâ€; as all the main buildings were designed or reconstructed by him. Filled with colorful markets, cafes and gregarious people this city is a favorite that should not be missed. Lunch: In Bassano del Grappa (cafÃ©, restaurant or snack bars as well as picnic are options to choose). Lodging: Friendly 3*** hotel in the car free, quiet medieval heart of Vicenza. Dinner: Great family-run Trattoria in the medieval walking district of Vicenza.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

All 3 & 4-star accommodation with breakfast
Five full course dinners and 1 lunch
Prosecco Winery & Grapperia tours & tastings
Private City Tour of Vicenza & Visit of Canova's Gypsoteca & Palladian Villas
BIKE RENTAL of quality upright 27-speed touring bikes equipped with handlebar bags (your clipless pedals can be mounted
but remember to bring your shoes, bike gloves and shorts.) Quality road bikes are available upon request at an additional charge
Route note, maps and marked routes
All tour transfers including meet/depart, van support and luggage transfer
Multi-lingual guide(s)
All entrance fees mentioned in itinerary

What's Not Included

Airfare
Beverages
Trip insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal items
Guide tips.

Pricing & Availability

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