Palladian Villas of Veneto20th May 2025
From:£2,195
Summary
Veneto is one of Italy’s wealthiest regions, reflected in the extravagance of the grand villas and their stunning gardens. Many of the grand villas we visit were designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential individuals in the history of Western architecture.
Join us as we discover no fewer than six glorious villas on tour. The first on our list is one of the most recognisable buildings of the Renaissance the Palladian Masterpiece, Villa Rotonda. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed for elegant entertainment and is definitely one for art lovers — lavishly decorated with stucco and frescoes. We are honoured to be shown round by the owner himself, Count Valmarana.
A short walk along a leafy lane takes us to an outstanding architectural and artistic site, the Villa Valmarana. The surroundings were designed to suit different tastes, ranging from an Italian garden with a dovecote and well, to a pagoda in the woods. The villa is owned by a different branch of the Valmarana family, and we are privileged to be shown round by one of them before enjoying dinner in a room decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo.
It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio – not least because of the large maze within its gardens, but also thanks to its charming rabbit island. The exceptional Baroque gardens have been described as some of the most entertaining gardens in Italy. Amongst our visits to the remaining villas, we also enjoy some free time in the beautiful little town of Asolo “The City of a Hundred Horizons” is famous for its mountain settings. The Medieval walled town has long been favoured by the literary minded amongst us — including Ernest Hemingway and Robert Browning, who dedicated his poem ‘Epilogue to Asolando’ to the rural idyll. Our farewell dinner is a special affair, hosted by yet another member of the old Italian nobility, the Godi Malinverni family.
What to Expect
- Guided tour of Villa Rotonda with Count Valmarana
- A tour of historic Vicenza, known as la città di Palladio
- The gardens of Villa Barbarigo, the most complete historical garden in Europe
- Giambattista Tiepolo’s grand frescoes at Villa Valmarana
- Famous mazes at Villa Pisani
- Two dinners hosted by Italian aristocrats
Departure Routes
| Location | Pickup Time | Dropoff Time |
|---|---|---|
| London Airport | 00:00 | 00:00 |
| Venice Marco Polo Airport | 00:00 | 00:00 |
** Please note that all timings are approximate and subject to change. Final timings and pick-up points will be confirmed with your joining instructions approximately 10 days prior to departure. **
Day by Day Itinerary
We depart from London on a direct flight to Venice (Marco Polo) airport. On arrival we are met by a local coach and guide and depart for a visit to the grand gardens of Villa Pisani, in Stra, near Venice. When Alvise Pisani was elected Doge of Venice in 1735 he commissioned a grand villa to reflect his powerful status and originally the area behind the villa was filled with French parterres. These were replaced by a long pool of water which now dominates the garden, with the palace at one end and an ornate pavilion, converted into luxurious stables, at the other. Avenues provide further views along the length of the garden while a hexagonal belvedere overlooks the avenues in all directions. High walls enclose Pisani’s impressive array of greenhouses, where prize winning camellias were once grown.
We continue to our hotel in Schiavon, near Vicenza. In the evening we enjoy a welcome drink followed by dinner.
Meals includedDinner
