Hidden Italy
Holiday Highlights
- Stay in medieval Castelfranco with fantastic views of the walled old town
- Experience extraordinary Vicenza, both ancient and modern, and the best place to view Palladio’s architectural masterpieces – complimentary museum pass included
- Visit atmospheric Mantova, the inspiration for artists, poets and composers
- See the enchanting riverside town of Bassano del Grappa in the foothills of the Prealps, and sample its famous liqueur
- Tour Villa Sandi, the palatial headquarters of a renowned Prosecco producer, and its impressive underground cellars
- Choose an included visit to Palazzo Ducale, or to Sigurtà Garden Park
- Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Brenta Canal and see the elegant Venetian villas of the elite (2023 only)
- Visit ancient Padova with its astonishing array of architectural styles and the famed university where Galileo once taught
- Five nights in centrally located four-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast
What's Included
- The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms and are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Return flights
- Five nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- All local taxes and transfers
- All tours as mentioned
- Entrances to Parco Sigurtà or Palazzo Ducale, Grappa Museum, Vicenza Museum Pass
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
Itinerary
Day 1
You fly to Venice, Treviso or Verona airport. On arrival, we transfer by coach to Castelfranco Veneto and your hotel, the four-star Albergo Roma, for the next five nights. Castelfranco Veneto’s historic centre is a maze of narrow streets and tiny squares, protected within remarkably preserved, red-bricked ramparts. The town was established when the rulers of Treviso had a castle built in 1199 to defend against the neighbouring Padovans. Over time, it grew into a key trading post between Venice and northern Europe. Every corner of Castelfranco Veneto proudly evokes the presence of its most famous resident, the artist Giorgione whose pièce de résistance, the Madonna and Child, can be found in the town’s magnificent cathedral. Also worth a visit is the beautiful 18th-century Academic Theatre with some of the best acoustics in Italy. Just beyond the walls and a stone’s throw away from your hotel is Piazza Giorgione, one of the largest squares in the region.
Day 2
Over the centuries, the rivers flowing into the Venetian lagoon were ingeniously diverted to prevent siltation. As the canalised Brenta became a popular transport route, elegant Venetian villas, holiday homes of the elite, began to appear along its length. One of the most relaxing ways to view these legacies of a leisured existence is to take a canal cruise, and that is exactly what we will do this morning. Just as the wealthy would have travelled between Venice and their villas on the Burchiello, we board a contemporary version of this vessel, equipped with comfortable seats and a deck offering panoramic views. Our mini-cruise takes us past the 18th-century Villa Widmann where composer Stravinsky once stayed, as well as various villages, swing bridges and several locks. We disembark in Dolo, where our coach awaits. During our journey, we see the grandiose Villa Pisani, the Doge’s palace fronted by mighty sculptures. Soon we arrive in Padova, a dynamic city which deserves to be recognised for more than its remarkable university, founded in 1222 and Italy’s second oldest. Explore the fine piazzas of the historic centre and be amazed by the diverse architectural styles: the Baptistry of the Duomo contains one of the country’s most complete medieval fresco cycles; the Renaissance Loggia della Gran Guardia once housed the Council of Nobles; and bustling Caffè Pedrocchi, ever-popular with students and intellectuals, was built to resemble a Classical temple. Particularly outstanding is the exotic Basilica di Sant’Antonio, one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Italy. Beneath its distinctive Byzantine domes rests the tomb of Padova’s patron saint. Another unmissable jewel is the extraordinary Cappella degli Scrovegni. The chapel’s interiors are entirely covered with Giotto’s lyrical frescoes, which greatly influenced the development of European art. On the same site is a major museum complex which occupies a group of 14th-century monastic buildings attached to the church of the Eremitani, a reclusive Augustinian order. For 2024 tours We have removed the Brenta canal cruise and replaced with additional free time to explore the town of Padova.
4* Albergo Roma - Castelfranco Veneto
Perfectly positioned just opposite the walled historic centre of Castelfranco Veneto and the lively market square, the four-star Albergo Roma offers marvellous views of the medieval ramparts and impressive tower. Completely refurbished in 2016, the superb hotel has comfortable rooms with everything you’d expect from a hotel of this standard. A hearty breakfast buffet and panoramic views await you every morning in the bright and airy restaurant on the top floor, which also serves delicious dishes at dinner.
Please note the use of air-conditioning in hotels in Italy is at the hotel’s discretion and is normally restricted to the summer months (mid-May to mid-September), depending on the temperature.