dossier
Venetian Hills Walk
VENETIAN HILLS WALK | WHERE YOU STAY
Agriturismo Il Feudo AA
Cortela, Days 1+8
This lovely agriturismo is a charming, tranquil place in the middle of the vineyards. The rooms are simple but comfortable in style with polished pine floorboards, brightly colored counterpanes and immaculate white ensuite bathrooms.
Day 1 Arrive in Cortelà
We pick you up at Vicenza station and take you to Gabriella and Alessandro’s farmhouse (40 mins) in time for dinner in their cozy dining room.
Day 2 Cortelà/Este 18km/11mi/6hr
Across bright poppy fields, then through mountain ash and oak forests to the hamlet of Valnogaredo. The convent of Beatrice d’Este crowns the next hill, Monte Gemola. Glorious views over Este as you descend through woodlands, past Byron’s former villa, into the old town. Our hotel lies opposite the castle.
Hotel Beatrice d’Este ***
Este, Days 2+3
The Hotel Beatrice d’Este is a pleasant hotel just on the edge of the main town of Este. Some of the rooms look over the castle and others face the hill behind it on which Byron’s villa stands. The rooms are pleasantly decorated in floral pastels and have satellite TV, air conditioning and direct dial telephone.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 3 In Este
Everyone loves Este. It has a very Venetian feel, criss-crossed by a narrow canal and with an imposing golden clocktower and immaculately preserved C14 mediaeval walls. There’s a public pool (June-Sept), or it’s a short bus ride to the walled city of Montagnana, famous for it’s hams.
Day 4 Este/Galzignano 11km/7mi/4hr or 13km/8mi/4.5hr
A lift to Arquà Petrarca, still as it was when Petrarch came here in 1370. Visit his well preserved house, then walk up geranium decked streets and past sumptuous 15C villas into the serene hills, not a soul in sight except for the odd wine grower in the fields. You descend through cherry and plum orchards to the fabulous Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio, whose 17C Italian gardens are the best in the region.
Hotel Belvedere ***
Galzignano Terme, Days 4+5
The Hotel Belvedere is situated in the outskirts of Galzignano,on the edge of the vines on the way to the nearby wine village of Torreglia. You’ll feel immediately at home here – especially given the warm welcome you receive from the hospitable Ottolitri family. The hotel is cozy throughout, from the welcoming lounge area where you can relax before or after dinner with its pastel colored cozy armchairs and open fire, to the bedrooms, all decorated in their own floral pattern. The rooms are almost English in style with their flowered chintz bedspreads and dainty bedside lamps, but the view outside reminds you you’re far from home. Half of the rooms look out over the garden - the first floor rooms have terraces which open right out onto it - whereas the rooms at the front of the hotel look out onto the backdrop of the vineyards.
Day 5 At Galzignano
Catch the local bus (35 mins excl Suns) to Padua, the region’s second art city. View the Capella degli Scrovegni (Giotto frescoes), admire Donatello’s Gattemalata statue or savour a cappucino in the largest square in Italy! Or treat yourself to a spa/massage at Montegrotto - great for aching muscles!
Day 6 Galzignano / Teolo 13km/8mi/4hr
Ascending through olive and lemon groves you reach Monte Rua hermitage - popular lunch stop. A woodland path leads towards Rocca Pendice, an imposing volcanic stone massif. You skirt round it to enjoy breathtaking views across the chain of hills as you descend to Teolo, the only “alpine” village here.
Our hotel, an exquisite Liberty Villa, lies above the square.
Villa Lussana ***
Teolo, Days 6+7
The hotel is a beautifully restored Liberty villa, with an attractive peach and white façade. Being slightly above the main square, its large terrace enjoys glorious views over the valley. The rooms are elegantly furnished to match the Liberty décor, which has been maintained throughout. They have all the modern comforts too: television, telephone, mini bar, cunningly concealed behind the grandiose décor.
Further details on the hotel website.
Day 7 At Teolo
Supposedly the birthplace of the Roman historian Livy, Teolo is alive with history, and many of the buildings from its Serenissima heyday remain. Or there’s a lovely circular walk around Monte Della Madonna taking in a hermit’s cave and cascading waterfall. For a longer day out take the bus/train to Venice: St Mark’s Square, Doges’ Palace, Peggy Guggenheim Museum.
Day 8 Teolo/Cortelà 11km/7mi/3.5hr or 19km/12mi/5hr
Walking through rows of lush green vines you reach the highest point of the holiday, on the flanks of Monte Venda (603m). The plain is mapped out before you, with views towards the Berici hills near Vicenza. Then through oak and chestnut forests, and down through vineyards and olive groves, to Gabriella
and Alessandro’s farmhouse for a spot of well earned wine tasting!
Day 9 Return home
WALKING DETAILS
This walk is of easy/medium difficulty. It mainly follows forest paths and country lanes, with just a few brief steep sections.
For extra nights we recommend Teolo, Venice or Verona.