dossier

Venetian Hills Walk

Day 1: Arrive in Cortela
We pick you up at Vicenza station and take you to Gabriella and Alessandro’s farmhouse (40 mins) in time for dinner in their cosy dining room.

Day 2: Cortela/Este  15km/9mi/5hr
Across wheat fields bright with poppies, then through mountain ash and oak forests to the hamlet of Valnogaredo. The 18C Villa Contarini here has frescoes by the famous Tiepolo school. 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.

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 castle. There’s a public pool (June- Sept), or it’s a short ride from here by bus or train to Montagnana or Monselice.

Day 4: Este/Galzignano   11km/7mi/4hr
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 Valsanzibio, whose 17C Italian gardens are the best in the region.

Day 5: At Galzignano
Catch the local bus (20 mins) to Padua, the region’s second art city. View the Capella degli Scrovegni (Giotto frescoes), admire Donatello’sGattemalatastatue or savour a cappucinoin the largest square in Italy! For a longer day out, Venice is just a 1hr train ride away: St Mark’s Square, Doges’ Palace, Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

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.

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, Venice is just a 1hr train ride away: St Mark’s Square, Doges’ Palace, Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

Day 8: Teolo/Cortela 9km/6mi/2.5hr or 16km/10mi/6hr
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