Venice & The Veneto Walking Tour

Itinerary at a glance

We meet in Venice (3 nights) for an afternoon stroll to Piazza San Marco. The magnificent square is ringed by elegant cafés, overshadowed by the soaring Campanile, and focused on the resplendent Basilica di San Marco, which we explore. By vaporetto (water taxi), we spend a day on Venice's outlying islands—Murano, for a private demonstration in one of the ancient glass studios; Torcello, whose small village gives way to green countryside where we walk and picnic; and Burano, a colorful fishing village renowned for lace-making. An amble through classic Venice includes the tranquil Cannaregio district, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal.

Leaving Venice by boat, a lovely exploration along the Brenta River is highlighted by stunning villas by Palladio and other classic architects. We spend the day at a few of the finest—including famed Villa Malcontenta, exploring their interiors as well as grand gardens that virtually define Italian style. The day ends in the vineyards of Bassano del Grappa where fiery grappa is a by-product of wine production. Fortified with a magnificent breakfast on the terrace of our restored villa in Follina (2 nights), we enjoy our favorite walk of the week, past chestnut orchards and through the prosecco vineyards. Then we settle into the medieval village of Asolo (1 night), in the shadow of the pre-Alps. Venetian aristocrats built villas here and supported musicians, poets and painters whose effect is still strongly felt. Our walks here lead to a picnic in the olive groves and a chance to examine artisans' wares in colorful shops. Our final day we part company in Venice.