Eolo Itinerari

From the Hills to the Lagoon

Persons: Max 8 - Min 4 Duration: 8 days Embarkation: Venice, Tessera

This delightful itinerary offers nights in castles and private villas, trips in carriages and other old-fashioned transport: it combines the beautiful Veneto hinterland with elegant villas, plus a special welcome from the private homes where you will be staying.

The itinerary starts at the Euganean Hills on the outskirts of Padua: we'll explore medieval cities, villas and castles across a network of ancient streets and canals.
The journey continues on the Venetian lagoon among its islands, adding the finishing touch to a relaxing itinerary which offers you the incomparable panorama of the Veneto Villas.

Boats and traditional means of transport make for a unique journey in one of Italy's most historically, culturally and gastronomically rich regions.

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day One - Monselice
On your arrival, you will be transferred to the Villa Selvatico Sartori, a beautiful private sevententh century where you will spend the next three nights.
			The Villa, is situated in its own expansive park, in the middle of the Euganean hills, providing a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding mediaeval towns, castles and villas. There will be time to relax after your journey and enjoy with thermal care in the unique original cave of the area before dining in the Villa..
			After dinner, cooked by Eolo's team, we transfer to Arquà Petrarca, the charming medieval village which is home to the last house of the fourteenth century poet, Petrarch.

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day Two - Monselice
Travelling on a private carriageway in a beautifully restored 19th century English horse-drawn carriage. Visit the magnificent castle of Monselice, dating from the 11th century.				For lunch we have the extremely rare opportunity to stop at one of the Veneto's most important private villas, Villa Emo, by kind invitation of Countess Marina Emo. She will personally host us for lunch after a walk around her beautiful villa and famous renaissance garden, including a large variety of flowers and an exceptional rose garden.
				The day's touring ends with a private visit to the spectacular Castle of Catajo, built in 1570 rich of “fresco”. Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio with its famous "water games". As we return to Villa Selvatico for sunset there will be time to relax before we dine.

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day Three - Battaglia-Padova
We spend today exploring the Battaglia Canal onboard a beautifully restored 1930's Caorlìna, a classical Venetian boat used for the transport of goods and guests during venetian age. We stop for lunch in the center of Padova.

We are able to arrive in the very centre of Padova, only footsteps away from the Cappella degli Scrovegni. It boasts the most comprehensive collection of preserved frescoes painted by Giotto (1303-1305). And Palazzo della Ragione (dated 1440) or the University (dated 1222) This evening we dine in Monselice and the night will in Villa Selvatico.

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day Four - Portello-Mira
This Morning we rejoin the Caorlìna for a cruise on the Brenta Canal, the renowned water-way which linked the Venetian aristocrat to his Venetian Villa.
			We visit the stunning eighteenth century Villa Pisani at Strà. Afterwards we will visit the Molini di Dolo, the antique mill which is situated at Dolo, a lovely town situated on the Brenta which probably dates from the 13th century. For lunch we stop at the Villa Nani Mocenigo.
As we approach the Venetian lagoon we come to one of Palladio's most celebrated villas, and one of the most famous Venetian Villas, the Villa Malcontenta. Here we stop for a private visit to see the famous frescoes which cover every inch of the Villa. The dinner will be on board of Eolo and the night in Chioggia at hotel Grande Italia..

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day Five - Chioggia
This morning you will enjoy a guided tour of Chioggia, including the vibrant fishmarket, the Duomo and the grainstore dating from 1322. For lunch we board on EOLO and leave Chioggia for a cruise towards the island of Poveglia. The incredible history of this island is perhaps its most fascinating aspect, indeed it can technically be called a Republic inside a Republic.

			We reach Venice in the evening , where we stop for the night on the beautiful Palazzo Contarini built on XIV century owned from one the most famous family in Venice. Dinner at one of the most known Venice restaurant "La Corte Sconta"..

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day Six - Torcello
This morning we board EOLO for a cruise towards the beautiful island of Sant Erasmo, one of the lagoon's biggest producer of fruit and vegetables. As we leave Sant. Erasmo we cruise to the magical island of Torcello, one of Venice's oldest, and where some of the first settlers escaping the invading tribes first settled. The Island is of great cultural and historical importance, its Byzantine church has a highly important iconostasis and mosaics.

			After lunch at Locanda Cipriani we return to EOLO for a relaxing cruise to the remote Valle Perini, the only fishing ground to have adhered to the traditional method of fishing. As we return towards Venice for sunset, there will be time for an aperitivo before dinner is prepared onboard as we cruise the lagoon in its hours of tranquillity and calmness. Night at Palazzo Contarini.

From the Hills to the Lagoon
Day Seven - VENICE
	And finally Venice !! For the last day Venice with the lunch on board of Eolo at San Giorgio Island with S. Marco in front of us. The day include a tour on the Secret Garden of Venice leaded by Countess Tudy SanMartini author of some beautiful books on Venice. The lunch in a "bacaro" -a venetian osteria- near Rialto bridge. The afternoon will be at leisure. For dinner we will host from the countess Fulvia Sesani in her beautiful XV century palace near San Marco. Night in palazzo Contarini.
		Day Eight - VENICE Transfer to airport.