Partenza al mattino da Torcello .
Sfiorando le isole di Murano e Burano navigheremo alla volta di Venezia And finally Venice !!

Countryside and Lagoon

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

Travelling with specially adapted traditional boats, we experience the very best gastronomy and historical insight into the area, reflecting its very historical and cultural essence. We finish by cruising the magical expanses and islands of the Venetian lagoon, the perfect end to a comprehensive tour which offers a peerless insight to the cultural phenomenon that was the Venetian Villa. A unique chance to embark on a privileged journey through one of the greatest historical and cultural regions of Italy.
Staying in private castles and villas and using old and traditional

methods of transport restored to the highest quality, this exceptional itinerary combines the beauty of the Veneto countryside, with the elegance of its private homes and villas where you will be received. Starting in the atmospheric Euganean hills which surround the beautiful city of Padova, we explore the countryside, rich with medieval towns, villas and castles, by its network of ancient carriageways and canals.

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Countryside and Lagoon

1st day - Lispida

On your arrival, you will be transferred to the Castle of Lispida, a beautiful private nineteenth century neo-gothic castle where you will spend the next two nights.
The castle, named the Villa Italia, 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 before dining in the Villa Italia, which was a mediaeval monastery before being restored to its actual state in 1792.
After dinner we transfer to Arquà Petrarca, the charming medieval village which is home to the last house of the fourteenth century poet, Petrarch.
The village is particularly suggestive in the evening and is a most beautiful place in which to enjoy a walk after dinner.

Countryside and Lagoon

We arrive at the striking mediaeval walled town of Monselice to visit its magnificent castle, dating from the 11th century.

The villa Emo was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, the protégé of Palladio. The Countess 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 Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio.

2nd day - Lispida-Monselice

The Villa, situated in a stunning valley, is surrounded by one of the most important baroque gardens in the Veneto, and one of the few to rival those of the Roman countryside. The garden harmoniously mixes classical and romantic elements to create a paradise filled with statues, fountains, architectural decorations, loggias, a labyrinth and its famous ‘water games'.

Today we have the rare privilege of travelling on a private carriageway in a beautifully restored 19th century English horse-drawn carriage.

However it was in the 15th century after the conquest of Monselice by the Venetian Republic, that the Castle became a property of the Marcello family, one of Venice’s principal noble families.The Marcello family built the Palazetto Marcello which linked the 13th century Ezzelino tower and the castle’s Romanesque part.

After lunch we rejoin the carriageway for a visit to the Castle of Catajo.

Special permission has been obtained in order to be able to use parts of this old carriageway which are strictly private.

Built in 1570 by Marquis Pio Enea degli Obizzi, Captain of the Venetian troops. The castle has a host of gardens, terraces andcourtyards, with the important 18th century ‘Fountain of the Elefant’.
Its rooms are enriched by wonderful frescoes by G.B Zelotti. The castle is surrounded by its own beautiful park with a suggestive lake and deer park.

As we return to Lispida for sunset there will be time to relax before we dine.

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.

Countryside and Lagoon

We stop for lunch at Villa Molin, designed in 1597 by Vincenzo Scamozzi.
After lunch we resume our cruise of the Battaglia canal, bound for Padova.

3th day - Battaglia-Padova

The city boasts a profound cultural and historical patrimony, including a University that is among the oldest and most renowned in Europe. We are able to arrive in the very centre of Padova, only footsteps away from the Cappella degli Scrovegni, the masterpiece of fourteenth century Italian and European painting. It boasts the most comprehensive collection of preserved frescoes painted by Giotto (1303-1305). In the thirty-six scenes, the great Florentine master depicted the lives of Mary and Jesus, illustrating the theme of the Redemption which is concluded on the entrance hall with the Last judgement.

The villa, very much inspired by palladian architecture, is typically organised around one central hall covered in beautiful eighteenth century frescoes, a magical place to relax and enjoy lunch.

We spend today exploring the Battaglia Canal onboard a beautifully restored 1930’s Caorlìna, a classical Venetian Lagoon boat.

Few examples of traditionally-built caorlìne have been conserved, it was typically used for transport and fishing, and in this case been specially restored in order to transport our guests. We cruise this important waterway that will take us all the way to the medieval centre of Padova.

This evening we dine at the beautiful Villa Ferri, by kind invitation of Count Ferri. After dinner you can walk the centre of Padova and explore the elegant squares, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta, and the famous Caffè Pedrocchi decorated in a unique neo-classic style.

Countryside and Lagoon

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.
Night and meal at Villa Allegri

4th day - 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.

The canal culminates directly into the Venetian Lagoon and is therefore saturated with important villas and houses built and used by wealthy and aristocratic Venetians.

This immense complex, almost royal in size was erected in 1735 on a plan by Gerolamo Frigimelica and Francesco Maria Preti. The Villa is surrounded by a large park with a labyrinth, stables and gardens. Perhaps its most famous room is its magnificent ballroom decorated with frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo.

Here we stop for a private visit to see the famous frescoes which cover every inch of the Villa, we will also see its Romantic nineteenth century English garden on the banks of the Brenta. The Villa is now again in the hands of the Foscari family for whom it was originally commissioned, despite changes of ownership throughout the centuries.

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Countryside and Lagoon

As we enter the Venetian Lagoon, bound for Chioggia we stop at the beautiful Valle Zappa whose foundations date from 1400.

As we sail into Choggia we prepare to check-in at the famous Grande Italia Hotel, which overlooks the main Corso and the Lagoon itself.

5th day - Oriago-Chioggia

The hotel which has recently been restored dates from the first years of 1900.
The ancient city of Chioggia occupies two long, parallel islands, with the Canal della Vena passing in between them. Even though Chioggia has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, it has always hung on to its regular chequerboard town plan, perhaps reflecting its Roman past.
Indeed under the Romans the city became an important port astride the sea and river routed to Padova.
The fortune of Chioggia is now firmly built on its fishing industry, indeed its canals are often busy with numerous fishing boats and other bragozzi which are still used for fishing.

This morning we bid farewell to the Caorlìna and board EOLO, a uniquely and exquisitely restored bragozzo - and antique boat originating from Chioggia whose design dates back to the days of the Doges.

However its current curious and suggestive architecture date from 1925. The building is truly unique and has been recognised as work of immense architectural interest, its panoramic views over the Lagoon makes it a magical stop off before we lunch in the lagoon.

The boat, christened Eolo, which has fully working sails, is designed for the waters of the lagoon and traditionally flat-bottomed. The boat also has a kitchen from which our host, Mauro Stoppa can prepare delicious meals using the freshest fish and vegetables available.

As we cruise towards the maritime city of Chioggia, we drop anchor in a secluded and well chosen spot and enjoy one of EOLO’s renowned lunches, cooked and served on board.
The produce all originates from the Venetian Lagoon and therefore reflects the very character of this magical expanse.

Countryside and Lagoon

6th day - 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 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! After the inhabitants of the island had successfully helped the Venetians defeat Chioggia, Poveglia was granted autonomous status, something of immense political importance.

Again we are treated to a special dinner on board EOLO as we make our way towards Venice. This evening we are guests at the luxurious seventeenth century Villa Ca’del Borgo.

Countryside and Lagoon

After lunch 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 Torcello 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.

7th day - 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. We will arrive at Torcello in time for lunch at one of Venice’s most renowned restaurants, the Locanda Cipriani.

We spend the night at the Villa S. Giovanni Evangelista , a private villa on the island of Torcello.
The guest-house was originally a fifteenth century convent and in its vast grounds which surround the house are the ruins of the Basilica di San Giovanni.

The Island is of great cultural and historical importance, its Byzantine church has a highly important iconostasis and mosaics. Ruskin described the ancient church as rising from the waters “like the prow of a great ship”.