Day trips not to be missed!

For those who want to visit Veneto Region, there are  many prestigious destinations in the area of notable artistic and cultural interest: about 2 hours' drive you can reach the charming Venice or Cortina d'Ampezzo, pearl of the Dolomites; in one hour you can arrive in Asolo, Treviso and Bassano. We suggest you some itinerary:

Maser, Asolo and Possagno

These three gorgeous towns, located at the foot of Asolo Hills, are the ideal destination for a day trip dedicated to art, history and culture.

Maser,  this small village at the foot of Asolo Hills preserve one of the masterpieces of Andrea Palladio: Villa Barbaro, built in 1560 by the will of a Patriarch of Aquileia, has splendid frescoes by Paolo Veronese.

Asolo is a charming medieval village defined by Carducci "the city of a hundred horizons" for the beauty of the surrounding landscape, has always fascinated many personalities. The Queen of Cyprus Caterina Cornaro turned it into a prestigious literary salon; it was then chosen as residence from the "Divine" Eleonora Duse, the writers Freya Stark, Robert Browning and Pietro Bembo. Emblem of Asolo is its Castle: situated at the summit of Mount Ricco it allows an exceptional view 360°. The historic city center offers many romantic and artistic pearls, like the sixteenth-century fountain in Piazza Garibaldi, the ancient cathedral or  the Duse Theatre inside the  Coronaro Castle. Other highlights include Villa degli Armeni, the Civic Museum and Palazzo Beltramini.

Possagno is famous for being the birthplace of Antonio Canova. Here we find also the famous Gipsoteca which contains the plaster models and numerous original studies of his works. In front of the Gipsoteca begins the long road leading to the Canova Temple, which holds his tomb.

Treviso

Treviso is an interesting city that you can visit in one day, appreciating the quiet of its historic center protected by sixteenth century walls. The slow flow of the rivers Sile and Cagnano, which winds through the streets, give Treviso a unique charm. The painted facades and porticoes buildings - mirrored in the water - remember Venice. The city heart and meeting place of Treviso citizens is Piazza dei Signori, with its Palazzo dei Trecento and the elegant Loggia Dei Cavalieri. A visit should be paid to the Dome, with the wonderful altarpiece of the Annunciation painted by Tiziano. Other art treasures are housed in the museum complex of Santa Caterina dei servi di Maria, that includes the cycle of stories of St. Ursula by Tommaso da Modena, and some works by Bellini, Lotto, Tiziano and J. Bassano.

Bassano and Marostica

In Bassano enjoy a stroll through the narrow streets, under ancient arcades, in small squares and cross the famous bridge Ponte degli Alpini, designed by Palladio. Interesting also the Civic Museum which houses the largest collection of Da Ponte and an important collection of the sculptor and painter A. Canova and the civic tower in Piazza Garibaldi. Ezzelini Castle offers a wonderful panoramic view over the Brenta river, on the Asiago Plateau and Grappa massif with its numerous defensive structures and monuments in memory of the First World War.

Marostica is a pretty town only few kilometers south of Bassano that still preserves the ancient walls built by  La Scala lordship, with four gateways and two castles - Upper and Lower- the magic atmosphere is increased by the beautiful Chess Square, where living characters plays the most famous chess game of Italy (once every 2 years).

Cansiglio Forest and the Caves of Caglieron

A day can be spent on the Cansiglio Plateau, reachable in about an hour. First stop are the wonderful Caglieron caves: site in a narrow gorge where the Caglieron creek flows, craving the soft rock and forming gorges and crystal water slides and -falls. The surrounding caves, dug since Roman times for the extraction of the rock, complete the context in which the beautiful trail leads. Illuminated at night with colored LEDs, it creates a magical setting, especially in winter when the visitor can admire hundreds of icy stalactites. You can then drive other 15 minutes and reach  one of the most beautiful forests of northern Italy : Cansiglio forest, crossed by several trails.

Conegliano and Vittorio Veneto

At east, where the Prosecco Road ends, there are other these two interesting towns.

Conegliano has Roman origins and, thanks to its prime location, has seen over the centuries the succession of various lordships. Testimony of its history are the impressive fortifications and its magnificent castle, from whose top you can admire a wonderful view  and which is today also the  Civic Museum. Visit the ancient Via XX Settembre, aslo called Contrada Granda -economic and cultural heart of the city- and the nice Piazza Cima. Among the wonderful frescoed buildings of Contrada Granda are embedded: the Dome, with beautiful exterior frescoes and important paintings inside, the Theatre Academy and the Town Hall.

Moving north you can reach in about 15 minutes Vittorio Veneto, another beautiful town that grounds its origin in Roman age, when it was divided in two villages Serravalle and Ceneda. In Serravalle worth a visit the church of Santa Giustian, with Rizzardo VI’s mausoleum, and the church of St. John the Baptist, with frescoes of the XV cent. Walking towards the city center you meet the “Castrum” Castle of Serravalle. Interesting are also the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova, with “Madonna in Glory with Saints” by Tiziano, the S.Augusta Shrine of the Renaissance age. By Ceneda you can visit the Cathedral with adjoining Loggia and the bishop's castle of St. Martin.

Castelfranco Veneto

Castelfranco owes its name to the Castle and its characteristic walls in red brick that protects the old town, enclosing many considerable artistic pearls, such as San Liberale Dom, which preserves the altarpiece of the “Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints” painted by Giorgione. Also to see the house where the artist lived: Casa Pellizzari, the Revedin-Bolasco’s villa of the eighteenth century with its beautiful garden and outdoor theater, the church of St. Maria di Pieve and the Academic Theatre.