When you are in Vicenza, everything around you expresses art. Look up to see how the Palladian Basilica dominates Piazza dei Signori with its majestic covered walkway or loggia. Enter the streets of the historic centre and at every corner you can find a palazzo, a church, a museum, a detail that reveals the greatness of Andrea Palladio. Its Olympic Theatre will leave you breathless, as though crossing the threshold of a fantasy. Then follow the afternoon light, cross the Bacchiglione River and reach Villa La Rotonda, an icon of architectural perfection surrounded by greenery.
But Vicenza is also a lively city, withfamous shops, restaurants that celebrate culinary tradition, open-air markets and events that animate the squares. You can explore on foot or by bike, stopping in hidden gardens or historic cafes to enjoy the laid-back pace of this city of art.
Nearby await walled cities, villages and ancient noble residences to complete your journey. Each place has a story to tell and an atmosphere all its own with unique experiences.
After the art and history, it's time to take some long deep breaths of fresh air. The Berici Hills are an ideal break and an opportunity to venture through vineyards, woods and scenic roads. You can cross them on foot, by bike or on horseback, with the scent of grapes accompanying you along the way. And then there is the cuisine: at a farmhouse surrounded by greenery, with a dish of Vicenza salted cod and a glass of Tai Rosso, the flavour of this land is slowly discovered.
The journey continues through the hills and valleys of the Venetian Pedemontana, the foot of the mountains, a territory that surprises with its variety. Here you can walk along paths that encounter medieval castles and villages, or travel the historic pilgrimage roads and cycle routes. Just follow the thread of local traditions and excellence to discover villages, huts and authentic flavours.
As you move from one location to another, the Palladian Villas will appear before your eyes, like gems embedded in the fields and hills. The villas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also living places, which reveal an aristocratic past and the inimitable genius of Andrea Palladio.
After crossing cities, hills and villages, the journey ends at high altitude, where the air becomes cooler and nature dominates the landscape. On the Vicentine Prealps and the Asiago Plateau of Seven Municipalities, you can choose from many sports in winter or trails to explore in summer, all with an expanse of landscapes and delicious food and wine traditions.
Segna il confine tra le Province di Treviso, Vicenza e Belluno, ma più che dividerle, le unisce in un paesaggio straordinario. Qui la montagna è dolce e selvaggia insieme, con pascoli d'alta quota, boschi fitti e valli scavate dall'acqua. Ma è anche un luogo di memoria: il Sacrario Militare, con le sue bianche arcate, domina la vetta e racconta una storia incisa nella pietra e nel vento.