Day 1

Arrive at Venice airport and transfer to our delightful villa hotel near Vicenza where we spend the first three nights. After check-in we will meet for a drinks reception in the hotel. Villa Michaelangelo (R)

Day 2

We drive north to the edge of the plateau dei Sette Comuni. We begin our trip with a delightful walk through the villages on the edge of the mighty Dolomite massif as we descend along ridges to the lovely town of Lugo di Vicenza. Here we make a stop at the Villa Godi, the first to be designed by Palladio and a great introduction to our subject. After our private visit we return to our hotel by road. (B,PL,D)

Day 3

Today we visit the fine medieval town of Vicenza, home of Palladio for most of his life. Here we can examine the Basilica, one of his greatest projects, the Teatro Olimpico and the superb palazzi that line the main streets. In the afternoon we stroll out of the town centre to the wonderfully positioned Villa Rotonda, one of Palladio's last masterpieces, before returning to our hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 4

Our route leaves Vicenza to the east as we begin our walk across the outer reaches of the Berici hills before descending to the village of Costozza, dotted with villas. From here we drive on to the ancient university town of Padua where we spend the next three nights. Majestic Toscanelli (B,L,D)

Day 5

We spend today in the learned city of Padua, where one of the greatest joys of medieval art is located, the Scrovegni chapel. This is Giotto's masterpiece and was to change the face of painting forever. This is also the home of Saint Anthony and his basilica is another masterwork of art. The town itself is a delight to wander in and admire and we will have plenty of free time to enjoy the life on the street. (B)

Day 6

Our walk today goes south into the Colli Euganei. This is northern Italian countryside at its best, dotted with beautiful villas and spectacular villages. Our destination is Arqua Petrarca, Petrarch's last home, and the great town of Este. We return to Padua by road. (B,PL,D)

Day7

We drive along the Brenta Riviera, following the canal which first enabled the Venetians to move inland and establish their villas in the newly reclaimed farmland. Along the way we can admire many great villas and especially the Villa Foscari at Malcontenta, one of Palladio's most successful designs. In the afternoon we turn to the north as we visit first Cornaro, emulated to great effect in the United States, and also the Villa Emo at Fanzolo. We continue to the delightful medieval town of Bassano where we spend the next three nights. Hotel Ca Sette.(B,PL,D)

Day 8

We begin our day with a stroll through the delightful town of Bassano del Grappa, full of fine buildings and home of the fiery grappa drink as well as the unusual wooden bridge originally designed by Palladio. Our walk today leads us from Bassano across rolling hills to the extraordinary town of Marostica, entirely surrounded by its C13 walls. Return to Bassano by road. (B,PL,D)

Day 9

A lovely high level walk takes us into the Monte Grappa which rises to nearly six thousand feet above the Venetian countryside with views down to the coast in one direction and up to the great peaks of the Dolomites in the other. Our walk leads back down towards Bassano for our last evening in this delightful town. (B,PL,D)

Day 10

We begin the day with a short drive to the West as our walk leads along a ridge of hills then down to the town of Possagno, home of the great neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova, so closely associated with some of Palladio's villas. From here it is a short ride to the beautiful village of Asolo which where we stay for the next two nights. Our home is the superb Villa Cipriani, one of the great hotels of Italy, located in the heart of the village "of a thousand horizons". Villa Cipriani. (B,L,D)

Day 11

A full days walking in the Asolo hills leads us to one of the last great villas created by Palladio, the Villa Barbaro at Maser, which is not only decorated with the marvelous frescoes of Veronese but also boasts superb sculptural works of Allesandro Vittoria to create an almost perfect masterpiece. We return to Asolo by road. (B,PL,D)

Day 12

Return to Venice airport by road. (B)