Situated at the borders of Italy, Austria and Switzerland, the Venosta Valley has been a major thoroughfare of the Central Alps since Ancient times. The Roman Via Claudia Augusta, built under the Emperor Augustus, served as a link between the Po plains over the Alps to the Danube. Ever since, this road was controlled by a chain of mighty castles. Some have been altered into veritable palaces later on. En route to Lombardy, Charlemagne and his entourage passed through the Val Venosta several times, founding monasteries and building churches along the way. At the same time, the Venosta and its side valleys have always been well guarded and protected by the rugged mountain ranges of this region. Thus many of these ecclesiastical foundations with all their splendid stucco furnishings and colourful fresco paintings have survived the storms of time unscathed. At the gates of the Val Venosta lies the sun-drenched spa town of Merano, the original capital of Tyrol. Its Mediterranean climate with a lush vegetation of palms, cypresses and cedars and its fresh, clean air made it a favourite summer retreat for the Habsburg, Russian, French and British aristocracy in the 19th century. The spa atmosphere is reflected in the town’s urban architecture with wide, shady promenades, splendid hotel buildings and grand residences, an ideal base for this Art Pursuits Abroad holiday.
Dates:
27 June 2021
Prices:
All prices listed are per person
Twin/double share: from £2790
No flights price: £2590 - call for details
Double room for sole use supplement: £50
Deposit: £250