Terraferma: Artistic Treasures in Venice's Hinterland

Flight from London to Venice and transfer to Hotel Campo Marzio in Vicenza where we start the tour with a group dinner.

Vicenza was given its unmistakable look by the buildings designed by Andrea Palladio: the town hall, better known as ‘basilica’ and the Teatro Olimpico are joined by handsome classicising palazzi, which we shall view as well as altarpieces by Giovanni Bellini and Veronese in the recently restored church of S. Corona. After lunch, transfer to the Villa Rotonda, designed by Palladio, also known as the Villa Capra, derived from the Capra brothers, who completed the building after it was ceded to them in 1592. Our final visit of the day takes us to the Sanctuary of the Madonna standing at the top of Monte Berico overlooking the city. The Sanctuary was built following appearances of the Virgin Mary during a terrible plague which then miraculously ceased, after the construction was finished in 1428.

Today, we have a full day excursion by coach in the Veneto Prealps. In the morning we visit Bassano del Grappa, where Palladio’s bridge dramatically spans the River Brenta between steeply rising embankments, making this busy Alpine market town a place of strategic importance. The town’s most prodigious artistic talents, Jacapo Bassano and his sons, are sometimes overlooked – unjustly so, as is borne out by the excellent collection of their work on display in the civic museum, while Palazzo Sturn houses an important collection of prints and ceramics. In the afternoon, we will visit the enchanting hilltop borgo of Asolo, which has long been praised for its beautiful view: in 1500 Caterina Cornaro, exiled queen of Cyprus, held court here, making it a favourite destination for generations of poets from Pietro Bernbo to Rober Browning in search of idylls. Return via Castelfranco, a small walled outpost of Treviso against rival Padua. Tucked away in the cathedral is Giorgione’s groundbreaking Castelfranco Altarpiece.

In the morning, we travel by coach to Verona for a full day excursion. Neatly set into a loop of the Adige River, Verona boasts superb Roman monuments: the huge amphitheatre of the Arena and marble city gates attest to the city’s significance in Antiquity. Verona’s continued importance from the early Middle Ages to the rule of the della Scala clan in the 14th century is manifest in many outstanding works of art and architecture, from the historical bronze doors of the basilica of San Zeno to the equestrian monument of Cangrande della Scala. Submitting to Venice in 1405, Verona continued to flourish; its churches and museums boasting works by Pisanello, Mantegna, Titian and Paolo Veronese, the city’s greatest native painter.

Claiming to owe its origins to the Trojan Antenor, is home to one of Italy’s oldest universities. Classical roots and learning brought fame far superior to that of the mercantile upstart, Venice – at least according to many Renaissance Paduans. The long list of luminaries in the city includes Dante and Petrarch. On our all-day excursion by coach to Padua, we will explore great buildings, such as the town hall and baptistery, but above all we will enjoy an extended visit to the Scrovengni Chapel with Giotto’s unparalleled fresco cycle. In and around the pilgrimage church of San’Antonio, we will explore works by Altichiero, Donatello, Mantegna and Titian.

Check out and transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport for our return flight to London.