Explore Venetian Villas and Brenta Riviera from Venice. Discover historical landmarks, stunning landscapes, and artistic masterpieces. Follow in the footsteps of royalty and famous artists.
- Villa Valmarana - The Barchessa Valmarana is part of the rich artistic heritage of the Venetian Villas. Originally built as a lavish aristocratic residence in the 1600s, it was meticulously restored by sculptor Luciano Minguzzi in the latter half of the 20th century. Today, Villa Valmarana features the opulent rooms of the Barchessa and the lush gardens that surround it. If Villa Valmarana is closed, we will visit Villa Widmann Rezzonico Foscari.
- Museo Nazionale di Villa Pisani - Located along the Riviera del Brenta near Stra, Villa Pisani is a late Baroque Venetian villa, just a few kilometers from Venice. It is the most grandiose, largest, and most visited villa on the Riviera. Built on a pre-existing structure to celebrate the Pisani family’s glory when Alvise Pisani was elected doge in 1735, it later became Napoleon’s property after the fall of the Serenissima. In 1814, the Austrians took over, and when Venice joined the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, Vittorio Emanuele II stayed there briefly. Two years later, it became state property and has been a National Museum since the late 1800s. The villa has hosted numerous distinguished guests from across Europe, including Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Gustavo of Sweden, Maria Luigia of Parma, and many others. In 1934, Hitler and Mussolini met there.
- I Molini di Dolo - Built in the first half of the 16th century and immortalized in a famous painting by Canaletto, the mill of Dolo is one of the most picturesque sights in Dolo. The building’s façade features a copy of the Madonna dei Molini image, celebrated with a procession every year on April 26th. Today, I Mulini del Dolo houses a charming wine bar. The cozy interior still showcases the ancient mill gears, and visitors can enjoy typical dishes and a wide selection of cheeses and wines on sturdy wooden tables. The riverside aperitif offers one of the most beautiful views of the Riviera. Don’t miss the splendid veranda, where you can find blankets to keep warm with a good glass of wine during the colder seasons.
- Dolo - A small town on the Riviera del Brenta, Dolo is situated along the riverbanks, dividing the historic center into two hamlets. The Lower Island, the heart and oldest part of the town, lies in the middle. The area near the church was once known as Isola del Maltempo due to frequent flooding from the Brenta River. On the Isola Bassa, you’ll find the Seriola Veneta, a canal famous for carrying Brenta’s water to the lagoon’s edge, from where it was transported by burci (typical boats) to Venice’s wells. The charming houses and mills reflect on the Naviglio del Brenta, offering rare scenic views to those who stroll through the alleys and narrow squares. A visit to the squero, a traditional local building used for boat construction and repair, is a must. Also, don’t miss the Duomo with its 80-meter-high bell tower, the second tallest in Veneto after San Marco in Venice.
- Insurance and technical organization of a certified travel agency
- Accompaniment of the Agency Local Tour Leader
- Minivan transfer from the train station of Padua included
- Entrance ticket to visit the Barchessa Valmarana (or villa Widmann) and Villa Pisani
- Minivan tour along the Rivera del Brenta route
- Roundtrip transportation to the place of departure
- Traditional Italian life with your local guide
- Everyting not indicated
The Riviera del Brenta, a renowned waterway connecting Padua and Venice, offers a captivating panorama rich in history, nature, art, and culture. As a natural extension of the Venice Grand Canal, it is lined with charming Venetian villages and set against an agricultural backdrop. The Riviera del Brenta has intrigued many notable figures throughout history: Casanova, Galileo Galilei, Byron, Montesquieu, and D’Annunzio visited it; Canaletto, Cimaroli, and Tiepolo painted it; and it has been celebrated in the works of Goldoni and Goethe. The French and Russian royal families, the Habsburgs, the Savoy, and even Napoleon stayed here, while the Venetian nobility chose it as the site for their grand villas. In this area, Venetians constructed splendid residences, surrounded by monumental gardens, adorned with frescoes, and designed by prominent artists of the era such as Palladio, Tiziano, and Tintoretto.
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
