Day 1.

Arrive at Venice airport and transfer to our delightful villa hotel in the village of Arcugnano near Vicenza where we spend the first two nights.

Day 2

Our route leaves Vicenza to the south as we begin our walk across the Berici hills before descending to the village of Lonigo. After lunch we continue to visit the wonderful villa Pisani at Lonigo, one of Palladio's most successful buildings. We return to Arcugnano by road. Morning 3 hrs.

Day 3

We drive north to the plateau dei Sette Comuni. We begin our trip with a delightful walk on the edge of the mighty Dolomite massif as we work our way westwards with fine views over the Veneto heartlands. In the afternoon we descend to the beautiful walled medieval town of Marostica where we spend the night in a lovely hotel in the town centre. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 4

Our walk leads from Marostica along a chain of Volcanic hills before climbing to a ridge overlooking the dramatic Brenta valley. After a picnic lunch we descend to the river and enter Bassano by crossing the famous wooden bridge designed by Palladio. We continue to our beautiful villa hotel with an exceptional restaurant. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 5

A fine 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 along ridges fought over during the first world war. In the afternoon we descend by vehicle to Bassano for our second night. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 6

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. 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”. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 1 hr.

Day 7

A shorter day's 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. Morning 2 hrs. Afternoon 1 hr.

Day 8

Return to Venice airport by road.

The altitude varies from about sea level to over 5000ft.

Excellent accommodation and food throughout.

Arcugnano - 4 star hotel. Marostica - 3 star hotel. Bassano - 4 star hotel. Asolo - 4 star hotel.

Maximum number of walkers 16.

Average hours walked per day 4.5.

Average miles walked per day 10.