Oberammergau and the Veneto

Summary

Veneto is one of Italy’s wealthiest regions, reflected in the extravagance of the grand villas and their stunning gardens. Many of the grand villas we visit were designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential individuals in the history of Western architecture.

Join us as we discover no fewer than seven glorious villas on tour. The first on our list is one of the most recognisable buildings of the Renaissance the Palladian Masterpiece, Villa Rotonda. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed for elegant entertainment and is definitely one for art lovers — lavishly decorated with stucco and frescoes. A short walk along a leafy lane takes us to an outstanding architectural and artistic site, the Villa Valmarana. There’s something for everyone here. The surroundings were designed to suit different tastes, ranging from an Italian garden with a dovecote and well, to a pagoda in the woods.

It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio – not least because of the large maze within its gardens, but also thanks to its charming rabbit island. The exceptional Baroque gardens have been described as some of the most entertaining gardens in Italy. 

A unique feature of this tour is our encounters with members of the Italian aristocracy. Our visit to the Villa Rotonda includes a private tour with Count Valmarana; we have dinner with other members of the family at the Villa Valmarana in a room decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo, while we are welcomed by a member of the family at Villa Godi Malinverni and enjoy a gala dinner.

We then head north through Austria and into Germany for our performance of the Passion Play at Oberammergau. Held only once every ten years, this spectacular event with a huge cast formed exclusively by the townsfolk of Oberammergau is a treat to be savoured.

Tour highlights:

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• 'Once in a lifetime' performance of the Passion Play
• Explore no less than seven glorious villas
• Special visit to the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua
• Enjoy some free time in the beautiful little town of Asolo, where the poet Robert Browning and the explorer Dame Freya Stark once lived