Padova e le ville venete

This interesting one day tour is a great opportunity to discover the beautiful city of Padova and the charming area of the Brenta Riviera. By following the Brenta Riviera ( which connects Venice to the city of Padova) we will discover many old villas that had been (XVI-XVII century) the residences of Venetian nobles. The Brenta Riviera is also characterized by small picturesque towns. We will visit Padova with its historical monuments: Prato Della Valle, the largest square in Padova with 78 sculptures of ancient celebrities, and its fabulous gardens. The visit will follow with the church of San Antonio, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori, the Baptistery of the Duomo, the old University and finally the Scrovegni Chapel ( optional )(* The Scrovegni Chapel must be reserved at least 24hours before the day of the tour).

Going along the Brenta Riviera we will arrive at 1st stop: Villa Pisani in Strà. This sumptuous building is the most famous Villa of all Riviera, built in the 18th century and it was the magnificent villa of Doge Pisani. We can think of this magnificent building as a small Versailles. The magnificent architecture has both classical and baroque elements. The wide park is filled with statues, buildings (the ice-house, the lemon-house) and the mysterious labyrinth. The rooms have paintings of the famous Giambattista Tiepolo. The second stop will be at the Villa Widdmann and the renewed Barchessa in Mira both dating back in the early 18th century. A tour organized with a local expert guide will give you the chance to admire these examples of beautiful French Rococò style enriched by paintings while enjoying the enormous gardens with cypresses, horse-chestnut trees and statues of God and Cupid. The visit will follow with the beautiful and mysterious Villa Foscari La Malcontenta built in 1560s by the famous architect Andrea Palladio. This villa is a perfect example of Venetian villa style. At the end of this beautiful day, enjoy the drive back to the hotel.