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                    [name] => Europe
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            [name] => Friuli
            [parent] => Array
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                    [name] => Italy
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Bergamo’s old town, Italy © Alexey Fedorenko

Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore in Verona, Italy © Sergey Dzyuba

Titian's Annunciation © Wikimedia

Villa la Rotonda, Vicenza, Italy © trabantos

Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, Duomo Nuovo and Duomo Vecchio La Rotonda, Brescia, Italy © Aliaksandr Antanovich

Giorgione’s Madonna Enthroned © Wikimedia

Cappella Colleoni, Bergamo, Italy © Takashi Images

Piazza Salone, Padua, 1836, George Franklin ©Yale Centre for British Art

The Venetian Land Empire - A spectrum of north-east Italy’s finest art and architecture

Overview Itinerary Practicalities Map Testimonials

Section:

Tour highlights

Huge range of art and architecture from ancient Roman to modern, with the Middle Ages and Renaissance predominating.
Encompasses some of the greatest historic cities and loveliest hill towns in Italy, with landscapes ranging from mountains to alluvial plains.
The touch of Venice is visible everywhere, but these great centres have their own traditions and histories.
Only two hotels, both five-star.

The maritime empire of the Republic of Venice consisted of a congeries of colonies along the Adriatic and into the eastern Mediterranean, acquired to protect the all-important trade with Constantinople and the East. But Venice had two empires; and the land empire, the terra ferma, was markedly different in character. Stretching across northern Italy from the lagoon to within 30 miles of Milan, it encompassed innumerable densely populated and highly sophisticated cities and territories.

These mainland possessions were no mere subordinate appendages to La Serenissima, and had histories far longer than that of the relatively upstart maritime republic. Largely pieced together in the 15th and 16th centuries by conquest and negotiation, the rule of La Serenissima had to respect the pride and traditions – and wealth – of these formerly independent city states.

The consequence is a region of immense variety and artistic wealth. Padua, Verona, Treviso, Vicenza, Brescia, Bergamo – these are some of the most illustrious, historically important and artistically well-endowed places in Italy. Asolo, Bassano: these are among the loveliest hilltop towns, and not among the most visited. Most have Roman or pre-Roman origins; at many the medieval circuit of walls is still intact. Architecture ranges from Ancient Roman through early medieval, Romanesque to Gothic, and on to Renaissance, Neoclassical and modern.

A recurring theme is the genius of Andrea Palladio, creator of paradigmatic villas and urban palaces; and work by Carlo Scarpa, the 20th-century Venetian architect, also makes repeated appearances.

In the fields of painting and sculpture, the Trecento (14th century) is particularly well represented, with Giotto’s finest fresco cycle heading the list. From the 15th century are masterpieces by Pisanello, Donatello, Mantegna and Bellini; the High Renaissance and Mannerism are brilliantly represented by Titian, Giorgione, Veronese, Bassano and Lorenzo Lotto; the 18th century by Tiepolo, the consummate master of the age.

This tour is particularly strenuous. Please read the advice under 'Practicalities'.

Itinerary

Practicalities

Two sharing: A$11,710 or A$11,070 without flights. Single occupancy: A$13,810 or A$13,170 without flights.

Travel by private coach; hotel accommodation; breakfasts; 6 dinners, 1 lunch with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips; all taxes; lecturer and tour manager.

Albergo Al Sole, Asolo: small 5-star hotel, full of charm, with wonderful views from the terrace and a good restaurant. Due to the boutique nature of the hotel, rooms vary in size and decor, and single rooms may be true singles with a queen size bed (140 x 190 cm). Due Torri Hotel, Verona: luxurious 5-star, excellently located near Piazza delle Erbe. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.

The tour involves a lot of walking in town centres, where coach access is restricted, and a lot of standing in museums and churches. A good level of fitness is essential. You will be on your feet for lengthy stretches of time. Some days involve a lot of driving – average distance by coach per day: 59 miles.

Are you fit enough to join the tour?

Between 10 and 22 participants.

Before booking, please refer to Smartraveller to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting. As a British company we follow the advice of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

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