Cities of Art

VICENZA

Strictly linked to the creative genius of the great architect Andrea Palladio, the city is almost 30 km from Abano Terme.

In 1994, Unesco put the city of Vicenza, with its historical centre and sixteen villas built by Palladio, on the World Heritage List. A few of these imposing monuments are well-known all over the world, such as the Olympic Theatre, the “Basilica Palladiana” in the elegant Piazza dei Signori, and Villa la Rotonda, one of the most characteristic creations of the great architect.

A town and a province where you can breathe the secular history that has left an indelible mark. From the Festival of 8^th September, dedicated to the Madonna di Monte Berico, the patron saint of the town, to the dozens of typical festivals and exhibitions scattered in the region, such as the Chess Game in Marostica or the castles of Romeo and Juliet in Montecchio Maggiore.

VERONA

A historical and cultural heritage of humanity, Verona has enchanted painters, poets, travellers and famous people from all ages. 
 William Shakespeare made Verona eternal, thanks to the tragic story of the two young lovers, Romeo Montecchi and Juliet Capuleti. 
Walking along the lanes, you will see unexpected views of different historical periods that will enchant every step: from the traces of magnificent Roman origins, the clear medieval print of the Scaligeri knights, the imposing Renaissance palaces, together with the imposing fortification that protect the city.

The age of the Scaligeri Family changed the face of Verona by building walls, the wonderful Castelvecchio and the Scaligeri Bridge, the Reggia di Cangrande and other mansions of the Della Scala Family, the Domus Mercatorum di Piazza Erbe and their wonderful terraced tombs, the imposing Arche Scaligere, which, with their majesty, invite the visitor to stop and stand silent. The Arena is the most famous monument in Verona and has always been a destination for visitors from all over the world. Standing in the middle of Piazza Bra’, the Arena was built in the first half of the 1^st century A.D., between the end of the Empire of Augusto and the beginning of Claudio’s Empire. Its auditorium and cavea could accommodate 30,000 people. Now, the Arena is within the walls but once, exactly like modern stadiums, was immediately out of the town walls both for safety reasons and for favouring the access of people coming from the suburbs who could reach the Arena without entering the town. In 265 A.D., the threat of barbarians made Emperor Galieno decided to defend Verona so that the Arena was surrounded by the walls and included in the city.
 Goethe nostalgically said that, after his trip to Italy, it was pleasant to walk along the “edge of the amphitheatre crater at sunset enjoying the wonderful panorama of the town and surroundings.” And that still happens to the numerous visitors who, in the summer, enjoy the lyrical season at the Arena of Verona.

TREVISO

The province of Treviso is an extraordinary combination of landscapes, history, natural beauties, hospitality and good cuisine, able to make the visiting traveller fall in love with its scenes and carry them away in his heart.

A charm born from a very old past, from the Paleo-Venetians to the present, revealed in many museums, churches, villas, palaces, and ancient hamlets scattered about the whole province. In the western side of the province, including the area between Pedemontana del Grappa and Castelfranco Veneto, there are most of the land’s architectonic beauties, such as Villa Emo in Fanzolo di Vedelago and Villa di Maser, known as Andrea Palladio masterpieces. These two villas perfectly represent the ideal of harmony between the building and the countryside, between the gardens, avenues and farming land that are typical components of the Venetian villa. A short distance from Treviso, there is Possagno, where the sculptor Antonio Canova was born. His works are collected in the gallery of Plaster Casts, which also hosts his drawings, drafts and cast works. Close to the museum, you can see the wonderful Temple designed by Canova, but completed after his death. A special comment is necessary for the specialties of the land, such as the famous Prosecco, which is one of the most exported wines, or the Radicchio Rosso of Treviso and Castelfranco.

The Hotel reception is available for providing you with information and booking assistance in order to visit exhibitions, events, museums and historical monuments of the region, as well as to organize the river navigation along the Brenta River to see the 18^th century Venetian Villas or to programme a summer evening at the Arena of Verona.

Furthermore, the famous Venetian Villas along the Brenta Riviera are waiting for you or you could create your own itinerary to discover the most famous buildings of the Renaissance.