I would like any tips/thoughts you have for our four days, by rental car, through the Veneto region of Italy. My family is from the Asolo, San Zenone, Fonte, and Bassano del Grappa areas and we want to explore and try to find some family homes of which we have pictures. It is the Dal Bello family, who has a vineyard/winery in Asolo, and we definitely want to visit them, as I have our family tree back to my great-grandfather's great-grandfather. There isn't a lot written about this area so any thoughts you can offer would be great. We DO have a phrase book, as I know little English will be spoken. Also we will be winging it for those four days without reservations, and will hopefully find a place by just walking in. Stupid or not? We won't be as particular here as we are for the Rome and Venice parts of the trip.
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
I do a lot of fly fishing up around that area. Bassano is one of my favorite towns, just beautiful scenery. If you can be a bit more specific on what kind of info you're looking for, I might be able to help.
Posted by
OP
Austin, Texas, USA
75 posts
Oh just things to do, places to see (not into art but we do like local culture, architecture, scenery, food/wine), wineries to visit, places to stay, things to avoid, etc. Other than tracking down some Dal Bellos, we are free to roam and explore!
Posted by
Portland
3603 posts
Mentioning architecture and Veneto immediately brings to mind one name, Palladio. His buildings are concentrated in Vicenza; but there is the beautiful Villa Barbaro in Maser, very close to Asolo. The Cadogan guidebook, "Northeast Italy" does have lots of detailed information about the area.
Posted by
Wiesbaden, Germany
791 posts
Check out Marostica if you've never seen it, it's a sight to behold as you approach. As far as wine, you're in luck - there is a world class winery in nearby Breganze called Maculan. They give tours and do tastings (the daughter, Angela, speaks English). The mountains north of Bassano are a great place to roam around as well. The road parallels the Brenta River so it's impossible to get lost and it's very scenic. You might even see me on the river fly fishing...
Posted by
OP
Austin, Texas, USA
75 posts
Thank you all- sounds fabulous!! Keep 'em coming!
Posted by
Portland, OR
282 posts
We stayed in Asolo for 3 days in October and loved exploring the area. It is a really gorgeous part of the Veneto! If you stop in the cafe on the piazza in Asolo, the owner is a very friendly gentleman and I am sure would be able to assist you in locating family/homes. Bassano del Grappa is a charming town to visit, as is Marostica. We had a wonderful lunch in the hills above Marostica with a great view down over the valley. Cividale was also a lovely town to see and it has a nice small museum.
Posted by
Portland, OR
282 posts
Depending on the time of year you are traveling, with only 4 days I would not want to spend my precious time trying to find hotels and checking in/out. I would pick one town to base in and then do day trips from there.