Villas of the Riviera del Brenta

Tour by special DeLuxe coach to enjoy a scenic drive along the Riviera del Brenta. The Riviera dates back to the beginning of the 15th century when Venice conquered Padua, extending its domain over the Italian mainland. The Venetian patrician families cleared the land along the river, building farms and lovely villas, similar to the palaces they built along the Grand Canal. Palladio, the greatest Venetian and European architect of the 16th century, built “La Malcontenta” for the noble Foscari family between 1550 and 1560. The building of rusticated polished stone is lined by three orders in relief. The façade overlooking the Brenta river has an Ionic pronaos with lateral staircases over a high base. The interior is aced on a Greek cross plan and is illuminated through a large window. The cycle of frescoes is by Zelotti.    

Further down the Brenta canal to Mira Porte, to visit the villa “Widmann Foscari”, built in French Rococo style at the beginning of the 18th century and residence for Lord Byron for a time. The 18th century was an intense period when writers and poets such as Goldoni, Byron, Goethe and D’Annunzio described the beauty of the area and painters like Canaletto captured the landscapes.

The former building of villa “Widmann Foscari” dates from the XVI century and was extensively rebuilt and enlarged in 1751. The frescoes are by Giuseppe Angeli and Jacopo Guarana. The statues in the garden surrounding the building have been brought here from other villas now destroyed.

Then down to Strà where is situated the beautiful villa “Pisani””
Built to  celebrate the election of Alvise Pisani as Doge, this superb villa recalls in concept and magnificence the Versailles.
The villa, as designed by Preti, was an austere rectangular block with two courtyards separated by a central section with an enormous ballroom on the upper floor. Among the secondary buildings on the ground floor are the rusticated arcade which faces the garden and the stables. The eight Corinthian half columns which surround the great windows of the upper storey repeat the motif of the pronaos in the main facade.
The frescoes in the ballroom are by Gianbattista Tiepolo.
Surrounded by a beautiful park, of particular interest is the labyrinth in the middle of which, for those who are able to reach it, is an observation point. There is also a vast park and fish-pond.
Return onboard along the Brenta Canal.

• Technical information

  • Meeting Point To be confirmed by the tour operator after a booking enquiry.
  • Transportation Coach (50)
  • The tour includes Motor coach transportation, guide service, operational assistance, entrance fees
  • Total duration Up to 4 ½ hours
  • The tour timing Panoramic drive 120 minutes - Villa La Malcontenta 45 minutes - Villa Widmann Foscari 45 minutes - Villa Pisani 60 minutes
  • Access Walking time: approximately 2 ½ hours - Stairs to climb: medium
  • Difficulty:
  • Toilet facilities Toilet facilities: at all villas
  • Partecipation if more than 45 persons involved, upon request, a second coach with guide can be arranged
  • Price/person Cost per person  minimum 2      €  268,00
    Cost per person  minimum 4     €  149,00
    Cost per person  minimum 6     €  109,00