Walk The Prosecco Hills & Hidden Venice

Our adventure begins in Pieve di Soligo, a small village in the heart of the Prosecco Hills, approximately 37mi (60km) north of Venice. Here, lush vineyards cover the slopes of every possible hill, and old churches, abbeys, villas and ancient castles dot the landscape. Prosecco has been produced here for centuries, but only more recently, thanks to the surge in its popularity worldwide, has the area captured a deserved spotlight. Nevertheless, relatively few tourists visit this wine region each year, making it an ideal location for a week of walking, wine tasting and cultural discovery. There are no activities planned today, as some flights arrive late. If you arrive in good time, it's possible to do a quick orientation walk near our hotel. Want more time in Italy? Secure extra hotel nights through your sales representative.

Say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers this morning, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. We take a short transfer to the Soligo Hills, one of the most charming parts of the Prosecco area. From the foothills, we cross woodlands until we reach a pretty hamlet with an ancient monastery, where we can enjoy panoramic views over the farmland and villages far below. Later, we have a delicious lunch at a renowned osteria (an informal, rustic restaurant).

Today’s walk takes us to the heartland of the Prosecco Hills, namely Valdobbiadene, San Pietro di Barbozza and Santo Stefano. Most of the local winemakers are based right here, among the steep terraced hills, which are arguably the prettiest in the Veneto region. Our walk follows a mix of human-made tracks and paths twisting through the vineyards and offers spectacular views of the fertile landscape and hillside hamlets. During the walk, we can visit the Pietrovecchio winery, one of the top local Prosecco producers. After a general introduction to the winery and its history, we can sample different varieties of sparkling wines on a guided tasting. We return to the hotel in the afternoon.

We transfer to Conegliano station and catch a train to Venice for a morning tour of the floating city. Rather than jostle through the crowded attractions, we harness our expert guide’s local knowledge and explore the neighbourhoods less visited by tourists, where the true soul of Venice is found. Here we meet up-and-coming artisans keeping traditional crafts alive, stopping at the workshop of a master carpenter-artist who makes gondola oars using traditional methods and wood from the Dolomites. We then have a short ferry ride across the grand canal to end the experience with a toast: a spritz, the classic Venetian drink, and cicchetti, typical local snacks. In the afternoon, you have free time to explore the city some more and we return to the hotel in the evening.

After a short transfer, we reach the start point of today’s walk, Maser, a village on the Prosecco Road. We stop to admire the architecture of the UNESCO-listed Villa Barbaro, a masterpiece of Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-80). It is situated in the middle of a flourishing privately owned estate; we have time for an optional visit if you’d like to see inside. Our walk begins with a climb to Monte San Giorgio; the route then veers west, following one of the original frontlines used during the First World War. The conflict affected most of this area (and many other towns around the Prosecco Hills) and we see evidence and memorials to epic deeds during our walk. Our end point is the hilltop town of Asolo, known as the Pearl of the Treviso province for its beautiful setting and historic centre. On a clear day, we might be able to see the Belluno Dolomites and the Venetian Lagoon, the Adriatic bay in which Venice is situated. Enjoy free time before returning to Pieve di Soligo for a wine-tasting at a local enoteca (wine bar).

We have a free day, allowing you to choose your own adventure. One option is to visit the lovely town of Conegliano, the other major centre of prosecco production and wine studies. Alternatively, take a daytrip to the pretty provincial capital of Treviso, restored after Second World War bombing and considered the birthplace of tiramisu. The town centre, encircled by a wall and waterways, is a maze of streets lined with arcaded walkways. Your final option is Pauda, only a short train ride away, where you can visit the Cappella degli Scrovegni, a simple chapel housing an astounding series of frescoes by Renaissance master Giotto (visits must be prebooked at least a day in advance, so please speak to your tour leader as soon as possible if you would like to take this option).

Our final walk takes us above the Prosecco Hills to Mount Cesen, a rounded, grassy mountain, and the highest in the Venetian Prealps. Rising just above the Piave River, at an altitude of 4,593ft (1,400m), it offers a stunning panorama, plus popular walking trails that cross mountain pastures and meadows, and a landscape that differs completely to the one we explored earlier in the week. On a clear day, views can stretch as far as the eastern Alps, Dolomites and Venice. In the evening, we tuck into a farewell dinner in one of the best local restaurants.