It's not just all about Venice, so today we booked a tour out to the Veneto hill towns. With a big smile and that Italian charm, Marco was waiting for us as we exited the terminal.
Our first stop was medieval Marostica. Walled and cobbled stoned like so many of these small Italian villages. Overlooked by a castle high on the hill with a wall that reminds you of China. In the square, a giant chess board permanently laid out, where the famous living game of chess is played every two years. Real people and real horses are used in this game that revolves around the legend where the fate of one young lady was decided by its outcome.
Walking across a magnificent Palladian bridge we entered the beautiful town of Bassano del Grappa. A street market was in full swing in the middle of the square, surrounded by beautiful buildings, with frescoes still visible on their outer walls. True to its name, we visited a small Grappa museum, where you were rewarded at the end with a tasting. Honey, blueberry, chocolate and coffee, an array of flavours that seem to take the edge of the normally sharp taste of Grappa.
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Asolo was Marco's choice for lunch. On his recommendation, we ate at Ristorante Cornaro, and what an excellent choice it was. Garry and I shared a "White Pizza", delicious with its's cheese filled base and it spicy cheesy topping. Backed up with a lovely crisp salad and washed down a jug of Prosecco.
We visited Villa Barbaro, one of Palladio's most celebrated works. Like a Roman Temple it stands high on a hill overlooking its vineyards. But it was the beautiful frescoes that adorn the walls that take your breath away. The only down side is that you can't take pictures, which for me always taints a
visit a little bit. So, I guess Mr Google will have to take care of those pictures.
Well I can't tell you much about the drive home, as I slept most of the way.. The grappa and prosecco made sure of that.
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