A taste of Italy in seven days

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• Location: Venice
• Holiday Types: City break, Beach, Spa

• by: Davymc12345
• on: Wed 23 May 2012

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We recently spent three days in Venice and combined it with a four-night stay in the world’s famous wine estate Bisol at the Duca di Dolle there, 40 miles north of Venice. It is a beautifully restored monastery and farmhouse situated in the heart of the vineyards of the Prosecca region in Treviso, Northern Italy.

We agreed the best time to visit would be, September, as that is harvest time and our first couple of days were spent exploring the stretches across the small islands in  the marshy Venetian Lagoon.  Cramming as much in as possible we visited all the famous buildings,  the Basilica di San Marco, Plazzo Ducale & the Basilica di Santa Maria amongst others, which all give a special insight into the city. We were also lucky to witness the Regata Storica which is the main event in the annual Voga alla Veneta (rowing calendar).

We marvelled at scores of typically 16th century-style boats with gondoliers in period costume carrying all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a brightly coloured parade. It was an unforgettable sight and a true reconstruction of the glorious past of one of most the powerful and influential Maritime republics in the Mediterranean.

After Venice we hired a car and made our way to Bisol Duca di Dolle guesthouse giving us the chance to explore the Prosecca Hills, a special place for wine and food lovers, which we just happen to be. We drove through the most stunning scenery and splendid hills, grapes in abundance before our eyes all ready for harvesting, I was not surprised when told The Prosecca Hills are protected by UNESCO as Human Heritage, the landscape and culture is fascinating,  as we drove through the gates of the guesthouse it took our breath away, clear blue skies, lush green scenery, it was so beautiful and quite, a world away from the crowds in Venice. The estate also had a swimming pool and our room had a combination of steam shower and hydromassage bath.  It was perfect.

Over the next four days we woke up every morning with a swim, then continental breakfast (taken in the garden), which included rich Italian coffee with hot milk, a roll or two, and a sweet cornetto (croissant) filled with a dab of apricot jelly, and as much fresh fruit as you wanted, delicious it was too. 

Once fed we set out to explore the Prosecco hills, we tasted the wine at its source and sampled the gastronomy and rich culture of the Veneto. And boy was it good! We also managed to squeeze in an exploration of the dolomite national park as we were only an hour’s drive away.

In just seven days we managed to explore three provinces, Venetzia, Treviso and Belluno giving us a true taste of Northern Italy and very happy memories.

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