Veneto: Prosecco Hills, Bassano & Palladian Villa Day Trip

Summary

Veneto hills day trip with Asolo Bassano Prosecco tasting villa stop

You’ll wander Bassano’s storied bridge and Asolo’s peaceful alleys, step inside a Palladian villa with centuries-old frescoes, and taste crisp Prosecco poured by local hands right among the vines. This isn’t just scenery — you’ll feel part of Veneto life for a day.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you open your eyes and everything’s green? That’s how the Veneto hills hit me — vineyards everywhere, little stone farmhouses tucked between rows. Our driver, Marco, was already grinning when we got in the van outside Venice. He said something about “good air today for wine,” which made me laugh because it really did smell different out there — fresh but with that faint sweet note from the grapevines. We stopped first in Bassano del Grappa. The old wooden bridge creaked under our feet, and I swear the Brenta river below looked colder than it probably was. There were locals leaning on the railing, just talking quietly, not rushing anywhere.

Asolo came next — Marco called it “the pearl,” and I sort of rolled my eyes at that until we actually walked those narrow lanes. There’s this quietness, even with a few other visitors around. You can hear your own footsteps echo off the old walls. At a tiny café (I think I ordered wrong — Li laughed when I tried to say it in Italian), we just sat for a minute watching a woman hang laundry out her window. Sunlight hit the stones so they almost glowed warm under your hand if you touched them.

I didn’t expect to care much about architecture but Villa Barbaro surprised me. The guide there pointed out these faded frescoes inside — horses, gods, all that Renaissance stuff — but what stuck was how cool the stone floors felt after being out in the sun all morning. It’s odd what you remember later. And then finally, winding through more vineyards (honestly lost count), we landed at this family-run winery for Prosecco tasting. The owner poured our glasses himself and told us about his grandfather planting the first vines here after the war. The bubbles tasted sharper than anything I’ve had back home — maybe it was just being there, or maybe it really is better straight from the source.

I still think about that view over the hills as we left — late afternoon light catching on every grape leaf, quiet except for someone laughing behind us near the van door. If you’re even half-curious about wine or just want to see a softer side of Italy outside Venice, this day trip through Prosecco country is… well, it lingers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Veneto hilltowns and winery

• Visit Bassano del Grappa town
• Stroll around Asolo hilltown
• Tour Palladian Villa Barbaro
• Enjoy wine tasting in Prosecco region

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Venice to Prosecco hills?

The tour lasts one full day with pickup from Venice and returns in the evening.

Is lunch included on this private wine tour?

The tour includes wine tasting but does not specify lunch; local cuisine is available during stops.

Which Palladian villa do we visit?

You’ll visit Villa Barbaro or Villa Emo depending on opening hours and tour date.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome if accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available upon request.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Venice?

The tour includes pickup from Venice; cruise passengers should provide ship details when booking.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near meeting points.

Do I need to pay any extra fees to enter Venice?

On certain dates visitors may need to pay a €5 access fee; check official sites for details and exemptions.

What language does the driver-guide speak?

Your driver-tour escort speaks English fluently throughout the day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Venice by an English-speaking driver-tour escort in an air-conditioned minivan, guided visits to hill towns like Asolo and Bassano del Grappa, entry to either Villa Barbaro or Villa Emo (depending on date), and Prosecco wine tasting at a local winery before returning to Venice in the evening.