Often, when you look at the Veneto, your gaze quickly wanders. On one side, it stops at the magnificence of Venice and Verona , or it ascends toward the Dolomite peaks, the shores of the lake, the most popular attractions.
Yet, there's a land in between that's more than just a place of passage, but can become a destination capable of stealing the hearts of even veterans of the region. We're talking about the Pedemontana Veneta , that gentle, aristocratic hilly belt that encompasses the provinces of Vicenza and Treviso, blending the bustle of the plains with the silence of the mountains.
A road that's a journey, one you won't easily forget. Those who choose a short-term rental in Veneto and decide to travel by car to reach their destinations can experience not just the tourist but the traveler, the wayfarer who can stop, slow down, and savor the spirit of each place they encounter. Here, you don't rush to tick off a list of must-see monuments, but rather stroll, savor, and breathe. Here's our itinerary for discovering this hidden gem .
What is the Pedemontana Veneta?
Imagine a long natural balcony suspended between the industrious plain and the silent peaks of the Prealps: this is the Pedemontana Veneta . It's not simply a geographical area, but a veritable corridor of beauty that extends for over 90 kilometers (along the axis of the new SPV highway, which makes it easier to explore), encompassing a mosaic of 51 municipalities in the provinces of Vicenza and Treviso.
It is a land both aristocratic and rural, where the landscape changes constantly: from the gentle vineyard slopes of Breganze and the Prosecco Hills to the harsh memories of the Great War on Mount Grappa and the plateau.
Here, the tourist experience is never one-way: it ranges from the sumptuous Venetian Villas and medieval castles that dot the villages, to industrial archaeology trails and spiritual paths like the Cammino del Beato Claudio . It's a region to be savored slowly, designed for those seeking a less crowded Veneto, yet incredibly rich in stories, flavors, and unique panoramas.
The Beauty Itinerary: From Thiene to Bassano
The beating heart of the Pedemontana Vicentina winds along roads seemingly designed for slow driving. The Pedemontana Veneta is perfect for those seeking an authentic cultural experience combining art, nature, and history.
The journey can begin in Thiene and the Alto Vicentino , a place where history is expressed through the landscape. Here, between Possagno, Maser, and the Grappa massif, the roads open like a spider's web through the Veneto hills.
Thiene Castle , a 15th-century Venetian Gothic villa, dominates the historic center with its museum experience, which is also a living space that recounts centuries of history. The castle is just the starting point for a quality exploration: you can lose yourself among its frescoed rooms and ancient stables, and then visit the vibrant historic center.
Marostica: Not Just Chess
Continuing east, the Scaliger walls will guide you to the famous Piazza degli Scacchi . But the real insider tip? Visit in spring. The hills of Mason and Marostica are adorned with white cherry blossoms, a spectacle that rivals even the Japanese Hanami. After all, the Marostica cherry is a PGI product and a local delicacy not to be missed.
The Queen of the Pedemontana: Bassano del Grappa
Beyond the iconic Ponte degli Alpini , we recommend hiking the Alta Via del Tabacco (Tabacco Trail) or visiting the Grappa Museum to understand the place's humorous soul. Stop for a sunset aperitif while watching the Brenta River flow by: it's one of the region's most evocative rituals. This is a city that's also an elegant salon, where history intertwines with essential daily rituals. Lose yourself in the city center's streets all the way to Piazza Libertà and Piazza Garibaldi, overlooked by the austere Civic Tower: here, the atmosphere is the lively one of a city that's never just a museum.
For those who love art and history, two stops are obligatory: the Civic Museum , one of the oldest in the Veneto, with a precious section dedicated to Canova and the Dal Pontes, and the Hemingway and Great War Museum in Villa Ca' Erizzo, where the Nobel Prize winner served as an ambulance driver in 1918, drawing inspiration for A Farewell to Arms .
But you can't say you've been to Bassano without observing the sacred ritual of the aperitivo : order a Mezzo e Mezzo (the secret blend of rhubarb, Nardini red, seltzer, and lemon zest) at the historic Nardini Distillery right at the entrance to the bridge. Drink it standing, mingling with the locals: this is where you'll feel the true heartbeat of the city.
Art and Inspiration: The Genius of Palladio and Canova
The villas along the Pedemontana are veritable temples of beauty, where Andrea Palladio's architecture dialogues with nature. The itinerary to discover the Palladian Villas must begin in Lonedo di Lugo Vicentino, where two masterpieces face each other: Villa Godi Malinverni , the master's first ever work, built in 1542, solid and still rooted in the castle tradition, and the overlying Villa Piovene , whose dramatic staircase seems to reach for the sky.
But the pinnacle of this journey is reached in Maser, at Villa Barbaro . It's not just a building, it's a sublime optical illusion: designed for the humanists Daniele and Marcantonio Barbaro, it hides Paolo Veronese's fresco cycle, perhaps the most beautiful of the Venetian Renaissance. Here, fake doors, fake landscapes, and painted figures gazing at you from the balconies create a continuous interplay between reality and fiction. Behind the villa, don't miss the Nymphaeum with its statues, a secret corner where water and stone tell ancient myths.
In Montecchio Maggiore, however, it's not just another villa, but the manifestation of the boundless ambition of the lawyer Carlo Cordellina , who desired a residence so solemn it would make even nobles pale. Entering the Hall of Honor, you can admire above your head not just a simple ceiling, but a wide-open sky painted by Giambattista Tiepolo in 1743, Intelligence Triumphing Over Ignorance.
But the real stroke of genius is on the walls: the enormous frescoes are not mere decorations, but illusory windows onto an ancient world dressed in 16th-century garb, a silent and vibrant dialogue between Venetian painting and the light of Reason that was transforming Europe. It is a place that has survived everything, from being a grain warehouse during the war to neglect, to now return to tell the story of one who, though not king, wanted to live like one.
Why choose Pedemontana (and a short-term rental here)
Choosing the Pedemontana Veneta for a trip to Veneto means seeking a different quality of life. It's the ideal base for those who want to combine cultural visits with trekking on Monte Grappa or relaxing days among the vineyards.
In a self-contained apartment in the city, you'll wake up early and be able to set off to admire the profile of the Alpine foothills, buy some Asiago cheese, and much more. It's a land that doesn't reveal itself to those in a hurry, but generously rewards those who decide to stop.
Then book one of our apartments online , travel smart, and enjoy yourself to the fullest. Our advice? Dedicate at least a long weekend to this exploration . The Pedemontana isn't a place to travel through, it's a place to stay.
