The journey begins in Soave and ends in Asolo, passing through lands of wine and ancient tales. We stop in Monteforte d'Alpone and Gambellara to taste the region's volcanic white wines, then continue to Montecchio Maggiore, home to the castles of Romeo and Juliet. Next, we visit Marostica, the city of living chess, and Bassano del Grappa, where a visit to a distillery is a must. Finally, nestled in the Treviso hills, we reach Asolo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Soave: Castles, Vineyards, and Tradition
Our journey begins in the province of Verona, in the medieval village of Soave, enclosed by crenellated walls and dominated by a perfectly preserved Scaliger castle. This is the heart of one of Veneto's most renowned wine appellations: Soave DOC. This DOCG white wine is produced in the hilly area between the Alpone and Tramigna valleys. Made primarily from Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes, it's a mineral, versatile wine known for its freshness and complexity.
Soave comes in several styles to suit all palates:
Soave Classico is fresh and easy-drinking, ideal with seafood starters and light first courses.
Soave Superiore, aged longer, has more structure and depth, pairing well with vegetable-based pastas and white fish dishes.
Recioto di Soave, a sweet passito wine, is perfect as a dessert wine or paired with blue cheeses.
The characteristic minerality of Soave comes from the region's volcanic soils, giving it a unique and recognizable profile. Its versatility makes it suitable for every occasion—from aperitifs to elegant dinners.... read more»
Scultura di Sabrina Ferrari, parte del percorso 'Urban Jungle'. Foto di Itinerarinelgusto.it
But Soave isn't only about wine: it's also one of the most charming villages in Veneto. Its fame stems from the picturesque historic center, the ancient walls that still embrace the town, and the majestic castle rising above the vineyards. A visit to the castle offers not only a journey through medieval fortifications but also breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, dotted with vineyards and olive trees.
Among Soave's must-see attractions are the Palace of Justice, the Church of San Lorenzo, and the Scaliger Palace. You'll also find artisan shops, wine bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy the authentic flavors of the area.
In addition to its history and architecture, Soave also offers rich cultural programming. A new exhibition, Un altro '900. Casorati, Semeghini, Trentini e l'arte a Verona, has just opened in the evocative setting of the Church of Santa Maria dei Padri Domenicani.
Short Stops Along the Way: Monteforte d'Alpone and Gambellara
On the way to the next walled city, we make brief stops in two places where viticulture is deeply woven into the landscape and local culture.
Monteforte d'Alpone, a small town in the province of Verona, holds a national record: it has the highest percentage of land dedicated to vineyards in Italy. Beyond this impressive fact—and the stunning views extending toward the Lessinia hills—there's another reason to stop here: the Cantina Sociale di Monteforte d'Alpone, where you can purchase high-quality Soave Classico DOC at excellent prices.
Continuing on, we reach Gambellara, where volcanic soils rich in basalt and black tuff produce some of the region's most authentic white wines. Here, you'll find Gambellara Classico, in both dry and still versions, as well as traditional sweet wines. Among them stands out the Recioto Spumante, sometimes made using the traditional method, and the only Vin Santo DOC recognized in Veneto—true gems from a denomination that also includes the only DOCG wine in the province of Vicenza (in its "Classico" version).
A stop in this area offers the chance to taste mineral, intense white wines, perfect when paired with aged cheeses or traditional dry pastries.
Montecchio Maggiore, a Balcony Over the Vicenza Hills
Continuing on, you'll reach Montecchio Maggiore, famous for the Castles of Juliet and Romeo, which overlook the Agno Valley and offer a stunning view of the Pre-Alps. Legend has it that this is the true setting that inspired Shakespeare's tragedy, giving rise to a romantic itinerary blending history and myth.
Castello di Montecchio Maggiore - Foto di Itinerarinelgusto.it
Montecchio Maggiore is also home to the Cantina Colli Vicentini, and it looks out toward the slopes of the Berici Hills on one side and the Lessini foothills on the other. Both the hilly and flat areas are covered with wide expanses of vineyards, instantly revealing the area's strong winemaking vocation. The cultivated grape varieties range from classic native whites like Garganega to the more structured reds typical of the Berici, such as Tai Rosso.
This is the perfect time for a break among art, legend, and flavors: in the area's trattorias, you can enjoy traditional Vicentine dishes like bigoli con l'anatra (duck pasta), baccalà alla vicentina, or sopressa with polenta, all best paired with a glass of local wine. For those wishing to explore the region's winemaking tradition in more depth, nearby wineries offer guided tastings and vineyard tours, providing firsthand insight into the work and passion behind these representative wines.
Marostica and Bassano del Grappa
From Montecchio, a quick drive along the Pedemontana Veneta brings you to Marostica, the famous town of living chess. Surrounded by mighty medieval walls, it is also renowned for the Marostica IGP cherry, one of the area's iconic products.
Highlights include the Lower Castle (though it is closed during the Marostica Summer Festival) and the scenic Cammino di Ronda, a walkway that runs along the walls. With a height ranging from 8 to 12 meters and a width of just 70 cm, it is considered one of the most fascinating medieval stairways in the region. Until July 20, 2025, the Upper Castle of Marostica hosts "Tra le Mura del Tempo" ("Within the Walls of Time"), an exhibition project that intertwines the evocative power of time with the profound visions of contemporary art.
Marostica. Foto di Cristian Ferronato da Pixabay
Marostica is also a land of olive groves and mills: olives are grown, harvested, and processed here to produce Grappa DOP oil, a high-quality product available for purchase directly from local producers.
If you're feeling hungry, plenty of osterias and trattorias offer traditional Veneto cuisine: from pasta and beans to Venetian-style tripe and liver, each dish tells the story of the land.
A short detour brings you to Bassano del Grappa, dominated by the iconic Ponte Vecchio designed by Palladio, a true symbol of the town. Here, grappa is an institution, and visiting a distillery is practically a rite of passage. To discover the history and production of this famous Veneto spirit, you can visit the Nardini Distillery — the oldest in Italy — or the nearby Poli Grappa Museum, located right across from the bridge.
Don't miss the local aperitif mezzo e mezzo, made by blending two Nardini liqueurs (Rosso and Rabarbaro), topped off with seltzer and a twist of lemon.
Bassano is also known for its prized white asparagus, though it's only available in spring.
King Kong Rhino di Li-Jen Shih, a Palazzo Sturm - foto di Itinerarinelgusto.it
For a unique view of the Ponte Vecchio, head to the lookout at Palazzo Sturm, where you'll spot an impressive mirrored steel sculpture by Taiwanese artist Li-Jen Shih: King Kong Rhino merges contemporary art with historic landscape in a single glance. Art lovers will also enjoy the Civic Museum, which hosts notable exhibitions year-round. Currently on show is a retrospective of Pompeo Pianezzola, one of the most important Venetian artists of the late 20th century, with a major exhibition on Giovanni Segantini — a leading figure in Italian Divisionism — scheduled for the autumn.
Asolo, One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy
Our journey ends in Asolo, easily reachable via the Pedemontana. This is one of Italy's most beautiful villages, beloved by poets, travelers, and queens — Giosuè Carducci even dubbed it "The City of a Hundred Horizons."
Nestled among the hills, Asolo is a perfect blend of elegance, history, and the art of fine living. Its historic center is an architectural gem, with arcades, quiet little squares, and frescoed houses, while the surrounding countryside is dotted with vineyards producing the Prosecco of the Colli Asolani and Montello DOCG — wines best enjoyed while admiring the hilly landscape that has inspired artists across the centuries.
Among the highlights is the Rocca, the town's symbol, an imposing irregularly shaped fortress towering above the center and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. But Asolo is also a city of museums: it was a cherished retreat for many prominent women, including Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, who established her Renaissance court here, and Eleonora Duse, who considered it an oasis of peace and inspiration, choosing it as her home in her final years. The great actress's connection to Asolo is celebrated in a dedicated section of the Civic Museum, alongside archaeological finds and artworks that tell the story of the region.
The village is also ideal for a culinary stop: local trattorias and eateries offer specialties of Treviso cuisine, or you can sample the typical cicchetti (small bites) almost anywhere — naturally accompanied by a glass of local sparkling wine.
For more information:
Murated Cities of Veneto Association – cittamurateveneto.it
Soave Castle – castellodisoave.it
Cammino di Ronda in Marostica – visitmarostica.eu
Asolo Fortress – asolo.it
