The Venetian Villas of the Brenta Riviera

Just outside Venice lies a beautiful stretch of countryside where the wealthiest families of the Venetian Republic built their summer residences.

On this half-day small-group experience, you’ll travel along the Brenta River and visit two historic villas: Villa Widmann and the magnificent Villa Pisani in Stra.

It’s an ideal experience for travelers who have seen Venice and want to discover a quieter, more authentic side of the Veneto — without giving up the art, history and grandeur that make this region so special.

The Brenta Riviera is a historic route connecting Venice and Padua along the Brenta River. For centuries, wealthy Venetian families traveled this waterway from the city to their country estates. They came here to escape the bustle of Venice, entertain their guests and enjoy the countryside in grand surroundings. The result is one of the most fascinating landscapes in the Veneto: a succession of historic villas, gardens and elegant residences stretching along the river.

These weren’t simply country houses.They were places where Venice’s most powerful families hosted lavish celebrations, welcomed important guests and displayed their wealth and influence. The Riviera also attracted some of Europe’s most famous figures. French and Russian royalty, the Habsburgs, the House of Savoy and Napoleon all spent time in this area. Today, the Brenta Riviera offers something that can be difficult to find in Venice itself: a chance to experience the grandeur of the Venetian Republic without the crowds of St. Mark’s Square.

Your experience begins with a comfortable minivan journey along the Brenta Riviera. As we leave the city behind, the landscape changes from urban Venice and Padua to peaceful villages, gardens and historic estates.

Your First Villa: Villa Widmann

Villa Widmann is an elegant 18th-century residence built for the Serimann family, Venetian nobles of Persian origin, and later transformed by the Widmann family according to the refined French Rococo style that was fashionable among the Venetian aristocracy. Inside, you’ll discover beautifully decorated rooms created for receptions and social gatherings, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated lifestyle of the families who spent their summers along the Brenta.

Villa Pisani: The Grandest Villa on the Brenta

We then continue to Villa Pisani in Stra, the largest and one of the most spectacular villas along the Brenta Riviera. Built for the powerful Pisani family after Alvise Pisani became Doge of Venice in 1735, the villa was designed to make a statement. And it does.

With its monumental rooms, lavish decorations, enormous gardens and famous hedge maze, Villa Pisani feels less like a country home and more like a royal palace. After the fall of the Venetian Republic, the villa passed to Napoleon and later to the Habsburgs. In the 19th century, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy and eventually a national museum. As you walk through its grand rooms and gardens, it’s easy to imagine the powerful figures who once gathered here — surrounded by frescoes, formal gardens, elaborate celebrations and the unmistakable luxury of 18th-century Venetian society.

What You’ll Experience

• A small-group journey through one of the most fascinating areas between Venice and Padua
• A comfortable minivan ride along the historic Brenta Riviera
• A visit to Villa Widmann (tickets included)
• A visit to magnificent Villa Pisani in Stra (tickets included, self guided tour inside)
• Stress-free transportation with pick-up and drop-off directly at your hotel
• A local host accompanying you throughout the experience
• A relaxed and convivial experience at an easy-going pace

🏨 From Abano and Montegrotto Terme. Staying at the Spas? We’ll take care of the transportation. We’ll pick you up directly at your hotel in our minivan. At the end of the tour, we’ll take you back to your hotel. No need to worry about cars, parking, or logistics—just enjoy the tour.

📍 From Padua. Staying in Padua? We’ll take care of the transportation. We’ll pick you up directly at your hotel or B&B with our minivan, or at the nearest spot outside the restricted traffic zone (ZTL). At the end of the tour, we’ll take you back to your hotel. No cars, no parking, and no planning—just enjoy the tour.

Here are the steps for booking:

• From the box on the right side of the page, select the number of participants using the (+) button.
• From the calendar, select your desired date. Available dates are green.
• Select the time*:
  For departures from Abano Terme and Montegrotto, select: 8:30 a.m.
  For the meeting point in Padua, select: 9:00.
• Once you’ve selected the time, click “Add to Cart” and then “Go to Cart.”
• Enter your information and proceed to checkout.
• If your purchase was successful, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
• If you encounter any issues during the booking process, contact us at +39 333 99 45 288 or email us at info@lovivo.it —we’d be happy to help.

Note*: Times are approximate; there may be variations of 10–15 minutes. We’ll let you know the exact pickup or meeting time a few days before the experience. Be sure to provide us with a valid phone number with WhatsApp enabled.

The minimum for an online booking is two participants. If you’re traveling alone, please email us at info@lovivo.it

• How long does the tour last? The tour lasts about 5 hours.
  Is admission to the villas included? Yes. Admission to Villa Widmann and Villa Pisani is included in the tour.
• Is there a lot of walking involved? The tour includes visits inside the villas and walks through areas open to the public, such as the gardens. The tour is primarily on foot, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
• Does the tour take place even if it rains? Yes, the tour takes place even in bad weather, unless extreme conditions. The visits to the villas are mainly indoors, while travel between stops is by minivan. In case of rain, however, we recommend bringing an umbrella or a waterproof jacket, which will come in handy when visiting the outdoor areas.
• Is it possible to book a private tour? Yes. We can also organize the tour for private groups and companies, with customized solutions based on the number of participants and the group’s needs. For more information, please email info@lovivo.it

Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2 paying adults.

EXPLANATIONS DURING TOURS: Only a licensed tour guide may provide explanations about the city, monuments, and museums. The tour escort, on the other hand, provides assistance and accompanies you to the most beautiful spots in the location chosen for your tour. TRANSFER SERVICE: The customer transfer service, when requested and if operated using the Agency’s own vehicles, is provided as a courtesy and is limited to the operational needs of conducting the tour. For packages that include train tickets: In the event of a public transportation strike, please contact us for alternative solutions or to cancel. If no alternatives are available, we will cancel the tour and issue a refund in advance. The cost of any train tickets already purchased will be retained and will not be refunded. WEATHER: The tour will take place even in bad weather unless the agency decides otherwise to ensure your safety. LANGUAGES SPOKEN DURING TOURS: Tours may be conducted in two languages simultaneously. ADHERENCE TO SCHEDULES AND GROUPS: By confirming your tour reservation, you accept the times indicated in the itinerary; to ensure the tour runs smoothly, it will not be possible to change the schedule unless the tour leader decides otherwise.

ORGANIZZAZIONE TECNICA: Lovivo Tour Experience di E3 srl Viale delle Terme, 107/B 35031 Abano Terme (Padova) T. +39 049 2969340 F. +39 049 2969349 e-mail info@lovivo.it www.lovivo.it Polizza Assicurativa EUROP ASSISTANCE n. 9040153 Fondo di Garanzia: IL SALVAGENTE s.c. a r.l. n. 2020 / 1- 3114 Autorizzazione Provincia di Padova 1226 di reg. del 18.08.2016

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