Veneto Beyond Venice
⟟ Padova, Veneto
November 1 - 7, 2025
Beyond the canals and crowds, Veneto reveals rolling hills, timeless markets, and authentic flavors. From olive oil in the Colli Euganei to Prosecco in the vineyards and cicchetti in Venice’s bacari — this is a journey into the region’s true heart.
Colli Euganei — Veneto beyond Venice.
Colli Euganei — Veneto beyond Venice.
Our home for this journey will be a family-run Agriturismo set among the gentle hills of the Colli Euganei. Here, tradition and hospitality go hand in hand: mornings begin with homemade breakfasts featuring local organic products, while the view stretches across vineyards, olive groves, and an unspoiled landscape. The atmosphere is simple yet warm, offering an authentic glimpse into rural life in Veneto — a place where we can slow down, rest, and feel part of the land.
Our journey winds through the volcanic Colli Euganei, where ancient olive groves yield prized extra virgin oil. In the Prosecco hills, we’ll visit a family-run winery and taste sparkling wines rooted in tradition. Padua’s covered market reveals the daily rhythm of local life, while Venice invites us off the beaten path—sipping ombre and cicchetti in authentic bacari.
Trip Highlights
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Olive picking at Maraviglia
Durig the harvest you’ll learn about different olive varieties and how they’re maintained, pruned and harvested. We’ll enjoy a BBQ salamella lunch under the trees over a fire and at the day’s end, we’ll head to the mill to have the olives pressed into oil.
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Hike to Gargonza Castle
Setting off on foot from Maraviglia, we’ll hike to the medieval walled village of Gargonza perched atop a hill looking out to the Valdichiana Valley. We’ll do a tour of the town and its castle, one of the most well-preserved fortified complexes in the region.
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Thermal baths
Everyone needs a day to unwind after the harvest! We’ll take a day trip to the natural outdoor hot springs located in an ancient town in the heart of Tuscany. For lunch we’ll sample the typical flavors of Val di Chiana.
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Visit to a hidden village with lunch
We’ll hike to a remote village in the majestic green Pratomagno mountain range. Roberto will host us at his home restaurant, the changing menu based on whatever seasonal, locally-sourced or foraged ingredients he find on the day!
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Local Sagra Food Fair
Whether it’s celebrating funghi (mushrooms), castagne (chestnuts) or tartufi (truffles), we’ll take part in one of the many sagras – small-town, seasonal food fairs – happening in the area this time of year.
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Unique Tuscan restaurants
Dive into one of Tuscany’s most undiscovered areas, Val di Chiana. We’ll feast at a range of always-special, always-seasonal restaurants from the super local and traditional, to the more modern Tuscan, with plenty of vegetarian options.
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Olive Oil Tasting with an expert
There is no better way to learn about authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil than meeting an olive oil producer. You'll have the opportunity to ask all the questions you've always wanted to ask and learn how to taste & evaluate olive oil by its organoleptic & sensory qualities.
What’s Included
Seven days (six nights) stay in a classic Agriturismo.
All meals (including refreshments and wine) for the duration of the retreat.
All activities such as food and wine workshops, yoga, thermal spa, restaurants and hikes.
All transport for the duration of the retreat.
Italian/English speaking guides.
All gratuities.
Your travel to and from Padova (but we can help you make arrangements!)
Travel insurance (recommended).
*The itinerary is subject to change based on supplier availability and the number of participants. We reserve the right to make necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience for our guests.
What’s not Included
ALL INCLUSIVE RATES
We accommodate intimate groups of up to 8 people in shared and private accommodations.
Shared triple €3200/ per person
Shared double €3700/ per person
Single €4150
Single Lux (double used as single) €4600
*All of our accommodation has a private ensuite bathroom.
Payment and Considerations
You may pay by ACH bank transfer in the US, via bank transfer internationally or by credit card via Stripe (4% transaction fee applies). A deposit of €1000 per person is required to hold your place. The remaining balance is due 90 days in advance of the tour date.
If booking less than 90 days in advance, full payment is due.
Cancellation policy:
Initial booking deposit is non refundable.
After final payment at 90 days, receive a 50% refund if canceled more than 60 days before the tour date.
For cancellation less than 60 days prior to the tour date no refund is granted.
(The comprehensive travel insurance required provides reimbursement coverage in the event of trip cancellation and/or interruption during your travels.)
ACH payments in USD are also accepted.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
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Francesca is a Sustainable Living and Travel Consultant. Her focus is to create holistic tourism experiences that merge her skills – food, yoga and organic agriculture. Her first introduction to the world of food started in her family’s restaurant, where she began working at age 15. Francesca then pursued an MA in Food Culture and Communication, presided by the Slow Food Movement, and she is now developing the experiences and food recipes at Maraviglia.
Francesca also obtained her Yoga Teacher Certification at the AYM School in Rishikesh, India. This experience led her to merge her interests in natural food and holistic living, forming a path in pursuit of wellbeing. In 2018, Francesca began working at Maraviglia Conscious Living Center. Here, she curated and led the resort’s wellness experiences, from cooking meals to leading workshops to collaborating with some of Tuscany’s finest importers, producers, and farms.
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Maraviglia is the land Francesco grew up on, climbing the olive trees at age five and picking olives off the trees. After college and years living in big cities, he felt the need to go back to his roots and reconnect with the land that raised him.
Returning home, he witnessed first-hand the fragmented Tuscan Olive Oil industry, along with the slow extinction of an ancient craft. Something had to change, and so he decided to apply his business background to what he knew and make it better.
With Agricola Maraviglia, his mission is to cement a new and sustainable way of producing Tuscan Olive Oil, one that builds upon and honors past traditions.
Get in touch.
These trips are held in limited numbers each year to share a more down-to-earth Italy with those passionate about slow food and travel while maintaining the privacy of the places and people we visit and what makes them special.