Itineraries

THE TOCAI RED WINE ROAD

Distance: km.30
Time: about 2 hours
Difficulty: easy

As you leave Casa Muraro Holiday Home, in Sossano, after about 1 Km. direction of Vicenza, you turn left, in a road called "Priare", quarry in English. In this country road there is no traffic and it runs at the bottom of the hills called Monti Berici. You cross cultivated fields and vineyards. After 3 km you reach the first village Toara, then after 2 km Villaga. On the road to Barbarano you can see Villa Godi Marinoni built on the ruins of a 10th century castle.  Eastwards on a hill behind high cypresses stands the Monastery of Saint Pancrazio, it is a place for prayers and meditation. It deserves a visit. In the historic centre of Barbarano it's interesting to visit the Canonical Palace, already documented in 12th century and now in 14th-16th century gothic-renaissance style.

From Barbarano after passing on the left the steep road that takes you to the hills, you turn right in the direction of Mossano. After 3 km., at the beginning of the village, you find on the right a well preserved old water-mill that you can visit. Immediately after, there is the old Villa Giulia and not far there is a particular 12th century construction called "le Prigioni", the prisons in English, whose origins and use are still not known. Leaving the village, you turn left, in a steep downhill road direction of Montruglio. Along the road you can see and reach in a few minutes Villa Pigafetta, now Camerini. The Villa, designed by the architect Pizzoccaro, about in the middle of the 18th century is characterized in the façade by a "cimiero " with statues on both sides. From the garden, in front of the villa, there is a fantastic panorama southwards of the Po Valley between Berici Mountains to the west and Euganei Hills to the east.

If you continue down the road that runs at the bottom of the hills you'll reach Nanto. This village is important for olive oil production and for the local truffles. After few km you arrive at Castegnero, famous for its delicious cherries. Going on, you arrive at Lumignano. Here you can see breath-taking cliffs overhanging the village and the rock faces are good practice walls for rock climbers. After about two kilometers, passing under an arch, you reach Costozza of Longare. This exclusive village is known in the area for its beautiful Villas. A path takes you up to the church of Saint Mauro. This was a Benedictine Abbey before the year 1000, one of the most ancient in the area. Since the 16th century Costozza was called "the gem" of Berici mountains and a lot of nobles chose this village as their residence. It is possible, if you want, to go another 12 Km to Vicenza along a cycle track. The return shall be the same as the outward journey or you can turn right onto the busy road S.S.246 called Riviera Berica and follow the sign indicating Noventa Vicentina.

LIONA VALLEY  TOCAI RED WINE ROAD SOSSANO TO LONIGO & WEST OF THE HILLS  SOSSANO TO MONTAGNANA

 
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