Grand Tour impressions a stone's throw from the thermal baths of Abano and Montegrotto

The first day is dedicated to the visitable castles of the thermal baths: the Castello del Catajo in Battaglia Terme and the Castello di San Pelagio in the nearby Due Carrare. Two very different buildings, starting with their origins. 

In fact, the Catajo is not a medieval castle, but a 16th-century residence worth visiting: it houses over 300 frescoed rooms! You will discover the stories of the noble families intertwined for centuries with the history of the castle, admire the hilly landscape from the large terrace and take a walk in the large park, where the tall trees frame a romantic pond of water lilies. You can visit the castle on your own, by scanning the QR codes with your smartphone and listening to the audio descriptions, or by booking a guided tour, which will take you through the mysteries of the castle and its frescoed rooms: in about an hour you will get to know this wonderful historical residence, satisfying your every curiosity!

A few kilometres from Battaglia, in the town of Due Carrare, is the castle of San Pelagio, which we recommend visiting on the same day. It is a building dating back, in its oldest part, to the medieval era, renovated and expanded in the following centuries. Today, the castle houses the Museum of Flight: the visit is an excursus into the history of the timeless human desire to reach for the sky and fly. From Leonardo to D'Annunzio to space exploration, the Museo del Volo recounts four hundred years of flight history through historical documents, models and authentic vehicles. With its museum and gardens, the Castle of San Pelagio is ideal for families who want to spend a day of culture and relaxation in a unique environment.

The next day you can spend it in the open air, enjoying spectacular views. You will reach the top of the highest hill of the Euganeans, Monte Venda, and discover the magic of ancient constructions on its summit. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing walk to visit one of the most iconic monuments of the Euganean and thermal area, an emblematic example of the dialogue between architecture and nature.

From the nearby town of Galzignano Terme, drive up Via Cengolina, which leads to the slopes of Monte Venda, and in just a few minutes you will find yourself near Casa Marina, home to the Euganean Hills Regional Park's Naturalistic Education Centre. After parking, you can make a short visit inside to consult the park's educational library, and outside to explore the small botanical garden. From the car park, walk up the Lorenzoni path (no. 4 of the Euganean Hills Regional Park). The trail passes through a chestnut forest and rich undergrowth. The route is quite challenging due to a steep climb, so you will need shoes suitable for trekking and a good workout. In about half an hour, following the signs for the Olivetan Monastery Ruins, you will have reached the summit, in a place full of evocative beauty and spirituality, thanks to the presence of the ancient remains of the monastery. Of the imposing complex of San Giovanni Battista del Venda, parts of the church, the bell tower and the crypt are still visible. The ruins, witnesses of time, welcome us with their silent majesty: the natural environment in which they are immersed, and the landscape that can be admired from above are indescribable. Suffice it to say that here, one of the main romantic poets of the nineteenth century, Percy Shelley, was inspired to the point of writing verses while overlooking this extraordinary natural balcony. Having reached this point, the effort of the climb will have been repaid beyond all expectations! 

From Galzignano, we reach Torreglia in less than a quarter of an hour's drive, more precisely in the village of Luvigliano, to end the day's trek with a relaxing and inspiring sunset. Here, a majestic 16th-century building dominates the town from the top of a small hill. Villa dei Vescovi is another example of the human will to approach the divine through continuous dialogue with Nature. The hillock on which it stands was formerly called Liviano because it was believed to be the place chosen by the Latin historian Titus Livy for his country residence. The Villa enjoys great fame and is visited every year by tourists from all over the world. In addition to its bucolic frescoes and architectural forms that blend perfectly with the surrounding nature, this building belonging to the FAI hosts numerous events: aperitifs and dinners in the vineyard, concerts and tastings, picnics in the park and a market selling local products. To conclude your visit, we recommend a detour to the new Enoteca Bistrò, in the grounds of the villa, where you can wait for the sunset while sampling excellent wines and other Euganean specialities.