Asolo’s Hotel Villa Cipriani: An Italian Countryside Encounter

A rare experience in a spacious, relaxed villa

Hotel Villa Cipriani’s rooms are exquisite. Spacious, airy, filled with antiques, sumptuous surfaces and fabrics, classic art and astounding views. The multi-lingual staff are welcoming, professional and dedicated to guest comforts. The villa is elegant in a non-pretentious way. Pampered in luxury and tradition, while immersed in a simple, fine, quiet, life at a celebrated villa in a centuries-old walled village. A rare experience.

Tantalizing Villa Cipriani Restaurant

Overlooking the Asolo countryside, Villa Cipriani Restaurant serves fresh, seasonal, local food. The menu is always based on what’s available in the market each morning. My first meal was a springtime lunch of tender, new, white asparagus and risotto with local cheese. It was seamlessly accompanied by a light, crisp, white wine from a nearby vineyard. This simple meal set a standard that has rarely been matched. The taste of the crisp, pale spears, velvety rice, and tangy cheese returns every time I see asparagus. Each sip of wine fine-tuned and enhanced the simple flavors. Eating here is meant to be savored, to be enjoyed without hurry. It’s part of a captivating experience. Allow the servers to guide you in your selections. They won’t steer you wrong.

Out and about – local attractions

The old-world village of Asolo has survived hundreds of years of history, art and culture. Every vista is a postcard. In fact, it’s called ‘the city of a hundred horizons’.

Local residents and merchants are friendly and welcoming. English is spoken in the hotel, but not necessarily everywhere in the town. Learning a few Italian phrases, is fun and appreciated.

The shops, cafes and restaurants are superlative. Spend time walking in the town or a long walk through the countryside is enchanting. The quiet, the vistas and approachable people you encounter are a delight.

Asolo has many beautiful villas, the 13th-century castle of Queen Cornaro, a cathedral and roman aqueducts. An antique fair is held on the second Sunday of each month. The staff at the hotel will gladly direct you to points of interest in and around Asolo.

Getting there

For my first visit, I drove to the Hotel Villa Cipriani from Venice. It was unquestionably a harrowing adventure and a huge expense for an auto that remained parked the entire stay. Look into public transport or car service. You’ll arrive relaxed and calm. From Venice you can take a train from the Venice railway station, Santa Lucia, to Castelfranco Veneto – a 45-minute trip. From here it is about 15km (9.3 miles) to Asolo. You can go by bus or hire a car.

You might also consider a private car from Venice to Asolo. The cost could very well be worth it for two or more travelers in the same auto. If you think you want to tour the countryside by auto while at the Villa, a rental car might be your best bet. Communicate with the hotel once they have your reservations. They may have a solution that works for you.

TIP: If you decide to drive to the hotel, keep in mind many streets in Asolo are very narrow – one car wide. They may also be one-way, but change direction to allow traffic to flow in the opposite way. This is accomplished by a tiny traffic light. It’s usually mounted on a building up high where you might not think to look. Look for these lights! Don’t drive forward if it’s red – wait for green or you may come head-on with cars from the opposite direction with no way to pass. Backing up is your only option. This is the voice of experience talking!