Euganean hilltowns and vineyards: Day trip from Venice

A fortified hill town at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills, Monselice layers Roman, medieval, and Este dynasty history into a compact and dramatic setting.

What to see

• Explore Monselice Castle, a complex of six buildings spanning sevent centuries, with a remarkable suite of medieval armor and period furnishings

• Witness the Via Sacra, a pilgrimage road climbing the hill past six Baroque chapels to the church of San Giorgio

• Enjoy the panoramic terraces above the town, with views across the Po plain to the Dolomites on clear days

What to do

• Take a guided tour of the castle complex, booking recommended in peak season

• Walk the Via Sacra to the summit church for the views and the quiet

Take note

• The castle is open every day, except Tuesday; verify hours at https://www.castellodimonselice.it/en/

The village of Arqua Petrarca takes its name from Francesco Petrarch, the 14th-century poet who spent the last four years of his life here and died at his writing desk in 1374.

What to see

• Casa del Petrarca, the modest stone house where Petrarch lived, still containing period furniture, frescoes depicting his life, and even the mummified body of his beloved cat

• The village's medieval streets and central square, virtually unchanged since the 14th century and listed among Italy's most beautiful villages

• Petrarch's tomb in the small church square, where the poet himself designed his own sarcophagus

What to do

• Visit the house to understand why Petrarch chose these hills as his final retreat, the views over olive groves and vineyards explain it immediately

What to eat

• Jujube jam, the small red date-like fruit grows on trees throughout the village and has been made into preserves here since Petrarch's time

Take note

• The house has limited capacity; book at https://museiarezzo.it/en/petrarcas-house/

On the volcanic slopes of the Colli Euganei, Vignalta has been making wine from indigenous and international varieties since 1980 and is considered the benchmark estate of the denomination.

What to see

• Explore the estate's hillside vineyards, planted in mineral-rich volcanic soil that gives Euganean wines their distinctive character

• The cellar, where modern winemaking techniques meet traditional Italian varietals in a region that remains well outside the tourist mainstream

What to do

• Taste a structured flight of Vignalta wines, including their celebrated Gemola (Cabernet and Merlot blend) and the extraordinary Fior d'Arancio passito

What to eat

• Pair your tasting with regional snacks: soppressa salami, local cheeses, and Euganean bread baked with olive oil

Take note

• Book tastings in advance at https://www.vignalta.it/en/wine-tastings/