Valsanzibio Garden and Villa dei Vescovi

South-west of Padua, the volcanic Euganean Hills rise out of the flat Veneto plain like green islands, and tucked among them are some of the region's most beautiful historic estates. This guided tour combines two of them. The first is the garden of Valsanzibio, a seventeenth-century creation attached to the Villa Barbarigo. It is considered one of the finest Baroque gardens in Italy, designed as a path of symbolic meaning leading visitors from the entrance gate through avenues of statues, over pools and fountains, and into a boxwood labyrinth where the aim is to find the centre. Fishponds, a small island of rabbits, a long water staircase and a hermit's grotto add variety, and the planting changes through the seasons from spring blossom to autumn colour. The second stop is the Villa dei Vescovi at Luvigliano, a sixteenth-century Renaissance villa associated with the patrician Alvise Cornaro and the architect Giovanni Maria Falconetto. Its open loggia, frescoed rooms and views over the surrounding vineyards make it a masterpiece of the Venetian villa tradition, and it is now run as a cultural property. Together, the two sites offer a balanced taste of the region: a formal garden for wandering and a house for studying the culture of the people who built it. Padua's hills are quieter than the more famous Tuscan countryside, so the visit has a gently undiscovered feel.

Both properties have their own opening patterns, with the garden generally open on most days in the warmer months and the villa open on selected days, so a guided tour that coordinates both is a convenient option. If you prefer to go independently, check opening hours in advance and plan to rent a car or hire a driver, since public transport to the hills is limited. The garden is large, with gravel paths and some gentle slopes, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Spring and early autumn are especially pleasant, with mild weather and fewer visitors, while summer calls for a hat and an early start. The maze is a hit with children, and the pools, statues and small bridges provide plenty of photo opportunities. At the Villa dei Vescovi, you will find a more contemplative atmosphere, with a terrace overlooking vines and olive groves. Look for the decorative details in the loggia and the way the building frames the landscape.

Many tours also add a tasting of local wine or olive oil, which pairs naturally with the setting, but check the itinerary because some are purely cultural. Allow most of a morning or an afternoon, and combine with a visit to a hill village such as Arqua Petrarca if you have a full day. The estates are privately managed, so rules on photography, drones and picnics apply, and dogs may not be welcome indoors. Accessibility is limited in the villa because of stairs, and parts of the garden are uneven.

If the weather turns rainy, the garden is still atmospheric, but footing becomes slippery, so choose appropriate shoes. Reserve ahead for groups. Garden visits suit slow travellers, so avoid cramming extra stops into the same day if you want to enjoy the maze, the water staircase and the quiet corners. A simple picnic is not always allowed, so check the rules, and consider booking lunch at a local trattoria in the hills.