My husband and I just returned from a trip to Asolo and Florence on May 25th and I wanted to share some of what we found interesting there...We flew on Air France, which I was nervous about due to some postings I had read here, but the ride was great. Everyone was ultra-accomodating, the individual video monitors in each headrest were a bonus, and the food was the best I've had so far on a flight. And no lost luggage, which was my biggest worry. A bus met us at the airport (hired for our group) and took us to Asolo. Asolo is an amazing hillside town about 40 miles north of Venice. It is the most charming place I have ever been (and I've traveled a bit). We stayed a the Hotel Duse, and on the recommendation of a fellow Fodorite, I e-mailed the hotel beforehand and asked for a room overlooking the town's piazza. It was a great view, and just goes to show why using this message board is a good idea for any trip. We went as guests of the company my husband works for and part of the group stayed at the Hotel Al Sole, which was very nice, but a bit more expensive, I think. We also had a tour bus that was hired to take us around the area (Treviso, Bassano Del Grappa, Venice), because of the large number of people in our group. Asolo is definitely a place to stop for a day or so if you have a car, but would be restrictive if you didn't have a mode of transportation. That said, the town itself is a wonderful respite from the bustle of a larger city like Venice. The people were very friendly, there are several cute restaurants and wine bars, and surprisingly, we had no problem finding a spot to stay up late and discuss the day's events. We stayed for four days. All in all we had a fabulous time, and I think my husband and I would both agree that had our trip ended right there, that we would have still gone home happy...
But, we then traveled by train to Florence. The train ride was no problem, but hauling our luggage on/off the train was a total drag. I encourage anyone who intends to travel anywhere on a train, to go to your suitcase right now, and unload half of what you have packed in there. Trust me on this one, you can buy anything you need once you get there. We each took a 45" and a 22" bag, and that was way too much luggage for this trip. I've learned my lesson.
In Florence, we stayed at the Villa La Sosta, a bed and breakfast on the Via Bolognese, north of the Piazza Della Liberta. It was a lovely house, and the brother and sister who own it were very nice, but it is a walk to the major sights. This was a good thing for us, because we were eating way too much and needed the exercise. But, we often ended up using the buses to get back to the Villa at the end of the day and at night, because of the distance. In Florence, don't miss the Duomo, Uffizi, or Accademia. Climb Giotto's bell tower instead of the Duomo for less steps and still awesome views. Cross the Ponte Vecchio and wander the Altrarno. Rub the snout of "Il Porcellino" in order to come back to Florence one day, because you'll never experience all it has to offer in one short trip.
Please respond to this posting if you have any questions-I know I didn't include a third of what I could have, but it grieves me to talk about Italy when I want so much to be back there. For anyone going there soon, I wish you a great trip (and that I were going, too!)

Thanks for that report! I just returned from Asolo (was there for a wedding) and agree that it is a charming and beautiful place.

Did you go from Asolo to Possagno )about 8 km away from Asolo)?
If you did , be so kind and tell me about it. I am going with my husband on July to the dolmites, and our way back to Verona includes Asolo, Possagno, Bassano del Grapa and so on.
Thanks
Nava

We are traveling to Italy mid dec. and are trying to decide between venice and Asolo or both.
We are using the Starwood deal.

As of today, we have a few nights in Venice the idea being to recover etc. and then onto Asolo, we would like to keep costs and anxiety down, so were planning on not renting a car.

We are wondering whether we would have enough to interest us in Asolo for 8 days. We are staying at the Villa Cipriani in Asolo.

Any thoughts?? And is there and appreciable difference in cost of eating etc. between Venice and Asolo??

thanks for your thoughts.

I would definitely split your 8 days between Venice and Asolo. I've been to both, love them both but they are so different from each other that you should spend, perhaps, 5 days in Venice and 3 in Asolo. We also stayed in Starwood properties and LOVED the intimate and charming Villa Cipriani in Asolo. Asolo is VERY small and very tranquil and a great little place to get away from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities in Italy. Since you're going in December you might not be able to enjoy the gorgeous gardens at the Villa which we found so relaxing. In Venice we stayed at the Europa Regina. Everyone raves about this hotel but we found it just o.k. It just felt a bit impersonal and corporate but I just like smaller properties better.

As far as the cost of eating, it should be much cheaper in Asolo. There are a few small restaurants and all three of the ones we tried were outstanding. In Venice, you really have to do research to find a great meal, I think. As far as getting to Asolo from Venice with no car, it's tricky but we did it. It's been a few years but I recall we took a train from Venice to a larger town, then a bus and finally a minibus which took us up the hill to Asolo. The whole time we were doing this trains, bus and minibus ordeal we were wondering if it would be worth it because the towns we were going by were nothing special...but as soon as the minivan started up the cobblestone hill to Asolo, we understood the appeal and were happy we did the trip. It would definitely be easier in a car but you don't need the car once you are in Asolo.

I've had a long-standing desire to visit Asolo, thanks in part to my familiarity with the Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, which was moved piece by piece from a villa in Asolo, Italy.

This summer we did indeed visit and found it as charming as everyone says, but unfortunately didn't spend the night. Do be aware that it is not very "user-friendly" public transport wise. From Venice we took train and then bus to get there, but the bus stops at the base of a hill, below the village. We didn't know that a local bus does come by there, but he saw us climbing the hill and asked if we wanted a ride, which we did. We had to wait several hours to get a return ride down to the main bus stop, and then wait over an hour for the main bus.
I'd suggest a car!