I'm planning some daytrips from Venice in April and have seen this town mentioned favorably, but no details. Can't find much in English on the net, either. What's there? Would it be a good plan to go to Asolo from there, as well? Same question for Asolo. Any help will be much appreciated.

It may well be that some of the favorable stuff you have read here has been from me. It's easy to search, just search "Bassano". <BR> <BR>For me it was just some "ambienza", I guess. It's true, there isn't much online in English. <BR> <BR>In particular, we stayed in this hotel: <BR> <BR>Hotel Al Castello <BR>Via Bonamigo 19, <BR>36061, Bassano del Grappa <BR>Tel: 0424-228665 <BR>Fax: 0424-228665 <BR>Single room: 50000 - 80000 <BR>Double room: 80000 - 130000 <BR> <BR>Ate at this restaurant: <BR> <BR>www.bassano2000.it/ottone.htm (no English here - - and very little information, overall) <BR> <BR>and enjoyed this museum: <BR> <BR>http://www.x-land.it/museobassano/en...ndex_frame.htm <BR> <BR>There are a few other internet sources of information; I don't why they are so difficult to find with the standard search engines. <BR> <BR>www.bassanonline.it - - with its moving water image of "the famous bridge" (essentially no english on this site, but you can still figure out a fair amount here about stuff going on - - for example, Carnevale festivities, but of course, those end on Ash Wednesday - - 36 hours from now). <BR> <BR>and <BR> <BR>www.comune.bassano.vi.it/citta/index.htm - - the "official" web site for the city (also essentially no english) - - you can find some info here also on the <BR>(September) Opera festival. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

C'mon, Rex! I guess I need you to describe what your definition of "ambienza" is! I'm looking for: medieval, perhaps a few churches, ancient piazzas, not necessarily museums; outside photo ops, old world charm. For a few hours. Is this one of those - as yet - undiscovered gems? Also, what about Asolo?

Holly, <BR> <BR>The ambienza was: <BR> <BR>a "real" town that exists for its inhabitants, not for its visitors; as a corollary, very little English in evidence; seamless (yet entirely haphazard) integration of architecture from the past 10 centuries, with a foundation of a main town square that is 20 or 25 centuries old (but no "ruins" from the Roman era, per se); a palpable sense of local civic pride, especially in the wonderful museum - - which is predominantly local work (two "major" artists, Jacopo "Bassano" and the sculpteur Canova - - who claimed many places as his "home"); uncrowded (this was March) and unrushed; sunny (sure, this may be pure luck, but the Dolomites are famous for their sunshine) when Venice was not the two days before; a picnic lunch on the patio of our hotel from stuff bought at one of the many salumerie with no one paying any atttention to us. <BR> <BR>And I don't know anything about Asolo (nor Asiago, of cheese fame) - - both nearby. But here's a web page you might get something from: http://www.comune.bassano.vi.it/citt...ari/jacopo.htm "On the footprints of Jacopo" showing a local "itinerary" connecting it to many of his major featured works (note that the art shown here is in these nearby towns and churches, not in the museum in B d G). <BR> <BR>Does this help? <BR> <BR>

Hello Holly, <BR> <BR>We visited Asolo last year, - it's certainly worth a trip! It's a pleasant town in a lovely hillside setting. It's very small, - you can see it in a couple of hours... with time for a gelato in the piazza... <BR> <BR>You can get there by bus from Bassano - or from Treviso, which is also lovely. <BR>The bus (- I think it's actually the Bassano-Treviso service) drops you off on the main road. From there you have to catch the orange minibus shuttle service up the hill into town, - otherwise it's a long walk! <BR> <BR>Steve

Holly: Bassao meets your criteria expressed above very well; especially outside photo ops and old world charm. The Bridge is worth the stop, but certainly wander the town. Be sure to cross over the covered bridge (look up) and check out the non-tourist shops on the far side. There is a bakery on your left immediately after crossing where we got great cannoli which was lunch enjoyed while sitting on a stone wall at the edge of the Brenta River looking back at the bridge and the town. I am given to hyperbole, but here goes anyway, "fantastic". <BR> <BR>You are so close to asolo at this point, it shouldn't be missed. This was a real "find" for us. A thoroughly charming (read that "romantic") small hill town. The hillside villas are some of the most beautiful you will see anywhere. Be sure to save time to wander the area. Climb to the Castle Ruins and then to the ruins of the Roman Fort for a great hike and grand views (more photo opportunities). Asolo has been a home to the arts since the 15th Century. Major musicians, poets, painters, etc., have lived here over the centuries. It will be easy to see why. We toured Bassano (most of a day) and stayed at Asolo. Asolo is very small, so, the early evening hike up to the Castle/Fort and the next morning wander of the village were perfect. We stayed at the Durst Hotel with a room overlooking the Piazza Maggiore and ate at Du Moi (sp) with a balcony-edge table and one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen. We had the area specialties, pasta e fagioli soup and gnocchi with pumpkin blossoms and a cream sauce. Delicious with an excellent local wine recommended by the waitress who turned out to be the chef/owner's wife and a completely charming person. She offered information and carefully looked out for our enjoyment the whole evening. The restaurant specializes in grilled meats with a large grill which can be seen from the inside dinning room. But, eat outside for that view. It is heated on coolish nights. <BR> <BR>Try not to go to either village on a weekend. Very popular with Italians on weekend jaunts. Your gonna love these two little villages.

Holly: Another thought. A great day trip from Venice would be Aquileia, the Roman Ruins east of Venice and Grado, the ancient fishing village just south of Aquileia. The mosaics and the Byzantine Frescoes in the Basilica at Aquileia are incredible. Search on Grado for a more complete description I provided at an earlier time.

Great information, folks. Thanks so much!