One of the most popular ways to immerse yourself in our territory, crossing suggestive paths and less traveled streets, is the bicycle.
And we at Palladian Routes know it well!
So one evening, at sunset, with a warm sun warming our faces, checking one of our itineraries, we find ourselves pedaling on our Palladian E-Bikes, along the Venetian countryside, towards the Lower Vicenza area.
Accompanying us are the gentle profile of the Berici Hills on the right and the conical profile of the volcanic Euganean Hills on the left, as if in an embrace of air, earth, water and fire.
We reach Finale, in the municipality of Agugliaro.
And we stop enthralled in front of Villa Saraceno.
Differently fascinating in every season, it appears to us perhaps in its best spring guise.
Essential, serene, kind.
We remain to admire it in adoration, until a light trampling in the grass makes us feel a presence, not far from us. An elegant gentleman, short in stature, appears from behind the main door, observing us with curious dark eyes.
"Good evening" he says to us in English, in a measured manner, as if apologizing for having interrupted our contemplation.
“I see that you really like this villa,” he continues, again in English.
We are uncertain whether to introduce ourselves, adapting to politeness, English courtesy, but we don't want to break the spell... so we end up simply replying: "How could you not love a Palladian Villa?"
We savor a slight and pleasant surprise when, without having to say anything else, the genleman addresses us asking, with an impeccable British accent: "If so, why don't you follow me and visit it inside?"
What happens next is easy to imagine.
The Villa welcomed us, taking us by the hand, as has happened for centuries.
She recognized us as lovers of Beauty and her Gentleness, and made us admire her more closely, as happens between complicit but discreet friends.
Our steps proceed on the cobblestones, on the noble stone, on the creaking wooden beams.
The internal frescoes act as a continuum to the views of the external countryside.
Airy, with open doors and windows, the inside blending with the outside, and us at the center.
In the background, behind, there is even the profile of the Pre-Alps.
While chatting we confirmed that the English gentleman is a guest of the Villa together with a small group of friends. They are spending a few days of vacation in our lands, discovering its history, landscapes and art day by day.
Seeing them chatting and sipping white wine, sitting at the large table in the central hall, transports us to a scene from "La Villeggiatura" by Carlo Goldoni.
Everything today is so unexpected, so rare...
We say goodbye with smiles and handshakes.
On the avenue, our faithful Palladian E-Bikes await us, companions on this splendid adventure.
As on modern steeds, we are preparing to take the way back, aware that leaving the Villa... is a bit like leaving a dream...
To find out about all our Palladian E-Bike Experiences, visit here