COVERSTORY
#309
Walking between Bassano del Grappa and Marostica, Italy
From: Our Italy Correspondent Paola Peruzzo
Crossed by the river Brenta, the hills
between Bassano and Marostica,
in the north east of Italy, these are
the perfect places to ride in contact
with nature and, at the same time,
enjoy folklore and traditional popular
culture of the region. Full of luxuriant
olive trees and vineyards, the area
is also renowned for its white
asparagus, appearing mid-March to
mid-June, a product recognised for
its quality the world over.
The symbol of city is the covered
wooden pontoon bridge, called
Ponte degli Alpini, the most important
monument of the city, dear to popular
tradition. This is an absolute must when
you are in Bassano! It was destroyed
many times during the last world war,
but it was always restored following
the ideas of architect Palladio.
Don’t mind to go to taste a good
grappa before leaving the city center,
a uniquely Italian drink typcal of this
geographic area, traditionally made
from pomace, the discarded grape
seeds, if possible at the Nardini
distillery!
Close to Bassano you can reach
the lovely city of Marostica, famous
for the local cherry variety and for its
living chess match with human pawns.
Hundreds of people wear typical
costumes, and reproduce what has
now become a famous legend known
on an international scale!
The best period to visit these places
is during spring, from March to June,
for the natural panorama and also for
the culinary specialties typical of that
season.
Welcome to my beautiful country!
November-December 2015 Travel Secrets  35