The Villa Barbaro (tel. 0423-923-004; www.villadimaser.it), also called Villa di Maser, is one of Palladio's most celebrated. It lies down in the valley, east of Asolo outside the hamlet of Maser. Probably the most famous of the Palladian villas (after Vicenza's Villa Rotonda), not to mention one of the most beautiful, the 1560 Barbaro is a standout for its gorgeous frescoes by Veronese (which La Rotonda lacks). It's privately owned by some very, very lucky folks who make you wear giant slippers to shuffle around and admire the frescoes on the ground floor. The hours change almost monthly: March, July, and August, it's open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm; April, May, June, September, and October, add Wednesday and Friday 10am to 6pm; November to February, Saturday and Sunday 2:30 to 5pm; closed December 24 to January 6. Admission is 6€.
At least 10 to 15 daily buses (tel. 0422-577-311) between Bassano (30 min.) and Treviso (50 min.), with stops at Asolo (15-20 min.), also stop in Maser. If you're coming by car from Asolo, drive down to the main road and turn left; turn left again when you see a pretty church squatting in the middle of the road.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
