Self-Launched: Walk the Prosecco Hills & Hidden Venice, Italy
8 days · Prosecco Hills & Venice, Italy
Exodus charges £2,175
No-markup version: ~£620 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Trade the group tour price tag for an independent adventure through one of Italy's most underrated wine regions. This self-launched version of Exodus's popular Prosecco Hills & Hidden Venice trip keeps all the magic — UNESCO-listed vineyard walks, a day trip to Venice's hidden neighbourhoods, hilltop villages, and plenty of Prosecco — while swapping the four-star hotel and private minibus for charming guesthouses and local trains. The Prosecco Hills remain blissfully uncrowded and easy to navigate independently, with well-marked trails, frequent local buses, and welcoming family-run agriturismi. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Pieve di Soligo
Pieve di Soligo, Veneto
Make your way to Pieve di Soligo, a pretty riverside village in the heart of the Prosecco Hills, about 60km north of Venice. From Venice Marco Polo or Treviso airport, take a regional train or bus toward Conegliano, then a local bus or taxi to Pieve di Soligo (~£15–20 total). Check into your guesthouse or agriturismo, grab a light dinner at a local trattoria, and stroll the village to get your bearings. The hills are already all around you.
🚌Regional train from Venice Santa Lucia to Conegliano (~£7, 40 mins), then local bus or shared taxi to Pieve di Soligo (~£5–8)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar family-run guesthouse in Pieve di Soligo — approx. £45–65/night
- →Arrive and check in to agriturismo or guesthouse
- →Orientation walk around Pieve di Soligo village centre
- →Dinner at a local trattoria — try bigoli pasta or local charcuterie
Morning Walk Across the Soligo Hills
Soligo Hills, Pieve di Soligo
Head out early on foot or by local bus to the Soligo Hills trailhead. The well-marked trail crosses woodlands and climbs to a charming hamlet with an ancient monastery, rewarding you with panoramic views over the farmland and valleys below — no guide needed, just download the GPX track from Komoot or Wikiloc beforehand. After the 8km walk, reward yourself with a long lunch at a local osteria in the valley. In the afternoon, pick up a bottle of Prosecco from a roadside cantina and toast your first proper day in the hills.
🚌Walk from accommodation or local bus to trailhead (~£2)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar — approx. £45–65/night
- →8km self-navigated walk through the Soligo Hills using Komoot/Wikiloc GPX track
- →Visit ancient monastery with panoramic valley views
- →Lunch at a local osteria
- →Prosecco tasting at a roadside cantina
Heartland of Prosecco: Valdobbiadene & Winery Visit
Valdobbiadene, San Pietro di Barbozza, Santo Stefano
Take a local bus to Valdobbiadene (~20 mins, ~£3) and pick up the UNESCO Prosecco Hills trail through the steep terraced vineyards of San Pietro di Barbozza and Santo Stefano. The 10km circular route is well-waymarked and winds past some of the prettiest vineyard scenery in the Veneto. Stop at Pietrovecchio winery (or similar) for a self-booked guided tasting — most local producers welcome walk-ins or allow bookings via email/phone. Return by bus to Pieve di Soligo in the afternoon.
🚌Local bus Pieve di Soligo–Valdobbiadene (~£3 each way)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar — approx. £45–65/night
- →10km circular walk through UNESCO-listed Prosecco Hills vineyards
- →Guided wine tasting at Pietrovecchio or similar local Prosecco producer (book direct, ~£12–18pp)
- →Lunch at a vineyard or village café
Hidden Venice: Artisans, Canals & Spritz
Venice
Catch an early train from Conegliano to Venice Santa Lucia (frequent departures, ~£7, 50 mins). Rather than queuing for the standard sights, head straight to the quieter sestieri of Cannaregio and Castello — Venice's most lived-in neighbourhoods. Book a small-group 'Hidden Venice' walking tour via GetYourGuide or Walks of Italy (~£25–35pp) which includes stops at working artisan workshops, often including a forcola (gondola oar rest) or remo (oar) craftsperson. End the morning with a Spritz and cicchetti at a bacaro in the Rialto market area. Spend the afternoon exploring freely before catching an evening train back.
🚌Train Conegliano–Venice Santa Lucia (~£7 each way, ~50 mins); vaporetto day pass if needed (~£8)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar — approx. £45–65/night
- →Self-guided exploration of Cannaregio and Castello neighbourhoods
- →Small-group 'Hidden Venice' artisan walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£25–35pp)
- →Visit gondola oar craftsperson's workshop
- →Spritz and cicchetti at a traditional bacaro near Rialto
- →Free afternoon exploring Venice independently
Monte San Giorgio, Villa Barbaro & Asolo
Maser, Monte San Giorgio, Asolo
Take a local bus toward Maser (~30 mins, ~£4) to start today's 10km historical walk. Stop first to admire the exterior of the UNESCO-listed Villa Barbaro, Palladio's masterpiece — an optional interior visit costs around £10. The trail then climbs Monte San Giorgio, following the original WWI frontline, passing memorials and fortifications before descending into the hilltop gem of Asolo — the 'Pearl of Treviso'. Wander the medieval centre, enjoy the views toward the Dolomites and the Venetian lagoon, and linger over a long lunch. Return by bus to Pieve di Soligo, stopping for a glass at a local enoteca.
🚌Local bus Pieve di Soligo–Maser (~£4); local bus Asolo–Pieve di Soligo (~£4)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar — approx. £45–65/night
- →10km self-navigated historical walk via Monte San Giorgio (GPX from Komoot)
- →Exterior visit to UNESCO-listed Villa Barbaro (optional interior ~£10)
- →Walk WWI frontline trail with memorial viewpoints
- →Explore hilltop Asolo town centre
- →Wine tasting at a local enoteca in Pieve di Soligo on return
Free Day: Treviso, Conegliano or Padua
Treviso, Conegliano, or Padua
A full free day to explore at your own pace. Option 1: Conegliano — the other heart of Prosecco production, with a charming old town and the Scuola dei Battuti with its remarkable frescoes. Option 2: Treviso — a gorgeous walled medieval city with canals, arcaded streets, and the (disputed but celebrated) birthplace of tiramisu. Easy by bus or train. Option 3: Padua — a short train ride away (~£6), home to the unmissable Cappella degli Scrovegni with Giotto's stunning frescoes (book online at least 24hrs in advance, ~£18). All are easily reachable independently by public transport.
🚌Train or bus from Pieve di Soligo/Conegliano to chosen destination (~£5–12 return)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar — approx. £45–65/night
- →Option A: Explore Conegliano old town and Prosecco wine museum
- →Option B: Wander Treviso's canals, arcades and try the original tiramisu
- →Option C: Visit Padua's Cappella degli Scrovegni frescoes by Giotto (pre-book online, ~£18)
Panoramic Summit Walk: Monte Cesen
Monte Cesen, Venetian Prealps
The grand finale walk. Take a local bus toward Bigolino or Valdobbiadene and follow the trail up to Monte Cesen (1,400m), the highest peak in the Venetian Prealps. The ascent crosses mountain pastures and meadows and rewards with a sweeping 360° panorama stretching to the eastern Alps, the Dolomites and — on a clear day — Venice itself. Download the route from Komoot before setting off. It's a full day's walking (~9km), so set off early and pack lunch. In the evening, celebrate with a farewell dinner at one of Pieve di Soligo's best restaurants — try Osteria Ai Mori or similar.
🚌Local bus to Bigolino or Valdobbiadene trailhead (~£3–5 each way)
🛏Agriturismo Le Gere or similar — approx. £45–65/night
- →9km summit walk to Monte Cesen (1,400m) with 360° Prealps panorama
- →Mountain pasture and meadow walking trails
- →Farewell dinner at a top local restaurant in Pieve di Soligo
Farewell Breakfast & Departure
Pieve di Soligo / Venice / Treviso
Enjoy a final breakfast at your guesthouse before heading home. From Conegliano station, take a regional train to Venice Santa Lucia (50 mins, ~£7) or Treviso for airport connections. If your flight is late, consider a final morning wander in Conegliano's old town or a last espresso in the main square. Arrivederci, Prosecco Hills!
🚌Train Conegliano–Venice Santa Lucia (~£7) or bus to Treviso airport (~£8)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final breakfast at agriturismo
- →Optional morning stroll in Conegliano old town
- →Transfer to Venice or Treviso for onward journey
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£620 | £2,175 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,555 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£620
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Walk the Prosecco Hills & Hidden Venice, Italy cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £620 per person for 8 days in Prosecco Hills & Venice, Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £2,175 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £620 — a saving of roughly £1,555 (71%) per person.
How long is the Prosecco Hills & Venice, Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Prosecco Hills & Venice, Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, culture, foodie trip through Prosecco Hills & Venice, Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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