Astor

This historical estate reaveals its delights slowly and elegantly. Leaving the bustling Venetian activities behind you, the drive leads you on a simple country road through fields which melt into the natural park of the Euganean hills. The estate has been in the hands of an ancient Counts's family since the 13th century, well over 700 years. 

This is one of the great Venetian properties. The 150 hectare estate consists of a Venetian villa, a 19th century English park with a wonderfully romantic 19th century garden folly reminiscent of a Palladian temple (The Temple / also featured in our portfolio), a skillfully designed 18 hole golf course and cultivated farmland with several farm buildings. What used to be granarys, storerooms and living quarters of the employees have now been turned into comfortable and well-equipped apartments. Some of the other outhouses have been turned into equestrian stables which house race horses.

All this 20 km south of Padua, within easy reach of the famous historic villas of the Veneto, many of them built by the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio, as also the cities of the Veneto and the Lake district.
 

The farm buildings of the estate are surrounded by the English style park, cultivated farmland and - literally bordering on the estate - the Natural Park of the Euganean hills. The striking main building with a courtyard was built in the 18th century, some alterations dating from the 19th century. Most attractive feature is the courtyard with its elegant loggia articulated by a series of columns, which are grown with a profusion of geraniums and lemon trees in antique terracotta vases. Tables and chairs in the courtyard will invite you to spend some time here, reading-up your guide books while having breakfast or relaxing with a glass of the excellent local red wine after a rewarding day of sight-seeing.

Astor is a charming apartment located on the first floor of the main building. It has been restored recently. It looks out onto the courtyard to one side and onto the park of the villa on the other. The apartment, which lies on the first floor, is centered around an open-space living room and kitchen. This lay-out gives our guests the necessary space to spend the evenings together, cooking, reading or writing, or - why not - playing cards. In the warmer season the beautiful courtyard will be beckoning guests to spend their evenings under the open sky. 

Please note: The wine cellar of the estate is now a reception room which is rented out for weddings or other festivities. From April to October the estate always has wedding receptions on Saturday, and often on Sunday too. The wedding receptions end at about 1am, sometimes earlier. Our guests have not been bothered by either, but you should however be aware of the other activities on the premises. Astor lies above former horse stables, the horses have been moved only recently. The smell of horses is sometimes still perceptible.

Pool: Guests are welcome to use the pool of the golf club. The pool lies within the estate next to the golf clubhouse, approx. 1 km from Astor (800 m to the car park, plus 4 min. walk). The pool is open from beginning of June to mid of September. It is closed on Tuesdays and with bad weather.

Culture: The immense cultural whealth and variety of Venetia is the main reason for visiting this area. The Astor's strategic position makes for many an inspiring day trip to Padova, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, lake Garda as well as Este, Montagnana, Monselice and Arquà Petrarca in the immediate vicinity. The villas on the Brenta canal as well as the famous Palladio villas should also be on your cultural agenda.

Ecology: The agricultural production of the estate is organic and the owners see the estate's future in becoming a full-circle organic farm: cultivation, products, cattle, fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

The Golf Club: 5 minutes by car from the house lies the beautiful golf club of the estate, which is considered the best in the area. The club house is a cleverly converted farm building with a very pleasant restaurant which serves excellent light lunches and full dinners (see last picture below). Reduced green fees for our guests.

Closest shopping: The next village with a supermarket, bar, bank and post office is Montemerlo at 1.5 km from the property. More choices of shops you will find in Rovolon at a distance of 5 km.

Railway station: The next railway station is in Montegrotto at a distance of approx. 10 km from the property. Here you can park your car. Trains go regularly to Venice.