For many people, Venice is the whole story. This tour adds the calmer side—olive groves and hillside wineries—just outside the city’s main buzz.

I especially liked how the day feels hands-on: you don’t just taste, you see how it’s made at the EVO del Borgo olive mill. I also enjoyed the wine portion at Cantina Colli Euganei, where tastings come with local food pairings, so the flavors actually make sense together.

One thing to consider: the timing and meeting point revolve around a short train ride to Terme Euganee, so you’ll want to be ready to coordinate schedules and get to the station area on time.

Key Highlights to Decide Fast

• Small group size (max 8): easier conversations and quicker explanations at the tastings
• Olive oil mill tour with production steps: you’ll see the process, not just the bottle
• Wine tastings at Cantina Colli Euganei: paired with local products for a more complete experience
• Air-conditioned vehicle after you meet: makes the countryside segment comfortable
• English tour leader: clear guidance during both tastings and factory-style visits
• Built around the Euganean Hills (volcanic origin): the setting is part of why the products taste the way they do

Why the Euganean Hills Are Worth the Trip From Venice

Venice teaches you how water shapes a city. The Euganean Hills, rising about 300 to 600 meters above the Padovan-Venetian plain, teach you how geology shapes food.

This is one of those day trips where you feel the change in pace quickly. You start near the spa zone of Abano Montegrotto, then you move into a hillside area known for agriculture—especially olive oil and wine. Even if you’re only in the Veneto for a short time, this gives you a bigger picture than staying stuck in Venice’s canals and crowds.

If your ideal travel day includes real producers, calm countryside views, and tastings that aren’t rushed, this fits well.

Price and What You’re Really Buying for $174.60

At $174.60 per person for about 5 hours, this isn’t a “cheap and cheerful” experience. But it also isn’t priced like a private driver fantasy, either.

Here’s what you’re paying for that matters:

• Two producer visits: an olive oil mill and a winery
• Admission tickets included for both tastings
• Roundtrip transport by air-conditioned vehicle (once you’re in the area)
• Insurance and technical organization via a certified travel agency
• A tour leader to keep the day flowing and explain what you’re tasting

That combination is the key value piece. Many wine experiences are mostly “sit, sip, repeat.” Here, you get the olive oil production stop first—then you switch gears to wine with food pairings. If you care about understanding what’s behind the bottle, this price starts to make sense.

Getting to Terme Euganee: The Train-to-Meeting-Point Plan

Logistics are part of this tour, and you’ll feel it early. You’ll travel from Venice by train to the meeting area around Terme Euganee Abano-Montegrotto.

What to expect:

• You start at Venezia Santa Lucia (the meeting start location is listed there).
• The agency provides a train ticket by email.
• You meet the local tour leader at 2:40 pm at the station Terme Euganee Abano-Montegrotto in Montegrotto Terme.
• Your leader will be in the small square outside the station, with a blue Lovivo-branded minivan.

Why this matters: if you’re the type who hates tight timing, give yourself buffer time getting from your Venice hotel to Santa Lucia. Also, have your contact ready, because the agency confirms pickup/meeting times a few days before.

Abano Montegrotto First Stop: Spa Town Energy Without the Therapy Speech

The tour starts at the Euganean Spas of Abano Montegrotto. That detail might sound vague, but it’s actually useful context: this area is built around thermal wellness and long-standing spa tourism.

Even if you’re not booking a spa treatment, beginning here gives you a sense of place. It anchors the day in a real Veneto destination rather than a random countryside stop. Then you shift quickly into the Euganean Hills, which are volcanic-origin hills rising from the plain. It’s a nice contrast: start with the spa identity, then move into agriculture and tastings.

EVO del Borgo Olive Oil Mill: How the Tasting Connects to the Process

Stop 1 is where this tour earns its “worth it” reputation. You visit EVO del Borgo – Frantoio di Arqua Petrarca, an olive oil mill where the producers explain the art of olive oil production.

You’ll spend about 1 hour here, including an admission ticket. That hour usually means you’re not just walking through a retail shop. You’re getting guided attention on the production steps, then tasting the final product.

What I like about this stop is the logic. Olive oil is one of those things people either buy blindly or use without thinking. Seeing the mill first helps you notice differences later when you taste—like how the oil feels in your mouth and how its bitterness or peppery notes show up.

Practical note: plan to taste more than once, and pace yourself. If you like olive oil, you’ll likely want to bring some home, but the tour focus is on the experience and education first.

Cantina Colli Euganei Wine Tasting With Local Pairings

Stop 2 is at Cantina Colli Euganei, described as one of the best wineries of the Euganean Hills. You’ll have another 1 hour here, also with an admission ticket included.

This isn’t just a flight of wine. Tastings are paired with local products. That pairing element matters because wine and food are meant to interact. You’ll taste wines while the local foods are on hand, which helps you understand what the winery is aiming for—how flavors balance, and how certain notes show up more clearly with specific bites.

From a value standpoint, the pairing makes the time feel more productive. You’re not just checking boxes with a few sips. You’re building a clearer idea of what you’re tasting and how it works on a plate.

And because the day is small-group (max 8), you’re more likely to get straightforward questions answered instead of waiting your turn through a loud crowd.

Small Group Size and Timing: What a 5-Hour Day Feels Like

This experience runs for about 5 hours. A big part of why it feels manageable is the structure: train to the meeting point, then a van segment between stops, then tastings back-to-back.

The tour also caps at 8 travelers, which changes the vibe. It’s easier to:

• ask questions during the mill visit
• hear explanations clearly while tasting
• take your time without feeling like you’re herded through

English is offered, and a tour leader is present throughout the day. That combination is helpful in places where you’d otherwise rely on guessing from signage.

This is a good match if you want a focused taste tour rather than an all-day “try to see everything” schedule.

Weather, the €5 Access Fee, and the One Thing You Should Plan For

This tour is weather dependent. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important in the Venice region because plans can be easily affected by rain.

There’s also a potential €5 access fee on certain dates for people staying outside Venice who are visiting for the day. The fee has exemptions, and the agency points you to the official Venice access fee info page for details. If you’re traveling from the mainland or a nearby town, check this before you assume everything is automatic.

If you want to avoid stress, pick a date with decent weather and don’t plan your return day around super tight timelines.

Who This Tour Suits Best

Book this if you:

• want olive oil and wine education, not just sampling
• like small groups and clear explanations in English
• are staying in Venice and want a countryside day that still feels organized
• enjoy food pairings and the idea of tasting with context

Skip it (or at least rethink it) if you hate schedules built around a specific train meeting point, or if you expect the day to be fully in Venice. This tour is built around Terme Euganee and the Euganean Hills, so the charm is outside the city.

Should You Book This Olive Oil and Wine Tour?

I’d book it if your goal is a real taste day: production at the olive mill, then a winery tasting with local pairings, all handled by a tour leader and a small group. The standout value is the combination of two producer visits with admission and tastings included, plus transportation that keeps the day comfortable.

Given the strong rating and the consistent praise for both the countryside area and how accommodating the facility staff are, this is one of those tours that tends to satisfy people who care about food craftsmanship.

If you’re flexible on weather and can handle the train-to-meeting-point flow, it’s a smart way to experience the Veneto beyond Venice’s waterfront.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour lasts about 5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $174.60 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Where do I meet the tour leader?

You meet at 2:40 pm at the station Terme Euganee Abano-Montegrotto in Montegrotto Terme, outside in the little square near the station.

How do I get from Venice to the meeting point area?

You reach Terme Euganee by train from Venice. The tour provides the train ticket via email.

Are tastings included?

Yes. Olive oil mill tasting is included, and winery tastings are included as well, paired with local products.

What stops are included during the tour?

You’ll start at Euganean Spas of Abano Montegrotto, then visit an olive oil mill (EVO del Borgo – Frantoio di Arqua Petrarca) and a winery (Cantina Colli Euganei).

What happens if the weather is bad?

If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there an access fee that could apply on some dates?

On certain dates, a €5 access fee may be required for some visitors staying outside Venice who are visiting for the day. You can check details and exemptions at https://cda.ve.it.