This tour available April 1, 2024 — October 31, 2024
Itinerary
DAY 1 — USA/VENICE
Departure from USA by scheduled air service. Contact our office for lowest airfare available for your travel dates.
DAY 2 — VENICE
Upon arrival to Venice airport you’ll be met and transferred by private water taxi to your hotel. Check in and the remainder of the day is at your leisure. This evening enjoy a romantic gondola serenade along the Gran Canal at dusk. Take in the sight of Venice by night, illuminated by glittering lights reflected on the water.
DAY 3 — VENICE
This morning join a small group walking tour of Venice. Learn about the origin and history of Venice as you visit the Golden Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge’s Palace. This afternoon enjoy a cruise to the 3 lagoon islands of Murano, the island known for glass-making; Burano, renowned for the craft of making lace; and Torcello, rich in Veneto history and home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. This evening we’ll make a reservation for you at a special Venetian restaurant located nearby your hotel.
DAY 4 — VENICE / VERONA
Transfer on your own to the Venice train station in time to board your train to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by private car to your hotel. This afternoon your private guide will meet you at your hotel for a 3 hour walking tour of this city, which is rich in Roman history. See Piazza delle Erbe, the main market square; the magnificent Roman theater (the Arena); Ponte Pietra and Arch; Juliet’s balcony and Romeo’s house; Piazza dei Signori and more. This evening we suggest you have dinner at Osteria de Ugo where you’ll find a friendly atmosphere and genuine good food and local Veneto wines .
DAY 5 — VERONA
This morning we suggest you use the local Hop on and Hop off tour bus to visit some more of the city. The bus is the red double-decker with open air top, and it circles around the city so you can see both the center and some of the beautiful hillside surroundings.
In the afternoon we can arrange a private car and driver to take you to the wineries of Soave (supplement $359.00pp) or Valpolicella (supplement $299.00pp), depending on your preference of white or red wine. Visit a local producer for tasting. This evening when you return to Verona we suggest you try Trattoria alla Colonna nearby Romeo’s house. Try the local dish called coletta, a schnitzel available in various sizes. Many critics believe this restaurant makes the best in the city of Verona.
DAY 6 — VERONA
Today we suggest you visit Castelvecchio, the fortress that was built in 1354–57. It has two sections separated by a bridge and an imposing wall from the 12th century. The Civic museum is also housed inside the Napoleonic wing and it contains reliefs and sculptures produced in and around Verona from the 12th to the 15th centuries. We suggest you visit the Romanesque church of San Zeno Maggiore which has many extraordinary paintings including Madonna and Child between Angels and Saints by Andrea Mantegno done between 1457–59. This evening we suggest you visit the Antica Bottega, a small enoteca and try some of the locally produced wines.
DAY 7 — VERONA / USA
Transfer by private car to the Verona airport in time to board your flight back to USA.