
WHAT’S INCLUDED
The per person price includes:
The per person price does not include:
DAY 1 – Arrival in Verona
September 26th
Travelers arrive independently in Verona and check in at our hotel in the center of town
In the late afternoon we will all get together for the first time as a group to do an Italian-style aperitivo
Night in Verona
DAY 2 – Verona: the Other City of Love
September 27th
In the morning we will do a guided walking tour of central Verona including a visit to the Roman Arena, the one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world.
The afternoon is free for you to explore the rest of the city sights on your own. Things you could choose to do in Verona might be:
the Juliet (as in Romeo and Juliet) House museum (€12)
the Archaeological Museum (€9) to explore Verona’s Roman Empire origins
the Gallery of Modern Art, located in the incredible Palazzo della Ragione, which also hosts the 13th century Lamberti Tower and the Cappella dei Notai
explore the daily market in Piazza delle Erbe
Meet up again in the evening for a group dinner of Veronese and other regional specialties.
Night in Verona
DAY 3 – Franciacorta: rolling hills and elegant sparkling wines
September 28th
By private bus we will head west into the Franciacorta wine region (about 1 hour by bus) where we will stop at a winemaker to learn about the “metodo classico” technique and taste their wonderful Chardonnay sparkling wines.
Lunch at the winemaker
After lunch we will take a short drive (15 minutes) into the lovely small city of Brescia, to wander its historic downtown, founded in the 7th century BC and incorporated into the Roman Empire in the 1st centruy BC.
Return to Verona by bus
Night in Verona
DAY 4 – From Amarone into the Alpine Landscape
September 29th
Our first stop on our way into the Dolomite mountains is at an Amarone winemaker in the heart of the Valpolicella hill country just outside of Verona. Amarone is one of the legendary Italian red wines, and we will do a wine tasting with lunch at the cellar.
After lunch, we will continue on to Bolzano on our bus (about 2 hours) and check-in at the hotel and in the late afternoon do a guided tour of Bolzano, where we will learn about the distinctive cultural mix of Italian, Austrian, and Ladinian traditions within one city.
Night in Bolzano
DAY 5 – Discover Sud Tirol culture and the Dolomite Natural Wonders
September 30th
In the late morning we will take our bus to Pemmern (about 45 minutes) from where we will ride a cable car up to the Corno del Renon, one of the most spectacular scenic viewpoints in the Dolomites. Up here you will breathe in the alpine air and the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. This area has a wealth of trails for all levels of fitness and you will be free to explore it on your own.
Lunch on your own in the various restaurants/bars on the mountain.
Late afternoon return to the hotel.
The last event of the day is a group dinner in a restaurant featuring the very different Italian cuisine from Sud Tirol.
Night in Bolzano
DAY 6 – Dolomite food and wine traditions
October 1st
We will spend the day exploring the heart of the wine making region of the Dolomites along the famous “Wienstrasse” with a vineyard tour, wine tasting and lunch.
After lunch, we will head into the heart of Siusi Valley to visit with a cheesemaker and taste their products.
Return to the hotel. Evening free.
Night in Bolzano
DAY 7 –Prosecco: the wine that conquered the world
October 2nd
On the way to Venice, we will stop in the Prosecco region and learn about how this wine became the most produced and exported in the world. We will stop at a small niche producer who still farms manually on the steep hills.
Lunch and wine tasting at the producer
After lunch continue on to Venice and check-in at the hotel
Night in Venice
DAY 8 –Venice: artistic hub for the world’s artists since 1400
October 3rd
In the morning we will meet we will meet our guide for a guided walking tour of the San Marco piazza and surrounding area, followed by entry into the Doge’s Palace, which you will be free to visit on your own.
Free afternoon.
Optional activities you could choose to do this day (we will help you make any bookings and buy tickets) might be:
a gondola ride (€90 for one gondola for 30 minutes, 5 people max.)
a visit to the Guggenheim Museum (€17 entry fee)
wander the lesser-travelled neighborhoods of Dorsoduro, Cannaregio and the Ghetto, or Guidecca
visit the Prada Foundation for ultra-contemporary art (€13)
see the masterpieces of Venetian painting at the Accademia (€15)
see the unique Fortuny Museum that highlights the multi-form artist Mariano Fortuny, everything from painting to photography to fabric design and lighting. (€11)
boat tour to Murano and Burano (there are lots of offers for tours like this from large to small-group and even private groups. Expect to pay a minimum of around €50 per person depending on the type of tour).
Note: anyone who wishes to hire an art historical guide for any activities can do so. The price for an official guide will be approximately €80 per hour.
Group dinner
Night in Venice
DAY 9 – Venice: the most important art show on earth
October 4th
In the morning we will enter the Venice Biennale (Art Edition) with our art historical guide. After the tour with the guide (which will last about 1.5 hours) you will be free to explore the Biennale as much as you want
afternoon free. See above for ideas about optional activities you could choose from.
Farewell group aperitivo
Night in Venice
DAY 10 – Travelers depart independently for the States or other destinations