Veneto and Lombardia

D01: ARRIVAL MESTRE - VENICE

The journey begins on Day 1 with your arrival at Venice airport, followed by a transfer to Mestre for hotel check-in. In the late afternoon/evening, you will take a train to Venice for a first exploration of its labyrinthine alleys (calli) and canals.

D02: VENICE

Day 2 is fully dedicated to Venice, starting at Piazza San Marco and its splendors: St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, La Fenice Theater, and St. Mark's Campanile. After a quick lunch, the tour continues to the iconic Rialto Bridge and the vibrant fish and produce market. Renting a gondola for a ride along the canals is highly recommended. Dinner will be enjoyed in the more authentic San Polo or Cannaregio districts.

D03: VENICE

Day 3 continues in Venice with a focus on art. The morning features a vaporetto ride to Murano Island, famous for its glass factories and the Murano Glass Museum. In the afternoon, you will return to Venice to visit the Accademia Gallery and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in the Dorsoduro area. Time permitting, a quick visit to Burano Island, known for its colorful houses and lacemaking, is planned.

D04: PADOVA - VICENZA - VERONA

Day 4 departs Venice for the art cities of the Veneto region. The morning is spent in Padova, visiting Giotto’s stunning frescoes at the Scrovegni Chapel, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, and Prato della Valle. In the afternoon, you will head to Vicenza, the "city of Palladio," to visit magnificent Renaissance Villas and the iconic Teatro Olimpico. After dinner, the group transfers to the hotel in Verona.

D05: VERONA

Day 5 is spent entirely in Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Highlights include Juliet's House, Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe, and the magnificent Arena di Verona. Should a performance be scheduled, the opportunity to attend will be seized.

D06: LAKE GARDA - MALCESINE - PESCHIERA DEL GARDA - SIRMIONE 

Day 6 explores Lake Garda. You will visit the picturesque towns of Malcesine, known for its medieval Scaligero Castle, and Sirmione, the ‘Pearl of Lake Garda,’ visiting another Scaliger castle and the archaeological site of Grotte di Catullo. A short stop in Peschiera del Garda to admire its UNESCO fortress is included. Dinner and overnight stay in Sirmione, with options for swimming or a boat tour.

D07: SIRMIONE - MILAN

Day 7 involves an early transfer from Sirmione by bus to Milan, the dynamic metropolis and global leader in fashion and finance. Upon arrival, the tour begins at Piazza del Duomo, including a climb to the rooftop terraces. Next, you will stroll through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and visit Piazza della Scala, home to one of the world's most famous opera houses. After lunch in the charming Brera district, you will explore the Pinacoteca of Brera. The evening culminates in the Navigli district for a traditional Milanese "aperitivo."

D08: MILAN

Day 8 continues in Milan, starting with the magnificent Sforza Castle and a stroll through Parco Sempione to the Arco della Pace. The highlight of the day is a visit to The Last Supper, the world-famous fresco by Leonardo Da Vinci (tickets must be booked well in advance). The Milan journey concludes with a visit to the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci. Dinner will feature local specialties like risotto and cotoletta alla Milanese.

D09: MILAN

Day 9 marks the conclusion of your North-Italian journey, with a transfer to the Milan airport for your safe journey home.

CINQUE TERRE

The Cinque Terre is a truly magical place. We will take a special look at the towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. These five villages are nestled along 20 km of coastline, encompassing a small Eden. With their pristine sea, sheer cliffs, gentle terraced hills cultivated with vineyards, and iconic colorful buildings clinging to the slopes, they form a truly unique landscape in the world.