Inclusions
• 8 nights in selected 4 star-hotels with full breakfast (3 nights in Venice, 2 nights in Verona, 3 nights in Milan)
• Private guided visits with English speaking guides in Venice (private Canal Grand boat tour, St. Mark’s Church, Murano-Burano-Torcello Islands), Verona (Duomo, Arena, house of Juliet), Sirmione, Milan (Duomo, Teatro alla Scala, Church Santa Maria delle Grazie, Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana); including all the entrance fees to the sites
• Welcome Dinner in Venice
• Winery visit, wine tasting and light lunch in Valpollicella
• Characteristic dinner in Verona
• Fare-well dinner in Milan
* The tour is available as self-drive or by private chauffeured car or van available for all transfers and excursions
Day 1 / Venice Grand Canal
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon meet your local guide to enjoy a private Canal Grand boat tour. Exclusive welcome dinner and overnight.
Day 2 / Venice – St. Mark’s square, canals, bridges and much more
Breakfast. Morning private guided tour of the city highlights: you will visit all the famous landmarks in St. Mark's Square, the former political centre of the Venetian Republic, the Doge's Palace, once the seat of the government, you will cross the Bridge of Sighs to walk through the dark cells in the Dungeons. The tour ends with a visit of St. Mark's Church. Afternoon at leisure; you could enjoy a typical gondola tour on the canals or just wander through the characteristic Venetian calle (typical Venetian streets). Overnight.
Day 3 / Glass blowing and coloured fishermen’s houses on Venice’s Lagoon Islands
Breakfast. Full day excursion by boat to the Islands. On Murano you are introduced to the amazing secrets of glass blowing; on Burano you admire the brightly coloured fishermen's houses and on Torcello you visit the old Cathedral S. Maria Assunta and the lonely brick Campanile. Return to Venice. Overnight.
Day 4 / Valpollicella wines and on to Verona
Breakfast. Say arrivederci to Venice and continue the tour towards Verona. Your route will take you through the picturesque Valpolicella Wine Region, with its world famous wines. Stop for a visit to an evocative and historical winery to enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch. Then on to Verona. Time at leisure and overnight.
Day 5 / Verona, city of romance
Breakfast. Meet your local guide for a guided walking tour of Verona, commonly known as the setting for Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The rich history of the city extends back to Roman times. Still enclosed by ancient walls, Verona conserves an atmosphere that evokes a past of medieval and Renaissance splendour. The main monuments you will visit are: Duomo, Piazza delle Erbe with the famous high tower, Torre dei Lamberti, Piazza Bra dominated by the enormous Arena and the house of Juliet, with its famous balcony. The afternoon is free for you to relax, or perhaps do a little shopping in Verona's elegant stores. Dinner at a characteristic restaurant. Overnight
Day 6 / Sirmione, Pearl of Lake Garda and on to Milan
Breakfast. Get ready for your next destination, Milan. En route stop to visit Sirmione, the "Pearl of Lake Garda" with an English speaking guide. This town is built on a peninsula that projects into the Lake and is famed for its medieval beauty as well as its breathtaking natural surroundings. After the visit you will enjoy some free time to explore the town and have lunch on your own before continuing on to Milan. Arrival and overnight.
Day 7 / Milan’s magnificent Duomo and la Scala Opera House
Breakfast. Pick up at the hotel by your local guide for a morning walking tour of Milan, discovering its history and some of the world’s greatest art, including the magnificent Duomo. Enjoy a tour at the Teatro alla Scala, taking you on to the celebrated La Scala stage and uncover the hidden gems of La Scala. Visit the Theatre Museum and find out about the treasures contained within the halls of the Museum and the Livia Simoni Library. Free time for lunch and the afternoon is yours to explore more of this magnificent city. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 / Walking in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci
Breakfast. Pick-up at the hotel by your local guide for a morning tour “in the Footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci”. The visit combines Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper and the marvellous church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, an architectural gem by Bramante and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, which hosts a priceless collection of codices and volumes including Leonardo da Vinci's renowned “Codex Atlanticus” containing 1750 drawings on technical and scientific subjects. Free time for lunch and afternoon at leisure for relax and shopping. Farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 / Bye Bye Italy