Taste of Venice & Veneto

Description

Enjoy the flavours of Italian lifestyle with this seven day tour of the Veneto Region. You will be based in a 4 star Wellness Hotel in Abano Terme among the Euganean Hills. Abano is considered one of the main spa towns in Italy. It was famous since Roman times for its ”fango”(mud) applications, thalassotherapy and a whole range of other complementary treatments. It’s located just around the corner from Padua, Venice, Vicenza and Verona. It will be the perfect place from where to start visiting Veneto.


DAY 1: Arrival at Venice Airport
Arrive in Venice airport and take a private transfer to the small spa town of Abano Terme, famous for its sulphur-rich water.
Check-in to your hotel and relax in the spa of your Hotel after a so long flight.
Dinner – 4* Spa Hotel, Abano Terme


DAY 2: Guided tour in the Euganean Hills
After breakfast, we propose you a slow bike tour. A very easy circular bike tour that explore the lush region of Euganian hills. Your cycling tour starts from your hotel with a local English speaking guide. You will reach and visit the Abbey of Praglia. The Benedictine monks restore books, prepare natural cosmetics with officinal herbs and other products coming from beehives. They also cultivate typical grapes such Garganega, Friularo and muscat Fiordarancio to obtain wines of high quality.
For lunch stop for a wine tasting and light lunch. You will enjoy the proposed wines served with salami, cheeses and Italian bread.
Your itinerary goes on to Villa dei Vescovi which dominates the rural landscape of the Euganean Hills, in Luvigliano. The villa was erected between 1535-1542 by the curia of Padua, to provide a summer retreat for the archbishop of Padua Francesco Pisani. At that time, Villa Vescovi was a reference point for writers and enlightened humanists who regularly chose it as their meeting point. Nowadays, it’s a property of the FAI (The National Trust for Italy). Bike back to the hotel for a massage!
Breakfast & Dinner – 4* Spa Hotel, Abano Terme


DAY 3: Guided Tour of Padua – The “Urbs Picta”- the painted city
After breakfast, take a private transfer to Padua. Your local English guide will meet you in front of the Scrovegni Chapel. Your tour starts visiting this outstanding masterpiece of art. The Chapel was dedicated to St. Mary of the Charity and commissioned by Enrico degli Scrovegni. Inside was adorned with the frescoes of Giotto, who dedicated himself to the project for 855 days between the years 1302 and 1305. The frescoes are filled with Old and New Testament narrative. You will be impressed by the atmosphere of this tiny chapel.
The tour will continue in the really heart of the city, visiting: the Palazzo della Ragione, which separates the famous squares of -Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Frutti- both seats of the daily fruit and vegetable markets. The important square of Piazza dei Signori, surrounded by the elegant Loggia del Consiglio and the Palazzo del Capitanio, whose facade includes the triumphal arch, also called dell'Orologio (of the clock). The Jewish Ghetto situated near Piazza delle Erbe which has kept much of its original appearance with the labyrinthine and narrow streets and its high rising houses.
The University of Padua, one of the oldest in the world (Palazzo Bo and the Anatomical Theater).
Lunch is at your own and the city centre offers lots of small cosy and restaurants to eat traditional foods – Your guide will suggest some typical restaurant in the city (lunch is not included in our trip cost).
After lunch you’ll have plenty of time to stroll around and visit the city centre on your own. Don’t miss to stop in the historical Caffè Pedrocchi for their special “caffè Pedrocchi”, a coffee, served in a medium size cup with a mint flavoured cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. In the past this café was the meeting point for many intellectuals and artists such as Lord Byron and Stendhal and it became famous as the "coffee-house without doors", because for many years it was open 24 hours to provide hospitality to travellers, locals and anyone who happened by.

In the afternoon, we suggest to keep on visiting:
- the worldwide famous Basilica of St. Anthony, locally called the Saint (il Santo). It is dedicated to Saint Anthony, the Patron of the poor and his relics are here preserved, that’s why it is visited each year by millions of pilgrims;
- the Botanical Garden, recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site, it was established in 1545 by the Faculty of Medicine, and it still has an exceptional collection of rare endangered plants.
- the nearby Prato della Valle, is an elliptical square of 88.620 square meters, where the main events of the city take place. It is one of the largest squares in Europe, it is surrounded by a canal, and decorated with a double ring of 78 (originally 87) statues of notable people in the history of Padua. From there, you can admire and visit (if you wish) the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which was designed by Michelangelo in 1551. At the end of your city visit of Padua, take a private transfer (not included) back to your hotel in Abano Terme.
Breakfast & Dinner – 4 star Spa Hotel, Abano Terme


DAY 4: Guided Tour of Vicenza –The city of Palladio
In the morning, take a 20-minutes private transfer and reach the beautiful city of Vicenza. As you arrive, meet your local English guide for a 3 hours tour of the most important Palladian works: Palladian Basilica which is in the beautiful Piazza dei Signori (Square of the Lords), near the Torre dei Bissari, and its surely the symbol of Vicenza. The Chiericati Palace, which is seat of the Municipal Museum since 1855. The Contrà Ponti, a side street of the Corso Andrea Palladio. Here, some of the most magnificent palaces of Vicenza. Right at the beginning, the Gothic-Venetian Palazzo Thiene Cavalloni and the ornate Palazzo Thiene with its beautiful frescoed façade and Palazzo Barbaran da Porto with its impressive façade. The Teatro Olimpico which is an elliptical theatre, inspired by the Roman amphitheatres. It’s the oldest covered theater in Europe. Thanks to the representation of the seven streets of Thebes and the three doors, it creates the illusion of a deep perspective. It is simply stunning and different from any other theatre in the world.
Lunch is at your own, but also Vicenza is plenty of typical restaurants and your guide will suggestions some good “Trattoria” which is more "down home" than usual restaurants. In fact, trattoria are often family-run places and their menu are more traditional. Try bacalà a la vicentina (traditional dish of codfish) and bigoli all'anatra (thick spaghetti noodles with duck sauce). You won’t easily forget it!
For the afternoon, we propose you to visit the Basilica di Monte Berico a Roman Catholic Church which stands at the top of a hill (Monte Berico) and overlooks the city with a stunning view. The Villa Valmarana ai Nani which contains superb frescoes of the most important Venetian painters of 18th century (i.e. Tiepolo) and it takes its name from the 17 stone dwarfs' statues, originally placed in the garden and now on the walls surrounding the house. And finally the Villa la Rotonda which is probably the most famous villa of Palladio. It's a temple-villa, almost cubical residence which has been imitated many times over the centuries, particularly in England. These amazing spots are a little outside the town centre, approximately 30 minutes on foot or you can take a taxi (not included in our trip cost).
In case, you can decide to return to your Hotel for a relaxing afternoon.
Take the train back to Abano Terme – private transfer on request.  
Breakfast & Dinner – 4* Spa Hotel, Abano Terme


DAY 5: Guided Tour of Verona – The city of Romeo and Juliet
In the morning, take the train from Padua and in 45 minutes reach the centre of the romantic city of Verona. Your local English guide will show you the beauty of this city, including Piazza Bra and the Arena. This is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman monuments in Italy and it is still in use. Nowadays it is famous for the Arena Opera Festival which takes place from June to early September. On demand (with a few weeks in advance), we can book tickets for you. Juliet’s Balcony is a must-see attraction of Verona. Even if Shakespeare’s Juliet & Romeo wasn’t based on a real person, and the house doesn’t have any relation to the story, you’ll always find big crowds of people from all over the world leaving love messages or writings. Not far from Juliet’s balcony, in the beautiful market ‘square -Piazza delle Erbe- which is surrounded by scenic façades and beautiful balconies. Located right next to Piazza delle Erbe is the Torre dei Lamberti which is the only remaining towers in Verona. Originally the towers were built to demonstrate the wealth and influence of a particular aristocratic family. It is also one of the best ways to get a full panoramic view of the city.
Right next to Piazza dei Signori, you can see the Scaliger Tombs is a monumental funerary complex in Gothic style, erected by the Scaliger family to contain the tombs of the most eminent representatives of their family. You’ll stop for lunch in this area.
Lunchtime is at your discretion, but your guide will suggest some good places to taste the most famous dishes of the Veronese culinary tradition: the risotto made with the superb red wine Amarone from Valpolicella which is one of the more important winegrowing areas of the Veneto region.
In the afternoon you can stroll around the city on your own and explore the alleyways full of bars and fashion shops, flower shops and bakeries.

We suggest also to visit:
- the Basilica of Sant’Anastasia, a church in Gothic style located in the most ancient part of the Verona,
-to cross the famous Ponte di Pietra a stone Roman arch bridge on the Adige River, - visit Castelvecchio, the famous Scaliger Castle has a large courtyard surrounded by a wall of the 14th century and 7 towers. It is located near the Castelvecchio bridge that is about 120m and it is considered a masterpiece of engineering that period. Nowadays the castle houses the city museum.
Take the train back to Abano Terme – private transfer on request.  
Breakfast & Dinner – 4* Spa Hotel, Abano Terme


DAY 6: Arrival in Venice, the most romantic city of the world
After breakfast take a private transfer to the train station of Padova and take the train to Venice – Santa Lucia. Reach your Venice hotel on foot or by public boat transfer (private boat transfer on request).
Check-in to your hotel and meet your local English-speaking guide for a 3-hour-tour in the heart of this beautiful city. You will visit Palazzo Ducale, Bell Tower, Clock Tower, Marco Polo’s House, Basilica San Marco (with priority entrance) and its wonderful square - with a complete historical overview.
Afternoon at leisure. We suggest you to walk through the “calli” (narrow streets) and cross the larger and smaller canals using the dozens of bridges available, it will be a great opportunity to see how life in Venice works, as everything is done by boat!
Option to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum or the National Archaeological Museum or any other Museum you are interested to. Just ask us, we have plenty of options!
Dinner & lunch are at your discretion, but remember genuine Venetian cuisine consists of some truly delicious and refined dishes relying heavily on fish and vegetables: “Risotto al nero di seppia” (risotto with squid ink, “baccalà mantecato” (creamed dried cod) or “Sarde in soar” (fried sardine fillets marinated in vinegar, onions, raisins and pine nuts) just to name some of them.
Breakfast – 4* Hotel in Venice


DAY 7: Murano, Burano and Torcello – self guided day
After breakfast, take the "vaporetto" (public water bus or private boat transfer on request) and your first stop is in the island of Murano. Visit one of the most historic furnaces of Murano, where you’ll watch a glass blower creating beautiful pieces of glassware, a Murano tradition that dates back to 1291. Next stop, is the island of Torcello, an island established between the 5th and 6th centuries, to see its ornate palaces and churches. Highlights include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in the 7th century. Then head to your last stop, Burano, an island known for its lace production, which dates back to the 16th century. While you visit local shops and the museum to admire high quality lace on display, admire the island’s brightly colored fishermen’s houses. Your tour then ends with the return by “vaporetto” boat ride back to Venice.
Breakfast – 4* Hotel in Venice


Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and departure on your own – 50 minutes private boat transfer to Venice Airport is on request.
Breakfast – 4* Hotel in Venice


Please remember that this tour is only an example and it can be customized according to your interests, requests and needs. Just let us know, we will be glad to create your travel in Italy!