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OrvietoThis quintessential Italian town perches on a volcanic plug and contains a colourful cathedral
BolognaA beautiful city boasting the western world’s oldest university whose alumni have changed the world
VeniceOne of the great centres of the Italian Renaissance, the ‘City of Water’ will steal your heart
RavennaA small town with a large number of mosaics and UNESCO sites
PaduaThis ancient town was at the heart of the Renaissance scientific revolution and will dazzle you with beautiful frescos
Lake GardaSurrounded by mountains, this crystal blue lake sits in the scenic heart of Northern Italy
VeronaThere's a lot to love about Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Art, food, scenery: Italians do everything a little better. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the Renaissance cities of Northern Italy.
In Venice, you find ornate bridges and facades stooped over every canal. In Bologna, you weave through porticos and discover delicious delicacies and curious craft shops. And in the cities' surrounding scenes, you reveal rustic cuisines and mountainous valleys of pine-forest greens.
Join this tour and explore the quintessential locations of Northern Italy and be left breathless, stunned, and stuffed with delicious pastas and wines.
Itineraries
Day 1
Admire the sculptures, tunnels, and culture of Orvieto
Inspire your creativity at the landscape da Vinci loved, Le Balze Natural Park
You leave the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City and travel to Orvieto. Virtually traffic-free, perfectly preserved, and awash with delicious wine: it’s the idyllic Italian village. You can choose to visit the colourful cathedral here and explore at your own pace.
Your journey leads you through the Parco Naturale Le Balze, a landscape studded with balze rock peaks, sulphite streams, and gorgeous vistas that inspired Leonardo da Vinci.
Your lunch stop is in the tiny hamlet of Piantravigne, the perfect spot to sample some truly authentic Italian cuisine.
With your belly full and your senses satisfied, you travel to beautiful Bologna, your overnight destination.
Accommodation
Hotel Una Centro Bologna, or similar, Bologna
* In 2024 you'll stay in Zanhotel Tre Vecchi, or similar, Bologna
Day 2
Stroll through the endless porticos of Bologna
Gaze into the detailed mosaics of Ravenna
Today, you can join a half day trip to Ravenna in the morning. Ravenna is a maze of mosaic masterpieces, a unique blend of early Christian and Byzantine architecture with eight sites on the UNESCO list. This unforgettable North Italian destination is also the town where Dante Alighieri is buried.
After lunch, you return from your half-day trip and have the rest of the day to explore Bologna your way. During the Renaissance, this fascinating city was blooming with art and was a centre for intellectual innovation. Its famous university is the oldest in the western world and saw great minds like Petrarch, Dante Alighieri, and Copernicus.
There’s plenty to do here. You can stroll through the beautiful, kilometres-long UNESCO porticos, unravel the mysteries of the university, or tantalise your taste buds with Ragu alla Bolognese.
Accommodation
Hotel Una Centro Bologna, or similar, Bologna
*Zanhotel Tre Vecchi, or similar, Bologna
Day 3
Discover the wonderful wildlife of the Po Delta
Take in the Gothic and Baroque architecture of Este
It’s time to slap on some sunscreen, charge up your camera, and head deep into nature. Your first stop is Porto Tolle, where you can join an optional boat trip along the Po Delta. This is the longest river in Italy, and its wetlands give you a chance to spot rare migratory birds. There’s also a lunch box for you to enjoy.
Once you’re back on dry land, you travel to Este, a picture-perfect town with a history that spans over 3000 years. Here you have free time to amble along the city walls or visit the town’s moated Medieval castle.
You then venture to Padua, allegedly the oldest city in Italy and your home for the next three nights. This fascinating place sits at the crossroads of science and religion. This is where venerated St Anthony is buried, and where the ground-breaking scientific discoveries were made at the height of the Renaissance.
Optional Activities
Boat trip with a lunch box along the Po Delta
Accommodation
Hotel Al Prato or similar - Padua
Day 4
Lose yourself in the canal-lined vistas of Venice
177 canals, 350 gondoliers, and the most idiosyncratic cityscapes in the world: Venice, ‘the Floating City', is your destination today.
With its wealth, trade, and power; Venice has always been bold.
It’s been built on over 118 islands and hosts one of the most famous festivals in the world. Not to mention its unique painting style and architecture classifies Venice as one of the great centres of the Renaissance, equal to Rome and Florence.
Once you arrive, you enjoy an included two-hour guided walking tour of the city. From people-watching in Piazza San Marco to frequenting the famous galleries, it’s up to you how you spend the rest of your day in Venice.
In the early evening, you head back to Padua in time for dinner.
Included Activities
Two hour guided walking tour of Venice
Optional Activities:
Gondola ride
Accommodation
Hotel Al Prato or similar – Padua
Day 5
Explore Villa Pisani, an exuberant 18th-century palazzo
Sip on Prosecco and Grappa at the foothills of the Dolomites
The traditional flavours of Italy are yours to explore today.
First, you go to Villa Pisani. This included attraction boasts awesome art exhibitions and is the epitome of late baroque architecture. Napoleon once owned this huge holiday home and presented it to his stepson as a gift.
You say farewell to the excesses of the aristocracy and venture to Valdobbiadene for a chance to indulge in something a little sweeter. This rolling landscape is home to the best prosecco, and you have the option to enjoy an exclusive tasting. We promise it’ll be the freshest prosecco you’ve ever tasted.
The indulgence continues as you travel to Bassano del Grappa, where you have the chance to sample sweet and intoxicating Grappa. If you’ve had enough tipple for the day, you can spend your time admiring the castle and the town’s famous old bridge instead.
You then travel to Padua for your final evening in the historic town.
Included Activities
Entrance to Villa Pisani
Optional Activities
Prosecco tasting at Valdobbiadene
Grappa tasting in Bassano del Grappa
Accommodation
Hotel Al Prato or similar – Padua
Day 6
Weep for the romance of Romeo and Juliet in the play’s setting, Verona
Get inspired by the fresh views of Lake Garda
Say ‘ciao!’ to the romance of Italy, because your first stop today is the setting of Romeo and Juliet, Verona. You have time here to reminisce about past lovers at the famous balcony, admire a grand Roman Colosseum, and amble through the ancient piazzas at your own pace.
You then travel to Lake Garda. This lake’s crystal-clear waters and views of the Dolomites have made the place a favourite destination for artists, poets, and travellers since the Roman ages. You'll adore exploring the stunning town of Peschiera del Garda.
You arrive in Milan in the evening.
Transport in a luxury mini-coach with a local driver
Air conditioning as standard Â
The stories and services of an English-speaking guide
5 nights in 3-4 star hotels with continental breakfast
Two-hour guided walking tour of VeniceÂ
Entrance to Villa Pisani
Meals, unless listed aboveÂ
Attractions, unless specified above
Starts
Check-in closes at 08:15 (tour departs at 08:30) - Rome Pick Up, Hotel American Palace, Rome,
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 - Milan Drop Off, Business Palace Milan, Milan,
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
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