DISCOVERING VENETO

Description

Day 1 Abano Terme

Arrival in afternoon. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Abano Terme

Day 2 Padua, Montagnana, Arquà Petrarca

In the morning we visit Padua, city with a rich historical, architectural and artistic heritage. We’ll take a 2 hours guided tour to see the most significant sights and to visit the Saint Anthony Basilica with Donatello’s magnificent reliefs. In the afternoon we continue on to Montagnana, the city with the best preserved medieval walls from Veneto, used as a location for Zeffirelli's oscar-winning film "Romeo and Juliet". Just outside the Porta Padova we can see the Villa Pisani-Placco by Andrea Palladio and San Zeno Castle, a thirteenth century fortress. Within the walls, in the picturesque town we will admire the splendid Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral with frescoes by Giorgione and a painting of Paolo Veronese. In the late afternoon the tour continues through the scenic wine region of Colli Euganei to the picturesque village Arquà Petrarca, where the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca lived out his last years; his house and Venetian marble tomb are here. We enjoy some free time to walk in the village, up and down the slopes. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Abano Terme.

Day 3 Vicenza, Marostica, Bassano del Grappa

Today we depart to Vicenza for a guided tour of the city of the architect Andrea Palladio, cradle of elegance and art. No visitor can fail to be carried away by the impressive world of the great architect. Of course we visit the Olympic Theatre, Europe’s oldest surviving indoor theatre designed by Palladio in 1579, a true work of art. Then we leave for Marostica, with its imposing fortified castle and giant chess-board permanently laid-out in the town square, where the famous living game of chess is played every two years. While at Marostica enjoy some free time to walk around this lovely small town. We will also visit the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa and sample some of the local firewater called “Grappa”. Enjoy a walk around its narrow streets, spacious squares and at spectacular viewpoints. Bassano is also a shopper's paradise famous for its ceramics produced in town, porcini mushrooms and other local delicacies, you can take the opportunity to do some shopping during your free time. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Abano Terme.

Day 4 Treviso, Asolo

Morning dedicated to Treviso, a “miniature Venice” with canals considered one of Italy’s most beautiful painted cities. The frescoes and decoration that adorn archways, churches and palaces bring the city’s history to life. After our guided tour you well have time to wander and enjoy the town on your own. After a bit of time we’ll continue on to a Prosecco wine cellar and finally get a chance to try Prosecco wine. The next stop is the enchanting and elegant Asolo, the pearl of Veneto, perched on lush-green hills. Along with its delightful gardens, palatial villas, beautiful renaissance palaces, the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside have inspired poets and writers over the centuries. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Abano Terme.

Day 5. Venice

Today Venice! Our guide will introduce you to some of its most famous sights of this extraordinary city built on a maze of more than 150 canals and 400 bridges studded with palaces and Renaissance architecture. In St Mark’s Square you will find two of the most important buildings in Venice, the Basilica di San Marco with its Romanesque carvings and beautiful mosaics and the Doge’s Palace, once home to the Venetian rulers, with its well-known Bridge of Sighs, the Clock Tower and the Campanile. We take a walk over the Rialto Bridge, one of Venice’s most famous sights, to watch the activity of the boats on the Grand Canal below. You are free to do as you please after the guided tour, you can explore the maze of canals and bridges without any specific destination, or you may also take a boat to Murano Island, famous for glass factories. Alternatively, why not take a seat in a local café and watch the world go by. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Abano Terme

Day 6 Abano Terme

Breakfast and departure for return journey. End of our services.

Category
Economy (Scheduled Tour) Bed & Breakfast
Price includes Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described: 5 night accommodation in hotel in Abano Terme on a half-board basis, drinks excluded Local English speaking guides in Padua, Vicenza, Venice. Other languages are available on request. Grappa tasting in Bassano del Grappa Entrances to the Saint Anthony Basilica in Padua, the Cathedral of Montagnana, the Olympic Theatre in Vicenza Prosecco wine tasting at a wine cellar near Asolo Price does not include City tax Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Venice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver) Optional visits
Comfort (Scheduled Tour) Half Board (dinner)
Price includes Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described: 5 night accommodation in hotel in Abano Terme on a half-board basis, drinks excluded Local English speaking guides in Padua, Vicenza, Venice. Other languages are available on request. Grappa tasting in Bassano del Grappa Entrances to the Saint Anthony Basilica in Padua, the Cathedral of Montagnana, the Olympic Theatre in Vicenza Prosecco wine tasting at a wine cellar near Asolo Price does not include City tax Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Venice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver) Optional visits

Price includes

Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described:
5 night accommodation in hotel in Abano Terme on a half-board basis, drinks excluded
Local English speaking guides in Padua, Vicenza, Venice. Other languages are available on request.
Grappa tasting in Bassano del Grappa
Entrances to the Saint Anthony Basilica in Padua, the Cathedral of Montagnana, the Olympic Theatre in Vicenza
Prosecco wine tasting at a wine cellar near Asolo

Price does not include

City tax
Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Venice airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver)
Optional visits

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place