Let Italy enchant you with its long tradition of beautiful cities and elegant towns set in the dream-like landscape between the Adriatic and Mediterranean. Marble palaces offer insight into the former prestige of noble families as storybook castles protect the shores of a glassy alpine lake while mountain outcroppings preserve the beauty of medieval fishing villages that overlook the sea. Your custom tailored tour will immerse you in the traditions of Venice, Lake Garda, and Cinque Terre, as you...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Arrive in Venice with a Private Exploration of the Grand Canal
Venice has a history of feasts and festivals set inside the opulent palaces and along the cobblestone streets meandering beside the canals. Hidden wine bars known as bacari offer locals glasses of wine and small plates of culinary specialties to bask in the enchanting afternoons of the city. Your flight will land at Marco Polo International Airport where you will meet your private transfer at baggage claim. At the edge of the Grand Canal, you will board a private boat to take you to the dock of your historical, luxurious hotel at the heart of Venice’s main island.
The city of Venice is a collection of 117 islands connected by bridges and traversed by gondolas and vaporettos. The comforts of your hotel fill a former palace that overlooks the grandeur of the city’s famous canals. Gold trim around the window glints in the natural sunlight as polished marble floors accentuate the frescoes that decorate the walls and ceilings of the lobby. You will meet your guide on the hotel’s private dock, eager to set out onto the Grand Canal for an introductory tour. The canal stretches two miles long with smaller waterways that reach outward between the antique homes and labyrinthine walkways.
The city pulses with life beside its main highway as gondolas and vaporettos cruise down the water. Wooden plinths rise out of the canal to support the marble structures and moorings. Gray-haired women watch passersby from their open windows as produce vendors unload baskets of fruit and vegetables from their boats onto loading docks. Between the faucets of everyday life, the splendor of the Venetian Republic continues to decorate the islands, including the Santa Maria della Salute. The church was built in gratitude and devotion at the end of the plague in the 17th century as more than one million timber plinths were driven into the lagoon floor to support the weight of the structure adorned with a magnificent dome.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Traverse Elegant Neighborhoods and History of St. Mark’s Square
Day 3
Venice – Visit Islands Murano, Burano, and Torcello before a Bacari Tour
Day 4
Lake Garda – Relish Charm in Padua and Verona en route to Riva del Garda
Day 5
Lake Garda – Bask in the Beauty and Culture Lake Garda’s Riviera
Day 6
Riomaggiore – See Parma and a Cheese Factory en route to Cinque Terre
Day 7
Riomaggiore – Delight in Pleasure in Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera
Day 8
Riomaggiore – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in the luxury and beauty of Venice, a city famous for its opulent palaces and elegant churches
- Bask in the splendor of the Grand Canal during a private tour of the celebrated waterway
- Follow your guide on a culturally immersive tour of the neighborhoods of Venice, allowing you the unique opportunity of experiencing the city like a local
- Delight in the savory and rich flavor of Parmigiano-Reggiano during a factory tour, followed by a private sampling of the magnificent cheese
- Witness the majesty of the Royal Theater in Parma, home to some of the most elaborate operatic productions and enthusiastic opera fans
- Discover the graceful palaces and elegant streets of Padua on a private tour of the medieval university and breathtaking frescoed churches
- Wander the labyrinthine streets of Venice while visiting the embracing bacari, local, small wine bars offering traditional, small dishes
- Relish the quiet and graceful shores of Lake Garda while traversing the medieval villages situated around the body of water, each containing castles, fortresses, and lavish botanical gardens
- Settle into the radiant beauty of Cinque Terre at Riomaggiore, using the trails and scenic railway to explore the secluded beaches of the five towns
- Find 7th-century frescoes decorating an 11th-century church on an island in the Venetian lagoon
- Witness the hidden chambers and halls of the Doge’s Palace, home to the secret committees who ruled under the power of the Ducal
- Venture to the island of Murano to witness the historical tradition of glassblowing
Detailed Description
Italy excites and enchants visitors from around the world with the diversity of mountains and seas, lakes, and valleys. Noble families once ruled the countryside and Republics helped arts and architecture flourish. Your 8-day Italian exploration takes you through the highlights of the Italian tradition of creating and maintaining the stunning towns and cities, decorated with lavish frescoes and adorned with magnificent cathedrals. The journey will begin with your arrival at Marco Polo Airport in Venice. Your private transfer will escort you to the edge of the Grand Canal for your first tour in Italy. Traverse Venice’s famous highway alongside the gondolas and vaporettos to see the city’s historical life set in the architecture and culture of the people. You will settle in the comforts of your luxurious hotel, which was once a familial Venetian palace.
The next day, your guide will meet you at your hotel and whisk you through the varied neighborhoods of the city to connect local, daily life with the lavish history of the Republic. Your exploration will continue with an engaging tour of St. Mark’s Square, from the quiet niches of the Basilica to the hidden chambers of the Doge’s Palace. The following day, you will traverse the Venetian lagoon to visit three of the most notable islands after Venice. Treasure the simple pleasures of the fishing village on Burano and witness the extraordinary 7th-century mosaic on Torcello. Watch the historical work of local glassblowers on Murano during a demonstration that combines history and craft. In the afternoon, you will tour the local wine bars to taste the flavors of wine and small dishes in the traditional Venetian bacari.
Wake the next morning and your private transfer will collect you at your hotel and lead you away from Venice en route to your villa-style accommodation at Riva del Garda. En route you will visit Padua to delight in the Renaissance streets and stunning artwork before you explore Verona’s ancient and legendary past. The next day will take you along the shores of Lake Garda to visit the medieval villages and stunning botanical gardens that each offer a view of the lake, the hills, and the Dolomite Mountains. Your private transfer will once again meet you at your hotel on the next day and lead you to the city of Parma, home to world-renowned cheese and avid opera fans.
Tour the gorgeous architecture with a behind-the-scenes view of the Royal Theater, followed by a private introduction to the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano. The following day will be yours to discover the enchanting culture and natural landscape of the five towns of Cinque Terre, set alongside the Mediterranean Sea. Trek the trails or lounge on the natural beaches before you enjoy your dinner at a restaurant in view of the splashing water. Conclude as your private transfer will escort you to the airport in Pisa for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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