5D/4N - 2020 Venice and Wines - small group tour

day 01 wed Venice Arrival

own arrangements to your hotel on Venice Island. The remainder of the day is at leisure to discover the city at your own pace.

day 02 thu Medieval Hill Towns & Prosecco Wine Tasting

In the morning, meet the group at the Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma for a departure at 8.30am. This small group tour will take you on a journey into the countryside, visiting three of the most enchanting Towns in the Veneto region. The walled town of Marostica with its medieval castle, famous for its ‘human game of chess’ that is held every two years on a giant chess board in the main square. Then to the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa, a shoppers paradise and synonymous with its production of the firewater of the mountains - Grappa! Crossing the celebrated Palladian Bridge over the Riviera del Brenta we will visit the famous distillery situated right on the bridge. Our next stop is Asolo ‘The pearl of the Veneto’, situated among the cypress covered foothills of the Dolomites, with its tiny pavements & archways and the castle of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus. Robert Browning was one of the many poets who fell in love with Asolo. Here you will have free time to walk around this enchanting town or opt for an optional lunch in one of the local restaurants. Heading inland mid way between Venice and the Alps, you will see the beautiful rolling hills of Valdobbiadene. Here you will discover a very important white sparkling wine called “Prosecco” Italy’s most popular “vino frizzante”. Passing enchanting churches we follow the panoramic “Wine road of Prosecco”, surrounded by endless vineyards, and passing by Villa Maser for an outside view, we stop at one of the most important Cantinas (vineyards) of the area where you can taste a glass of Prosecco wine and where you also have the chance to purchase a few bottles before making our way back to Venice.

day 04 fri Verona and Amarone

Departure at 8.30am from the Bus Terminal Piazzale Roma for a full day excursion to Verona and Amarone. This tour will allow you to discover the magic of the wonderful city of Verona Italy, during three hours of free time, and take the opportunity to have a wine tasting in a vineyard in the Valpolicella region. Learn more about the famous 'Amarone' Italian wine. The tour starts when we arrive in the centre of Verona at Piazza Bra where the world famous 1^st Century outdoor Arena is located: third largest in Italy, it has over 22,000 seats and is the perfect place for outdoor operas and concerts. You will have approximately two and a half hours of free time to visit the house of Juliet (as in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet), the historical Piazza delle Erbe and some of the exclusive shops around the city. After Verona, we will head on over to the medieval towns of the Valpolicella region, time for an optional lunch and a chance to visit the 13th Century church of San Giorgio with its splendid altar dating back to 712 a.d. where there are some of the most beautiful, panoramic views of Sirmione and Lake Garda. From there we drive to a vineyard to have a guided visit and learn more about the famous 'Amarone' wine. We will enjoy tasting some of the different wines they produce and have a chance to purchase a few bottles to take with you, such as Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella. Then just sit back and enjoy the views as we return to Venice.

day 05 sat Venice-Departure

Your tour comes to an end in the morning. Own arrangement for departure or we can organise a private transfer to the airport or train station on request.

Inclusions: twin share at the Hotel Bisanzio or similar 4*, breakfast daily, a private car, minibus or bus, private English speaking driver-escort up to 8 pax, more than 8 pax a English speaking tour escort, stop to a Cantina, Prosecco tasting in a vineyard in the area of Valdobbiadene, sightseeing as per itinerary and wine tasting in a typical “Cantinas”.

Note: City taxes to be paid directly to hotels. Alternative standard of hotels can be requested. Optional private transfers on request.