Head out on a full-day cruise beginning in Venice. Sail among the ancient and beautiful villas of the region, pass by 9 swing bridges and through 5 locks, and arrive in Padua in the evening. After meeting with your guide, begin a cruise toward the Brenta Riviera. Along the way you will see various villas lining the water. Keep going until you arrive in Fusina, passing through the Moranzani Lock with rising of the water level. Stop at Malcontenta for the internal guided tour of Villa Foscari, La Malcontenta. Then continue on past villages and swing bridges. In the early afternoon, you will arrive in Oriago. Here you will stop at the famous restaurant, Il Burchiello, where you have the option of a discounted lunch. Next, cruise to Villa Widmann in Mira and stop for a guided tour of Villa Widmann, before continuing on to pass through the Mira and Dolo locks. Disembark at Stra for a guided tour of Villa Pisani. Marvel at its impressive swimming pool, the grandiose stables, and the elegant eighteenth-century coffee house. Pass through the Stra and Noventa Padovana locks. Go by the gorgeous and suggestive Villa Giovanelli of Noventa Padovana before arriving at the historical Burchiello’s Stairway at Portello in Padua.

Over the course of five days, visit the most enchanting locations of Italy, soaking up art, culture, cuisine and the famous Italian romance. Led by a friendly guide, depart from Rome and visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and Cimabue. Roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines. This tour aims to inform and entertain you at the same time. Staying in comfy accommodation and traveling by deluxe bus, touring Italy couldn’t be easier. With 4 meals provided for you, plus an excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, sit back, relax and "get Italian". Day 1 Depart from Rome at 7:15 AM heading towards Assisi. Explore this tiny town dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see works by Giotto and Cimabue. Afterwards drive towards Siena, whose highlight is Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner (included) and a well-deserved night of rest. Day 2: Florence After breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, the Campanile Tower, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch (for free) in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. In the afternoon, wander the cobbled streets or take a short, optional trip to Pisa where you could enjoy a tour of the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. Dinner is at your leisure. Back in Florence rest in your hotel and recharge your batteries for the next day. Day 3 Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through the city’s 38 kilometers' worth of elegant arcades, for which it is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, famous for its quaint gondola boats and intricate architecture. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your first Venetian dinner (included) and overnight stay. Day 4: Venice Hit the water and board a private waterbus to enjoy a cruise through the canals of Venice. Stop off at Murano to learn about the ancient art of glass blowing. Continue on to St. Mark’s Square for an exterior visit of the splendid cathedral. See the Doge Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a spritz or Prosecco with your guide to cap off a day of discovery. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight. Day 5 After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches, castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Noble” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included! Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour ends.

With its awe-inspiring array of domes, arches and turrets, there is no mistaking St. Mark’s basilica. Dominating the piazza of the same name, St. Mark’s stands at the very epicentre of the city. And it looks even more spectacular at night. On our night tour of St. Mark’s, you’ll meet your guide in beautiful St. Mark’s Square, for centuries the spiritual and political centre of Venice - the Doge’s palace also stands silent watch over the piazza. To start our tour, your guide will explain the significance of the square to the history and geography of the city - for good reason Napoleon described the Piazza as the ‘drawing room of Europe,’ and the elegant cafes that line the square, including Caffe Quadri and famous Caffe Florian, have lost none of their old-world charm. During our time in the piazza we’ll learn about some of the other highlights on show here, including the stunning Torre dell’Orologio - a Renaissance clock tower decorated with fabulous sculptures, as well as St. Mark’s Campanile, the soaring 12th-century brick bell tower that is still the tallest building in Venice.

Discover one of the jewels of the Italian Renaissance on a full-day tour to the romantic city of Verona. Choose from multiple departure points in Lake Garda and travel in comfort by air-conditioned coach. Take a short walk into the city center on arrival and see one of the best-preserved monuments of the Roman Empire at the Arena, still used for concerts today. Continue to Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe before going to Juliet's House to look at the balcony where Romeo declared his eternal love for Juliet in Shakespeare’s tragedy. Learn more about how the city has developed over the centuries and discover artistic elements from different periods, including the medieval Castelvecchio and the tombs of the Scaligeri family at the church of Santa Maria Antica. Admire the Roman bridge over the Adige River and more. Then, get some free time to stroll down Via Mazzini and browse the local and high street shops before the return journey to Lake Garda.

Join an Italian Sommelier on this special 8-hour trip to small prestigious vineyards in the Valpolicella Valley. Discover the best Amarone and other quality Valpolicella wines, and sample the local cuisine in a beautiful atmosphere. On this tour, you will drive through a landscape of classical villas, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and orchards. Pick-ups are available from Venice, Verona, or Padua, and each tour starts with a visit to a typical cantina, set in a 15th-century building. Drive along tiny roads that wind through the vineyards. Enjoy tastings of Valpolicella’s classic wines - Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella, Amarone, and Recioto. Each wine will be paired with cheese, selected by the vineyard owner and your guide, who is a sommelier and master cheese taster. Next, take a scenic drive to a typical restaurant, for a light lunch with tradional dishes and wine. After lunch, visit a second cantina, where the grapes for Amarone and Recioto are withered before vinification. After a short visit to the vineyard and winery, taste some more famous wines for a chance to compare the differences and similarities of the two different producers.

This tour of the Prosecco hills takes you northeast of Venice through the countryside near Valdobbiane. On this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the lush green hills of the Prosecco winegrowing region that included the town of Valdobbiane, Conegliano, and Vittorio Veneto. Admire the beautiful scenery of the steep hills covered by vineyards and framed by the nearby Dolomite Mountains. Discover one of the most famous sparkling wines produced in Italy well known for its fruity aromas and its charming unpretentiousness. In this picturesque winegrowing region you will visit one of the top wine producers, where you can learn about the traditional production methods and enjoy a guided wine tasting. The tour then stops for lunch at one of the most historic Frasche (simple rustic trattorias) specializing in simple local cuisine. You will then continue on your journey, stopping to visit a second cantina to experience the small, family-run wine production that is so important to this area, followed by a wine tasting.

Vicenza is located in the Veneto region of Italy. It's a medium-sized town, with a population of 110,000. There has been a settlement here right back into the depths of history; remains of the Roman town can still be seen. Later, after the barbarian invasions which repeatedly devastated this part of Italy, it became a significant town, ruled at different times by various greater powers. For several centuries it was governed by Venice; then Napoleon, then the Austrians. In 1866 it became part of the new Kingdom of Italy. Vicenza was a prosperous town under Venetian rule, and its pride was demonstrated in fine architecture, much of which still survives. Its 'unique appearance,' largely owing to the work of influential sixteenth-century architect Andrea Palladio, has led to the town's designation as a unesco World Heritage Site: City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. After Palladio, Vicenza is most famous for its trade in precious metals, it's also known as the 'City of gold'. It's a lovely town to visit; with a beautiful, compact town centre and attractive villas and viewpoints in the hills a short walk away. after a free lunch, your guide will take you to the beatiful city center of Bassano Del Grappa Bassano del Grappa is a medium-sized town (population 40,000) located in the Veneto region of northern Italy, in the province of Vicenza (Provincia di Vicenza). The town is situated at the point where the flat Veneto plains reach the hills leading up to the Alps; it takes its name from the nearby Monte Grappa. The four things for which Bassano del Grappa is best known are its covered bridge over the Brenta, the strong grappa liqueur produced in the area, the military history of Monte Grappa and locally-produced ceramics. Like so many of the Veneto's historic towns, this is a prosperous place and is studded with smart clothes and furnishings shops. The architecture reflects Bassano's location: typical Veneto-style arcaded streets and piazzas are interspersed with alpine wooden balconies, and some of the hostelries have a decidedly Austrian flavour. The historic centre of Bassano is pretty and very compact: there are several sights to see and the town makes a good day-trip destination. It is connected by direct regional trains to Padua and Venice. It would also make an unusual base for a couple of days exploring this area between the mountains and the Veneto plain. the tour includes visit of the Poli Museum of Grappa and tasting of locally produced Gin and liquors.

Choose this ideal way to transfer between the popular Italian destinations of Florence and Venice. Travel at a pace that ensures an enjoyable journey through scenic landscapes and discover another corner of Italy on the way. On this 6-hour transfer you’ll travel by deluxe car or van with a professional English-speaking driver/guide. You’ll get helpful insights on the places you decide to visit. You can visit any point of interest along the way, with up to a 3-hour stop. Some of the suggested stops on this transfer are Bologna, Ferrara, Padova, or Ravenna. All of these popular cities are appealing for their history, culture, and culinary offerings. There will be time for lunch at local restaurant before continuing on to your final destination. The transfer can begin at either Florence or Venice and the service is door-to-door.

Located between Verona and Venice, where the soil is mainly of volcanic origin, the Soave wineland is one of the most famous white wine producting regions in Italy. On this 8-hour tour, explore the notable vineyards with an expert sommelier guide. Throughout the day, admire the romantic landscape and architecture, including Soave Castle, whose walls still surround the medieval town. Start at a traditional and historic cantina, set in a medieval building in the center of Soave. Stroll through a courtyard, with its wisteria-smothered tower, and learn about the estate’s history and Soave’s traditions of winemaking and culture. After an explanation of the wine producing process, taste wines paired with small bites of local salami and cheese. Next, take a scenic drive to a typical restaurant for a light lunch of traditional dishes, served with more wine. After lunch, you will drive along hills covered in vineyards to a 2nd cantina, located in an 18th-century villa. The family has been involved in wine production since 1890 and was one of the first producers to introduce organic wines to Soave. Tour the estate, and finish with a wine tasting, again paired with local meats and cheeses. As well as being a trained sommelier, your guide is a master cheese taster, so you are in expert hands!

Discover the Collio region of Lombardy, noted for its excellent wines, generated from more than 1,600 hectares of hilly vineyards. The zone produces 19 wines from its superb grapes, including both whites and reds. Explore this little gem of the north Italian Friuli Venezia-Giulia wine region, together with a personal sommelier, and taste a selection of whites and reds, old style and new, light and robust. The excursion starts with a visit to the cellars of a 16th-century castle, on a gentle hill in the heart of the Collio. Tour the medieval wine cellars, which lie a good 70 steps below the castle itself. After, you can stroll in the castle grounds, full of century-old trees and plants. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to a typical restaurant for a light lunch of tradional dishes, and more wine. End your tour at a 2nd cantina, in a walled villa overlooking vine-covered fields. After a short tour of the vineyards, the owner will show you around the interesting 2-storied cellar as he explains their wine production methods.