In ancient times, Padua and Venice were connected by typical river boats called Burchiello®. The wooden boats featured elegant cabins and 3 or 4 balconies and were driven by the wind or oars, before being drawn by horses from Fusina to Padua. Recreate this journey on a full-day mini cruise from the heart of Padua to Venice San Marco. Departing from the historical Burchiello® Stairway at Portello, you will cruise along the original course of the 18th-century Venetian Burchielli, passing the gorgeous Villa Giovanelli at Noventa Padovana. Relax on board the luxury boat, with open-air deck to soak up the views. 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. Continue towards Dolo, enjoying historic illustrations of the different villas seen from the river. Pass through Dolo Lock and on towards Mira. Just past Mira Lock you will stop at Villa Widmann for a guided tour of the 18th-century mansion that belonged to a noble family of Persian origin. Cruise to Oriago, where you will stop for lunch in the historic Il Burchiello Restaurant. Next, navigate to Malcontenta, cruising past villas, villages and swing bridges. Upon arrival in Malcontenta, stop to explore one last villa; the regal Villa Foscari. Located on the edge of the lagoon, it was within easy access of Venice for its powerful Venetian owner. Finally, cruise through the Moranzani Lock to journey across the lagoon, and dock at San Marco Riva degli Schiavoni at the “Pontile della Pietà” landing stage.

Experience the culturally rich city of Padua on this private walking tour with a certified local guide. Enter the beautiful Scrovegni Chapel, Cathedral of Padua and Palazzo della Ragione. See some of the most famous squares of the city, including Piazza delle Erbe, della Frutta and della Signoria, which all overlook several prominent and majestic buildings. Stroll through the city's streets and hear interesting anecdotes about the area from your knowledgeable guide. Then, visit one of the most masterful examples of art from the 14th century at the Scrovegni Chapel. Later, go to Palazzo della Ragione, a medieval market hall, and the Cathedral of Padua, which was first erected in the 4th century.

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.

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.

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.

Home to one of the world’s oldest universities, the spectacular pilgrimage basilica of Saint Anthony and a landmark of Renaissance art in Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel, Padua is a treasure trove of art, history and culture that you can’t afford to miss. In the company of an expert local guide you’ll wander through an atmospheric tangle of medieval streets, explore an incredible 800-year old covered market, discover a glittering array of sculptures, frescoes, architecture and much more. Just half an hour from Venice, Padua makes for a perfect day trip from the Serenissima. Historic Padua is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Our half-day Padua tour is the perfect way to get to grips with the city. We only work with expert local guides who know everything there is to know about the city and are passionate about sharing their hometown with you. At the heart of everything in Padua is its massive, dizzying cathedral, and the Basilica di San Antonio will be one of the highlights of our itinerary. Begun in 1233 just a year after the eponymous Anthony's death as a fitting burial place for the revered saint, the vast basilica is a fascinating mish-mash of architectural styles and cultural influences. Within, a maze-like array of chapels are home to some of Italy's finest artistic masterpieces. Among the highlights we'll see on our tour are the sculptural reliefs by Donatello on the church's high altar and a series of incredible medieval frescoes by local master Altichieri da Zevo. As the burial place of St. Antony, the basilica is also one of Italy's most important pilgrimage destinations. We'll also have a peek into the Cappella del Santo, where the saint's tomb is covered by requests for intercession from the faithful. The Renaissance sculptures portraying the life of St. Anthony by the Lombardi brothers here is another unmissable highlight. Wandering through the historic center of Padua we'll get the chance to stop by at the city's incredible covered market, which has been in continuous operation in the arches of looming Gothic Palazzo della Ragione for 800 years. The twin piazzas of Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta to either side of the palace is the perfect spot to stop for a drink and watch the denizens of Padova go about their business in a ritual that seems little changed over the centuries. There's so much to see in Padua that we're happy to customise your tour to suit you. If you have some extra time in the city and would like to see more of its amazing artistic heritage, we can include a visit to the Ovetari Chapel in the church of the Eremtiani to admire Mantegna's masterful frescoes of St Christoper and St James - blown to smithereens by a World War II bomb but painstakingly restored over the last half a century. Other highlights that we can include on your tour are the city's magnificent Baptistery, where Giusto da Menabuoi's depictions of heaven are amongst the wackiest examples of Medieval cosmology anywhere.