Venetian Splendors Tour Itinerary 2009
(Itinerary is subject to change with or without notice. Sequence of daytrips may vary. Final itinerary will be given to travelers prior to the start of the trip.)
Thursday Day 1 | Benvenuto! : Welcome!
Welcome to Italia! You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the stunning
Venetian countryside! Tonight you will rest in a beautiful fairy-tale like Medieval Castle, built in the 8th century AD.
Relax in the Castle's own wellness center with a massage or sauna, or explore the surroundings of the property. Enjoy a Welcome dinner in the Castle's restaurant.
INCLUDED MEALS: DINNER.
Friday Day 2 | Bolle d'argento di Prosecco : Silver bubbles of Prosecco
After breakfast we will drive through Vittorio Veneto and Follina, where we visit a Cistercian Abbey and its lovely
Romanesque Cloister dating back to the 11th century. Then for a panoramic drive through the famous 'Strada del Vino Prosecco', from the
hills of Valdobbiadene to Conegliano. We'll have a light lunch at a local Vineyard with wine
tasting. We
continue on to charming Bassano del Grappa with a stop at the most ancient Grappa
distillery, including a guided visit and tasting. A walk in the historical town, which
among other things, is known for its Renaissance landmark, a wooden bridge by
master Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio. Enjoy some free time before our group dinner with local specialties in a family trattoria.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Saturday Day 3 | Aria Alpina e Viste Spettacolari : Alpine Air and Spectacular Views
Enjoy breath-taking views through the Alps, in
particular, the dramatically awe-inspiring Dolomites. A drive to Lake
Misurina with splendid views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, all the way
to Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of the most
exclusive ski resort towns in Italy. If you are brave and not scared of heights, why not challenge yourself to riding the scenic gondola all the way up to the highest peak and enjoy breath-taking views?! Enjoy lunch on your own in Cortina, and then some free time in this delightful town. Tonight we'll dine in one of Northern Italy's best and most renown restaurants!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Sunday Day 4 | Lusso Veneziano : Venetian Luxury
After breakfast at the Castle, will be heading to Asolo, the exquisite hill-top
town where the most prominent Venetian families resided during the hot summer
months, including former Queen of Cyprus Caterina Cornaro. Enjoy some free time and a group lunch in a local trattoria. We return to the Castle for some time to relax before dinner. Then we're off to a nearby family farm for an entertaining hands-on afternoon cooking lesson, followed by group dinner with the family.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Monday Day 5 | Eleganza fra Ponti e Palazzi : Elegance between Bridges and Palaces
This morning the group travels to the
lovely Medieval town of Treviso, with its quiet water ways flowing through the picturesque alleys and under delicate bridges, mirroring the beautiful fringes of willow trees along the bends. A perfect place to enjoy some
free time to explore. We'll have a group lunch in Treviso and then return to the Castle for a leisurely afternoon on your own time. You can enjoy a spa treatment in the Castle's own wellness center, a massage, a sauna, or a walk in nature through the wooded hills surrounding the property. Group dinner at the Castle's restaurant.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Tuesday Day 6 | Romeo e Giulietta : Romeo and Juliette
Today we'll say Arrivederci to the Castle as we check-out and head to astonishing Lake Garda,
Italy's largest lake, formed by an ancient glacier at the foothills of the Alps, where the group will spend the
next 3 nights. Our first stop is a true delight to the eye: the romantic city of Romeo & Juliette: Verona. Group lunch and then a private guide will walk us through the main sites of the city, which has a splendidly
preserved Roman Arena. Then, enjoy some free time on your own as Verona is
also a great place to shop! We continue to the Lake, where we'll check-in and enjoy dinner
in the delightful town of Limone.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
Wednesday Day 7 | Ritorno In Natura : Return to nature
Indulge in another relaxing day as we explore the delightful Northern shore villages by boat, including Riva del Garda and Malcesine, called the "Pearl of Lake Garda", both with a distinct charming personality and wonderful local shops. Free
time before a group dinner in a local restaurant in Malcesine.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Thursday Day 8 | Vista sul Lago : A view on the lake
A leisurely day on Lake Garda, free time to visit the charming town of Limone on your own time, shop for local crafts, or relax by the swimming pool at our villa. Group dinner at a local family owned restaurant.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Friday Day 9 | Gioia Ritrovata : New Found Joy
We'll spend all day on this strikingly beautiful lake, visiting the exquisite and picturesque
Southern villages by boat (in case of bad weather the tour will be carried out by private van.). Free time for lunch and to visit Salo', Sirmione and its Fortress on the water. We have a group dinner in Sirmione.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER.
Saturday Day 10 | Venezia, la Serenissima : Venice, the Most Serene
After breakfast, we'll be on our way to sumptuous Venezia, also known as La
Serenissima, where we'll be escorted to our hotel for check-in and luggage drop-off. Enjoy
a group lunch in a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon we'll meet up our private guide who will take us on a walking tour of historic
Venice, telling us about traditions, culture, and amusing facts of Venetian life through
the ages.
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH.
Sunday Day 11 | Tra Storia e Mistero : Between History & Mystery
This morning we are taking a trip to the Islands of Burano & Murano by private water-taxi, with a visit to a traditional glass factory and a 'merletto' lace shop. Lunch and dinner are on your own and then enjoy a free afternoon in Venice. This will be the last night of the tour. Arrivederci!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST.
Monday Day 12 | Arrivederci!
Nada's Italy hopes that you can stay longer in Italy and explore other beautiful cities of this very diverse country!
INCLUDED MEALS: BREAKFAST.
For $4,680 per person all of this is included in the Venetian Splendors Tour:
5-Night stay in 4-Star Luxury Castle (Resort & Spa) + 4-Night stay in a luxury Villa on Lake Garda with view of the lake + 2-Night stay in 3-Star historic hotel in central Venice (built within an ancient monastery) for a trip totaling 12 Days/11 nights.
Maximum 14 travelers per tour!
All Breakfasts are included, plus a total of 5 Lunches and 9 included Dinners in fine local restaurants. (Included meals are
shown at bottom of the description for each day).
Beverages included: bottled water and 2 glasses of wine per person (choice of red or white) with lunches and dinners
Privately escorted day-trips with professional private driver and full-time Nada's Italy tour leader throughout trip (in most cases, it's Nada!).
Excursions include: Treviso, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo, Visit of Follina's Cirstercian Abbey, Villages on Lake Garda (Salo', Sirmione, Riva del Garda, Limone, Malcesine), Cortina & Alps, Verona (walking tour with local guide), Venice (walking tour with local guide), Islands of Murano & Burano (including visits to a glass-factory & lace-shop).
Activities include: Visit of Grappa distillery in Bassano del Grappa, Guided visit of a Prosecco Winery, both followed by tastings. Hands-on Cooking Class featuring local Venetian Dishes. Private tour of one of the most beautiful of Venetian Renaissance Villas (includes entrance fee).
Venice & The Veneto guide book + Italian Travel Phrase book + Nada's Italy Luggage Tags & Travel Alarm Clock.
Maps for each town visited during tour.
Pick-up from the Venice International Airport Marco Polo and transfer to Castle in the Veneto countryside.
Private transportation for day trips throughout the stay at the villa in comfortable air-conditioned van with professional driver (does not include: transfer back to airport, airfare, or any other personal travel expenses).
Local VAT taxes and government fees, gas, highway tolls, city access licenses and permits, parking fees.
Learn basic Italian before your trip! Receive an Audio CD set with 10 lessons by Pimsleur.
Customer loyalty Reward: receive a $300 credit towards any future trips you take with Nada's Italy!
No bag limit! (Most tours have a 1-bag limit per person).
TOUR PRICE: $4,680 per person (includes taxes & fees) based on double occupancy. A single room supplement for this trip is $900.
TO REGISTER: please download the Trip Registration Form by clicking on the link on the previous page. Form must be completed and returned with a 50% deposit to be officially registered for this trip. Personal check, money order, or credit cards accepted. For more information, please contact us: info@nadasitaly.com. Price listed is subject to change with or without notice until Registration Form has been received.
What's Not Included in Tour Package
Trip price does not include airfare and anything that is not specified to be included. Price does not include any personal-related expenses, or travel-related expenses outside of the scheduled itineraries. The food & wine that is included is what is presented during meals, all other items ordered by traveler including wine and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are not included in tour price. Trip price does not include optional tips to restaurants nor to tour personnel such as drivers, maids, etc. These gratuities are given at sole discretion of each individual traveler and are not required for participation in tour.
