Grand Tour of Lake Garda, Venice and the Best of the Veneto

Today we'll travel a short distance to the dynamic city of Padua, famous for being the home of Italy’s second oldest university, founded in 1222.

Explore the fine piazzas of the historic centre and marvel at the diverse architectural styles. The Baptistry of the Duomo contains one of the country’s most complete medieval fresco cycles, the Renaissance Loggia della Gran Guardia once housed the Council of Nobles, and bustling Caffè Pedrocchi was built to resemble a Classical temple.

Take a look at the exotic Basilica di Sant’Antonio, - one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Italy - beneath its distinctive Byzantine domes rests the tomb of Padua’s patron saint. Witness the extraordinary Cappella degli Scrovegni, its interiors are entirely covered with Giotto’s lyrical frescoes - a major influence of European art.  

On the same site is a museum complex that occupies a group of 14th-century monastic buildings attached to the church of the Eremitani, a reclusive Augustinian order.

After breakfast, we’ll explore the charming town of Bassano del Grappa, nestled in the foothills of Monte Grappa. The town is divided by the Brenta River, connected by the 13th-century wooden Ponte degli Alpini bridge, designed to withstand spring meltwaters.

Be ready with your cameras for stunning views of crystal-clear waters reflecting the Alpine mountains and the pastel hues of historic buildings.

While Bassano is known for its exquisite glazed earthenware, it’s best recognized for grappa, the potent Italian after-dinner drink. We’ll visit a local artisan distillery museum, engaging all five senses to experience this grape-based brandy. We’ll learn about its production, observe the distillation process, feel fresh pomace, and smell various varieties. Naturally, we’ll enjoy a taste of this warming digestif.

Afterward, there’ll be time for a quick bite in one of the town's restaurants before we head to Valdobbiadene.

Next, we'll travel into the heart of the Treviso region to one of the prestigious prosecco-producing areas, Valdobbiadene, to visit Villa Sandi.

Thanks to its location, set in a vast valley, it's protected by nearby mountains and the naturally endowed soil provides the optimum conditions for cultivating some of the finest grapes. Snaking below the palatial 17th-century villa is a centuries-old network of tunnels, used covertly by the Italian army during World War I that today provide the perfect environment for ageing wine.

Our guide then takes us through the villa, its spacious rooms are a luxurious combination of pastel colours, stuccoes and bas-reliefs, dominated by resplendent Murano glass chandeliers. It’s easy to imagine a time when important figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte once wined and dined here. We'll also tour the underground cellars, home to a million bottles of wine, including some of the best Prosecco, which we’ll sample afterwards.

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to Venice for a walking tour of its iconic sights: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and the Doge’s Palace.

Venice gained prominence in the 10th century, achieving peak power in the 15th century with remarkable buildings. At its height, Venice controlled an empire that included Crete and parts of Turkey, thriving on trade and merchant wealth, which fueled investments in the arts and architecture.

St. Mark’s Basilica, built to house the relics of St. Mark, is famed for its opulent decor and intricate mosaics covering over 40,000 square feet. Next to it stands the Doge’s Palace, a Gothic masterpiece that was the seat of government. Visitors can admire exquisite wood carvings and ornate frescoes throughout.

Finally, St. Mark’s Square serves as a vibrant hub where visitors can enjoy its beauty while sipping coffee at outdoor cafés, surrounded by stunning architecture.

During time at leisure, you could see it all at once by climbing the 323 steps of the Campanile tower, which was originally built as a lighthouse and where Galileo demonstrated his telescope to a sceptical public. Alternatively, art lovers may want to head to the Accademia - which houses one of the finest collections in the world with superb examples of Renaissance work - or the Guggenheim with exhibits including Miro, Picasso, Chagall and Léger and others.

Today we'll explore Vicenza, nestled at the northern base of Monte Berico. This city is an open-air museum celebrating Palladio, a miller's son who became a key architect of the Italian High Renaissance, giving rise to Palladianism. The local gentry commissioned him to design grand buildings, leading to many stunning Palladian mansions lining central Vicenza.

We'll visit the heart of the city, including the Piazza dei Signori, where the Basilica stands with its tall clock tower and green roof, surrounded by statues of Greek and Roman gods. Not a church, but a reimagined Gothic courthouse, the basilica features a notable loggia, one of the earliest examples of the Palladian window.

Our journey includes the Teatro Olimpico, Europe’s oldest surviving indoor theatre and the first permanent indoor theatre of the Italian Renaissance. Together with the surrounding Palladian villas, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While it looks like marble, it’s actually masterfully crafted from painted wood, stucco, and plaster, evoking ancient Greek or Roman theatres.

Later, there's time to wander this sophisticated city at leisure and you’ll receive a complimentary museum card to help you explore. The card grants free entry to the city’s various world-class attractions, including the Civic Art Gallery of Palazzo Chiericati, Palazzo Thiene, Natural History and Archaeological Museum, Risorgimento and Resistance Museum, Palladio Museum and more.

Our journey takes us west and back in time to the sleepy yet achingly beautiful Mantua, a medieval city often overlooked despite its proximity to Lake Garda. Perhaps the answer for its lack of distinction lies in the three surrounding lakes, which provide a natural fortification and keep Mantua secret from the rest of the world. It's remained virtually untouched for centuries.

As the dramatic skyline of ancient towers, domes and cupolas comes into view, it’s easy to see why the city features in two well-loved tragedies: it is the setting for Verdi’s Rigoletto and Shakespeare had an impassioned Romeo exiled here.

During our guided tour of the old town, the reasons for its UNESCO World Heritage status become strikingly evident. Although compact in size, Mantua has more than its share of artistic, cultural and architectural treasures.

The city reached its peak in the 14th century when it came under Gonzaga rule, one of the greatest Renaissance families in Italy. Their home was the elegant Palazzo Ducale, a highlight of the city and once Europe’s largest palace with around 500 rooms, extravagantly decorated with glorious works of art.

After our tour, there's time to wander the cobbled streets and relax in the lovely squares before we head north to Lake Garda, where we'll stay for the next 7 nights.

Lake Garda first came to fame in the latter days of the 19th century when visitors came to the clean mountain air, and it has been famous as an area of outstanding natural beauty ever since. Today we will have a tour of the lake, passing through some lovely, typically Italian villages complete with tiny harbours clinging to the shoreline with the mountains behind.

Today we also see lush groves of olives, citrus trees and of course vines used for making the famous Bardolino wines. Scenically the shore varies from the rich vegetation of the middle reaches to the more rugged north covered with pine trees whose unmistakable scent hangs heavy in the air.

Today is a free day to relax and explore at leisure.

Riva del Garda has been welcoming visitors since the 19th century and, today, the old town is a collection of typically Italian buildings painted in enticing pastel shades of cream, peach, magenta and ochre so reminiscent of Mediterranean countries.

It has several harbours where boats rise and fall with the gentle waves and is dominated by a medieval fortress. Nearby is a most attractive square, beautifully lined with pavement cafés which all blend together to make Riva one of the most attractive towns on the lake.

Alternatively, you could town-hop by boat or by bus, passing medieval castles, pastel houses, sprawling beaches, little coves and mighty mountains, to explore some of the towns we visited yesterday in more depth. Your Tour Manager is on hand to help you decide what to do today and to assist with any travel arrangements.

After days of gazing at them from a distance, today we’ll head north into the mighty Dolomite Mountains, the result of geological activity some 230 million years ago, with a gorgeous pink and lime-green hue.

The foothills are carpeted by green pastures studded with the occasional small shepherd’s house, a few sheep and goats here and there with pine forests stretching into the distance.

Autonomous since the 12th century, today you might believe you were in another country (but you’re not, we checked). The houses in the picturesque tiny hamlets resemble Swiss or Austrian-style chalets, low with gently sloping roofs and enormous window boxes crammed with flowers of every imaginable colour. The people are different too, they speak a dialect of German!

We have plenty of stops today as well as the opportunity to ascend on a cable car (subject to seasonal operation) to enjoy panoramic views of the whole area. We're not often lost for words when describing our favourite places, but the awesome splendour of the rugged landscape defies words. And if the views don't do it, the crisp, clean, invigorating mountain air might just take your breath away.

Thanks to our remote location, today be on the lookout for rare and unique wildlife - if you are lucky, you could see chamois, ibex, golden eagles and various deer.

This morning, you're free to explore more of your surroundings in Riva del Garda. So, what’s it to be? A stroll around the port is a charming way to spend your time, perhaps indulging in a little shopping or simply relaxing.

Vineyards abound in this area thanks to the favourable climate, so this afternoon we will visit a small wine estate that has been run by the same family for generations. Located in the fertile valley of the Trentino region, we will have a guided tour of the cellars followed by a tasting of some of the wines produced by the family.

Verona is one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities in Italy. One of the most delightful things about Verona is that although it is close to Venice it receives fewer visitors. Today we'll enjoy a guided walking tour to appreciate it at its best and discover its hidden side too.

The tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona and when you experience the atmosphere here you can see why.

We'll approach through the centuries-old city walls. As you enter, you cannot help but admire the medieval pink-hued buildings complete with contrasting frescoes underneath archways unchanged for centuries. The streets are busy with the pavement cafés, some with violinists serenading their clients as they enjoy the shade from the warm sunshine. The city has tiny narrow streets, complete with the tasteful shops, so typical of Italy, and the marketplace dates back to Roman times - an interesting reminder of the city’s past.

The Roman arena is awe-inspiring but there are also countless medieval and Renaissance squares and courtyards to explore, as well as a superb 12th-century cathedral which houses a work by Titian. The Roman Theatre is a must too, as is one of the Renaissance’s finest gardens with clipped box hedges and a dazzling display of colour. Another interesting site is San Zeno – arguably the finest Romanesque church in northern Italy. You can also see the balcony where the immortal words “O Romeo, Romeo” were reputedly spoken.

Unwind and enjoy the beauty of the lake with a free day. Start your day with a leisurely stroll along the lakeside promenade or stop at a café for a cappuccino and some fresh pastries while soaking in the serene atmosphere. Explore the charming town centre, with its narrow, cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and quaint shops