Discovery Italy

Day 1: VERONA
Wine tasting and local gastronomic products
Arrival in Milan or Bergamo, welcome by Discover Italy Now Tour leader and transfer by train to Verona, the city of the eternal lovers, Romeo and Juliet.Alternatively, you can fly directly to Verona airport.
Chech-in 3* Hotel, lunch at the Trattoria "Al Solito Posto" where you can enjoy the traditional cuisine. Do not miss as a desert the apple pie, tiramisu or chocolate salami, accompanied by a good wine from the hills of Verona: Pinot, Barbera or Sangiovese are strongly recommended.
Afternoon: starts your guided tour in the heart of ancient Verona: from the roman monuments, medieval castles and mansions to the alleys and buildings that recall the romantic and charming atmosphere of the two Shakespearian lovers to the numerous churches through which emerge the gothic tracks.Together with your tour leader you are going to visit the famous Arena Square, its impressive buildings, the heart of the city from Scaligeri period with Castelvecchio and the scenographic bridge. The picturesque Piazza delle Erbe, among towers and ancient buildings, the noble Piazza dei Signori, a symbol of the scaligero period, the old gothic-romanesque cathedral, the drawings of Tintoretto in the ancient basilica of San Zeno, the church of Verona’s protector saint and all places of Romeo and Juliet… Wine tasting at the Enoteca Al Mascaron Sas in Piazza San Zeno.

Evening: Dinner with traditional dishes such as gnocchi and the famous pastissada de caval at Hostaria Vecchia Fontanina in the heart of Verona near Piazza dei Signori and lively and colorful Piazza delle Erbe.
The evening ends with unforgettable views on the riverside at sunset with the first evening lights and live music in a bar

Day 2: VALPOLICELLA : VERONA- NEGRAR – PEDEMONTE – SAN FLORIANO- GARGAGNAGO – FUMANE
Morning: VERONA – NEGRAR 14 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)
Wine tasting and local gastronomic products
After a rich breakfast you leave together with your Tour Leader on a trekking tour of approx 14 km to discover the Valpolicella area, the roads of its most prestigious wines and the delicacies of its old traditional cuisine: Valpolicella, Valpolicella Recioto. San Zeno gnocchi, Pandora cake or the Pearà… just to name a few local products.You immerse yourself into a path of rolling hills, romantic crops of vineyards and elegant patrician villas.You pass by Parona di Valpolicella, with the eighteenth-century villa Zorzi, the ancient church of San Crescenziano and Villa Alessandri and Arbizzano-Santa Maria di Valpolicella where you make a stop to the farm Le Ragose (to taste local products and wines during your lunch).
You also visit the sixteenth century Villa Zamboni and Villa Rizardi with the splendid garden and then at Arbizzano di Negrar you visit Novare Valpolicella, one of the most famous wineries in VeronaOnce in Negrar you visit: il Campanile della Pieve and the old church of Torbe
Afternoon: NEGRAR - PEDEMONTE – SAN FLORIANO - GARGAGNAGO - FUMANE 15 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)
You continue trekking through an amphitheater of vineyards and rolling hills in the enchanting land of Valpolicella. At Pedemente you visit the beautiful villa of Santa Sofia and if you are lucky enough to be here on 1 May you can take part in the great festival of Classic Wines.In San Floriano you shortly visit the old town, which is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture.In Gargagnago you visit the beautiful Villa Alighieri, which was the place of exile of the poet Dante Alighieri, still home of a popular winery production of Amarone, Valpolicella Classico Superiore and Recioto.In Fumane, besides the historical center that is going to be visited, you are going to taste local wines and delicious local products at Corteforte or Le Salette Farm.

Evening: Accommodation at Agriturismo "Cà dei Maghi" in Fumane

Day 3: VICENZA
After a healthy and rich breakfast enjoying the beautiful nature of Valpolicella you leave for Vicenza, the beautiful city of the Palladian Villas.Check-in 3*Hotel and you start discovering the ancient Palladian city. You are going to be told the history of the Cathedral, the Basilica and the Palladian Olympic Theatre as well as of the beautiful Palladian villas.
You also visit Piazza Castello and Salvi Garden close to the walls of Piazza Castello.
Afternoon: Lunch in the restaurant and then continues the journey to discover the magnificent city of Vicenza

Evening: Accommodation at B & B Dolci Risvegli, Mary Hotel or Hotel Aries

Day 4: VINEYARDS AND BEAUTIFUL VILLAS OF THE HILLY AREA COLLI BERICI
VICENZA - MONTEGALDA - MONTEGALDELLA - COSTOZZA - LONGARE 15 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)
Your morning is going to be dedicated to beautiful old villas and green vineyards in the area of Berici Hills at the foot of Vicenza: Villa Valmarana called “ai Nanni” with its beautiful frescoes and Almerico Capra Villa called “la Rotonda”.
The daily itinerary continues then towards Montegalda and Montegaldella.
At Montegaldella starts the road that takes you to Longare, one of the most characteristic towns of the area, almost completely surrounded by vineyards.
You also stop in Costozza, part of Longare, where the people have as a habit to keep wines in caves.
Lunch at "Le Vescovane" farm.
Afternoon: LONGARE – NANTO 8 km
Together with the Tour Leader you proceed to Nanto, famous for building stone and if you pass by here in May you have the chance to visit the Exhibition of wines of the Colli Berici
Refreshment

Evening: relax and accommodation at 3* Hotel

Day 5: Morning: NANTO – BARBARANO VICENTINO 7 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)

Wine tasting and local gastronomic products

Your morning starts with an itinerary trekking towards the heart of Barbaro Vicentino production in the area of Colli Berici, where you visit the farm Pialli for wine and local products tasting.you are here in August you have the chance to participate to Calici di Stelle Festival, or if your route brings you here in September you can attend the Festival of Grapes and Wines, where beside local wines, there is also a market for local products with tasting and sales of meats, cheeses, olive oil, honey and local grappa.also visit here the parish church, the castle of the Bishops of Vicenza and the
ancient Palazzo dei Canonici.
Afternoon: BARBARANO VICENTINO - TOARA 4.5 km of trekking or by bus (according to preferences)
Continuing to go through fabulous landscapes, rolling hills and romantic vineyards, olive trees and oleanders, you stop in Toara where you visit the magnificent Villa Barbaran.
The tour leader is going to explain the history of the place.

Evening: Accommodation and relax in 3* Hotel

Day 6: Morning: TOARA – LONIGO 18 km by train

Your tour continues through scents, tastes, arts and culinary traditions of the Berici Hills.You come to Lonigo by train and find a very important wine village.You are going to walk along the arcades of Via Garibaldi, Villa Giovanelli and visit the Benedictine Abbey of Santi Fermo e Rustico and the Rocca di Lonigo.If your route brings you to these wonderful places in March you have the chance to attend the traditional Fair of March, proposing an annual review of the wines of Colli Berici.Lunch at restaurant
Afternoon: LONIGO - VENICE by train
Your guided tour continues to the city of gondolas, the labyrinths and channels. You discover the magic of Venice.Check in at 3* Hotel and your adventure continues.Grand Canal with its magnificent palaces, Ca 'Pesaro Ca' D'Oro, Rialto bridge, Scalzi bridge, Piazza San Marco with its magnificent view, the major theaters, glass and antiques shops among streets and canals, baroque churches….are just a few examples of you are going to see in Venice

Evening: Dinner in the sign of aromas and flavors of venetian cuisine and magical atmosphere on Sospiri bridge/Ponte dei Sospiri

Day 7: VENICE
In the romantic atmosphere of Venice, you begin your day with a trip to the island of Murano and the ancient art of glass workingLunch in the sign of the venetian good food
Afternoon: visit of Torcello, the oldest island in the Venetian lagoon loved by Hemingway.

Evening: You are still guests of “Colombo’s kitchen” at a restaurant in the historical center of Venice and then you have the chance to admire a beautiful night view from the Rialto Bridge.