Discovery Italy

Day 1: VERONA & THE PLACES OF THE ETERNAL LOVERS: ROMEO AND JULIET
Wine tasting and local gastronomic products
Arrival at the airport of 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 “Trattoria Al Solito Posto” where you can enjoy the traditional cuisine. Do not miss as a desert an apple pie, tiramisu or chocolate salami, accompanied by a good wine from the hills of Verona: Pinot, Barbera or Sangiovese are strongly recommended.

Afternoon: your guided tour starts in the heart of the ancient Verona: from roman monuments, medieval castles and mansions to alleys and buildings that recall the romantic and charming atmosphere of the two Shakespearian lovers to numerous churches through which emerge the gothic tracks.
You are going to visit the famous Arena Square, its impressive buildings, the heart of the city from the 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, Tintoretto’s paintings in the ancient basilica of San Zeno, the church of Verona’s protector saint and all the places of Romeo and Juliet…Wine tasting at “Enoteca Al Mascaron” 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
VERONA – NEGRAR 14 km by bus (and alternatively + trekking)
Wine tasting and local gastronomic products
After a rich breakfast you start a tour of approx. 14 km, together with your Tour Leader to discover Valpolicella’s 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 Pearà… just to name a few local products.
You are going to "immerse yourself" into a path of rolling hills, romantic crops of vineyards and elegant patrician villas.
You are going to pass by Parona di Valpolicella, with its beautiful eighteenth-century villa Zorzi, the ancient church of San Crescenziano and Villa Alessandri and Arbizzano-Santa Maria di Valpolicella where you stop at the farm “Le Ragose” (to taste local products and wines during your lunch), 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 Verona.
Once in Negrar you visit: Campanile della Pieve and the old church of Torbe

NEGRAR - PEDEMONTE – SAN FLORIANO - GARGAGNAGO - FUMANE
15 km by bus (and alternatively + trekking)
You continue through an amphitheater of vineyards and rolling hills in the enchanting land of Valpolicella.
In Pedemonte you visit the beautiful villa of Santa Sofia and if you are lucky enough to be here on the1th of 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 & THE PALLADIAN VILLAS
After a healthy and rich breakfast enjoying the beautiful nature of Valpolicella you travel to Vicenza, the beautiful city of the Palladian Villas.
Check-in at 3* Hotel and you start discovering the ancient Palladian city.You are going to be told the history of the Cathedral, Basilica and the Palladian Olympic Theatre as well as the beautiful Palladian villas.
A visit to Piazza Castello and Salvi Garden close to the walls of Piazza Castello, is also on the schedule.

Afternoon: Lunch in a restaurant and the tour continues in the magnificent city of Vicenza.

Evening: Accomodation at B&B "Dolci Risvegli", Mary Hotel or Hotel Aries.

Day 4: BEAUTIFUL VINEYARDS AND VILLAS OF THE HILLY AREA COLLI BERICI
VICENZA- MONTEGALDA- MONTEGALDELLA- COSTOZZA- LONGARE: 15 km by bus or trekking
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, where the road that takes you to Longare (one of the most characteristic towns of the area, almost completely surrounded by vineyards) starts.
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.

LONGARE – NANTO 8 km by bus or trekking
Together with your Tour Leader you continue towards Nanto, famous for the building stone and if you pass by here in May you have the opportunity to visit Colli Berici’s Exhibition of wines.
Refreshment

Evening: relaxa and accommodation at 3* Hotel

Day 5: NANTO – BARBARANO VICENTINO 7 km by bus or trekking

Wine tasting and local gastronomic products

Your morning tour starts towards the heart of the production of Barbaro Vicentino in the area of Colli Berici, where you visit “Pialli” Farm for wine and local products tasting.you are here in August you have the chance to participate at “Calici di Stelle” Festival, or if your route brings you here in September you can attend the Festival of Grapes and Wine, where beside local wines, there is also a market for local products with tasting and
sales of meats, cheeses, olive oil, honey, local grappa… visit of the parish church, the castle of the Bishops of Vicenza and the
ancient Palazzo dei Canonici, is also on the schedule.

BARBARANO VICENTINO - TOARA 4.5 km by bus or trekking
Your tour continues through fabulous landscapes, rolling hills and romantic vineyards, olive trees and oleanders.
In Toara is going to be visited the magnificent Villa Barbaran.

Evening: Accommodation and relax in 3* Hotel

Day 6: TOARA – LONIGO 18 km by train

our route continues through beautiful scents, tastes, arts and culinary traditions of the Berici Hills.You travel to Lonigo by train and find a very important wine village.You walk along the arcades of Via Garibaldi, Villa Giovanelli and visit the Benedictine Abbey of Santi Fermo e Rustico and 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 wines of Colli Berici.Lunch at restaurant

LONIGO - VENICE by train
Your guided tour continues to the city of gondolas, labyrinths and channels.
You are going to 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 landscape, the major theaters, glass and antiques shops among beautiful streets and canals and baroque churches….are just a few examples of you are going to see in Venice

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

Day 7: VENICE & THE ISLANDS: MURANO AND HEMINGWAY´S TORCELLO

In the romantic atmosphere of Venice, you begin your day with a trip to the island of Murano with its ancient art of glass working.
Lunch with venetian good food
The guided tour continues with a visit of Torcello, the oldest island in the Venetian lagoon loved by Hemingway.

Evening: You can still be guests of Colombo’s cuisine in a restaurant in the historical part of Venice and then you have the chance to admire the beautiful night view from Rialto Bridge.

End of the program dinner