Discovery Italy

Day 1: VERONA
Wine tasting and local gourmet
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 at 3* Hotel, lunch at 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.
Your guided tour begins in the heart of 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 and the numerous churches with their gothic tracks.
Together with your tour leader you visit the famous Arena Square, its impressive buildings, the heart of the city reminding Scaligeri’s 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 Scaligero’s 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 the “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 the 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 + bus
Wine tasting and local gourmet
After a rich breakfast you start a trekking tour of approx 14 km, together with your Tour Leader to discover Valpolicella’s area, the most prestigious wine roads 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 an itinerary of rolling hills, romantic vineyard crops 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 stop at the farm “Le Ragose” (to taste local products and wines during your lunch) and visit the sixteenth century Villa Zamboni and Villa Rizardi with its splendid garden.
At Arbizzano di Negrar you visit Novare Valpolicella, one of the most famous wineries in VeronaOnce in Negrar you visit Campanile della Pieve and the old church of Torbe
NEGRAR - PEDEMONTE – SAN FLORIANO - GARGAGNAGO - FUMANE15 km trekking + bus
You continue trekking through an amphitheater of vineyards and rolling hills in the enchanting land of Valpolicella. At Pedemonte you visit the beautiful Villa of Santa Sofia and if you are lucky enough to be here on the 1 of May you 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, place of exile of the poet Dante Alighieri and 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 travel to Vicenza, the beautiful city of the Palladian Villas.After check-in at 3*Hotel 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 is also on the schedule.
Lunch in the restaurant

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

Day 4: VINEYARDS AND BEAUTIFUL VILLAS OF COLLI BERICI HILLY AREA 15 km of trekking: VICENZA- MONTEGALDA- MONTEGALDELLA- COSTOZZA- LONGARE
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 the wines in caves.
Lunch at the farm “Le Vescovane”
LONGARE – NANTO 8 km
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 Wine Exhibition.
Refreshment

Evening: relax and accommodation at 3* Hotel

Day 5: NANTO – BARBARANO VICENTINO 7 km of trekking

Wine tasting and local gourmet

Your morning starts with an itinerary trekking towards the heart of the production of Barbaro Vicentino Wine in the area of Colli Berici, where you also visit the farm “Pialli” for wine and local products tasting
If you are here in August you have the chance to join Calici di Stelle Festival, or if your itinerary 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 gastronomic products: meats,
cheeses, olive oil, honey, local grappa….
You also visit the parish church, the castle of the Bishops of Vicenza and the
ancient Palazzo dei Canonici.
BARBARANO VICENTINO - TOARA 4.5 km of trekking
Continuing to walk through fabulous landscapes, rolling hills and romantic vineyards, olive trees and oleanders, you arrive in Toara where you visit the magnificent Villa Barbaran.

Evening: Accommodation and relax in 3* Hotel

Day 6: TOARA – LONIGO 18 km by train
Your itinerary continues through “tastes, art and culinary traditions” of Berici Hills.You arrive in Lonigo by train and find a very important wine village.You are going to walk along arcades of Via Garibaldi, Villa Giovanelli and visit the Benedictine Abbey of Santi Fermo e Rustico and Rocca di Lonigo.If your itinerary brings you to this wonderful area 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
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 small streets, canals and baroque churches….are just a few examples of you are going to see in Venice

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

Day 7: VENICE, MURANO AND TORCELLO ISLANDS
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.
During the afternoon you visit Torcello, the oldest island in the Venetian lagoon loved by Hemingway

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