Lovers' Escape to Venice and Verona Tour

What to expect on this itinerary
If you're dreaming of a romantic getaway, this private tour might be the one you've been waiting for. Indulge in the majesty of Venetian palaces and the vineyard-covered hills of the region of Veneto. Step into three-dimensional paintings as part of a noble family. Cover a traditional Venetian mask with feathers, combining a sense of yourself with the heritage of Carnivale. Gondolas race down the Grand Canal, and the Roman ruins rise out of piazzas overlooking bending riverbanks. Your custom tailored tour uncovers the culture of the Venetian Republic, from glassmaking on Murano Island to the secret chambers of the Doge’s Palace, immersing you in the splendors of the past and the marvels of the present.
Customizable Itinerary
Venice – Charm of a Venetian Neighborhood
The beauty of Venice emanates from the marble palaces shimmering in the sunlight against the reflective waters of the tranquil lagoon. In the evening, the aroma of freshly grilled fish hinted with lemon zest drifts out of Bacari, traditional wine bars serving small dishes to accompany the drinks. The ancient spice route across the Mediterranean Sea has shaped the cuisine and the wealth of the former Venetian Republic, apparent in the architecture and the labyrinthine streets known as calli. Your flight lands at Marco Polo International Airport, where you meet your private transfer. You venture to the edge of the Grand Canal and are immediately drawn to the mystery and majesty of a city riddled with hidden passageways and gothic palaces, radiant frescoes and unique masks. Board your private vaporetto ship that winds along the canals taking you to the dock of your hotel.
The luxurious lobby adheres to the ambiance of Venice, exhibiting lacquered furnishings and embellishments of red and gold hues, the colors of the historic Republic. The comforts of your accommodation, along with the friendly staff and attention to the smallest details, make you feel like Venetian nobility. After settling into the hotel, you venture out onto the meandering cobblestone streets to explore he neighborhood of Rialto, known for the 16th-century marble bridge arching over the canal, along with the narrow streets leading to Campo Maria Domini, a piazza bordered by medieval palaces with windows modeled after the Byzantine style.
What's Included:
Venice – In View of the Regatta
Venice – Fun with Tradition
Venice – A Thrilling View of the Glass
Venice – A Day in the Gardens
Venice – The Depths of the Grand Canal
Venice – Venice on a Whim
Verona – Villas of Veneto
Verona – Priceless Verona
Verona – The Cultural Takeaways from Veneto
Trip Highlights
- Experience the unique floating parade of Venice followed by the celebrated gondola races
- Venture into the heart of the Venetian Republic with a tour of the secret passageways, hidden prisons, and clandestine government rooms of the Doge’s Palace
- Enjoy the gorgeous artistry and tranquil atmosphere of Murano Island before viewing a glassblowing demonstration
- Learn the history of the Venetian mask and design your own during a guided instruction
- Discover the opulent décor and labyrinthine garden of the Villa Pisani on the Brenta Canal
- Delight in a wine tasting on the private vineyard of a historic estate known as Villa Barbaro
- Relish the beauty of Venice’s stunning palaces and churches during a private boat tour of the Grand Canal
- Relax in the tranquil evening of the island city with a private evening gondola ride highlighting the ethereal glow of the canal-side lights
- Walk along white sand beach and beneath art nouveau décor at Lido, home to Europe’s first beach resorts
- Embrace the distinctive culture of Verona during a private half-day guided tour to find the brilliance of the architecture, along with ancient and literary history
- Visit the romantic balcony in Verona where the star-crossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet professed their love for one another
Detailed Description
The culture of Venice and the region of Veneto differ in proud tradition from the other regions of Italy. Your 10-day tour encompasses the legends of the Venetian Republic and the noble heritage rising from the empire’s wealth, overtaking the Adriatic Sea, from the edges of the canal to the foothills of the mountainous terrain. The city of Venice erupts with local pleasures in September during the Regatta Storica. You arrive at Marco Polo Airport and venture to the heart of the historic city by private transfer. Explore the narrow streets of the canal around your hotel for an introduction to the beauty of the water. On the following day, Venice embraces you with celebratory parades floating down the Grand Canal to usher in the boat races.
Delight in the morning regalia and witness the annual gondola race before joining in the festivities of a celebrating city, followed by a tour of St. Mark’s Square. The next day begins with a historic introduction to the famous masks of the city. Learn about the production and past of the masks before making a personalized work under the guidance of a professional artist. Venture to the sandy shores of the Lido district to enjoy the lagoon and relaxed pace of the first beach resort in Europe. Then, you have a private transfer to the Island of Murano to spend the day wandering the quiet cobbled streets, visiting the glass museums and mosaic-clad churches, and witnessing a stunning glassblowing demonstration.
The next day takes you to the gardens in and around the lagoon, from the public park providing greenery to the stone city to the lavish Pisani Villa and its challenging maze. In the afternoon, you wander through the maze-like streets of the Jewish Ghetto to take in the remaining history of the first ghetto Europe. Traverse the Grand Canal on a private boat. Visit the lavish palaces, museums, and churches along the two and a half mile waterway leading to the Adriatic Sea. The following day is at your leisure to delight in the splendor of Venice. Take a cruise down the Brenta Canal or wander through the remarkable museums of the city at your preferred pace. You could also take a tour of the Doge’s Palace to reveal all the hidden chambers of the seat of the Venetian Republic.
Next, you leave the noble city behind for the villas around Veneto. Explore the town of Treviso and the nearby Villa Barbaro. Tour the opulent interior before your guide takes you on an encompassing tour of the vineyards, followed by tasting of the wines produced on the estate. Your private transfer escorts you from the villa to the charming city of Verona. The next morning, you have a private tour of the marvelous city, which contains Roman ruins, looming castles, and an unforgettable connection to Romeo and Juliet. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel in the heart of Verona on the final day and escorts you to Verona Villafranca Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 6971 reviews
Our trip was absolutely amazing and the planning done by Zicasso's travel company surpassed my expectations. The attention to detail was amazing: from excellent and punctual drivers to assistants who helped us with the water taxis in Venice to the lounge access for trains. It was truly white-glove service that made my trip seamless and allowed me to enjoy every moment because every detail was handled.
The excursions were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the cooking class at a farm in Tuscany and the Vespa tours in Rome. There was a nice mix of private excursions for the walking tours and boat rides, to a few shared excursions, such as the cooking class.
The hotels the travel company booked were chic, boutiquey Italian hotels and each had its own charm (from the former palace in Venice to the castle in Chianti), and we loved them. We would absolutely recommend to anyone booking a trip to Italy!
See more
Zicasso's team was excellent with planning and execution of the itinerary to meet our specific needs.
I was able to add an additional city on short notice!
We had knowledgeable local city guides and all drivers were professional.
We had a wonderful family trip!
See more
We had an excellent experience with Zicasso's travel company. We are a family of four and spent 18 nights going through Italy and France. We worked with the company to make arrangements to see the cities and sites we wanted to visit. They offered great options for hotels and activities. They stayed in close contact with us during the trip and made additional arrangements upon request. The company provided outstanding service making arrangements and during the trip. We were very satisified and have already recommended them to our friends.
See more
I can confidently say that Zicasso's travel specialist is truly dedicated to providing her clients a luxury experience. From the outset, we had a 20-minute call where she wanted to learn about our dream vacation and get to know us. She was attentive to every request we made and organized our itinerary accordingly. During the trip, she texted us daily to inform us about our drivers and guides for the next day. Additionally, she checked to ensure our trip was progressing smoothly.
Here are some highlights:
Rome: We were greeted at the airport by our agent, who expedited our passage through passport control. The following day, we started our exploration at the Vatican. Our agent had purchased our tickets in advance, allowing us to skip the line. She also planned the remainder of our self-guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and other ancient sights. We accomplished so much in just two days!
Florence: We took part in a pasta-making class with a chef who was fantastic! Her husband was also quite charming. Our experience there was truly wonderful. Special thanks to our driver, who was incredibly helpful and informative.
Sorrento (Amalfi Coast): We began with a visit to Pompeii, where our guide, also arranged by our agent, was spectacular! His passion and extensive knowledge made the experience enjoyable. Next, we had a fun blind wine tasting. When we arrived at our amazing hotel, we were greeted with a surprise.
While in Rome, we encountered a minor issue, which our agent resolved quickly. She even went above and beyond by ordering us a bottle of prosecco to celebrate. We also took a car tour of Positano and Ravello, guided by a local from Ravello who was informative, knowledgeable, and delightful. We loved her! Our day ended with a lovely sunset cruise off the coast! Both days had excellent drivers.
This trip was a dream come true for my husband and me. Without a doubt, our agent made it the luxurious experience we desired. I highly recommend her and her team!
See more
The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.
See more
Our trip was a 10 out of 10! There is no way it could have been any better. Zicasso's travel expert and the tour company's team were incredibly responsive (not that we had any issues) and the itinerary was so impeccably curated.
Every greeter, driver, and tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and hotels were immaculate. It was such a relief to know that every last detail was taken care of and we didn't have to worry about anything.
We highly recommend our travel company and would definitely use them again.
See more