Veneto Region Wine Tour: Indulging in Tradition

Famous Valpolicella Verona, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

The vineyards of Italy’s Veneto region spread from the edges of the Venetian Lagoon to the foothills of the Alps and produce unforgettable flavors that are influenced by the sea breeze and undulating terrain. Wine trails crisscross the region to connect the vines to the local villages that brim with historical culture and preserved architecture. During your custom tailored tour you will traverse the countryside to sample celebrated wines, from hidden accumulations of Malbec to the offerings of effervescent Prosecco. Castles decorate the hillsides as bell towers chime at midday and gondolas glide down the narrow canals. You will find the wines of Veneto are as iconic as the monuments.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Bardolino, Soave, Arqua Petrarca, Friuli

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Venice – Arrive in Venice and Relish an Introductory Tour of the City

Venice embodies the majesty of the Veneto region with its architectural, artistic, and cultural grandeur. The shores of the canal offer a sweeping view of the domed and spired skyline of the city that leads outward to the rolling mountains in the distance. Gondolas and vaporettos cruise along the water. The city harkens back to the day of maritime might and regal opulence when a structure meant prestige and Venice acted as a center of the world’s trade. You will land at Marco Polo International Airport where your private transfer will meet you.

Once on the shores of the city, you will step aboard a private boat ready to embark on an introductory cruise of Venice’s famous canals. The waterway acts an artery in the same way that roads crisscross in other cities. The scent of grilled fish with lemon and thyme emanates from a waterside restaurant as gondolas moor alongside the cobblestone walkways and wade in the water’s gentle current. Bridges arch overhead to connect the lanes of the city. Old women dressed in black watch the movement of the streets and canal from the comfort of their open window.

The Ponte dell’Accademia was erected in the mid 19th-century to connect San Marco to Dorsoduro and take away the Ponte di Rialto’s claim as the only bridge to cross over the Grand Canal. The Ponte dell’Accademia connects to the 16th-century structure of the Monastery of Santa Maria della Carita, which now contains the Academy of Fine Arts.  Your guide will point to the opposite bank and the three-storied Palazzo Grassi. The façade includes elements of Classical and Baroque architecture, and the palace was the final structure erected during the reign of the Venetian Republic before the city-state’s collapse in the late 18th-century.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Tour
Dinner
Day 2

Bardolino – Travel to Bardolino and San Zeno for Culture and Wine Tasting

Day 3

Soave – Explore the Wines of Valpolicella and the Medieval Town of Soave

Day 4

Arqua Petrarca – Sample the Flavors and History of the Euganean Hills

Day 5

Friuli – Delight in Village Ambiance and Bold Vineyards of the Dolomites

Day 6

Venice – Visit the Home of Prosecco near Valdobbiadene en route to Venice

Day 7

Venice – Indulge in a Tour of Venice’s Architecture and Cultural Cuisine

Day 8

Venice – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the variety of flavorful DOC wines produced in northern Italy’s Veneto Region
  • Relax like a Venetian as you tour the Bacari, the local restaurants and bars known for Venice’s version of an aperitivo
  • Relish the charming landscape of the countryside that ranges from the shores of Lake Garda to the foothills of the Italian Alps
  • Revel in the fantastic artwork and architecture of Venice during a private tour of St. Mark’s Square, which includes an exploration of the Doge’s Palace
  • Bask in the simple pleasures of Veneto villages that brim with medieval architecture that overlooks the lush hills and plains of the region
  • Sample the distinct flavors of Prosecco in the home of the Italian sparkling wine
  • Experience the opulence of the lasting cultural and architectural influences of the Venice Republic in the Veneto region 

Detailed Description

The wines of Veneto emulate the graceful monuments of Venice, and the historical walls of medieval villages invoke a powerful and expansive history, along with a long, celebrated tradition. Your 8-day wine tour will celebrate the complexity and the variety of the wines along the various routes that traverse Italy’s northeast. You will arrive at Marco Polo International Airport and meet your private transfer to venture into the heart of Venice to explore the gorgeous palaces, churches, and homes along the Grand Canal. Your introductory tour of the city will end at the private dock of your hotel.

Next day, you will travel inland to the province of Verona to travel the Bardolino Road. The wines offer an introduction to the bouquet, flavors, and hues of the western Veneto, along with how the vintners till the land. Explore the charming palaces and museums, including the wine museum, which offers a brief history and introduction into the traditions of wine in Veneto. Visit three wineries along the route to find the unique properties of Bardolino. Next day, you will follow the Valpolicella Road where wine has appeared in the history books since the Middle Ages. Visit the vineyards around Verona that overlook the shores of Lake Garda en route to Valpolicella and discover the historical churches, palaces, and medieval streets along the way before you reach Soave.

Make your way into the Euganean Hills the next day, the home to 13 different DOC wines of both white and red varietals. Bask in the gorgeous scenery that surrounds the villages and vineyards before you settle into the town of Arqua Petrarca, near to the natural thermal baths. Travel next to relish the enchanting ambiance of Portogruaro. Traverse the streets and canals of town before you explore the various vineyards of the Lison Pramaggiore DOC and the bubbly quality of Prosecco will brighten the ambiance of your day.

Your guide will lead you along the hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene to follow the history and evolving flavors of Prosecco en route to your evening in Venice. Move next to a private tour of St. Mark’s Square, followed by an in-depth tour of Venice’s cultural eateries known as Bacari, similar to wine bars with small, delectable bites. Your private transfer will meet you at the dock of your hotel the following day and escort you to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport for your flight home. 

Starting Price

$3,600 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.

4.9

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kavita A.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Chianti, Vespa Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class, 20 Days

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!

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Carles P.
Italy Travel Review: Assisi, Tuscany, 15-Day Trip

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!

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Jeff S.
Italy, France Vacation Review: Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Bayeux, Normandy, 18 Nights

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.

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Dorothy K.
Italy Tour Review: Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Sites, Cooking Class, 1 Week

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!

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Laura M.
Italy Trip Review: Florence, Amalfi Coast, Uffizi Gallery, 9 Nights

The trip went very well! Our Zicasso travel specialist did a thorough job planning our vacation to Italy. We would definitely use her again.

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Margaret K.
Italy Vacation Review: Lake Garda, Verona, Milan, Boat Trip, Gastro Tour, 1 Week

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.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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