Veneto: THE WALLED CITIES
DURATION
8 days/7 nights – Available all year round
CATEGORY
Art and Culture, UNESCO
In Veneto, there are more than thirty walled cities, scattered all over the region. Each one is captivating for its centuries-old history, its rich culinary tradition and its skilful promotion of quality food products. Even today these old strongholds make the local area more captivating and architecturally rich.
ItinerarY
First day: Treviso
Participants gather and meet with the guide to visit the city. We are going to begin with Piazza dei Signori, followed by the Palazzo del Podestà, the Torre Civica, and the Palazzo dei Trecento. Right next to Piazza dei Signori we continue down Calmaggiore, the main street in Treviso’s old town, leading to the Duomo. Inside the Duomo, the Annunciazione di Tiziano, a painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Titian, is kept. Then, we are going to visit the Chiesa di Santa Caterina, the city walls, and the access doors. Lunch during the visits. We are going to check-in at a 3 or 4-star hotel in Treviso, have dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay.
Second day: Treviso – Castelfranco Veneto – Cittadella – Bassano del Grappa
After breakfast, we are going to relocate to Castelfranco Veneto. We are going to start our visits with a tour around the city walls, including four access doors. We are going to visit the Duomo, inside of which there is a plate painted by Giorgione, Italian painter of the Venetian school during the High Renaissance. Then, we head towards the Cittadella, a medieval walled town. There we are going to have a panoramic tour of the old town, the Duomo the Palazzo della Loggia, and the Palazzo Pretorio. Then, we are going to visit Torre di Malta, and the adjacent Archeological Museum. Lastly, we are going to visit Pieve di San Donato, located just outside the city walls. Lunch during the visits. We are going to relocate to Bassano del Grappa, check-in in a 3 or 4-star hotel. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay.
Third day: Bassano del Grappa – Marostica – Padua
After breakfast, we are going to visit Bassano del Grappa. We are going to start by visiting the Viale delle Fosse, Bassano del Grappa main boulevard, and the statue of Generale Giardino, an Italian soldier that rose to the rank of Marshal of Italy during World War I; We go on with the Viale dei Martini to enjoy the view on the Massiccio del Grappa, an alpine mountain range. We head towards Piazza Garibaldi and visit the Torre Civica, and the Chiesa di San Francesco, Piazza Libertà, followed by Ponte Vecchio, where Italy’s oldest distillery still stands. We are going to visit Museo della Grappa and attend a tasting of grappa and local liquors. Then, we are going to relocate to Marostica, small town located on the slops of the Asiago plateau. We are going to have a tour of the city walls, visit the Castello Inferiore as well as the popular Piazza degli Scacchi. Lunch during the visits. At the end of the visits, we are going to relocate to Padua, check-in in a 3 or 4-star hotel, have dinner and overnight stay.
Fourth day: Padua
After breakfast we are going to stroll through Prato della Valle (one of Europe’s biggest squares) and visit Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua followed up by a visit to St. George Orathory (Oratorio di San Giorgio in Italian). We are going to take a coffee break at the Pedrocchi Café (Caffè Pedrocchi in Italian), a café founded in the 18th century and one of the city’s landmarks. Early in the afternoon we are going to visit Scrovegni Chapel. This is followed by a visit to the Church of the Eremitani (Chiesa degli Eremitani in Italian). Then, we are going to take a boat trip through Padua canals to discover the sights that marked Padua’s history between the 15th and the 21st century. At the end, we are going to disembark and go back to the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay.
Fifth day: Monselice – Este – Montagnara – Verona
After breakfast, we are going to relocate in the lower Padua area to visit Monselice, Este, and Montagnara. We are going to make our first stop at Rocca di Monselice, also known as Mastio Federiciano, a type of Italian fortified stronghold or fortress, located on a hilltop called Colle della Rocca in Monselice. Then we are going to relocate to Este to visit the Castello Carrarese and the Duomo di Santa Tecla, where an oil painting by Giambattista Tiepolo is kept. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then, we are going to relocate to Montagnana, listed as one of the most beautiful Italian towns, also featuring one of the best preserved city walls in Europe. We are to visit the old town, the Duomo, the Chiesa di San Francesco and the Castello. At the end of the visits, we are going to relocate to Verona. Check-in in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Verona. Dinner and overnight stay.
Sixth day: Verona
After breakfast, we are going to have a guided tour of Verona’s old town. The city that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We are going to begin with Castelvecchio, we continue onto Corso Cavour until we get to the Chiesa di San Lorenzo and then the Duomo. We are going to continue with the Chiesa di Sant’Anastasia and Via Sottoriva. We are going to arrive in Piazza dei Signori, and visit the Palazzo del Capitano, the Palazzo della Ragione and the Arche Scaligere, and then we are going to Piazza delle Erbe, where there are several medieval buildings. We head towards the Casa di Giulietta and we are going to end our visits in Piazza Brà, and visit the Verona Arena and the Palazzo della Gran Guardia. In the evening we are going back to the hotel, have dinner at the restaurant and overnight stay.
Seventh day: Verona – Soave
After breakfast, we are going to have a guided tour of the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. Then, we are going to relocate to Soave, picturesque town famous for its wine and the Castle from the Scaliger era. We are going to have a guided tour of the Castello Scaligero. Then, we visit the town centre which features Piazza Antenna, Palazzo della Ragione, Palazzo Cavalli. Lastly, we are going to walk along the town walls (Mura di Cinta in Italian). As we leave Soave, we are going to travel on the famous Strada del Vino (wine road), bordered by centuries-old olive trees, cherry trees and vines. We are going to stop by a wine producer where we are going to have a wine tasting with local cold cuts, cheese and local specialties. At the end we are going back to Verona. Dinner (not included in the offer) and overnight stay in the hotel.
Eighth day: Verona – Lazise
After breakfast, we are going to relocate to Lazise, one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Venetian bank of Lake Garda. The guided tour winds through the old town to discover the town’s three doors (Porta San Zeno, Porta Cansignorio and Porta del Lion), the Castello Scaligero and the port, overlooked by two emblematic buildings: the Chiesetta di San Nicolò, marked by beautiful frescoes of the school of Giotto and the Dogana veneta. Lunch at the restaurant. At the end of the lunch we are going back to the place of destination and end of services. Possible additions or integrations may be added to the main program based on the client’s preferences.
ADDITIONAL TOURS
Lake Garda
If you want to combine cultural visits with relaxation, Lake Garda spa resorts are the perfect place for a holiday dedicated to your well-being
DETAILS
It is possible to join this itinerary with another one. Further additional tours could be available based on seasonality.
INCLUDED
- 1 overnight stay in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Treviso with breakfast included;
- 1 overnight stay in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Bassano del Grappa 2 with breakfast included;
- 2 overnight stays in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Padua with breakfast included;
- 3 overnight stays in a 3 or 4-star hotel in Verona with breakfast included;
- 2 lunches and 6 dinners at the restaurant;
- 1 tasting of grappa and traditional liquors (Bassano del Grappa);
- 1 wine tasting with local cold cuts, cheese, and traditional food products (Soave);
- Guided tours with specialised guide as scheduled;
- Admissions as scheduled;
- Bus transfers in a private coach;
NOT INCLUDED
- Tourist taxes
- Meals and personal extras
- Tips, drinks, and everything not included in “included” section.
