Venice

Day 1 Arrival and Day at Leisure

Arrival at Venice airport, where you are met and transferred to the 4 star Hotel Palace Bonvecchiati (or similar 4 star hotel) with accommodation in a superior room including breakfast daily.

Day 2 Doge St. Marks Skip the Line Tour

Visit two of the most popular attractions in Venice with this skip-the-line guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica. Stroll between rooms lined with artwork by the likes of Veronese and Tintoretto, and gaze at gold staircases, which the doges would have once climbed. As you explore, listen to your guide to learn how the council-controlled Venice from the chambers of the Doge’s Palace, and hear about the building’s mix of Byzantine and Far Eastern architecture. Leave via the Bridge of Sighs, imagining the anguish of the prisoners who used it to walk between the prison cells and the palace. Then head back to the square for your visit to St. Mark’s Cathedral. With tales of St. Mark ringing in your ears, you’ll step straight inside to admire the basilica’s glittering mosaics and marble inlays. Gaze at the Pala d’Oro, a prized example of Byzantine art with thousands of gems and precious stones, and visit the cathedral treasury, which is adorned with religious art. Your tour then ends outside the basilica.

Day 3 Romeo and Juliet’s Verona Day Trip from Venice

Visit Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Soak up the city’s history, architecture and culture as you check out castles, churches, frescoes, Gothic landmarks, charming piazzas and Verona’s renowned amphitheater. A knowledgeable local guide will bring the city to life on this small-group tour limited to 15 people.

Your day starts in Venice, then off to Verona, with a photo stop at Colle di San Pietro. From the castle overlooking the town, you’ll take it all in… the towering spires, castle walls, and the river that hugs its curves. Verona is as romantic as it gets. Along the way to the city, you’ll visit the ancient Roman amphitheatre, a 1st century marvel that is among the top opera venues in the world. You’ll also see the Verona Duomo and the beautiful Basilica of Saint Anastasia. Then it’s on to the home of Shakespeare’s Juliet, where you can gaze up at the famed balcony where Romeo is said to have done his wooing. Next, we’ll take you into the historic center to uncover the story of the city that served as the colorful backdrop for Shakespeare’s classic. You’ll visit the gorgeous plazas, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe to see the Palazzo Maffei, the Palazzo Barbieri and the famous Mazzanti Houses. Lunch is not included, so you can choose where you want to eat. The afternoon will included a walk along the river past the Casa di Romeo and two very famous arches, the ancient Roman gates of Porta Borsari and the Arco della Costa, where you’ll learn about one of most bizarre local legends ever.

You’ll also get a chance to pay your respects at the Scaligeri family tombs – incredible examples of gothic architecture – gape up at Lamberti tower, and saunter over the iconic Castelvecchio bridge, all before your guide puts you back on the train to Venice. With our tour guides, you won’t just see Verona, you’ll walk through the heart of its history and culture to get a deep understanding of what makes it such a special place.

Day 4 Departure