Uncover the opulence of the Venetian Republic through an exploration of the architecture, history, legend, and natural beauty of a region shaped its history as a maritime powerhouse. Your custom tailored tour will immerse you in the highlights of Veneto, a region of Italy intertwined with the rise and fall of Venice. Indulge in the flavors of the cuisine and the exquisite regional wine. Pass beneath arched bridges erected nearly five centuries ago and then bask in the panoramic views of lagoon...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Arrive in Venice to Enjoy an Introductory Tour of the Waterways
Venice is a city of mystery and majesty, enchanting narrow passageways and opulent landmarks. Steps ascend out of the waters and lead to quiet cafes. Gondolas and vaporettos cruise along the network of canals. Your private transfer will meet you at Marco Polo Airport and escort you to the edge of the famous Grand Canal where you will board a private boat to your hotel. The boat will deliver you to a private dock that leads into the lobby of your accommodation. The lobby embodies the grandeur of your experience in Venice and around Veneto through the lavish décor and marvelous history on display.
Enjoy a moment to settle into your room before you meet your guide once again on the hotel’s dock for an introductory exploration of Venice through the Grand Canal. The charming details of the city open up to you as an old woman leans out her window in a former palace to watch the boats pass below. Workmen replaced the rotted wood moorings with new trunks as churches have entrances that loom over the water as private docks contain marble stairways that descend beneath the splashing canal. The Palazzo Corner della Ca’Grande was erected in the 16th-century by an Italian mater-builder and the structure was built with the intention of impressing other noble families of Venice through Ionic and Corinthian columns adorning the first and second stories. As you float through, you will find that his job was well-done.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Discover the Unique Churches and Artwork of Venice
Day 3
Venice – Visit the Islands around the Larger Lagoon in a Private Boat Tour
Day 4
Venice – Explore the Jewish Ghetto and Hidden Neighborhoods of Venice
Day 5
Chioggia – Spend the Day in the Charming Town on the Sea
Day 6
Asolo – Venture to the Dolomite Foothills to Traverse the Medieval Streets
Day 7
Arqua Petrarca – Enjoy the Restful Ambiance and the Thermal Spas
Day 8
Friuli – Enjoy a Full Day Excursion to Udine and the Town of Friuli
Day 9
Verona – Indulge in the Ambiance of Verona and Bassano del Grappa
Day 10
Venice – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the marvels of Venice during a private boat tour of the Grand Canal that highlights the history, architecture, and cultural charms of the city
- Witness the production of a gondola inside a craftsman’s workshop to learn about the fine details of shaping a luxurious vessel
- Indulge in the flavors of Veneto with a private cooking lesson and grappa tasting in the marvelous town of Bassano del Grappa
- Visit the legendary balcony of Juliet Capulet in the elegant city of Verona
- Wander along the bright and cheery houses, which line the quiet canals of the small island of Burano
- Express your creative side with a private glassblowing demonstration as you visit the famous glass-making island of Murano
- Sip from the celebrated La Fontana del Petrarca in the serene village of Arqua Petrarca, whose waters offer the gift of verse in honor of the poet
- Embrace the history of Venice on a tour of the neighborhoods, which includes walking along the Jewish Ghetto and the sophisticated streets of Eastern Castelo
- Enjoy the stunning panoramas of the Dolomites and Alps as you visit the charming villages around Veneto
- Relax in the soothing natural spring waters of the Terme Euganee Spas that overlook the town of Arqua Petrarca
Detailed Description
From the foothills of the Dolomites to the shores of the Venetian Lagoon, the wonder of the Veneto region emanates from the natural landscape and culture unique to the influence of the Venetian Republic. Canals meander through the cityscape, and the churches and palaces are nearly indistinguishable in grandeur. Villages exhibit as many captivating historical frescoes as the palaces of the Venetian capital. Your 10-day tour will encompass the majesty of an entire region, while you relax in the lavish surroundings of Venice.
Your Veneto excursion will begin with your arrival at Marco Polo Airport. Your private transfer will escort you to the edge of the Grand Canal where you will board a vaporetto to your hotel. Your guide will meet you in the lobby after you have had a chance to settle in and lead you on an exploration of Venice through the waterways that connect the architecture, culture, and cafes of the city. Next day, you will have an elaborate walking tour of Venice that begins with St. Mark’s Square. Your guide will take you through the Basilica and Doge’s Palace to highlight the exuberant décor and historical chambers. Continue to make a deeper connection with Venice as you move through an island tour of the Lagoon and visit a collection of celebrated communities including Burano and Murano. Look forward to observing a glassblowing workshop on Murano for an introduction to the historical artwork.
Move next to spend the following day on a guided tour through the history of the diverse neighborhoods of Venice. Your day will conclude with a visit to an artisan gondola maker’s workshop to see the process of crafting the distinctive boats. Venture next to the enchanting town of Chioggia to relax in the serene atmosphere of “Little Venice.” Wander the cobbled streets or relax on the sandy shores of the nearby beaches before you return to your hotel in the evening. Next, venture into the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains to delight in the culture of the rural villages, including the charming meandering streets of Asolo. Bask in the flavors of a coursed lunch paired with local wine.
Move on to enjoy the legendary poetic landscape and celebrated poetry of Petrarca in the town of Arqua Petrarca. Relax in the soothing waters of the thermal spa before you wander through the bustling and captivating historical city center of Udine. Cross the stone bridge to the heart of the cliff-side town of Friuli, the latter of which contains a burial ground that predates Roman settlement before the next day takes you into the embrace of Romeo and Juliet as you explore the gorgeous city of Verona.
Wander the distinct neighborhoods, visit Juliet’s balcony, and witness the drama of the Roman amphitheater before you venture next to Bassano del Grappa. Once in town, you can relish the serene setting and delight in a private cooking class paired with a tasting of local grappa. Conclude the next day as your private transfer meets you ready to escort you to the Venice airport for your flight home, or you could extend your stay in Italy with an in-depth visit to Tuscany or Lazio.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5964 reviews.
The trip was very well planned by Zicasso's travel company and all of the stops and pick-up points, cars, trains, boats, etc., were there and reliable. We had a fantastic time.
Reviewed By Jeffrey C.
I am writing to express my immense gratitude to the entire team at Zicasso’s travel partner for curating the most spectacular trip to Italy for my family. From start to finish, the level of service was beyond impeccable and truly set a new standard for what we consider luxury travel.
The planning process was an absolute pleasure. Communication was one of their greatest strengths; our contact was consistently available and responses to our questions were nearly instantaneous. This travel company made us feel like we were their only clients. They took the time to understand the different ages and interests within our family, and built a bespoke itinerary that perfectly balanced history, leisure, and unique local experiences.
This was genuine white-glove service in every sense of the word. From the moment we landed, every detail was flawlessly executed. Private drivers were waiting for us, guides were engaging and knowledgeable, and our accommodations were magnificent. We never once had to worry about a single logistic, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy our time together.
If you are looking for a travel partner that offers unparalleled personalized service and flawless execution for a trip to Italy, look no further. Thank you for giving our family memories we will cherish forever.
Reviewed By Christopher L.
My husband and I were thrilled with our recent trip to Italy that Zicasso’s travel designer put together. We began by attending a family friend’s wedding, held in Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast. Due to my husband’s mobility issues, we were met by a driver and headed to the Amalfi Coast. The driver was first class and the trip was very comfortable.
After the wedding festivities, we were able to have the most wonderful experiences visiting the towns of Amalfi and Positano, and our base for one week was in beautiful Sorrento. We attended a cooking class and enjoyed eating what we prepared. We had in-depth learning opportunities in Naples and Sorrento. Every guide we had spoke excellent English and was so knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed Pompeii! A super-fun day was had on the small group tour of Capri. The crew was fantastic and very accommodating in consideration of my husband’s mobility issues.
From beginning to end everything went well. The use of a messaging app was great for making sure everyone was on the same page.
The only thing that was a disappointment was the pizza in Naples. It wasn’t the best.
The hotel in Sorrento was phenomenal - it couldn’t have been better. The view of Mt. Vesuvius from our balcony helped create memories we will have forever. The hotel in Rome was also very nice. It was right in the middle of the main attractions.
We are very happy with our experience with this travel company and would not hesitate to recommend it!
Reviewed By Anne F.
Zicasso had two travel companies provide their itinerary of what we wanted to do on our two-week trip to Italy and Greece. We chose this company because we felt they put together a nice itinerary that clearly defined what we would expect day to day. We were a little apprehensive about choosing a travel agent we had not heard of, but the communication from them prior to our trip settled our nerves. We were not disappointed because it ended up being the trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed By Thomas W.
Our trip was a family one, two grandparents over 70, two parents and one adult son, one teenage girl, and one younger girl, 12. Three of us had been to Italy while the others had not. We wanted as complete a trip as we could in 14 days, so we included all the traditional places, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples/Pompeii. We spent three days in each and one day in Ferrara. While it was a lot for 14 days, we did not feel rushed.
What I like about Zicasso is they give you options to pick the best fit for your trip—we worked with two other agencies before we picked Zicasso’s travel partner. This travel partner took the time to understand our needs: three hotel rooms, all different in sizes, and tours and timing. Very important was the degree of coordination before the trip with the travel agent; she was available and knowledgeable, and took the time to adjust our needs. One of the best things about this travel partner was they used a van for all the travel, except from Rome to Naples. This was a much better option than the train for seven people and baggage.
During the trip, we were met on time by every driver and every guide. The hotels were excellent and the whole trip went well. When we had a delay on the train, the driver knew it and adjusted our pick-up.
Reviewed By Fred S.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.