Spotlight On Northern Italy Featuring Venice, Verona & The Dolomites

Venture to vineyards, Venice, and Verona. It's almost time to unpack once in a Venetian villa and journey among the jewels of Northern Italy.

This tour has sweet beginnings: Kick off your travels in Treviso, hometown of Italy's most iconic dessert – tiramisu. Treviso also has a long history tied to the nearby island city of Venice. Founded as a mainland (terraferma) settlement, Treviso was an early outpost with the look and feel of Venice. With your feet on "firm ground," settle into your home for the next seven nights — a charming villa nestled in the suburbs of Treviso. After dropping your things in your modern-style room, take some time to explore the property's lush, green garden. Work up an appetite because tonight you'll dive into regional foods and Italian wines at a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. Today dinner will be included.

Start your day with a short ride to downtown Treviso. Embark on a walking tour in the city commonly called "Venice on the Mainland." Take in the Old Town's gothic-style windows, marble latticework, and the Sile and Botteniga rivers – humble elements all reminiscent of its famous island neighbor. After your guided tour on foot, take some time to explore more of Treviso at your own pace. Maybe you'll wander through the weekly vegetable and housewares market? Or you can check out the picturesque Canale dei Buranelli and nearby Pescheria, where fishmongers have set up shop for centuries. When you stop for lunch on your own, consider noshing on radicchio trevigiano, an autumnal delicacy consisting of red chicory grilled with a generous helping of extra virgin olive oil. After, reconnect with your fellow travelers. Meet a local pastry chef and try your hand at preparing some sweet tiramisu in its homeplace. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Verona (UNESCO) is for lovers. After a 2-hour bus ride, find yourself in the romantic city of Romeo & Juliet. In Verona, it's your choice! Explore Verona's painted houses during a walking tour of the Old Town -OR- stroll along the town's riverbanks in search of its bridges and lesser-known monuments. No matter what you pick, you'll catch a glimpse of the city's must-sees: Juliet's balcony and the impressive exterior of the Arena, the ancient Roman amphitheater. After, enjoy some free time to explore Verona how you'd like. Whether you're following in the footsteps of Shakespeare's most famous dramatic characters or retracing Italian history, savor time wandering in Verona's medieval city center. After lunch on your own in the city, return to your villa in the late afternoon to relax before dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Board the coach and head to Venice (UNESCO). You'll trade wheels for water and take a boat to the isle of Murano. Famous for its glass-blowing foundries, Murano's history with glassmaking dates back 1,500 years. A local craftsperson will share the intricacies of this age-old trade during a glass-blowing demonstration. After, set sail for the area surrounding St. Mark's Square. Take in the Basilica and the ornate Gothic façade of Doge's Palace. During your free time, consider an optional gondola cruise to experience Venice's most famous pastime. Regardless of how you spend your afternoon, pause for an early dinner in town before journeying back to your villa for the night. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Get to know a hilltop haven for artists today in Asolo. After your Tour Manager helps you get acquainted with the village during an orientation walk, enjoy some free time. Find inspiration and trace the steps of author Ernest Hemingway, poet Robert Browning, composer Igor Stravinsky, and many other famous virtuosos throughout history. Later, continue your journey into the rolling hills of Italy's Prosecco region (UNESCO), for a visit to a local vineyard where you'll taste the region's sparkling specialty. Toast to la dolce vita - the sweet life - in the Venetian countryside. You'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax and sit down for dinner together. Rest well tonight; tomorrow will be a full day exploring The Dolomites. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Today will be our biggest trek yet.* You're on your way to what UNESCO says is one of the world's most beautiful mountain chains: The Dolomites. Weave through the winding roads tucked within jagged rocks for a couple of hours en route to your first stop: the village of Alleghe. Venture into the village to catch a glimpse of Monte Civetta – a mountain noted for its rugged appearance and massive northwestern rock face. When in season,** pause at the Flazarego Pass for a cable car ride to get a unique perspective on the surrounding peaks. Take some time to have lunch on your own before returning to the coach for a trip to Cortina –– the Pearl of The Dolomites. Your Tour Manager will show you around on foot and then you can enjoy a short break to explore this resort town on your own. Reminisce on your mountain adventure tonight on your way back to the villa for a late dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

*You will depart the hotel at around 8:00 a.m. and return around 7:00 p.m. The day includes approximately 6.5 hours of driving, of which approximately 4 hours will be on scenic, but winding mountain roads. **The Falzarego cable car is closed for maintenance between the 2nd weekend of April and May.

Begin your day with a trip to the quaint town of Bassano del Grappa. The town's name is associated with the locally produced grape-based schnapps. Explore its cobblestoned piazzas and see the impact the beverage had on the town, including the ancient distillery in one of the pillars of the historic Palladian Bridge. Take some time to wander the town and grab a bite to eat for lunch (maybe paired with some grappa?). Tonight, step back in time at a classic Venetian villa. You'll tour the sprawling villa and its gardens that's still owned by the descendants of a noble family of Venice. After you follow the family's history within the villa's walls, gather with your fellow travelers and savor Venetian dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients at this evening's farewell dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

It's time to say ciao, Italia. Have a buon viaggio back home with fond memories of Northern Italy. Today breakfast will be included.