Exploring the Italian Northeast Venice, Mantua, Verona, Trieste and more

Europe
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegowina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroer
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldavia
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Created: 27.09.2013

Day 1 ? DEPART USA ? Today we depart JFK airport to connect with our overnight flight to Venice aboard a wide-bodied jet. We are served complimentary beverages, in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Day 2 - PADUA ? This morning we arrive at Venice airport we are met by our tour manager we board our motor coach and transfer to our hotel in Padua. Rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day3 - VENICE - Our walking tour begins in St. Mark?s Square, called the ?living room? of Europe. Dominating the Square is the Basilica of St. Mark, adorned with magnificent Byzantine Mosaics. Continue with a visit of the Doge?s Palace, decorated by the 16th century artists Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. We?ll walk across the ?Bridge of Sights?, connected to Piombi Prison. One can still imagine the lamentation of prisoners, who walked across the bridge to their final sentencing, suspended between hope and terror. Before your free time for lunch or to explore Venice on your own, we will enjoy a Gondola ride through the canals of Venice. Return to our hotel in Padua for dinner and overnight. Day 4 - BOLOGNA ? This morning we venture south to Bologna. Upon arrival we will see the highlights of Italy?s gastronomic capital, Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Nettuno and the Basilica of San Petronio. Today we will also enjoy lunch at typical local restaurant. Remainder of day free to explore this lovely town. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight. Day 5 - TREVISO- Treviso is known for being the original production area of the Prosecco wine , and being the town where the popular Italian dessert Tiramisu was created. The city is also home to the headquarters of clothing retailer Benetton, Stefanel, Diadora and Lotto Sport Italia, appliance maker De'Longhi, and bicycle maker Pinarello. Day 6 ? PADUA/FREE DAY ? Today is free to explore the area on our own. Dinner will be available at hotel for those who choose to dine with us. Overnight at our hotel. Day 7 ? TRIESTE - Trieste is a seaport city located in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city. Trieste is a mysterious and puzzling place. Its iconic central square, the Piazza dell?Unit? d?Italia, bounded on three sides by comically pompous 18th- and 19th-century buildings, most of them decorated like big, boxy wedding cakes, and is wide open to the Adriatic, as though the ever-changing seascape were an entertainment staged for the city?s benefit. Day 8- MANTUA/ VERONA This morning we visit Mantua, one of the most important Renaissance cities in Italy which deserves the title of UNESCO World Heritage. We will visit the Palazzo Te and the historical city center. We will enjoy a light lunch and wine tasting near Mantua. We than continue for a visit of Verona this charming city made famous by Shakespeare?s famous tragic couple Romeo and Juliet. Our guided tour will include a visit of the Roman Arena, one of the largest and best preserved Roman Amphitheaters. Still used today for Verona?s prestigious operas. Continue through Verona?s cobbled streets to the colorful Piazza del Erve, the former Roman Forum, lined with vegetable stands, caf??s and restaurants. Our tour concludes at Juliet?s Balcony, perhaps one of the most romantic spots in the world. Return to our hotel in Padua for dinner and overnight. Day 9 ? RETURN TO THE USA - Today we make our way back to New York, JFK with memories of a lifetime.