Secret Veneto

Day 1 - Welcome to the land of food & craft

Today, an English-speaking private driver will escort you from Verona Airport to your hotel in the heart of Verona.

Once you’ve settled in, get ready to begin this fantastic journey through Veneto’s hidden side, which only locals have the pleasure of experiencing and living. Verona is one of the most beautiful cities in Veneto, where Shakespeare had set his classic tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Also known as The City of Love, follow an expert guide to discover Verona’s most beautiful corners and the ones filled with history, like Juliet’s House and the Arena di Verona, the city’s amphitheater, older than Rome’s Colosseum.

Overnight in: Verona

Hotel: Villa Cordevigo, Vista Palazzo or Butterfly Verona

Service includes > Transfer from Verona airport to your accommodation in Verona; Private, half-day cultural tour of Verona with exclusive access to the Verona Arena

Day 2 - The Gran Cru Caviar Farm Experience: From the river to the table

This second day in Veneto starts with the first of the many exclusive experiences you will enjoy during your trip.

A private transfer will drive you to a caviar farm in the Mantua area for an immersive experience. Following expert master producers of Italian caviar, walk along the Mincio riverbanks and experience first-hand all the life stages of the noble sturgeon, who grows up in this unique environment to give us their precious eggs. When the guided tour of the cru is complete, you will enjoy a tasting of the finest caviar along with a champagne-based lunch.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to Mantua, where you will embark on another type of journey, one packed with art and history. Meet with a certified local guide for a walking tour of the Old Town, discovering everything about this UNESCO city. Mantua has been one of the most eminent Italian hubs for art, culture, and music thanks to the power and influence of the Gonzaga family (1328-1707), who enriched the city with artistic treasures and elegant palaces.

Overnight in: Verona

Service includes > Half-day Cru Caviar farm tour with tasting and champagne lunch; 2-hour private walking tour of Mantua Old Town; Private transfer back to your accommodation

Distances > From Verona to the caviar farm is about 1h (49,6 km by car); from the caviar farm to Mantua is about 30 minutes (16,7 km by car); from Mantua back to Verona is about 45 minutes (45,9 km by car)

Day 3 - A UNESCO-listed paradise: The Prosecco Hills

Today is all about discovering a small but extraordinary land, the Prosecco Hills.

Amidst steep slopes and fascinating panoramas are generations-old wineries producing a wine loved worldwide: Prosecco, of course!

In the morning, you will be driven to a local ‘caseificio’ for a unique masterclass where you will discover all the tips and tricks of aged cheeses. Before the tasting, you will also have the chance to create your own ‘caciotta cheese’ by practicing what you have just learned. Then relax and enjoy tasting exceptional cheeses that have won numerous national and international awards and recognition.

In the afternoon, you will visit one of the oldest Prosecco wine families in the Veneto area, exploring the secret cave where the oldest Prosecco bottles are stored. Before leaving this enchanting place, you will enjoy tasting different wines to better appreciate the magic behind their production better.

Overnight in: Verona

Service includes > 2-hour guided taste of special cheeses in a ‘caseificio’ (Latteria Perenzin) with final hands-on cheese-making experience and food degustation; Half-day winery visit with wine tasting (Casa Brunoro delle Cantine Varaschin); Private transfer back to your accommodation

Distances > From Verona to the winery is about 1h and 45 minutes (137 km by car); from the winery to the caseificio is about 40 minutes (32,6 km by car); from the caseificio back to Verona is about 2h (161 km by car)

Day 4 - Venice's unique wine-making tradition

In the morning, you will have the incredible privilege of visiting the Convent of the Scalzi, which houses one of the oldest vineyards in Venice. The doors of this 1649 convent will open in front of your eyes, and you will be guided in discovering a well-kept secret: ancient native vines used to produce a ‘mystical’ wine.

When the convent’s garden tour is over, head to Venice’s district of Cannaregio for a traditional lunch with a canal view at the exclusive ZOJA Wine Bar & Terrace.

In the afternoon, you can continue enriching your expertise in Italian wine-making. A private driver will lead you to the Cantine Bertani to learn more and taste some precious vintage Valpolicella wines.

Overnight in: Verona

Service includes > Tour of the mystical garden inside the Convent of the Scalzi; Wine tasting experience at the Cantine Bertani; Private transfer back to your accommodation

Distances > From Verona to Venice is about 1,5h (120 km by car); from the convent to the winery is about 1,5h (122 km by car), from the winery to Verona is about 20 minutes (12 km by car)

Day 5 - A day like no other: the peaceful shores of Lake Garda

Today, get ready to immerse yourself in the marvelous landscape and architecture of Lake Garda! An atmosphere suspended in time, where olive groves and cypresses serve as the backdrop of grand villas and pastel-hued towns.

Spend the morning visiting a Cantina Ottella, where the owners will share their passion for their territory by guiding you through the locally-grown grapes and the wines and olive oil they produce. After the tour, you will taste the wines and olive oil, perfectly accompanied by cured meats and alpine cheeses.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to Sirmione, a splendid lakeside town where an expert guide will walk you through unmissable historical sites, particularly the Scaligero Castle and the Catullo Caves.

Overnight in: Verona

Service includes > Private transfer to Lake Garda; Tour of Cantina Ottella with wine and olive oil tastings; Private guided tour of Sirmione town; Private transfer back to hotel

Distances > From Verona to Garda is about 45 minutes (37,7 km by car)

Day 6 - Crafting grappa and culinary delights

Today, you will yet explore another side of what locals’ love for our Italian territory can create. Uncover the secrets behind crafting Italian grappa by visiting two historic distilleries and tasting their exceptional produce.

Firstly, you will arrive at Poligrappa, where, through a guided tour, you will discover every stage of distillery production. Before leaving the venue, you will enjoy a tasting of in-housed grappas.

Continue this wonderful day with a traditional and upscale lunch at the historic ‘Birraria Ottone’, in the very heart of Bassano Old Town.

After lunch, meet a local guide for a private walking tour of the charming Bassano, which bears on its shoulders centuries of history that saw the town and its inhabitants involved in both World Wars. Let yourself be astonished by the discovery of Bassano’s architecture, history, and hidden corners!

Before returning back to Verona, there is another stop to make: Distilleria Nardini, Italy’s oldest distillery, founded back in 1779. Step into history thanks to a guided tour and taste some different Nardini products in an incomparable scenery.

Overnight in: Verona

Service includes > Visit with tastings of two historic distilleries (Distilleria Nardini and Poligrappa); Traditional lunch in a historic restaurant (Birraria Ottone); 2-hour walking tour of Bassano del Grappa; Private transfer back to your accommodation

Distances > From Verona to Bassano del Grappa is about 1h and 10 minutes (98,5 km by car)

Day 7 - Uncover Verona's beauty

Today, you are free to enjoy Verona at your own pace.

Head to the beautiful Piazza Bra to soak up the ‘La Dolce Vita’ vibe, cross the Castelvecchio Bridge to admire the Adige River from all angles, and climb the Torre dei Lamberti for a bird-eye view of the enchanting Verona!

But there’s much more to see and experience in Verona. We will share a list of more secret places to explore in this beautiful town that only the locals know about…!

Overnight in: Verona

Day 8 - Return flight

Service includes > private transfer to Verona airport

Today you will need to check-out, because it is time to say “Arrivederci” to Italy. Your driver will take you to Verona airport for your return flight.

We are confident that you have thoroughly enjoyed your “Taste of Italy” and sincerely hope to welcome you back soon for another delightful experience!