Treasures of the Veneto
A seven night exploration of the Veneto staying at the Villa Michelangelo
- 29 May 2021
- 18 September 2021
- 21 May 2022
Situated in Italy’s north-east, the Veneto region is famed for its historical, natural, artistic, cultural and culinary treasures which we will explore during this week long escorted tour planned for the delightful months of September and May.
We will be based just outside Vicenza in the Berici Hills at the Villa Michelangelo, a restored 18th century Palladian style villa which is now an elegant hotel. From our perfectly located hotel, we will enjoy daily, comprehensive sightseeing excursions discovering the many wonderful facets of the Veneto combined with ample time at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel and its five hectares of grounds, meeting each evening for dinner.
We will visit the iconic cities of Venice and Verona; Mantua, the former ducal capital of the House of Gonzaga; Medieval Padua and beautiful Vicenza, renowned for the architecture of Andrea Palladio and of course no trip to the Veneto would be complete without a Prosecco tasting.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
Villa Michelangelo
Designed in the Palladian style, Villa Michelangelo was built in the 18th century as the country house of the aristocratic Tomi family of Vicenza. During the last century, the villa changed hands several times, but managed to retain its period charm with its original walnut beams, highly polished Venetian floor, as well as by the manicured grounds. Due to its elevated position on the slopes of the Berici Hills the hotel offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The hotel features a swimming pool with a retractable roof and sun-loungers offering views across the Berici Hills. Encircling the hotel, the five hectares of grounds form a captivating backdrop and are very much worth exploring, playing host as they do to ancient trees, an olive grove and a thick forest.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Venice, Italy.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the Villa Michelangelo situated in the Berici Hills on the outskirts of Vicenza. Settle into your room and enjoy the hotel facilities before meeting for our welcome dinner in the hotel this evening.
Day 2 Verona.
After breakfast we will transfer to Verona for a guided walking tour of this fascinating Medieval city. Points of interest during our tour will be Juliet’s balcony and the Arena which holds 15,000 spectators and was completed in the year 30 AD. See examples of Romanesque architecture including the Porta Borsari, a third century gate in the original city walls, and some of the city’s magnificent Romanesque basilicas. The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore features a 72-metre-high bell tower and is mentioned by Dante in canto 18 of the Purgatory in The Divine Comedy; San Zeno being the patron saint of Verona. After our tour there will be some free time to explore further and enjoy lunch independently before we return to the hotel this afternoon. We will meet this evening for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 3 Venice.
Venice is unique, amazingly beautiful and casts its spell over all those who visit and no matter how many times you visit, that first glimpse of every trip is something special. We will arrive by boat this morning and our walking tour will include Saint Mark’s Square, where you can admire the famous Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile, the historical buildings around the square and the clock tower before we continue to the Rialto Bridge. After the tour there will be free time for lunch and to explore at your own pace before we return to the hotel where we will have dinner this evening.
Day 4 Asolo & Prosecco.
Named by Giosuè Carducci the ‘City of a Hundred Horizons’, Asolo is one of the most picturesque old town centres in Italy. Contained within the ancient walls that branch off from the 12th century fortress, in every corner it preserves testimonies of its thousand-year old history. Asolo was a destination for poets, writers, artists and travellers that found inspiration and harmony here. Among them the English poet Robert Browning, the Divine theatre actress Eleonora Duse, the composer Gian Francesco Malipiero and the English writer and traveller Freya Stark. From Asolo we will drive into the Prosecco region where we will visit one of the vineyards for a tasting with local delicacies. Return to the hotel in the early afternoon for a relaxing afternoon before dinner this evening.
Day 5 Vicenza.
After a leisurely morning, we will leave for Vicenza, renowned for the architecture of Andrea Palladio. There will be free time for lunch in the city before we begin our walking tour including the Teatro Olimpico, the Basilica Palladiana and the most important monuments of the city. Afterwards we drive the short distance to see Palladio’s Villa Almerico Capra, known as La Rotonda, with its wonderful gardens and Villa Valmarana. We will return to the hotel after dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6 Mantua.
Mantua’s historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family has made it one of the main artistic, cultural and musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole. Surrounded by lakes on three sides, Mantua is noted for its significant role in the history of opera; the city is also known for its architectural treasures and artefacts, elegant palaces, and the Medieval and Renaissance cityscape. On arrival we will board local boats to cruise on Lago Inferiore, where we can admire the stunningly beautiful town skyline. The town where the family Gonzaga was once in power reflects in the water creating a magical feeling. Continue to ‘La Vallazza’ where we see all the flora and fauna of this protected wetland known as the Mincio Natural Park. There will be free time for lunch in the city before a guided walk through the centro storico which was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel this afternoon and meet for dinner tonight.
Day 7 Padua.
As a Medieval city-state and home to Italy’s second-oldest university, Padua challenged both Venice and Verona for regional hegemony. This golden age is reflected in the architecture and cityscape. See the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Frutti, home to a daily produce market that has operated for centuries. Also see the famous palazzo, the Basilica of Sant’Antonio and the Prato della Valle, one of Padua’s landmarks, a 90,000-square-metre elliptical square, the biggest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Located at the southern edge of the historical centre, it is a favourite gathering spot for the locals, who call it ‘il Prato’. Enjoy free time for lunch or to explore further before we return to the hotel in the afternoon. After time to relax we will meet for our farewell dinner in the hotel.
Day 8 Venice to London.
After breakfast we will transfer to Venice for our scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy29 May to 5 June 2021 • 18 to 25 September 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Classic Double | £2695 | |
Superior Double | £2845 | |
Deluxe Double | £2995 | |
Classic Double Sole Occupancy | £3195 | |
Superior Double Sole Occupancy | £3395 | |
Deluxe Double Sole Occupancy | £3595 |
21 to 28 May 2022 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Classic Double | £2795 | |
Superior Double | £2945 | |
Deluxe Double | £3095 | |
Classic Double Sole Occupancy | £3295 | |
Superior Double Sole Occupancy | £3495 | |
Deluxe Double Sole Occupancy | £3695 |
Tour Reference Code: LAVENETO
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights hotel accommodation at the Villa Michelangelo • Breakfast & dinner daily • Drinks with dinner • Excursions • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • English speaking local guide • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, lunches.
Group Size: We are restricting the group size to just 25 participants.
Villa Michelangelo
Designed in the Palladian style, Villa Michelangelo was built in the 18th century as the country house of the aristocratic Tomi family of Vicenza. During the last century, the villa changed hands several times, but managed to retain its period charm with its original walnut beams, highly polished Venetian floor, as well as by the manicured grounds. Due to its elevated position on the slopes of the Berici Hills the hotel offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The hotel features a swimming pool with a retractable roof and sun-loungers offering views across the Berici Hills. Encircling the hotel, the five hectares of grounds form a captivating backdrop and are very much worth exploring, playing host as they do to ancient trees, an olive grove and a thick forest.
Also of Interest
Italian Lakes, Music & Gardens
A seven night stay at the Grand Hotel Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como with Caroline Holmes & performances by London Festival Opera
Grand Hotel Menaggio
Grand Hotel Menaggio
Itinerary at a glance
- Menaggio / Bellagio / Villa Melzi / Villa Balbianello / Villa Carlotta/ Como/ Villa Medici / Villa Bagatti / Lugano / Villa Cicogna Mozzoni / Lake Maggiore
Scenic Wonders of Slovenia
A seven night escorted tour of the music, lakes & landscapes of Slovenia including Lake Bled.
Slovenia Accommodation
Slovenia Accommodation
Itinerary at a glance
- Ljubljana / Bled / Radoovljica / Lipica / Stanjel / Bohinj Lake / Vogel / Volcji Potok / Ljubljana / Logarska Valley / Rinka Waterfall / Mozirski Gaj / Logarska Valley
A Week in Tuscany
Seven nights staying at the charming Villa il Poggiale
Villa Il Poggiale
Villa Il Poggiale
Itinerary at a glance
- Pisa, Italy
- Florence
- Vinci
- Siena / San Gimignano
- Villa Poggio Torselli
- Florence / Villa di Poggio a Caiano
- Castello del Trebbio
- Pisa
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000