PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival
We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 Lido di Jesolo Driver’s Day Off
We spend today relaxing in our lovely coastal resort set on the spectacular Venetian Riviera. The beach is a 15-kilometre swathe of golden Dolomite sand, lapped by the rolling waves of the Adriatic Sea. The bustling town centre is perfectly flat, ensuring guests can explore with ease to discover its many shops, cafés and restaurants.
Day 3 Treviso & the Rolling Prosecco Hills
This morning, we head to the medieval walled town of Treviso, with time to stroll around its attractive historic centre and enjoy a cappuccino in one of the many elegant cafés. From here we continue to the beginning of the Italian Dolomites where, accessed by a spectacular funicular, we visit the stunning, privately owned castle of CastelBrando. After a guided tour of this authentic and beautiful property, we tuck into a pizza lunch with a glass of prosecco!
Day 4 Padua & Vicenza OR Grado and Aquileia
This morning, we travel to the medieval city of Padua, where we can explore the fine piazzas of the historic centre and be amazed by the diverse architectural styles. We might like to visit the Scrovegni Chapel, with its priceless frescoes by Giotto, and the Basilica of St. Anthony. In the afternoon we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vicenza, or the ‘city of gold’, known for its trade in precious metals and fine 16th century architecture. We enjoy free time to explore the beautiful town centre with its attractive shops and impressive buildings.
OR
Travel east along the Adriatic coast into the Friuli region to the cute old town of Grado. With its lovely beach, vast array of shops and bars, it’s the perfect place to spend the morning browsing and relaxing. In the afternoon it’s a short hop to the UNESCO site of the ancient Roman town of Aquileia which boasts some fine mosaics in its church and a Roman port.
Day 5 Venice OR Trieste
Today we travel to the ferry jetty of Punta Sabbioni, where we take the water taxi to Venice. Stunning architecture and a labyrinth of mysterious passageways await in the alluring city built on a lagoon. Gaze in awe at the Grand Canal, reflecting the glories of Venetian architecture lining its banks, the Gothic Doge’s Palace and the Basilicas of San Marco and Santa Maria della Salute. Venture further into its back streets and discover churches and museums lined with priceless marble and antique treasures aplenty, and, of course, there is the option of a ride in one of the world-famous gondolas before we return by water taxi to Punta Sabbioni. (Please note: a Venice landing tax will be payable per person either in advance online or on arrival.)
OR
A full day out to the Friulian seafront capital of Trieste. With an enviable perch between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia’s peaks, Trieste is an Italian city whose food, architecture and history have Eastern soul. You can spend hours here just soaking up the atmosphere after perhaps a short guided tour.
Day 6 Departure
After breakfast, we begin our journey home.
