From delicious Bolognese pasta to sumptuous Valpolicella wines, there’s something to delight every sense in Northern Italy. Explore Verona, which holds a special place in people’s hearts due to being the romantic setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, whereas others offer new experiences for visitors to discover. From the gastronomic capital of Bologna, the red-bricked home of spaghetti Bolognese and the world’s oldest university, to mosaic-covered Ravenna, the balsamic vinegar producers of Modena, to the sumptuous red wines of the vineyards of Valpolicella!
Benvenuti a Bologna! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to your hotel and then enjoy your first day in the city at your own leisure. Overnight in Bologna.
Meet your guide at your hotel to discover Bologna, the capital of the region of Emilia-Romagna and according to many, also a gastronomic capital of Europe. The city, home of the oldest university in the western world, has precious cultural life and intriguing historical legacy, linked to the Etruscans, then the Gauls and Romans. You’ll visit the Piazza Maggiore, with the Basilica di San Petronio. You’ll walk through the knot of tiny alleys behind the church getting a flavour of the city. This afternoon, complete your immersion in the local culture joining a cooking class in a lovely location. Learn how to make tortellini or tagliatelle al ragu. In the end, enjoy a wonderful dinner in one of the city’s great osteria. Overnight in Bologna. Meals: B, D
Today meet your driver escort and start your exploration of two unique cities, so close and so different one from another. You’ll stop in Ferrara for an independent visit to the city. Ferrara, a town on the low Emilian plain surrounding the ford of the Po River, is an enchanting result of Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. Ravenna is a Byzantine town, totally different from any other Italian city, known for the colourful mosaics decorating many of its central buildings, like the Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century “Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo” and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. Return in Bologna late afternoon. Overnight in Bologna. Meals: B
Meet your driver escort and transfer to Verona. You’ll stop along the way in Modena and Mantua for an independent visit. It’s easy to fall in love with Modena, home of excellent food and great cars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. In Modena, you will visit a local producer to learn more about balsamic vinegar and have a tasting in a little traditional farm, then you will enjoy a lunch in a local trattoria to taste the best of local recipes: tortellini, prosciutto ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Later, continue to Mantua, one of the most beautiful jewels of the Italian Renaissance. You will have free time to explore the city before heading to Verona, where you will arrive, Verona, late afternoon. Overnight in Verona. Meals: B, L
Verona is most famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet but has much more to offer. You won’t miss Piazza Erbe, the heart of the city since the ancient Roman time, the fortress of Castelvecchio, now the site of the Modern Art Museum; the Scaliger Bridge, an outstanding example of Medieval architecture; and the Scaliger Arches, tombs built for the lords of Verona. On the other bank of the river, you can visit the remains of the Roman Theatre, where currently, performances of Shakespeare or the Verona Jazz Festival are heard. Not far away is the Giardino Giusti, one of the most beautiful Italian gardens of the Renaissance. In the afternoon, (optional) you may visit the beautiful Valpolicella wine region with an expert driver-guide. Overnight in Verona. Meals: B
In the morning, meet your driver escort and transfer to Milan. En-route stop in Franciacorta and Lake Iseo to discover this unique territory. The landscape is characterized by fascinating hills covered in vineyards, which over time have replaced the original woods. Lake Iseo is a real hidden gem, with its romantic charm and the unique natural world on Monte Isola. The atmosphere here is different from any other Italian lake. You will arrive in Milan in the late afternoon. Overnight in Milan. Meals: B
After breakfast, make your own way to the airport or train station for your departing flight or train for your onward journey. An optional private transfer is available. Meals: B
