Contact : VERTOURS

DAY 1 VERONA (UNESCO SITE SINCE 2000)

Arrival at Verona Airport. Afternoon city tour. The old heart of Romeo and Juliet town beats between

Brà square, Delle Erbe square and Dei Signori square, symbols of a grand past among Roman monuments or castles and medieval buildings, traces of the power of the Della Scala Lords. In the alleys and palaces you recall the romantic and fascinating atmosphere of the two Shakespeare's lovers, which makes Verona the town of lovers. While in the numerous churches, from the Dome to San Giorgio in Braida, from San Zeno to Sant'Anastasia you can discover the old Roman and Gothic town. Local cuisine based on traditional dishes such as gnocchi and the famous pastissada de caval.

Overnight Verona.

DAY 2 MODENA (UNESCO SITE SINCE 1997)

The town of Modena is located in the middle of the Po valley, in one of the most developed areas in the whole continent, along the main routes of the trading traffic between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.
Modena, the city of art, right in the heart of the Duchy of the Este has architectural jewels that are admired all over the world. With its campanile (the Torre Ghirlandina) and Piazza Grande, the Cathedral (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997), is a masterpiece of the Italian Romanesque and one of the best-preserved examples of this art in Europe. Not far from the cathedral, in the heart of the old historic centre, stands the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace), now the headquarters of the Military Academy. The characteristic porticoes shelter attractive shops and tempting venues where visitors may sample the famous and delicious gastronomic specialities of Modena, such as Modena's Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, and other famous local products such as tortellini, and Lambrusco wine and parmesan. Modena, birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, is the home of the motor industry par excellence: the area around Modena is still home of many of the most famous and prestigious car companies in the in the world, such as Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, and Ducati as well as seat of a formidable range of museums and private collections of vintage cars.

Dinner and overnight in Modena.

DAY 3 RAVENNA  (UNESCO SITE SINCE 1996)

Ravenna is a city of art and culture, of mosaics, and ancient city which 1,500 years ago was capital three times. The magnificence of that period has left Ravenna with a great heritage of monuments: Neonian Baptistery, the most ancient of Ravenna monuments; Basilica of S. Apollinare Nuovo was built in the 6th century originally as Theodoric's palatinate church; the Basilica of San Vitale is among the most important monuments of early Christian art in Italy, above all for the splendour of its mosaics. Dante Museum is placed in the Dantesque centre of the Minor Friars, close to Dante's Tomb, the museum is divided into sections which house works inspired by the poet: illustrations, paintings, medals and coins, small bronze sculptures and postage stamps. 

Dinner and overnight in Ravenna

DAY 4 FERRARA  (UNESCO SITE SINCE 1995)

Ferrara is a city to be enjoyed walking down its streets, discovering its character of magnificent Renaissance capital in the 15th and 16th centuries and finding out how its present has arisen from that splendid past. Here, Piero della Francesca, Jacopo Bellini and Andrea Mantegna decorated the palaces of the House of Este. The humanist concept of the 'ideal city' came to life here in the neighbourhoods built from 1492 onwards by Biagio Rossetti according to the new principles of perspective. The completion of this project marked the birth of modern town planning and influenced its subsequent development. A peculiar atmosphere can be enjoyed in the city centre, between shops and cafès, where the rhythm of life seems to be beaten out by the silent passing of hundreds of bicycles.

A half day sightseeing tour around the town centre includes a visit to the Estensi Castle, the Cathedral, the Jewish Ghetto and the core of the medieval city. For groups coming with their own bus, additional tour by bus around the city walls and back to the crossroads of Palazzo Diamanti. Alternatively, additional walk to the crossroads of Palazzo Diamanti along the main road of the Renaissance city.
For a full day, same itinerary as the 3 hour tour, with a visit to the interior of two monuments and/or museums of the following: Palazzo Schifanoia (with frescos dating from the late 15th century), Palazzina Marfisa d’Este (a residence built in the 16th century, with frescoed ceilings), Casa Romei (a magnificent house built in the 15th century), National Archaeological Museum of Spina, with the richest collection of Attic vases in the world) – Museums of Palazzo Massari.

Dinner and overnight in Ferrara.

DAY 5 THE PO DELTA  (UNESCO SITE SINCE 1995)

The Po Delta is an outstanding planned cultural landscape. In terms of its sheer size, the Po Delta is the only natural milieu of its kind in Italy. The fact that there has been very little human penetration here and the proximity of fresh and salt waters make the delta ideal for a series of special habitats above and below the surface of those waters. Converted back, in recent decades, to fish-farming, it remains one of the most important bird migration stopping-places in Italy. There are a large number of non-migratory species here, too, which make it something of a Mecca for bird-watching enthusiasts.

We offer a full day cruise in the natural park "Delta del Po". The slow cruise on the delta will offer you the possibility to plunge into the marsh vegetation of tamarisks and red thickets, the reign of flora and fauna. More than one thousand of birds' spieces are waiting for you: purple and grey herons, buzzards, hawks, ducks, stilt-birds in a beautiful landscape of sand-banks and islets that will certainly capture you.

Dinner and overnight in Ferrara.

DAY 6 VENICE (UNESCO SITE SINCE 1987)

Magic town for excellence, Venice presents like a fascinating net of streets and canals, a game of land and water inciting you to capture and discover elegant palaces and impressive churches, the glamour of Canal Grande and Rialto Bridge, the rich collections in the museums and the brightness of its art works, between exquisite dishes of the local lagoon cookery. This is the 'Serenissima', unique Italian art pearl, ideal bridge between Orient and Occident.

In the morning city sightseeing: you will  feel the heartbeat of Venice and visit Basilica San Marco with the facade mosaics, the Horses of Saint Mark, the Tetrarchs, etc. Entrance included in order to see the Pala D’Oro, the Atrium Mosaics, the treasury and the Ascension and Pentecost Domes. The Doge’s Palace, or ‘’Palazzo Ducale’’ is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The Giants’ staircase and Porta della Carta are truly architecturally magnificent as well as the Sala Del Maggior Consiglio and the Collegiate Rooms. Follow a ‘’Secret Itinerary’’ through the palace, including the prisons from which Casanova escaped. The Rialto Bridge makes this area a magnet for tourists exploring its food markets and pasta shops. Afternoon at your disposal for personal visits and shopping. In the evening we suggest a guided walking tour in the unknown part of Venice visiting the oldest and most famous “osterie” (taverns). During this gourmet discovery tour you will wander from place to place stopping to sip wine and eat “cicheti” (Venetian snacks) at the local “Bacari”.

These wine bars which offer finger food, derive their name from Bacchus, the god of wines.
You will stop for an “ombra” (shadow), a small special glass of wine.
Someone says it is called an “ombra” because it is a mere shadow of a drink; according to a legend the term “ombra” sees its origin around the turn of the century by a man used to sell drinks from a stall in the shade of San Marco.
Either ways, the “bacari” are firmly entrenched in the popular culture.

Dinner and overnight.

DAY 7  VENICE LAGOON

Transfer with motorboat to the islands.
ITINERARY: after passing the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the public gardens and the Lido, famous for its beaches, we reach the island of Murano known all over the world for its glass manufacturing industry.Here there is a stop to visit one of the factories.
The second stop is on the picturesque island of Burano, famous not only for its lace but also for its fishermen’s houses painted in bright colours.
Ten minutes after leaving Burano we reach Torcello, the first center of civilization in the story. Only the Cathedral with its magnificent mosaics and the church of Santa Fosca remain as heritage of its former glory.

Lunch.

In the late afternoon a romantic “promenade” by gondola that will take you along the canals of Venice. Enjoy the cruise through the city’s most secluded waterways passing under small bridges and appreciate the real peculiarity of this city floating on water. Choosing this tour, you’ll have the most romantic views of the city. Transfer with motorboat to Venice Airport.

Your local WATA contact : VERTOURS