- Overview
- Itinerary
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
A ten-day journey through the spectacular northeast regions of Italy: Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino, Alto-Adige and Friuli. Explore the well-known wines from these areas, from the spectacular terraces of Valtellina to Valpolicella’s eclectic styles of Ripasso, Recioto and Amarone. Experience the local cultures, familiarize yourself with local dialects, taste Prosciutto and learn all about risotto and Prosecco.
- Suggested Number of Days: 10 to 14
- Suggested Airports to fly in/out: Milan/Venice
- Transportation: Private cars and drivers, high-speed trains
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Itineraries
Day 1
MILANO TO LAKE COMO
Meet your private driver at the arrival loung of Milan airport. Private transfer to Lake Como.
Day 2
BELLAGIO, VARENNA, LAKE COMO
After breakfast follow our expert local guide and start exploring the historical villages of Bellagio and Varenna. They are referred to as “the pearls of Lake Como” due to their beauty, romance, and many gardens and villas. A mix of easy walking and ferry rides for an enchanting morning on the lake.
Day 3
IN THE HEART OF THE ALPS: VALTELLINA WINE REGION
After check out, a beautiful drive with our private driver will bring you to the Alpine valley very well-known to wine lovers: Valtellina. The local Nebbiolo grape, known locally as Chiavennasca, births the best wine appellations of the region, including Valtellina Superiore and Sforzato (an Amarone-style red wine made from partially dried grapes). We arrange a private visit a local winery and sample their production. Lunch is at a local trattoria where you will have the opportunity to taste the local food specialties. It is important to experience and understand the work that goes into the making of these wines from steep-terraced hills (Valtellina is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site). Continue to drive through the enchanting Alpine landscape and arrive in the region of Trentino, in the famous Val di Non (the apple valley!) and check in to your hotel.
Day 4
TRENTINO AND LAKE GARDA
After breakfast, continue driving with our private driver and set compass east to explore the Trentino region. Admire ample valleys carpeted with vineyards and stop at a local winery. Continue south, following the east coast of Lake Garda, and arrive at your next hotel. A beautiful wine resort in the Valpolicella. We are now in the heart of Veneto’s best wine regions, which we will proceed to visit over the next few days.
Day 5
IN THE "VALLEY OF THE MANY CELLARS"
Valpolicella (“the valley of the many cellars”) is the most important wine region in Veneto. Today, you will learn all about its wine production and techniques, climate, and cuisine. Discover why Amarone wine is so popular, why locals dry the grapes to produce it, and what they like to eat with it. Valpolicella includes three valleys carpeted with vines that run north to south. The three main grapes of this area (Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella) produce a complexity of wines ranging from dry to sweet, light to full body, and rosé to dark red. In the afternoon, set compass west and visit Lake Garda with its jewel villages of Sirmione and Bardolino.
Day 6
COOKING IN VALPOLICELLA
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Relax and be pampered at your wine spa resort. Optional culinary activity: gather in the kitchen and learn, chop, cook side-by-side with a Chef. Enjoy the fantastic resulting meal paired with wine.
Day 7
VERONA: BUBBLES AND LOVE
From Lake Garda, head east. Time to visit Verona! An easy two-hour walk with a local guide will give you a nice introduction to this unique town and enlighten us on the secrets of Romeo and Juliet, the Arena and the Roman origins of Verona. Continue north east to the region of Friuli and check in to your hotel. Drive by immense wine hills where the Prosecco (Glera) grape is grown and the best sparkling wine is produced.
Day 8
THE REAL PROSCIUTTO DOP
You cannot sip Prosecco without a taste of the local Prosciutto! Therefore, we will bring you to the small village of San Daniele where the local prosciutto is cured, stocked and then distributed to the world. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of the smallest regions of Italy, one of the least touristic and of of the richest. Sea, mountains and hills. Wine and food products, culture and events. Cities of art and history are just a few treasures we will discover. How about learning about grappa today...? How about sampling a few? You will learn to appreciate this important part of Italy's northern culture.
Day 9
ARCHITECTURE AND WINE
After breakfast, depart to visit one of the most important UNESCO site for art and architecture lovers. Villa di Maser from Italian architect Andrea Palladio. Our guide will enlight us with the various historical moments and artistic flavours that made this region famous among conosseurs. Then head into the Prosecco appellation territory and sample amazing local products at lunch.
Day 10
VENICE: END OF TOUR
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Venice airport or to a hotel, should you decide to continue your vacation for a couple more nights. We can arrange your stay at an enchanting boutique hotel overlooking a canal...
INCLUDED IN OUR ITINERARIES
- Tailor-made itinerary and activity planning
- Selected boutique hotels located in the city/village centre
- All private transfers, private guides, private excursions and small group excursions as per itinerary
- Entrance fees with skip-the-line time slot reservation
- Train tickets and seat reservation in business class
- Car rental with basic insurance and one driver (if applicable - itinerary based)
- EU VAT taxes
PLUS
- Breakfast every morning
- List of Antonio's recommended local trattorie and restaurants
- Local staff support for emergencies
- Plenty of leisure time in each destination
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR ITINERARIES
- Airfare.
- Trip cancellation, interruption and medical insurance.
- Gratuities and city hotel taxes.