Northern Italy: Venice, Verona and Bologna

Arrive in Venice and lose yourself in its winding alleyways, where every turn reveals a hidden gem. Wander through the lively Rialto market, bustling with fresh produce and seafood before visiting one of the many Venetian wine bars known as bacari. In the late afternoon, head to St Mark's Square to soak up its vibrant atmosphere, where both locals and visitors gather at the surrounding cafes. Be sure to stop by Caffe Florian, the oldest coffeehouse in Venice, established in 1720. Over the decades, it has welcomed many famous guests, including Byron, Goethe, Proust, and Casanova.

You stay at HOTEL KETTE.

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Hotel Kette, Venice

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Tucked away in the heart of Venice, the Hotel Kette resides in a beautifully preserved 16th-century building that seamlessly blends timeless Venetian charm with modern comfort. The hotel’s main entrance opens directly onto a picturesque canal, offering the perfect opportunity to arrive in style by water taxi or enjoy a classic gondola ride. Each morning, a delicious buffet breakfast awaits, featuring an assortment of ham, cheese, and fresh fruit.

With a full day to enjoy in Venice, take the opportunity to venture further afield. Board a vaporetto or a water taxi and cruise along the lagoon to one of the surrounding islands. Discover Murano, world famous for its glass making and traditional carnival masks. Then wander the quaint fishing Island of Burano, with its brightly painted houses and the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch by the water.

If you prefer to remain on Venice Island, there is still plenty of culture to explore. Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the historic Teatro La Fenice or stop by the Libreria Acqua Alta, an eccentric bookshop, frequently visited for its quirky decor and a unique system to protect its books from the city's frequent floods.

After a leisurely breakfast, make your way to Santa Lucia Station and hop on the train to the picturesque town of Verona. Visitors are first drawn to Verona for its famous Shakespearean romance, however, as a Unesco World Heritage site, the city soon reveals so much more. Its rich history, striking architecture, and exceptional cuisine show that there's far more to Verona than the tale of Romeo and Juliet. A visit to the Giusti Garden offers a peaceful walk in the heart of Verona. A Renaissance garden that features a small labyrinth, cypress lined paths and terraces that lead to breathtaking panoramic views over the city.

In the afternoon, we have arranged a wine tasting, held inside one of Verona's most historic wine bars. This guided tasting introduces you to the depth, elegance, and complexity of Amarone della Valpolicella and is paired with local cheese and soppressa, a type of salami most famously from the Veneto region.

You stay at HOTEL GIULIETTE E ROMEO.

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Giulietta e Romeo, Verona

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Just steps from Verona’s famous Arena, elegant shopping streets and lively Piazza delle Erbe, Hotel Giulietta e Romeo offers the perfect base in the heart of the historic centre. The hotel features 37 uniquely designed rooms equipped with modern comforts. Guests can start the day with a delicious continental buffet breakfast, featuring a selection of sweet and savoury options.

Spend the day exploring Verona. After breakfast, start your walk in Piazza Bra, where you can admire the Grand Arena of Verona and stroll along Via Mazzini, the elegant shopping street leading to Piazza delle Erbe, a perfect spot to browse the local markets or visit an Osteria. These rustic tavern style eateries offer traditional menus and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Be sure to sample local favourites such as bigoli pasta with ragu or risotto made with red chicory.

After lunch, wander to Juliet's House to see the famous balcony and Juliet's statue, where each year visitors from all over the world leave love notes in the courtyard. Continue across the Ponte Pietra bridge for views of the river and complete your walk with a climb or a funicular ride to the Castle of San Pietro for spectacular panoramic views of Verona.

The choice is yours to soak up the charm of beautiful Verona or venture a little further afield. Just a 30 minute train ride away lies the southern shore of Lake Garda, Italy's largest and most celebrated lake. Arrive in Desenzano del Garda, a lively lakeside town with a picturesque harbour and historic centre, where cobbled streets are lined with cafes, boutiques, and welcoming piazzas. From here, take a scenic 20-minute boat ride to Sirmione to visit the striking Scaliger Castle, which guards the entrance to the peninsula. Built in the 13th century by the powerful Scaliger family of Verona, the castle once served as both a fortress and a port defence. Today, it stands as one of Italy's best preserved medieval castles and one of the most photographed landmarks on Lake Garda.

Alternatively, a 30 minute train ride away from Verona lies the lesser known gem of Vicenza, an elegant city renowned for its magnificent Renaissance architecture and its connection to the master architect Andrea Palladio. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vicenza is often described as an 'open-air museum of architecture' with highlights such as the Olympic Theatre and Piazza dei Signori, showcasing some of Palladio's best work.

After breakfast, say goodbye to Veneto and make your way to your next stop: Italy's food capital, Bologna. Experience the best of Bologna by visiting Piazza Maggiore, the bustling main square where the impressive Basilica di San Petronio dominates the square alongside Neptune's fountain, a masterpiece of Renaissance art and a symbol of the city's rich history. In the evening, return to Piazza Maggiore and explore the medieval streets filled with Trattorie where you can try Bologna's traditional tortellini, small pasta parcels filled with succulent pork meat and parmigiano.

Bologna - La Dotta, La Grassa, La Rossa. The city is known as 'La Dotta' the 'learned', as it's famous for the university, which proudly holds the title of oldest in the world. 'La Grassa', as in fat or rotund, because of the rich regional dishes Bologna is famous for, and 'La Rossa' for the red rooftops that characterise the city.

You stay at HOTEL TOURING.

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HOTEL TOURING, BOLOGNA

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Located next to Bologna's law courts in a quiet part of the Old Town, this 4* hotel is in an elegant 18th century building that has been tastefully modernised in a contemporary design. There's a quiet reading room as well as a roof terrace where you can enjoy the panoramic view over the roof tops of Bologna, whilst in the summer months you can relax and admire the view from the jacuzzi (generally open June-September; additional charges apply). Headwater customers are allocated the gold rooms at the Hotel Touring - spacious and comfortable with balcony.

Join your local guide for a two hour food tour through the heart of Bologna's vibrant Quadrilatero Market, the city's historic food district. As you wander through its lively streets, you'll uncover why Bologna is celebrated as Italy's culinary capital, renowned for its passion for quality ingredients and authentic flavours. Sample some of Bologna's most delicious products, from rich balsamic vinegar to savoury cured meats like mortadella and end your journey with a sweet treat.
Please note that this is a guided group tour, which takes place at either 11:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m., depending on the day of your visit.

Spend the afternoon exploring Bologna's historic streets and porticoes or take a 30 minute train ride to Modena, home of the ubiquitous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and a respected gastronomic city in its own right. As the birthplace of Pavarotti and Maserati, and now home to Ferrari, Modena harmonises the sounds of opera with the roar of high-speed engines as you stroll through its historic centre.

After breakfast fly home from Bologna or extend your stay with a few extra nights in Florence.