Flight and Early Arrival Options
Your flight to Venice should arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary — this means you should depart your home airport the day prior — your round-trip travel time on this Journey is 10 Days (9 Days, 8 Nights Land). Airfare is not included. Inquire about our Business Class and Premium Economy Airfare.
Expand the Journey: Many of our travelers arrive a "full day early" to recover from their overnight flight — inquire with us about a pre-tour overnight hotel room in Venice.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Chapter 1: Start in Venice
DAY 1: ITALY: THE UNDISCOVERED NORTH JOURNEY BEGINS
Our first stop is the historic port city of Venice - The former Republic of Venice - Make your way to our hotel on San Marco or opt for our airport arrival experience - inquire with reservations.
Discovery Walk
This afternoon meet the Journey Tour Captain for a special adventure we call "Hidden Venice," and enjoy an exclusive Journey experience.
Welcome to Venice Dinner
Join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for a special welcome dinner.
Journey Cuisine is authentically Italian: Family-owned restaurants farm to table
Journey’s approach to dining is unique in the travel world (just like the regions of Italy). We include Premium Beverages (wine, soda and cocktails) and you choose your dinner from the menu. The Italian chefs and families are proud of their delicious dishes which hail from each of the regions in which Journey travels. From Lombardia and beautiful Lake Como to the Veneto region with Venice all the way through to the Amalfi Coast and Campania, you will enjoy a variety of dishes featuring pasta, seafood combined plates, vegetable inspired contorni and of course family inspired dishes. While in Italy we will enjoy locally grown produce where the concept of nostrale, or home-grown, is so evident.
Preferred Property in Venice, 1 Night with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Hotel Saturnia & International or Similar
Classic: Hotel Do Pozzi or Similar
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Chapter 2: Treviso & Asolo
DAY 2: TREVISO & ASOLO
Breakfast included daily
This morning we will make our way to Treviso in the Province of Treviso, which is still referred to by its ancient name, “Marca.” The area is marked by the waters of the Piave, Sile and Livenza Rivers featuring beautiful landscapes that blend with the hills. The fields are dotted with stately homes and the greater Veneto region is home to over 4,500 villas in the style of the Palladian and similar.
We will arrive the hill town of Asolo, check-in, freshen up and begin our Discovery Walk. From Robert Browning to the city of 'one hundred horizons,' Asolo is filled with surprises and delight.
Welcome to Asolo Dinner
We then make our way to our favorite restaurant in Asolo where we will be delighted with cuisine from several regions throughout Italy including the Veneto, Lazio and Campania (all paired with delicious wines and premium beverages - and all included with Journey).
Preferred Property in Asolo, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Villa Cipriani or Similar
Classic: Classic Hotel
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Asolo
DAY 3: EXPLORING ASOLO
It's always a beautiful morning in Asolo.
Today's Adventure: Asolo
Today, we will enjoy a walking tour of the City of 100 Horizons with our Tour Captain as you learn of Mr. Browning's exploits, and those of Freia Stark, Hemingway and more. Asolo is the perfect 'slow living' village to discover the special art of pleasurable aimlessness. It was here in the late 1400s that Cardinal Bembo, a literary figure of the time, coined the expression "Asolare," meaning the experience of spending one's time in pleasurable aimlessness.
The balance of the day is at your leisure to enjoy, as it should be when you're in Asolo.
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Chapter 3: Vicenza to Verona
DAY 4: DISCOVERING MAROSTICA & VICENZA
Today's Adventure: Secrets & Treasures of the Veneto
We make our way continuing through the Veneto to discover the amazing hill town of Marostica to learn of its life-sized chess game and to the city of Vicenza to enter their amazing theater.
We arrive at our home for the next 3 days and nights: Verona.
Discovery Walk
After checking in and freshening up, meet the Journey Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk of Verona.
Welcome to Verona Dinner
Join the Journey Tour Captain tonight for a special dinner in Verona.
Preferred Property in Verona, 3 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Hotel due Torri or Similar
Classic: Classic Hotel
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DAY 5: DISCOVERING VERONESE SECRETS
Today's Adventure: Secrets & Treasures of Verona
This morning join the Tour Captain and enjoy our walking tour of Verona through the very heart of this vibrant city. We will enjoy learning about the House of Juliette and possibly get to ensure romance in your future. The impressive Arena of Verona is both breathtaking and tragic: today it's a modern venue for worldclass productions, but its origin was barbaric - learn the fascinating history of the Romans in Verona. Piazza Bra, Erbe and Signori all provide the backdrop for our fascinating tour.
After the experience, enjoy the balance of your day at leisure to explore Verona.
Journey is Different: Join your Journey Tour Captain for an optional dinner tonight or explore at your leisure.
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Chapter 4: Lake Garda
DAY 6: DISCOVERING VALPOLICELLA AND LAKE GARDA
Today's Adventure: Secrets & Treasures of Valpolicella
We make our way to the beautiful Lake Garda for a special experience throughout the day. Your Tour Captain conducts our walking tour of Sirmione, a lake-side resort village before we board our boat for a tour of the lake to learn about its incredible history complete with a legend of an American military base.
Journey Exclusive: After the experience, we make our way to a beautiful winery estate. Enjoy a special tasting experience on the grounds of Masi Tenuta Agricola – set between the blue of Lake Garda, the green Valpolicella hills and the slopes of Monte Baldo, Tenuta Canova opens its doors us as they prepare delicious morsels paired with amazing varieties of wine. Set amidst the countryside surrounding Lake Garda, Tenuta Canova combines the gentle profile of the hills of the province of Verona with the large expanse of water of the lake. The beautifully enchanting view spans from the vineyards to the Valpolicella hills, as far as the mountains.
We return to our hotel in Verona for a free evening.
Journey is Different: Join your Journey Tour Captain for an optional dinner tonight or explore at your leisure.
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Chapter 5: Bologna: The Great
DAY 7: WELCOME TO BOLOGNA
This morning we make our way into the Emilia Romagna region — known for its gastronomy (incredible cuisine, oil, balsamic and wine).
Nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region and noted as the premiere city on our Undiscovered Northern Italy Tour, Bologna is the capital of the region and a Italy lover's delight.
John Grisham's character in The Broker makes his way through the city, winding the streets and under the arches in his mystery novel - a great read before you come to Bologna.
Its nicknames include La Grassa (the fat as in delicious, the Bolognese have been very serious about their food for some time), La Rossa (as in the home of the political left earning its second nickname), and La Dotta (the Learned as noted for the oldest university).
Welcome to Bologna Dinner
Italy is known for its cuisine but the region of Emilia Romagna might be the best swath of Italy for true culinary delights. Enjoy a special dinner tonight with your Journey Tour Captain.
Preferred Property in Bologna, 2 Nights with breakfast
Deluxe: Art Hotel Commercianti, Grand Hotel Majestic Giá Baglioni or Similar
Classic: Classic Hotel
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DAY 8: DISCOVERING BOLOGNA
Today's Adventure: The Tastes of Bologna
Today join your Tour Captain and enjoy the tastes of the famed Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, prosciutto, homemade cakes, the delicious Malvasia and Lambrusco sparkling red wine from the region, along with balsamic vinegar and olive oil — and we're just getting started. Our Local Guide walks us through the heart of this amazing city. Learn about the liberators of World War II and their big machines that left an impression on the town square. Piazza Maggiore and its church and its many secrets are part of our experience today.
After the experience, enjoy the balance of your day at leisure until our event tonight.
Our Special Journey Finalé
Meet tonight for our special Apericena to celebrate our time together. Our days have been filled with new sights, tastes and discoveries - tonight enjoy reflecting on the incredible journey we've had together.
It has been a Journey of Adventure and Discovery, along with making new friends! Until our next Journey — Arrivederci!
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DAY 9: DEPARTURE DAY: Arrivederci Italy!
We say Arrivederci to Bologna today or perhaps you extend your stay!
SEE ITINERARY