DAY 1: ROME – TRIESTE km.670
Departure from Rome to Trieste – lunch on your own along the way – in the evening, check-in at the hotel in Trieste – dinner at the hotel – after dinner, Trieste by night: walking tour in the historic center with tour leader – overnight stay.
DAY 2: TRIESTE “mitteleuropean charm”
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day excursion – guided tour of Trieste (extensive tour of the Teresian Quarter, the waterfront, Piazza Unità d’Italia, Porto Nuovo, the Risiera di San Sabba – one of the most significant sites of World War II – external visit, San Giusto Hill with the Cathedral and Castle – internal visit, walking tour through the historic center and Jewish quarter, Miramare Castle and Park – interior) – lunch in a traditional brewery – free time for shopping – dinner at the hotel – free evening – tour leader at guest’s disposal – overnight stay.
DAY 3: SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI “the home of prosciutto” & UDINE km.190
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit of San Daniele del Friuli (former Church of St. Antonio Abate, known as the “Sistine Chapel of Friuli” for its remarkable Renaissance frescoes, panoramic visit from the historic center) – visit to a prosciutto producer with lunch – in the afternoon, visit of Udine (city tour in the footsteps of Tiepolo, including his frescoes in the Oratory of Purità and in the Cathedral – walking tour through Piazza Libertà, “the most beautiful Venetian-style square on the mainland”, Via Mercatovecchio and Piazza Matteotti – the ancient market square – on the hill, visit of the Church of Santa Maria del Castello and the Castle – external visit) – return to hotel – dinner – evening walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.
DAY 4: CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI “Italia Langobardorum, Unesco Site” & GORIZIA km0.150
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit of Cividale del Friuli (UNESCO World Heritage Site and key location of the “Italia Langobardorum” project, offering insight into Lombard culture of the 8th century – Longobard Temple, Christian Museum, National Archaeological Museum, visit of the Cathedral and walk through the historic center to the famous Devil’s Bridge) – lunch in a traditional osteria – in the afternoon, visit of Gorizia and Nova Gorica (panoramic bus tour including the border at “Casa Rossa”, Transalpina Square – half Italian, half Slovenian – the Austro-Hungarian railway station, Borgo Castello with the medieval Castle) – continue along the scenic Collio Wine Route – visit to a winery with DOC wine tasting – return to Trieste – dinner at the hotel – free evening – overnight stay.
DAY 5: TRIESTE - AQUILEIA “an ancient roman colony, Unesco site” & PALMANOVA “star-shaped fortress city” – PADUA km.210
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit of Aquileia (UNESCO World Heritage Site, an ancient Roman colony with archaeological remains including the Forum, river port and residential areas – visit of the National Archaeological Museum and the Patriarchal Basilica with its extraordinary early Christian mosaics, Baptistery and Crypts) – lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon, visit of Palmanova (UNESCO World Heritage Site, star-shaped fortress city with nine points and a large central hexagonal square, walking along the bastions and defensive walls) – visit to a distillery with tasting of local grappas and liqueurs – transfer to Padua – check-in at hotel – dinner at the hotel – overnight stay.
DAY 6: VERONA “city of love and music” & SOAVE “land of Soave and Recioto wines” km.170
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit of Verona (UNESCO World Heritage Site, panoramic bus tour of the hills, walking tour of the historic center including Scaliger residences, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet and Romeo’s houses – external visit, Arena – external visit) and Soave (village with Scaliger Castle, Church of San Lorenzo, Palazzo di Giustizia, Palazzo Cavalli, Palazzo San Bonifacio) – lunch in a typical restaurant – visit to a winery with DOC wine tasting – return to Padua – dinner at the hotel – tour leader at guests’ disposal - overnight stay.
DAY 7: VENICE “la Serenissima”
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day excursion – transfer to Padua railway station – train to Venice Santa Lucia – full-day visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – guided tour of classical Venice (St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace – external visit, walking tour through the Castello district to SS. John and Paul and the famous Rialto Bridge) – lunch on your own – free afternoon for shopping or optional excursions to the Lagoon Islands (Murano, Burano, Torcello) or gondola ride – return to Padua – dinner at the hotel – evening panoramic tour of Padua by private bus and walking tour with tour leader – overnight stay.
DAY 8: TREVISO “city of water and art” & CASTELFRANCO VENETO “home of Gorgione” - km.120
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit of Treviso (historic center, Corso del Popolo, Ponte San Martino, Piazza della Borsa, Piazza dei Signori, Palazzo dei Trecento, Cathedral, Loggia dei Cavalieri, Buranelli canal, Fontana delle Tette) – visit of Castelfranco Veneto (Cathedral with Giorgione’s famous painting “Madonna and Child”, city walls, Corso XXI Aprile, Piazza Giorgione) – lunch in a typical restaurant – Prosecco tasting – return to Padua – dinner at the hotel – tour leader at guests’ disposal - overnight stay.
DAY 9: VICENZA “the city of Palladio, Patrimonio Unesco” & PADOVA “UNESCO city” km.80
Breakfast at the hotel – full-day guided excursion – visit of Vicenza (Piazza dei Signori, Basilica Palladiana, Church of Santa Corona, Corso Palladio, Teatro Olimpico), Marostica (medieval walled town, famous chess square), Bassano del Grappa (historic center, bridge, museum) – lunch in a typical restaurant – in the afternoon, visit of Padua (historic center, Piazza dei Signori, Palazzo della Ragione, Basilica of St. Anthony, Piazza delle Erbe, Prato della Valle, Scrovegni Chapel) – dinner at the hotel – tour leader at guests’ disposal - overnight stay.
DAY 10: PADUA “the patron saint’s city, UNESCO World Heritage Site”– ROME km.500
Breakfast at the hotel – free time for shopping – departure for return to Rome – lunch on your own – arrival in the evening.
Please Note: the scheduled visits may be rearranged between the various days according to museum opening times or technical requirements, but the programme remains unchanged.
