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Northern Italy Discovery, Cookery & Foodie Experience

Bologna – Ravenna - Ferrara - Mantova – Verona – Venice

(9 days / 8 nights: Mon-Tues)

www.ItaliaSpeciale.com

 

 

 

DAY ONE

 

 Bologna & Foodie

 

·   11:00am: Meet your Host in Bologna to explore the town in all its ancient and fascinating beauty on a lovely walking tour

·   Your Host will walk you through the history and architecture of Bologna and to see the University of Bologna, the oldest University in the world that has been operating since the year 1088, all beautifully combined with a foodie experience under the famous Portici that will also lead you to discover Bologna’s culinary tradition, typical dishes and its flavours as you taste excellent Parmigiano, Balsamic Vinegar, local cheeses, olive oil, Mortadella Bolognese and typical dishes and breads

·    Lunch will be with the locals, followed by Italian gelato

·    Afternoon and evening at leisure for a passeggiata around town

 

 

DAY TWO

 

Ravenna & Mosaics – Ferrara

 

·   After breakfast, morning to discover the beauty of Ravenna and its superb byzantine mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale

·  Both a former capital of the Roman and the Byzantine Empires, Ravenna is a fascinating discovery of art, architecture and history with its Unesco World Heritage Sites of Basilicas of San Vitale and Sant’Apollinare in Classe and Mausoleums

·  Typical lunch by the Adriatic Sea at Marina di Ravenna

·  After lunch we immerse ourselves in the fascinating Renaissance town of Ferrara, where our Host will guide us through

    the intriguing history and architecture of a town contended by the Este Family and the Papacy for centuries, as we visit the

    imposing Este Castle, the impressive Cathedral of Saint George with its Gothic façade and juxtaposition of several styles

    and the several Renaissance Palazzi

·   Dinner will be either in Ferrara or in Bologna

 

 

DAY THREE

 

Bologna - Cookery Experience - Bologna Hills & Wine Tasting Dinner

 

·  This morning, sleeves up for a cooking session at an exclusive Bolognese venue with our Chef and Hosts

·  The fruits of our labour will feature at our lunch

·  After lunch, an excursion into the rolling hills of Bologna to enjoy panoramic views and a wine tasting

·  Evening at leisure in Bologna and a good night’s rest

· Afternoon and evening at leisure to further explore Bologna for some shopping, mingling with the locals, visit to the

  Museums and Art Exhibitions or sipping an Espresso or an Aperitivo in the lively Piazza Maggiore

 

 

DAY FOUR

 

Modena & Tastings & Ferrari Museum – Parmigiano Reggiano – Parma

Mantova

 

·      This morning we say goodbye to our Hosts in Bologna and start a Foodie Day of tastings and visits to the staples of the Emilia-Romagna region

·    We head towards Modena, the town famous for its highly appreciated balsamic vinegar and for Ferrari

·    Visits will include the Ferrari Museum and a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar producer

·    Lunch will be in the Emilia Romagna countryside, where our Hosts will welcome us to their estate with a sumptuous lunch featuring their very own authentic Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, the real exquisite Italian flavours of the region

·    After lunch, visit to the cheese factory before heading off to reach Mantova for the evening

·    Dinner and evening at leisure in Mantova

 

DAY FIVE

 

Mantova – Verona – Piazza Erbe – Arena - Romeo &  Giulietta

 

·     This morning, walking tour of Mantova with your Host through the beauty of Piazza Sordello as we approach Palazzo Te and Palazzo Ducale

·   Visit to the Palazzo Ducale of the Gonzaga Family to admire the masterpieces painted by Renaissance artists Pisanello and Mantegna

·   After a typical local lunch, departure to reach Verona, the town of Romeo & Giulietta of Shakespearean fame

·   Evening walk with your Host through the elegant Piazza delle Erbe of the charming Verona Antica

·   If available and based on the official Lyrical Calendar, possibility to attend a fascinating opera at the Arena di Verona

·   Dinner in the heart of Verona followed by a good night’s rest

 

DAY SIX

 

Verona

 

·     After breakfast, a walking tour of Verona to discover the Arena Amphitheatre, the Casa dei Capuleti and Juliet’s Balcony, among the highlights

·   Afternoon and evening at leisure to explore Verona on your own, meet the locals and immerse yourself in the elegance of La Dolce Vita in Verona

 

DAY SEVEN

Padova - Venice

 

·   After breakfast, time to leave Verona and head to Venice

·  En-route visit to Padova and its famous Basilica of S. Antonio

·  After lunch in Padova, we reach the stunning beauty of Venice and its Lagoon

·  Check in at Hotel and evening walk around Campi & Campielli before dinner

 

DAY EIGHT

 

Piazza San Marco & Basilica – Palazzo Ducale

Basilica Santa Maria della Salute & Canal Grande

• This morning,  meet your Host in Piazza San Marco to start a full-day insightful immersion in the history and culture of Venice
• Guided visit of:
  • Piazza San Marco
  • San Marco Basilica
  • Palazzo Ducale
• This morning will continue with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, either by a pleasant walk along the Canal Grande or by water-taxi
• A quick lunch break before reaching the Island of Murano this afternoon
• Guided visit and chance to admire Murano’s world-renowned glass-art craftsmen
• Return to Venice for an evening at leisure

 

DAY NINE

 

Venice – Airport or Optional Activities

 

·        After breakfast, transfer to airport Venice / Milan OR Optional Activities pleased to assist with:

o   Extension in Venice

o   Drive along the Coast to Abruzzo for an amazing MasterExperience in the region

o   Any other idea before arrivederci Italia!

 

 

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Highlights & What's included

€3750  eur 

• Guests: min 5 / max 7
• Starting point: Bologna @ 11:00am on Day One (please contact us for arrangements)
• Ending point: Venice/Milan Airport on Day Nine (please contact us for arrangements)
• Fully escorted by our Tour Leader and Hosts
• Accommodation 9 days / 8 nights: SINGLE/DOUBLE EN-SUITE ROOM ACCOMMODATION (NO single room  supplement!) in selected venues that deliver a true feeling for the town & area
  • 3 nights in Bologna
  • 1 night in Mantova or surrounding area
  • 2 night in Verona
  • 2 nights in Venice

• An exciting and unique journey of discovery through the very best of Northern Italy
• Hands-on Cookery Classes at our exclusive venue in Bologna
• Foodie Experiences:
  • Markets
  • Cheese Tastings
  • Wine Tastings & Winery visits
  • Balsamic Vingar - Parmigiano Reggiano & Parma Prosicutto Tastings
• Accompanied visit  through the beauty of Florence
• Visit to several beautiful towns and sights in the  
• All restaurants and venues are highly selected and offer the most special ItaliaSpeciale Experiences!
• All meals included as per the program with selected wines

Not included

• Flights
• Gratuities

A word on Tipping

At Italia Speciale our mission is to assure only the best experiences possible around Italy through our highly selected network of Partners and Hosts, all committed to delivering the highest standards of knowledge and service to our guests. We do this by nature and soul, as proud as we are of our proposals and our people. Tips are never expected and always come as a nice bonus for our partners.

Should you feel the need to share a token of gratitude, ideally your Host should collect €75 eur in cash per guest on Day 3 to cover all tips that deserve to be shared among all Partners. Tips are not compulsory by any means, and should be given exclusively for high quality service.

 

Payment: Bank Transfer + bank charges | Credit Card: +3.5% | Cash: €100 eur discount

 

Italia Speciale - Leonardo De Flaviis