True Flavors of Northern Italy: Food & Wine Tour of Veneto

Panoramic view of Lake Garda, Italy

What to expect on this itinerary

The marvels of the wine and food are at your fingertips during your custom-tailored 8-day Northern Italy food tour dedicated to the splendor of farm-to-table cooking and soil-to-bottle vineyards. Sip a glass of indulgent wine with a view of the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomite Mountains. Wander the cobblestone streets of a Renaissance city adorned with shining frescoes and olive-grove aromas. The cuisine of the region explains much of its heritage and landscape.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Venice, Verona, Lake Garda, Bassano del Grappa, Padua, Vicenza

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Venice – Welcome to Veneto

The region of Veneto is home to the Dolomite Mountains as they sweep down to the edges of the Venetian Lagoon. The stunning architecture and artistry of the Republic of Venice brush the towns and cities across the region. Your flight will land at Marco Polo International Airport, and your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim. The iconic image of the lagoon shores fades to the waterways that lead you to the commune of Mira, connected to the larger expanse of the Metropolitan City of Venice. Settle into a luxurious villa lined with lush cypress trees; the idyllic location will provide a touch of elegance to the remarkable countryside that surrounds the estate with views that overlook the banks of the Brenta River as it feeds into the Adriatic Sea.

You will pass the 17th-century grounds of the Villa Foscarini Negrelli, a neoclassical structure with Ionic columns that support a triangular tympanum adorned with statues and pinnacles along the façade. In the evening, you will venture to a celebrated restaurant famous for its connection to the Slow Food Movement and principled belief of local, seasonal cuisine. The untraditional location contrasts with the impressive dishes served from the kitchen. Once you enter the restaurant, the aroma of ragu and seafood fills the dining room. The sweet and savory combination of prawns served with black sesame and pumpkin puree creates an unforgettable dish you will wish to emulate for any dinner party you ever have. You will end your dinner with a flaky, cream-filled zabaglione, which offers the perfect introduction to a sweet Veneto treat.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Tour
Activity
Dinner
Day 2

Venice – Delight in the Iconic City

Day 3

Verona – Explore the Cities of Padua and Vicenza

Day 4

Verona – Indulge in the Beauty of Verona and its Celebrated Cuisine

Day 5

Lake Garda – Visit a Local Olive Mill and Winery on the Banks of Lake Garda

Day 6

Lake Garda – Discover the Medieval Town of Bardolino and the Local Wines

Day 7

Bassano del Grappa – Enjoy Majesty in the Dolomites and Historic Towns

Day 8

Venice – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Discover the tremendous wines of Veneto with a tour of a wine museum and a private tasting of Bardolino vines
  • Indulge in the succulent flavors of the slow food movement in the region, embraced by chefs eager to share seasonal and regional cuisine
  • Visit the home of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet you enjoy a pastry and sweets tour of a shop celebrated by locals
  • Sample the flavors of grappa in a town along the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains
  • Enjoy an in-depth tour of a historical olive mill to learn the process of olive oil production from soil to bottle, followed by an olive oil tasting
  • Relish in the rich history of Venice embodied in the remarkable architecture and incredible artwork
  • Witness opulent works of Giotto in the Cappella degli Scrovegni, often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the North
  • Bask in the majestic scenery of the shores of Lake Garda, from the vineyards and hills to the distant mountains that overtake the horizon

Starting Price

$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 5610 reviews

Grace B.
Italy, Greece Honeymoon Review: Culture, Cuisine, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, 12 Nights

My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.

The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.

If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.

See more

komal P.
Italy, Malta Trip Review: City Tour, 20 Days

I was very pleased with the entire planning of the trip. The communication with Zicasso's tour company was excellent. The meals that were pre-arranged by them were fantastic and we probably would not have found them on our own.

See more

Mitch A.
Italy, France Travel Review: Scenery, 10-Day Trip

The trip was amazing all around. Incredible. The service and itinerary were perfect. We highly recommend Zicasso's travel company.

See more

Helena H.
Greece, Italy Travel Review: Rome, Athens, Santorini, Local Cuisine, 14-Night Trip

Our trip was absolutely amazing! This was the trip of a lifetime. Zicasso and our trip planner were incredible. He was repeatedly helpful, offering personalized attention to our needs. He booked amazing tours for us and seemed to really grasp what we wanted. Everything was incredible.

See more

Robert K.
Italy Vacation Review: Ravenna, Padua, History, Art, Scrovegni Chapel, 13 Days

It was a great pleasure working with Zicasso's tour agency. Our travel designer and her staff were attentive to the kind of trip we wanted and planned a great itinerary. The hotels, restaurants, and drivers were all top-notch. For us, the acid test was the quality of the guides, and they excelled there as well. We would happily have them plan another trip for us.

See more

Danielle S.
Italy Tour Review: Ravenna, Verona, Rimini, Scrovegni Chapel, Private Tours, History, 12 Nights

My husband and I had a great time on our trip to the northeast Adriatic Coast of Italy. We have very specific tastes as far as where we like to stay and the private tours we like to have during the trip. Zicasso's travel company did a great job, giving us fantastic hotels, and all of our tour guides were top-notch.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
Zicasso in the News