VENETIAN STYLE WELCOME

Benvenuta! Welcome to Venice! 

There will be a group transfer from Venice Airport at 12:00 noon.

For flight arrivals outside of this time frame (including delayed and missed flights), you will need to arrange transportation at your own expense.

Private taxis cost approximately €150, or you can take the water bus shuttle for about €15, which offers a direct route to our hotel. 

Hotel San Cassiano was the home of the famous 19th century painter, Giacamo Favretto and  is set back in a quiet district, only a short walk from the Grand Canal. Enjoy the afternoon to rest, unpack, or explore the nearby lanes and alleys.

In the evening, we’ll kick off our Italian adventure together with a Welcome Dinner in a local Bacaro to begin our immersion in Venetian tradition. Take this time to settle into the delicious adventure ahead and get to know one another over Cicchetti and Vino.

Included: Group Airport Transfer & Welcome Dinner

EXPLORE VENICE

After breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a day of guided exploration through Venice. A regional expert will artfully steer us through the streets of the floating city, exploring St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the vibrant Rialto Market, as well as other top sites and hidden gems. This morning, you’ll also experience a quintessential gondola ride through narrow waterways, secret passages, and the breathtaking Venetian Lagoon.

We'll head to a delightful lunch at a local greenhouse, where we’ll dine al fresco on fresh, seasonal flavors in a peaceful setting. During our time there, we’ll meet local women who will share insights into initiatives supporting Venetian women through craft. They’ll introduce us to the knitting activities of their group, including the creation of the traditional Venetian shawl. 

Following this experience, the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. You might choose to continue to explore Giardini della Biennale, wander the local parks, take in views of the lagoon, visit the Biennale Art Exposition, or simply relax.

In the evening, we’ll make our way to the northernmost part of Venice. We’ll pass through the Cannaregio district, including a visit to the Jewish Ghetto. Known as an escape from the crowds, this area offers a quiet, more intimate look into the everyday Venetian lifestyle and a lovely atmosphere for our dinner together.

Included: Breakfast, Guided Tour, Lunch, Dinner

VENICE - ARTISTS OF THE LAGOON

Today we’ll explore the islands of the Venetian Lagoon by private water taxi! We'll witness the renowned mastery of Murano glass-blowing artisans, see the colorful buildings of Burano, and watch Venetian women practicing the centuries-old art of lace-making, passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Along the way we’ll enjoy a nice lunch at a local trattoria in Burano, also stopping at a secret Lagoon Vineyard for a leisurely glass of wine. 

The rest of the afternoon will be yours to roam, relax, shop or eat your way through Venice!

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Boat Tickets

VERONA - TOUR & PASTA CLASS 

We'll travel by train to Verona where a local guide will greet us and lead us through our first day in the city. By foot and private bus, we’ll make our way through the streets of ‘fair Verona’, taking in its rich history with stops at the Roman Arena, the bustling Piazza Delle Erbe, and, of course, Juliet's balcony. 

There will be free time midday to find a fabulous spot for lunch before we are whisked away in the early afternoon to new accommodations at a boutique farmhouse in the Verona hills. Take some time to settle into your room to enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside.

In the evening, we’ll meet on the beautiful terrace to enjoy a glass of Prosecco before heading into the center of the city for an amazing dinner that we’ll prepare for ourselves under the incredible tutelage of some of the finest chefs in the city. Pasta! Tiramisu! Local vino! Expect lots of laughs in great company!

Included: Breakfast, Tour, Train Ticket, Cooking Class with Dinner

VERONA - MEATS & CHEESE 

After breakfast, we’ll drive thirty minutes into the Lessinia Mountains to visit with a local food producer. The Benedetti family has been creating artisanal meat and cheeses for generations, and we’ll have the opportunity to witness their traditions in action and learn about what makes their products so special. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch of their meats and cheeses, paired with Valpolicella wine, in the unique setting of their aging cellar!

Another short drive will take us to our next stop, an alpaca and Brogna sheep farm in a tiny, mountainside village. In the alpine pastures, we’ll get to know the farm owner, Cristina, and learn how she became inspired to start the farm in an effort to bring the Brogna breed back from the brink of extinction.

We will move to the near medieval village of Molina where Cristina will welcome us into her workshop. Here she dyes the wool using natural pigments such as onion skins or chamomile and carefully creates skins. After the demonstration, there will be time to explore the village interesting for being a beautiful example of architecture in Lessinia stone.

We will return to the hotel in the early afternoon. For dinner, you’re welcome to dine in the farmhouse’s exquisite restaurant, or take a ten-minute taxi ride into Verona and indulge in one of the exceptional local restaurants.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Visit to Sheep Farm and Dyeing Wool Workshop

LAKE GARDA 

Today we’ll float through the turquoise, thermal waters on a guided boat tour of Italy’s largest lake as we make our way around the Sirmione Peninsula. From our vantage point on the boat, we will admire the architecture of medieval castles, scan for bubbles from the Boiola sulfur spring and listen to the lake’s lapping waves that have inspired Italian opera singers and poets for centuries. 

After returning to port, we’ll shake off our sea legs with a walking tour through the Sirmione Historical Center, then head down the road to Desenzano del Garda to indulge in a lunch of fresh fish in a fabulous little restaurant on the shores of this magnificent lake. 

We’ll return to Verona where we’ll be free to continue to explore the city or return to our wonderful hotel to relax.

Upon our return trip to Verona, Tribe members can either continue their exploration of Verona or return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Included: Breakfast, Boat & Walking Tours, Lunch

VALPOLICELLA

Heading east, we’ll journey into the hills to explore the world-famous wine region, Valpolicella. Our tour guide today will lead us around ‘the pearl of Verona,’ taking us through divine vineyards, majestic villas, and spectacular gardens. There will be a wine tasting and light lunch before heading back to the hotel. 

Back to the hotel, you’ll have free time in the afternoon to relax and pack for your trip home the following day. In the evening, we’ll share our final meal together at a nearby, gourmet restaurant. 

Included: Breakfast, Wine Tasting, Lunch, Dinner 

ARRIVEDERCI

It’s time to begin your journey home. The group's transfer to the Venice airport will be organized for late morning. We anticipate reaching the Venice airport at approximately 12:00 noon. Please bear this in mind when scheduling your return flight. Otherwise, plan to arrange transportation to the airport at your own personal expense.

Included: Breakfast, Group Airport Transfer