Veneto Food & Wine Tour

Day 1: Arrival, Dinner

There will be a group transfer from Verona train station to the villa. ( 4pm)

We will drive to the villa in the countryside. You’ll have time to unpack.

Later, We will visit  the hotel’s very own wine cellar, followed by a dinner paired with the estate's wines.

 Day 2: Breakfast, Valpolicella Classico, Lunch and Dinner

Our day begins with breakfast after which we will depart for an experience-filled day. Valpolicella Classico is the name given to the viticultural zone where grapes that go into the Valpolicella DOC wine are grown. 

There are some outstanding and world-renowned wines from this viticultural zone. Amarone is perhaps the most widely known of the Valpolicella wines, but Ripasso and the sweet red Recioto are other well-known Valpolicella wines.

The Valpolicella area is located between Lake Garda and the Adriatic Sea. The sea breezes and crisp lake air make the Valpolicella Classico zone simply lovely. You can see the beauty of this area in the three privately owned wineries we visit today where we will sample the exquisite wines while there and enjoy lunch at a winery along the way. 

During our visits we’ll have an opportunity to learn all the steps involved in wine production, from fermentation to bottling. More importantly we’ll experience a wine tasting of different vintages of the famed Amarone. 

In the afternoon we’ll visit a winery where we’ll have the special opportunity to learn about the indigenous grapes and varieties grown in the Valpolicella viticulture region from the winemakers who grow them.

This evening we’ll dine at a local restaurant and experience the regional cuisine of the Valpolicella area.

Day 3: Breakfast, Lugana Day on The Lake, Magical Towns

We’ll leave after breakfast and arrive at our destination, Sirmione, for a walking tour. Sirmione is a classic resort town on the southern bank of Lake Garda. This beautiful town is recognized for its famed thermal baths and the medieval castle, Rocca Scaligera, which overlooks stunning Lake Garda. There’s much to see in Sirmione including ancient olive trees, an archeological site of a Roman villa and rugged rocky beaches. 

After our brief tour we’ll board a boat and see the sights from Lake Garda as we meander along the Sirmione Peninsula to the Isola del Garda and back. You'll have some free time to enjoy the shops in Sirmione and for lunch.

Next it's on to the very charming and magical town of Borghetto. You’ll enjoy wandering this quaint tiny village and seeing all the delightfully unique sites. Make sure to stop in some of Borghetto’s artisan shops for a special memento to take home with you.

We’ll head back to the hotel for a dinner at the hotel's wine bar/ bistro. 

Day 4: Breakfast, Soave, Prosecco & Light Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel and then we’re off for more adventures. We begin our day today with a visit to Soave Castle. This castle is a classic representation of a military artifact from the Middle Ages. It’s said to be the very best example of castle architecture in all of Veneto. 

Next, we’ll make our way to a wonderful family-owned vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting atop a hill that overlooks the lush vineyards and the castle.

The area throughout Soave is known for its unique terrain. The fossil-rich marl stone soil is ideal for creating some very nice white wines. The passion of our winemakers here is evident in their attention to every detail. From cultivation to harvest, this winemaker believes each and every step should bring the sheer beauty of the grapes to each bottle. 

The terrain is so unique given the soil formed by ancient sea and volcanic ash, that only a specific part of the Colli Berici is eligible for DOC designation.

We will visit a Prosecco producer in the region, where we will have lunch accompanied by some delicious sparklers while there.

Evening at leisure.  

Day 5: Breakfast, Verona, Cooking class.

 This morning we will travel to Verona, the City of Love, where we will take part in a walking tour. We’ll see the balcony of Juliet’s house where she and Romeo pledged their love. We’ll stop along the way and browse some of the shops and sample a few of the tasty foods. after the tour, you will have time for exploring and shopping.

In the afternoon, we will have a hands-on cooking class in Verona.

Day 6:  Early morning departure, Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar in Modena

Today is a day filled with the sampling of some of the most iconic ingredients in Italian cooking.

We'll head out at 6:30 am to visit a unique workshop where they make Parmigiano Reggiano.

Next it’s on to Modena the home of the world’s finest balsamic vinegars. We’ll be greeted by the proud owner himself and take a tour of the vineyards and be shown the different stages of the creation of this delicious Italian delight. 

Best of all we’ll get to sample the vinegar in many iterations. We’ll even sample some that are very old, by vinegar standards, and aged more than 50 years!

And what goes better with excellent quality balsamic than some delicious olive oil. The family makes that too! We’ll taste some of their exquisite oils before we have lunch. 

We’ll then enjoy a fabulous lunch on the terrace overlooking the valley below. Our lunch is built around some of their award winning regional dishes such as mortadella, Parma ham with vegetables, ravioli Ricotta and the very famous Gnocco fritto of Modena. Our magnificent lunch is paired with a glass of Lambrusco wine also produced on site. 

We’ll have a special regional treat of ice cream topped with a special aged balsamic vinegar. The perfect end to a perfect meal. 

You’ll have a free evening back at the hotel to relax and pack.

Day 7:  It’s time to say Arrivederci!

A group transfer from the villa to Verona train station around 09:15 am.

Pre Tour add on: A walking tour in Venice: 

Discover the captivating beauty of Venice in a 3 hours walking tour.

You will have an opportunity to Indulge in the flavors of Venetian cuisine:

Bacari are traditional Venetian wine bars, where locals gather to enjoy small bites and a glass of wine. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, you will visit carefully selected bacari, sampling a variety of cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and local wines. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of these charming establishments, immersing yourself in the local culinary traditions.

At the end of the tour, we will take the train from Venice to Verona to start the tour in Veneto.

Price per person: $120.00.