Venice, Verona & the Northern Italian Lakes

3 Nights in Venice
2 Nights Verona
5 Nights Lake Garda (or another Italian Lake of your choice)

✈ UK – Venice (3 Nights): You will take your flight from the UK to Venice where we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for the following 3 nights.

Built on 188 islands and 177 canals, Venice is a wonderful place to simply wander through its small traffic-free streets and alongside its network of canals, taking in the city’s treasures such as the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s square and the Palazzo Ducale. Getting around Venice on foot is easy, but if you need to get somewhere quickly there are plenty of water taxis, or for the ultimate romantic treat, be serenaded on a gondola ride. For a spot of contemporary art, visit the Guggenheim museum with its quirky yet accessible collection of modern art, housed in Peggy Guggenheim’s former home.

🚂Venice – Verona (2 Nights): On your last day in Venice you will take a short train ride (approx. 2 hours) from Venice to Verona, where you will stay for the following 2 nights. ‘Fair Verona’, is undoubtedly most famous for its inclusion in Shakespeare’s iconic Romeo and Juliet, and a ‘must-see’ whilst staying in this beautiful historic city is Juliet’s balcony on the 14th century Casa di Giulietta, alongside Juliet’s statue. If you are lucky enough to visit during the opera season, opera buffs should visit the Arena, a wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheatre, which stages some world-class opera and is also home to a fascinating museum. Verona is a labyrinth of old cobbled streets and medieval courtyards and for one of the best views of the city, head to the Castel San Pietro or climb to the top of the Lamberti tower.

🚂 Verona – Lake Garda (5 Nights): On your final day in Verona, you will take a train to Lake Garda (if you prefer to visit one of Italy’s other Lakes, we can arrange this) where you will stay for 5 nights. Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, stretching 51km long and 17km wide, and is known for its clear waters, perfect for swimming and water sports in the summer months. Lake Garda is encircled by picturesque promenades, historic turreted castles and pretty towns and resorts. To the north of the lake, is the popular resort of Riva which has an incredible mountain backdrop and elegant manicured gardens along the esplanade. To the south of the lake, you will find resorts such as Garda, Bardolino and Desenzano, set in a perfect landscape of olive groves, orchards and vineyards. To the east, is the small town of Maclesine, which has bundles of Italian appeal and a maze of tiny medieval streets to lose your selves in. For a fabulous view, take a cable car to the top of the Monte Baldo ridge.

✈Lake Garda – UK: On your final day, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you back to Verona airport for your flight back to the UK.

It may sound like a cliche, but you simply must take a gondola ride if you are visiting this enchanting city. Pay extra for the privilege of a serenade and just enjoy each other’s company as you gently glide across the Venetian canals.

After this memorable experience, you can spend some time wandering the intimate little streets with one another, where much of the romance in Venice can be found, in order to find an intimate place to dine.

Of course, there are so many fantastic places to eat in Venice, choosing the perfect setting for a meal can be something of a challenge. Il Ridotto is located near to the incredible Piazza San Marco and the food is of the highest level. Expect delicious gourmet Italian cuisine with a sensational wine list. The restaurant seats up to 18 diners in a compact environment, creating a warm atmosphere.

Alternatively, try Osteria Boccadoro, a traditional Venetian restaurant located away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas. The eatery is located in an airy courtyard, which adds to the wonderfully quaint setting, and the food is typical of Venice; seafood, hearty vegetables and home-made pasta dishes. The simplicity of Osteria Boccadoro is what gives it its romantic charm. You will find this gem in Campo Widman on Calle Widmann.

After you have eaten, witness a truly wonderful opera at Musica a Palazzo, one of the little-known classical  venues in the city. The performance space is small and the entertainment is usually watched via the glow of candles – it’s the epitome of romance.

Verona; the infamous setting of Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece Romeo and Juliet. Luckily for you, there’ll be no Montagues or Capulets getting in the way of your holiday so you can enjoy the city without having to worry about ending up a pair of star-crossed lovers.

However, you may want to retrace the steps of Shakespeare’s protagonists; after all, theirs is the story of the strongest love imaginable!

Head to Juliet’s House and see the balcony where Romeo first professed his undying love for the doomed maiden, rub her statue for good luck and leave a note stuck to the wall along with thousands of other passionate letters. For a bit of historical context, you can take the official tour of the Capulet home and learn of Shakespeare’s inspiration and visit other famous locations from the classic tale of forbidden love.

Afterwards, take a stroll to Verona’s historic old town and marvel at some of the splendid structures situated here. The Roman amphitheatre is the crown jewel of the city’s architecture and once inside you will be astounded by the sheer scale of the building. As you walk across the arena floor, you’ll wonder about the incredible spectacles that were once performed here and  how one of the world’s most advanced civilisations had a wicked penchant for blood.

Next, grab some Italian gelato and head down the Adige River. Here you’ll find a number of traditional Italian restaurants, perfect for a coffee or an evening meal. Why not have an early meal and celebrate your love as the sun sets over fair Verona?

The picturesque beauty of Lake Garda is enough in itself to inspire romance, with its perfect, clear waters and verdant green surroundings.

For a morning stroll of gorgeous proportions, start your five days by the lakes with a walk down the promenade of Salo. This area is much more secluded compared to the other larger lakeside towns but the views out on to the water are no less magnificent. Simply sit, stare out and enjoy the tranquillity.

To get a completely different view of these romantic surroundings, make your next stop Maclesine. The small town is another worth exploring but it’s the 6,000 ft cable car ascent up Monte Baldo that will really take your breath away. From the summit, you’ll be able to gaze out for miles over the Italian Lakes.

The pace in the Lake Garda area is so laid-back, we recommend you explore it at your leisure. Hike the surrounding foothills, swim in the pristine waters but most of all, just enjoy the time you have in this incredible part of Italy with the one you love.