From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua

From Venice to Mantua (port-to-port cruise)

Included in tour package:<ul><li>Venice and the Doge&#39;s Palace</li><li>Hiking across the islands of Lazzaretto Nuovo and Torcello</li><li>Hiking across the Euganean Hills</li><li>Verona</li><li>Hiking through the Lessinia Regional Nature Park</li><li>Hiking around the Lake Garda </li></ul>

The Euganean Hills are located in a regional park known for its beauty and hot springs. Hot water springs helped create the multitude of spa towns that have existed here since Roman times, as the ancient ruins attest. The region is also known for its vineyards. With your guide, you&rsquo;ll first hike to Mount Calbarina (446 feet/136 m in altitude) to take in the magnificent view of the Lago della Costa. Your hike will continue through the forest to Mount Piccolo (1,037 feet/316 m in altitude). The trail leads to the medieval village of Arqua Petrarca, one of the most picturesque hamlets in Italy, located at the foot of both Monte Piccolo and Monte Ventolone. The poet Petrarch lived the final four years of his life here. We&rsquo;ll see his home and his tomb in front of the church.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.</li>
	<li>Hike: Approx. 4.3 miles (7 km); Elevation gain: 919 feet (280 m).</li>
	<li>The times and orders of the visits are for informational purposes only and can change.</li>
</ul>

Hiking across the Euganean Hills

Discover the romantic scenery along the banks of Lake Garda, from Toscalano-Maderno to Gargnano. You&rsquo;ll cross the fascinating Valle delle Cartiere with its unique and spectacular terrain. The valley is named after the paper mills that line the banks of the lake. While most are not in operation, they remain an important testimony to the industrial history in northern Italy. We&rsquo;ll follow the waterfalls along the Toscolano River, passing through olive groves, along old cobbled streets, and across tiny hamlets as we hike to Gargnano, a charming village on the shores of Lake Garda.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.</li>
	<li>Hike: Approx. 7.5 miles (12 km); Elevation gain: 1,148 feet (350 m).</li>
	<li>The times and orders of the visits are for informational purposes only and can change.</li>
</ul>

Hiking around the Lake Garda

With magnificent scenery and fascinating geological characteristics, Lessinia Regional Nature Park is every hiker&rsquo;s dream. We&#39;ll trek the green alpine pastures above the valleys lined with pine and beech forests. The overlooks provide amazing views of the lake and its surroundings. We&rsquo;ll have lunch in a local mountain refuge.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.</li>
	<li>Hike: Approx. 6.2 miles (10 km); Elevation gain: 1,148 feet (350 m).</li>
	<li>The times and orders of the visits are for informational purposes only and can change.</li>
</ul>

Hiking through the Lessinia Regional Nature Park

You&rsquo;ll leave by private boat for a tour of the two islands. The first stop will be long-abandoned Lazzaretto Nuovo. Today, it harbors an archeological site and outdoor museum. A visit to the island provides an opportunity to discover the extraordinary environment in the lagoon. You can walk along the old sentinel path and climb the bastions that give a 360&deg; view of the area. Our next stop will be Torcello, which holds the vestiges of the first populations on the islands. Settled in 452 AD, it was the main island before Venice became inhabited and includes a basilica with priceless mosaics.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.</li>
	<li>Hike: Approx. 2.7 miles (4.5 km), no elevation gain.</li>
	<li>The times and orders of the visits are for informational purposes only and can change.</li>
</ul>

Hiking across the islands of Lazzaretto Nuovo and Torcello

Meet up with your guide on board. The tour will begin with a historical and artistic introduction to Venice with St Mark&#39;s Square, after which you will be able to admire the exteriors of St Mark&#39;s Cathedral. The Byzantine facades of the Cathedral (one of the most magnificent in the world) will immediately draw your attention. It was built in the 9th century to hold the body of St Mark, Patron Saint of Venice. Only a few pieces of the original structure remain and the present day Cathedral dates back from the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries. The exterior, with its domes, pinnacles and wooden horses, contrasts with the shining golden mosaics of the interior. The tour continues with the Doge&#39;s Palace, the residence of the Dukes of Venice and seat of the Venetian government from the 9th century until the Republic fell in 1797. Although there are no longer any traces of the 9th century Byzantine structures, the Palace as we see it today, richly decorated both on the outside and inside, dates back from the 14th century and is considered by many to be the finest in the world. You will then be able to admire the paintings of Tintoretto and Veronese from the top of the famous Golden Staircase before walking through the Grand Council Chamber and out onto the balcony with its fantastic view over the city. You will cross the famous decorated Bridge of Sighs which leads to the prison. The bridge, known in the past as the symbol of the destiny that awaited the prisoners, has more romantic connotations nowadays. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

<ul>
	<li>The commentary on St Mark&#39;s cathedral will be given outside, as it is not authorised inside.</li>
	<li>Passengers will be able to enter the Cathedral during their free time. Modest clothing required. A long queue can be expected.</li>
	<li>Wear sturdy walking shoes: the tour is entirely on foot.</li>
	<li>There are a lot of steps to climb at the Doge&#39;s Palace.</li>
	<li>With your tickets for the Doges&#39; Palace, you will have free entry to the Correr Museum and library.</li>
	<li>Depending on where the vessel is moored, we will arrange for shuttle boats if necessary to provide access to the Doges&#39; Palace.</li>
	<li>The order of the visits can change.</li>
	<li>Times are approximate.</li>
</ul>

Guided walking tour of Venice and the Doge&#39;s Palace

Verona: a splendid city of art, surrounded by traces of ancient history and the mythical dimension bestowed upon it by the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. The Romans founded the city in 49 B.C. and built many of its grandiose works such as the amphitheater&mdash;the third largest in Italy, after the Colosseum and the amphitheater in Capua. In the Middle Ages, the city flourished under the wrathful della Scala clan, who were as much faithful patrons of the arts as they were murderous tyrants. Under Cangrande I (1308-28) Verona conquered Padua and Vicenza, with the poet Dante and the artists Petrarch and Giotto benefitting from the city's patronage. The Scaligers rebuilt the walls during the Middle Ages, embracing a much larger territory in the west and another vast area on the east bank of the river. It's easy to spend a long time simply exploring the narrow streets lined with handsome palazzi that make up its historic heart. The city's museums and churches contain some of the finest works of art. We'll leave for Verona. We'll set off on foot with our guide to Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta) to see the balcony where she stood when Romeo declared his love. We'll then walk to the arena&mdash;built from the characteristic local pink and white stone in the 1st century A.D.&mdash;which seated as many as 30,000 spectators at gladiatorial combats, mock naval battles and other such popular entertainment. If the amphitheater is closed, we'll visit the magnificent Giusti Gardens.PLEASE NOTE<ul><li>Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes.</li><li>The order of the visits can change.</li><li>Times are approximate.</li></ul>

Verona

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CLASSIC EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

Included in tour package: Venice and the Doge's Palace Hiking across the islands of Lazzaretto Nuovo and Torcello Hiking across the Euganean Hills Verona Hiking through the Lessinia Regional Nature Park Hiking around the Lake Garda

CLASSIC EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

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From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua

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