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Italy:
​Vistas, Vineyards &
​Historic Venice 

12 Days IN THE DOLOMITES, LAKE GARDA, PROSECCO & VENICE
< Designed Trips

The Trip

Experience the rich and varied terroir of northern Italy on this 12-day Designed Trip to the Dolomites, Lake Garda, Prosecco and Venice. Your trip will begin in the awe-inspiring Dolomites where you’ll ascend to the top of limestone peaks, hike through Alpine meadows and ride through forested valleys on e-bikes. Hop in the car for the short drive to the serene shores of Lake Garda, framed by the towering Italian Alps. Take in the relaxed energy at this picturesque, lesser-visited lake, as you taste the region’s famous Amarone wine, hunt for the black summer truffles of Valpolicella, and cruise past historic castles and islets in a traditional Italian wooden boat. Next up is one of Northern Italy’s best hidden gems, the Strada del Prosecco (Prosecco Road), where over 627 million bottles of Prosecco DOC are produced each year. Visit quaint hillside villages and small family-owned producers, tasting the most popular bubbly in the world before your final stop: the floating city of Venice. It’s somewhere that should be visited at least once in a lifetime, so spend your final two days seeing the most important sights and island hopping to Murano and Burano to learn about local arts and traditions that have taken place here for centuries. This northern Italian adventure offers the perfect balance of nature, small towns, epic scenery and spectacular cities, with authentic and memorable experiences along the way.

The Details

Price: 
  • From $3,678 per person
Duration:
  • 12 days
Inclusions:
  • Highly-rated boutique hotels
  • Transportation within Italy
  • Small-group experiences
  • Curated destination mini-guide
  • Trip preparation & support
Exclusions:
  • International flights to Italy
  • Meals & activities not listed
  • Travel insurance
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Northern Italy FAQs

When is the best time to visit Northern Italy?
Northern Italy, and especially the Dolomites, have a late summer season, with many lifts, restaurants and hotels opening from late May through mid-October.  
Where should I fly in and out for this trip?
We recommend flying into Verona and out of Venice for this itinerary. However, you can also fly roundtrip to Venice - it’s just a bit further to drive to the Dolomites. 
Does this trip require driving?
The best way to experience this region is with the freedom of a rental car. Driving in Italy is very similar to the U.S., and includes a mix of highways and 2-lane roads. That being said, if you would like to experience this itinerary with private transfers between each location, please let us know and we can certainly accommodate.
How active & adventurous is this TRIP?
This itinerary has been designed for travelers who are active, with hiking and e-biking excursions included. However (as with all of our Designed Trips) the trip can be customized, so please let us know what you are most comfortable with.

The Itinerary


The Dolomites
  • Day 1: Benvenuti in Italia - Welcome to Italy! Pick up your rental car and drive north to the Province of South Tyrol and the village of Ortisei, nestled in the spectacular Gardena Valley surrounded by the Italian Alps. This stunning region is nature at its best - with clear glacial lakes, dense forests, alpine meadows, picturesque hamlets and (of course!) the rocky outcrops and jagged peaks that make the Dolomites so famous. Check in to your boutique mountain lodge and get settled.
  • Day 2: After a relaxed breakfast, meet a local guide for a fun, relatively easy, and certainly beautiful, e-bike ride through the scenic Val Gardena. Pedal along groomed trails, through forests and rocky outcrops, stopping to take in the incredible scenery and learning a bit more about life in the Alps. The afternoon is free to head back to your hotel for a dip in the pool and a sauna sesh, or opt for a short hike before sitting down to a hearty dinner and a tall glass of vino - this is a great place to taste some light red blends from nearby Alto Adige.
  • Day 3: Wake up on the floor of the Alps. After breakfast, hop on the Ortisei-Furnes gondola and zip up to the dramatic towers and ridgeline of Seceda. Also known as ‘Seceda 2500’ (as it towers 2500 meters above sea level), this angled shelf is one of the most photographed locations in all of the Italian Alps and has views of the most iconic peaks, including the Sella group, Sassolungo, and Mt. Schlern. Walk along the ridgeline, grab a drink at the cozy lodge, or hike all the way down, down, down to Ortisei. You may want to spend the afternoon exploring the largest Alpine meadow in Europe, Alpe di Siusi (or Seiser Alm), with rolling green hills, charming alpine huts, colorful wildflowers and mountain peaks in the distance. Or, drive up Passo Gardena or Passo Sella, both of which are perfect for catching the famous ‘alpenglow’ at golden hour. 

Lake Garda
  • Day 4: After a breakfast with rocky peak views, pack up, check out of your hotel, and hop in the car for the scenic ~2.5 hour drive to Italy’s largest lake, Lago di Garda. Along the way, choose to make a stop at a historic castle, an ancient hamlet, a natural waterfall, or one of the area’s many vineyards to taste some local wine. For centuries, this area has been considered the wellness capital of Italy, with crystal waters and nearby thermal springs, so breathe in the fresh air and further settle into vacation mode. After the sun dips behind the Alps, head out for a delicious regional dinner (fantastic risotto!) followed by a scoop of gelato and a stroll along the water’s edge.
  • Day 5: Enjoy a classic Italian cappuccino and relaxed breakfast with lake views. In the late morning, hop in the car and drive to Sirmione peninsula on the southern shore of the lake. Meet your captain for a short cruise along the glassy water to the picturesque Isola del Garda, where you’ll stop for a guided tour of the beautiful island and enjoy an aperitivo on the terrace of its stunning villa. Spend the afternoon exploring the charming town of Sirmione, before sitting down to a delicious dinner as the sun sets over the lake’s calm waters.
  • Day 6: Today, you’ll make your way to a nearby winery where you’ll meet a traditional truffle hunter and his trained dog for a hike through the woods in search of the elusive black summer truffle of Valpolicella. After the hunt, enjoy an authentic lunch in the shade of a walnut tree alongside the region’s famous Amarone wine. Your final afternoon in Lake Garda is free to explore, either visiting the pretty medieval town of Lazise, seeing the impressive 14th-century Scaligero Castle up close, or heading back to your hotel for a little poolside R&R. 

Prosecco
  • Day 7: After breakfast, hop back in the car for the short drive to the region of Prosecco. If you’d like, make a stop in Verona for some lunch and exploration. It may be best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but this small affluent city has so much more to offer, including incredibly well preserved monuments, Roman architecture, a thriving opera/theater scene, and a distinctive and unique regional cuisine. Continue into the rolling hills that separate the flat plains from the towering Alps before reaching the famous Strada del Prosecco (Prosecco Road) that connects the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. The wineries in this area are responsible for the production of over 627 million bottles of Prosecco DOC each year, making it the most consumed bubbly wine in the world. Check in to your hotel and breathe in the peacefulness of the countryside and surrounding vineyards.
  • Day 8: After breakfast, head to a local winery for an in-depth tour of the vineyards and cellars, learning all about the centuries-old methods for producing Prosecco DOCG, as well as what makes this region so unique. Afterwards, sit down for a tasting of the winery’s best wines while snacking on local plates. Alternatively, choose to go on a private, full-day tour of the Prosecco region with a local guide, discovering the best of the Strada del Prosecco while visiting a selection of small, family-run wineries and producers (included in the Luxury Boutique level). After the sun sets, sit down to a delicious dinner and explore the small village before falling asleep to the crisp air rolling off the Alps.

Venice
  • Day 9: Take to the road for the final time as you drive toward the Adriatic Sea and the Venetian Lagoon. Drop off the car and hop in a private water taxi to cruise down the Grand Canal to the steps of your boutique hotel. Welcome to the floating city of Venice! With 177 winding canals, 417 bridges, and gothic palaces around every corner, there’s nowhere else in the world like it. Drop your luggage and get settled before heading out to explore, maybe grabbing an outside table for a Spritz - the cocktail originated here and is found at every bar. (If you want to try a more local take, order a Campari Spritz (less sweet than Aperol) or the most bitter (and most local), Spritz al Select. 
  • Day 10: Wake up to a cozy breakfast with canal views. Mid-morning, meet your private local guide, Giada. Learn about the city’s most important landmarks as well as local life as a Venetian while stopping to snack on traditional street food, and ciccheti (chi-KET-tee) - Venetian style tapas. The afternoon can be spent exploring the opulent rooms, armory and prison inside the impressive Doge’s Palace, the former residence of the Doge of Venice.
  • Day 11: Today it’s off to the surrounding islands of Venice for a half day group excursion. First, cruise to nearby Murano, where traditional Venetian glass blowing has taken place for centuries, before moving on to the colorful island of Burano, famous for its intricate lace making. Meet the craftspeople on both islands and enjoy time to explore on your own. In the evening, hit up one of the city’s trendy bacari (wine bars) for a glass of vino before sitting down to your final dinner in Italy.
  • Day 12: Wake up for your final perfectly frothed Italian cappuccino overlooking ancient Venetian canals. Check out of your hotel and meet your private water taxi that will take you to the Venice airport for your flight home.
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Pricing & Inclusions


Boutique
  • 3 hotel nights in The Dolomites: Hotel Comploj, Hotel Chalet S, or equivalent
  • 3 hotel nights in Lake Garda: Hotel Villa Capri, Natiia Relais, or equivalent
  • 2 hotel nights in Prosecco: Casa Callonga, La Casa di Laura, or equivalent
  • 3 hotel nights in Venice​:  Cima Rosa Boutique B&B, Ca' Santo Spirito B&B, or equivalent
  • Small-group E-Bike tour, The Dolomites
  • Small-group boat tour, Lake Garda
  • Private truffle hunt & wine tasting, Lake Garda
  • Prosecco tour and tasting
  • Private highlights and hidden sights tour, Venice
  • Doge’s Palace tickets, Venice
  • Small-group Murano & Burano tour, Venice
  • Car Rental, 9 days
  • Private Venice arrival water taxi
  • Private Venice departure water taxi
  • Curated Italy mini-guide
  • Trip preparation & support

​Exclusions
  • International flights to Italy and home
  • Meals & activities not listed above
  • Travel insurance

Boutique Pricing
  • From $3,678 per person

​*Pricing based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers. ​
Luxury Boutique
  • 3 hotel nights in The Dolomites: Hotel Angelo Engel, Boutique Hotel Planlim, or equivalent
  • 3 hotel nights in Lake Garda: Hotel Villa Del Sogno, Hotel Val di Sogno, or equivalent
  • 2 hotel nights in Prosecco: Hotel Villa Soligo, Villa Abbazia, or equivalent
  • 3 hotel nights in Venice​: Il Palazzo Experimental, Nani Mocenigo Palace, or equivalent ​
  • Private E-Bike tour, The Dolomites
  • Small-group boat tour, Lake Garda
  • Private truffle hunt & wine tasting, Lake Garda
  • Private full-day tour of Prosecco wineries 
  • Private highlights and hidden sights tour, Venice
  • Doge’s Palace tickets, Venice
  • Small-group Murano & Burano tour, Venice
  • Car Rental, 9 days
  • Private Venice arrival water taxi
  • Private Venice departure water taxi
  • Curated Italy mini-guide
  • Trip preparation & support

Exclusions
  • International flights to Italy and home
  • Meals & activities not listed above
  • Travel insurance

Luxury Boutique Pricing
  • From $4,971 per person

*Pricing based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers. ​

Optional upgrades

  • Privately guided hike in the Dolomites
  • Private boat tour of Lake Garda
  • Private full-day tour of Prosecco wineries (included in Luxury Boutique level)
  • Private tour of Murano & Burano Islands in Venice
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​This Designed Trip was developed based on our personal travels, with local contacts, favorite hotels and authentic activities that we've experienced first-hand.
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FAQs

​WHAT IS A DESIGNED TRIP?
A Designed Trip is a pre-designed travel plan based on our personal, first-hand travel experiences in each destination. As they are pre-designed, our Designed Trips have been created as a turnkey travel option and can be booked and delivered in as little as one week. ​
CAN I MAKE ANY CHANGES TO A DESIGNED TRIP?
Absolutely! Pre-designed doesn’t mean there isn’t any flexibility. Whether you want to shorten or lengthen your trip, switch out a destination or change an activity, let us know. If, however, you want a trip built around your specific desires, a Custom Trip might be more appropriate. We can help you decide, so get in touch.
​HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
Once you’ve selected your Designed Trip and chosen between a Boutique, Luxury Boutique or Luxury experience, your trip can be booked and delivered in as little as one week. If you would like to make some changes to your trip, such as including an alternative activity, shortening or lengthening your trip, then this can take a bit longer.
HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH MY DESIGNED TRIP WILL COST?
Once you have decided on your Designed Trip, your dates, and any adjustments we will provide a personalized itinerary and pricing for your trip. We have included base pricing on each Designed Trip page to give you an idea as to what the final cost might be, but prices can fluctuate depending on time of year and any personalization. Get in touch and we can help.
If you have any other questions, feel free to check out more FAQs or send us an email.

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