Italy, Veneto & Trentino – Food & Wine Explorer
From $6431pp
Please note that prices are indicative only, subject to availability for your travel dates and the exchange rate.-
Duration
7 Days -
Travel Style
Food & Wine Private -
Product Code
ITVRNAUFW
This is a beautiful seven day private program based around Lake Garda, with daily excursions into the nearby wine regions. Explore the reds of Valpolicella, including the world renown Amarone wines, as well as the whites of Soave and Lugana.
Delve into local cuisine with visits to olive groves, cheese makers, grappa & cured meat producers, and a balsamic farm. Enjoy meals at traditional trattorias, lunch in an olive grove and also a very special dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant.
There's ample free time provided to explore villages, shop, and take walks along one of the most stunning lakes in the world.
What a perfect way to introduce yourself to this region.
Verona to Lake Garda
Arrival on your own in Verona, transfer to hotel on Lake (if you want to explore Verona, the transfer will be organized for the afternoon).
Dinner in a local trattoria or in hotel.
Overnight Lake Garda
Meals D
Red Wine Day
After breakfast, our driver will take you on a full day exploration of the wines of Valpolicella, the second most famous wine area in Italy, after the Chianti Classico.
During this tour, you will have the chance to broaden your knowledge of wines in this region, which are predominantly made from the grape Corvina. You will visit two wineries and sample a number of wines including the famous Amarone which typify the region.
You will start with a visit to a family-run winery in the very heart of Valpolicella Classica for a guided walk among the vineyards. Then enjoy a guided tasting of six wines accompanied by a selection of cold cuts and cheese from small local producers.
Enjoy a delectable three course lunch before returning back to the hotel. There will be time to relax, or if you wish, to walk along the lake.
After lunch you will be welcomed into an historic winery, located in a country house dating back to 1917 and surrounded by beautiful hills full of vineyards, cherry and olive trees.
Visit their fruit cellar, where the grapes rest and dry for months in a natural and unhurried manner, which is fundamental for the creation of Amarone and Recioto. Then you will see the French oak barrels and barriques, and learn about the most ambitious project: fermentation in terracotta amphorae, a technique used since Roman times. Concluding the experience, you will taste four local award-winning wines.
Dinner in a local restaurant or in hotel.
Overnight Lake Garda
Meals
B, T(Wines), L, T(Wines), D
White Wine Day
After breakfast, our driver will take you to explore a little-known area of wine production, Lugana, located on the southern coast of Lake Garda and famous for its delicate white wine. This region produces a dry white wine and comes predominantly from the grape Trebbiano.
After lunch you will continue to explore the white wines of Lake Garda, this time the focus is on another region, and the wine is known as Soave. Garganega is the main grape in production of this type of wine.
Return back in hotel and have some time to relax. Dinner at your leisure and choice of venue this evening.
Overnight Lake Garda
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Meals B, T(Wines), T(Wines)
Malcesine & Riva del Garda
After breakfast and check-out take your time to enjoy Lake Garda and lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, our driver will transfer you to Riva del Garda, a town on the northern shore of Lake Garda, and located in the Trentino region.
But firstly, along the way there will be a stop in Malcesine to explore (on your own) its historic centre. This is a lovely place to stroll for an hour or so, with picturesque medieval lanes, pretty little squares, cafes and restaurants, gelaterie and shops selling handbags, shoes, limoncello and clothes.
Check in to your hotel and have a little time to relax, before an exquisite dinner in a local restaurant with a 1 Michelin Star.
Overnight Riva del Garda
Meals B, D
The Delicacies of Lake Garda
After breakfast, we visit and explore a traditional family-run factory, where wine and olive oil have been produced for generations. Your host will explain the peculiarities of the territory between the vineyards and olive trees before moving on to visit the oil mill and wine cellar, and then presenting a guided wine and olive oil tasting.
The experience won’t be complete without lunch in the olive grove.
In the afternoon return to your hotel, take some time to relax and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Overnight Riva del Garda
Meals B, T(Wines & Oil), L
Artisans of Trentino
It’s an early start today but with good reason. You have a full day of food and wine ahead as you take in the delicacies of Trentino.
First up is a visit to a dairy farm to learn how local cheeses are being produced. Your time here includes a guided tour and tasting, before heading towards a wine cellar surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Your next stop is Acetaia del Balsamico Trentino, situated in a panoramic position on the hill of Cologna, with a splendid view of Lake Garda. Here they are the only producers of balsamic vinegar in the region where they slow cook the must of Gewürztraminer and then age for many years in barrels.
They are also very well known for production of wine, cheese, olive oil and cured meats, so lunch here is an essential part of your visit.
In the afternoon it’s time to sample some grappa, the spirit of Trentino and a centuries old tradition, made by distilling the marc (what remains after pressing grapes for wine production). The tasting will be done in a small village, which has specialized in the production of grappa and Vino Santo since the late Renaissance.
Return back in hotel, time to relax and take dinner at your leisure.
Overnight Riva del Garda
Meals
B, T(Cheese), L, T(Grappa)
Farewell
Check-out from hotel, transfer to the train station of Verona / Verona airport.
Meals B
Inclusions
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Three nights on Lake Garda in a 4* hotel
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Three nights in Riva del Garda in a 4* hotel
Note city taxes should be paid directly to hotels
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Breakfast daily
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Three lunches
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Three dinners, including one in a 1 Michelin Star restaurant
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Applicable entry fees and services of local guides
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Seven tasting sessions at artisan producers and wineries
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Private transport throughout with an English-speaking driver
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Services of local host
Price
$6431
per person based on twin/double room
two people travelling together in one room
$5826
per person based on twin/double share
four people travelling together in two rooms
$5423
per person based on twin/double room
six people travelling together in three rooms
Please note that prices are indicative only, subject to availability for your travel dates and the exchange rate.Dates
This itinerary is possible all year round except August.
Suggested starting day is Sunday, as many activities are closed during weekend.
Please note that prices are indicative only, subject to availability for your travel dates and the exchange rate.Can’t Find Exactly What You Want?
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