Venetian Riviera, Lake Garda & Venice

Accommodation

We stay in the 3 star Hotel Speranza which is ideally located in Lido di Jesolo on the Venetian Riviera, just a short stroll to the seafront and with shops and pavement cafes all close to hand. The hotel is well run and has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The bar has a large terrace and breakfast and dinner are served in the bright, airy restaurant. The well appointed bedrooms at the Speranza come with a satellite flat-screen TV and safe and the en-suite bathroom is complete with a hairdryer. WiFi throughout the hotel is free.

Please note that on certain peak dates or with high demand, we may use other quality 3 star hotels in Lido di Jesolo.

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Venice

Fly into Venice and transfer to our hotel in Lido di Jesolo, where we stay for seven nights. You'll have time to settle in before dinner (depending on flight times) and get to know your fellow travellers.​

Days 2 - 7

During our stay we have arranged an included programme of three excursions and visits, all taken at a leisurely pace. There are also three days at leisure enabling you to explore our bustling resort, top up your tan on the beach or just sit and relax with a drink in one of the many pavement cafes. You could also make a return visit to Venice or perhaps take a day cruise to explore the islands in the Venetian Lagoon. We have also arranged an optional excursion to Treviso, which includes wine tasting in a vineyard and sampling some of the local food. Whatever you decide to do, our friendly and experienced Tour Manager will be on hand to help and point you in the right direction.

Lake Garda and Verona - Included

Verona, with its stunning opera venue in a Roman amphitheatre, is one of the most historical cities in Italy and home to the story of Romeo and Juliet, whose house and balcony, on Via Cappello, is visited by star-crossed lovers from around the world! The beautiful Piazza Bra is the hub of this small city, which is lined with enticing pavement cafes and dominated by the Roman arena, which is the third largest in the world. The 'old town' is pedestrianised and easy to explore on foot. Don't miss Piazza Erbe, built on the Roman Forum, or the superb shops along Via Mazzini. After our visit we continue to Lake Garda. The palm tree lined promenades, tall cypress trees and lemon and olive groves have long given the southern shores of Lake Garda a Mediterranean feel. We'll visit Sirmione, a delightful village which enjoys a unique setting on a peninsula jutting into the lake. There are cobbled streets, tiny squares and an impressive castle all waiting to be explored, and plenty of cafes to relax and enjoy an ice cream or a cappuccino.

Venice - Included

Our day begins with a memorable boat ride across the Venetian Lagoon to the heart of Venice. This enchanting city is undoubtedly the most romantic in all of Italy, with its maze of canals and bridges, palaces and piazzas. Admire the Rialto Bridge, the Doges Palace and St. Mark's Square. On our morning walking tour of the city we will see all of the main sights and the afternoon is free for you to make your own discoveries. You can browse in the many shops, boutiques and craft shops or explore the some of the many museums, galleries and churches. There will also be an opportunity to take a gondola ride (optional), perhaps the very best way to view this extraordinary city!

Cortina and the Dolomites - Included

The Dolomites, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for being one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, with jagged pinnacles of pink rock and imposing cliffs rising high above broad green valleys. This spectacular excursion into the heart of the Dolomites follows a scenic route through the mountains to enjoy some of Europe's most breathtaking scenery, with picture-postcard villages and snow-capped granite peaks which reach a height of 11,000ft. We also visit the Olympic resort of Cortina D’Ampezzo, which is rightly known as the "Pearlof the Dolomites", and is one of the most filmed, photographed, skied and visited resorts in the Italian Alps.

Treviso and Wine Tasting - Optional

Many will want to join us on our optional excursion to Treviso, which also includes a tasting of local food and wine. Treviso is a picturesque town with many canals and a beguiling charm all of its own: The centre of Treviso is a little walled city with narrow, cobblestoned streets, medieval gates and tiny canals. On the central Piazza dei Signori is the Fontana delle Tette, a sixteenth century fountain that used to dispense wine! We’re in Italy, so a wine-tasting visit is a must! And the Venetian region is the perfect place to enjoy some of Italy's finest wines. Protected from the northern European weather by the Alps, this area produces some bright and light classics like Soave and Valpolicella. We'll visit a local vineyard, where we will sample some of their wines and have a taste of local bread and cheese and homemade cakes. This excursion can be booked locally.

Day 8 Venice - UK

Today we'll transfer you to Venice airport for your return flight to the UK.