Cities, wines & hidden gems of northeastern Italy

Venice

Day 1: Welcome to Italy!

Welcome to Venice! After touching down at the airport, meet a representative in the arrivals hall. You'll be accompanied to the pier, where a taxi boat will transfer you to your accommodation, about an hour away.

Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing on site or heading out to find your bearings.

Venice

Day 2: The highlights of Venice

After breakfast today, meet your guide at reception to begin exploring with a two-hour walking tour. There's no better way to kick-start your Italian adventure!

Take some time to marvel at the outstanding architecture and monuments, the lively streets filled with people from many different cultures, the silence of small canals tucked away from busy squares. Take in the beauty of St. Mark's Square, the intricacies of St. Mark's Clocktower, the Doge's Palace - a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and the Rialto Bridge.

Afterwards, board a boat for a tour of the Grand Canal, experiencing both the iconic canal and the quiet maze of minor waterways. The ride will come to an end in Rialto, 10 minutes from St. Mark's Square, from where you'll have time to explore St. Mark's Basilica at your leisure.

Venice - Valdobbiadene - Udine

Day 3: Wine tasting on the road to Friuli

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a taxi boat transfer to Venice's Piazzale Roma, about 30 minutes away. From there, an English-speaking driver will help you continue your onward journey to Friuli, stopping along the way at a winery in Valdobbiadene.

As part of your visit, you'll take a guided tour to learn about the production processes behind this famous wine. You'll also have the chance to kick back and taste the local Prosecco amidst a serene landscape of rolling green hills.

Afterwards, continue the drive towards your hotel in the city of Udine, about two hours away in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, and check in to relax for the night.

Udine - Aquileia - Udine

Day 4: A day of history & foodie exploration

Good morning! Wake up to a hearty breakfast, which will set you up for a full-day excursion. You'll have an English-speaking driver at your disposal for about eight hours, to help you explore the city of Aquileia and the town of San Daniele del Friuli, before transferring you back to your hotel.

First up, the ancient Roman draws of Aquileia are calling: only about 35 minutes away from your hotel, here you'll find one of the largest and wealthiest cities from the early Roman Empire, until it was sacked and destroyed by Attila the Hun. In this UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination, explore the cathedral and spend a while soaking up the age-old history.

It's then on to San Daniele del Friuli, where you'll have the chance to savor one of the country's finest hams on a factory tour complete with a light tasting lunch - an unmissable experience for foodies!

Udine - Collio Wine Country - Udine

Day 5: Deep-dive into local wines

Another full-day excursion awaits! With an English-speaking driver at your disposal again today, set out to first visit a hand-picked winery in the Collio region, which is famous for its varieties of red and white wines - Ribolla, Sauvignon, and Pinot are amongst its finest. Learn about local wine-making processes before ending the tour with a tasting experience, leaving you with great knowledge of the local flavors and vineyards.

You'll then have time to explore the small-town charms of Cividale del Friuli at your own pace. Go in search of historic artworks that date back to the 6th and 8th centuries, and don't miss the Tempietto Longobardo with its fascinating architectural history.

Udine - Sistiana - Trieste

Day 6: Take a stroll along the Gulf of Trieste

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Udine and transfer to your next port of call: Trieste, about an hour away. Along the way, you'll stop in the village of Sistiana for a walk down the scenic Rilke Path that edges along the Adriatic Coast. One of the area's most breathtaking trails, it offers marvelous Gulf of Trieste views and can be undertaken easily - just remember to bring a pair of sturdy shoes!

It's then on to Trieste, where you'll check into your hotel and relax after a day of heavenly coastal pursuits.

Trieste

Day 7: The many charms of Trieste

After breakfast, you'll embark on a private half-day walking tour of Trieste, led by an English-speaking guide. In order to best understand Trieste, you must first visit the hill of San Giusto, from where you'll enjoy splendid views. Continue by diving right into the city's medieval history, and marvel at the architectural features that make up the old town, introduced by the new bourgeoisie.

Afterwards, you'll be taken just outside of Trieste, to Miramare Castle for a guided tour. Located on the tip of a promontory, it overlooks the sea and is surrounded by beautiful parkland, where you can truly unwind and relax. Take time to admire the castle's rooms, which still feature its original furnishings dating back to the mid-19th century.

Trieste

Day 8: At leisure in Trieste

After breakfast, you'll have today to spend at leisure in or around Trieste. We'd recommend taking a public boat to the fishing village of Muggia, about 30 minutes from your hotel (boat fees not included). There, you could soak up the laid-back atmosphere, tour a castle that dates back to the 14th century, and enjoy incredible views of the Gulf of Trieste.

Trieste - Venice

Day 9: Goodbye, Italy!

Sadly, the time to leave Italy has arrived. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your English-speaking guide, who will transfer you to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your flight back home. Safe travels and visit again soon!