Live Laugh Love Venice & The Veneto - May 8-17, 2018
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Day One - Wednesday, May 8thOur tour guide Giusy will meet us at our hotel and
take us on a walking tour of Venice. Time to eat at a beautiful tavern just off the Grand Canal. Nowhere in the world are carnival masks more famous than in Venice. They bring to mind Casanova and his many secret conquests. We will visit the celebrated “Bottega delle Maschere’ to see how masks are made and learn the history of their use. La Bottega’s masks were used in the Stanley Kubrick production of the film “Eyes Wide Shut”. We will meet for dinner by the La Fenice Opera House and share stories of our day in Venice. |
Day Two - Thursday, May 9th
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After breakfast our water taxi awaits. Our tour guide Ketty will accompany us to Burano and Murano this morning as we learn more about the unique characters of the islands in this Venetian lagoon and the artisan crafts that they are famous for.
The island of Murano is world famous for the art of glass blowing and we will have the pleasure of seeing how these beautiful works of art are made.
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Burano is the next island on our tour. Burano is a fisherman’s island known for its colorful buildings and its beautiful & Intricate lace-making.
Return to Venice, where you are free to spend the rest of your day exploring.
After dinner, you might consider spending the evening at St. Mark’s Square, where you will be soothed with the strains of the various small music ensembles that serenade the evening crowds.
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Day Three - Friday, May 9th
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We say goodbye to Venice and head inland to explore more of the Veneto. We will drive along the River Brenta, where many wealthy Venetians would sail to their inland villas to escape the heat and humidity of the summer. The Villa Pisani - a mini Versailles - is one such villa where we will stop to tour.
In the previous century it is here where Mussolini met Hitler for the first time.
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After lunch we will stop in Padua to tour one of the important masterpieces of Western Art – Giotto’s Scrovegni Chapel. Completed in 1305, artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello came to see Giotto’s work for inspiration.
We will also stop by the 9/11 Memorial that Padua had built out of solidarity for the lives lost on that fateful day in the Unites States.
It’s now time to head to the thermal resort town of Abano to check into our hotel. It will be our base for exploring the Veneto for the next four days.
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Day Four
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We head for Vicenza this morning. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the unique design of its villas by the 16th century architect Andrea Palladio.
We will be visiting the Teatro Olimpico. Palladio drew on ancient Roman theatres for his design, with a curved amphitheatre, graded stepped seating and lavish ornamentation. It is the oldest surviving stage set still in existence.
We will stroll through The Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza’s main square , which is dominated by the medieval law courts, whose façade was remodeled by Palladio.
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We will have lunch on Mont Berico with an amazing view of Vicenza at our feet.
We’ll stop by the Palladio designed Rotonda ,which inspired Thomas Jefferson ‘s own Rotunda at the University of Virginia.
A treat is in store when we stop at a “caseificio” – a cheese factory - to see not only how the famous Grana Padano cheese is made but also enjoy a tasting.
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Day Five
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The Euganean Hills, a national park with its more than 80 extinct volcanic peak sloping with cherry and almond blossoms is our destination today. The Romantic British poet Shelley was so struck by this landscape he featured it in one of his poems.
We will stop to tour the medieval castle of Monselice, situated alongside one of these distinct conical peaks.
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After a relaxing lunch at one of the wonderful local wineries of the area, we will visit the sumptuous gardens of Villa Barbarigo.
Having already lost his wife to the Black Death in 1631, Lord Barbarigo promised to create a glorious testament to God if the rest of his family was spared. And so it was!
These magical gardens are a place of peace and delight that the noble family would escape to by gondola in the heat of the summer in Venice. And they will be a source of true delight before heading back to our hotel.
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Day Six
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Today is a day of total leisure to do with as you will. You might consider taking the bus the two miles from Abano to visit the 11th century Benedictine monatery of Praglia, where tours are offered. On Sundays the monks sing the Mass in Gregorian chant.
With Padua a short 25 minute bus ride away, consider joining the thousands of pilgrims who come from all over the world to St. Anthony of Padua’s Basilica.
Or stroll through Padua’s Prato della Valle – the largest square in Italy.
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Or simply stay put in Abano, which is famous for its thermal water and their healing properties.
Consider going for a bike ride, relaxing in the hotel's thermal pools,
Taking a spa treatment or sitting at an outdoor caffe with an aperitivo and watching the world go by.
It will be fun to meet up for dinner and share our individual adventures
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Day Seven
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Today we leave Abano for another part of the Veneto – Treviso. On our way, we will stop at the town of Nove, known for its production of ceramics for centuries, where a great shopping opportunity awaits.
Most of their products can be found in stores like Williams-Sonoma and Tiffany’s, but at a fraction of the price in Nove
After lunch, we will tour charming Bassano del Grappa, located at the foothills of the Alps and famous for its own Ponte Vecchio , designed by Andrea Paladio in 1569. It is also where Ernest Hemingway served as an ambulance driver in the First World War.
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Bassano del Grappa is also known for its production of grappa, the famous Italian liquor distilled from the residue of the wine-making process.
And so with no better place for a grappa tasting than Bassano de Grappa, be prepared to say “Bottoms Up!”
It’s time now to head for our Venetian villa near Treviso, where we will be lodging for the last three nights of our tour. |
Day Eight
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Today is dedicated to Treviso, considered a “little Venice” because of its many waterways. This is where the world fashion brand of Benetton got its start. Treviso is especially famous for is red radicchio and is reputed to be where tiramisu was created.
Today is Market Day in Treviso and we will have a chance to mingle with the locals and perhaps find a unique treasure to bring home.
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Get ready to put on aprons this afternoon as we head back to the Villa Contarini where we will learn to make a wonderful meal – Veneto style.
And enjoy the fruits of our labor at dinner! 
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Day Nine
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This day is dedicated to Italy’s famous prosecco country.
On our way to Valdobbiadene, we will stop at the Villa Sandi for a wine tasting. This Palladian style Villa dates back to 1622 and was visited by Napoleon.
And then on the the Bisol winery in Valdobbiadene the most famous prosecco of the region and the only one in true competition with French champagne.
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And then on the the Bisol winery in Valdobbiadene the most famous prosecco of the region and the only one in true competition with French champagne.
Our last dinner together will be one of recollecting the many wonderful experiences we’ve shared with our traveling companions and the memories that we will bring home with us..
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Day Ten - The Departure
Our van will take you back to Venice’s Marco Polo airport or the Mestre train station for your return flight home or the contiuuation of your travels.
Arrivederci - for now! & Safe Travels!
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Cost per person: $3,200 (based on double occupancy). It includes lodging, transportation, all admissions & tours, a cheese tasting, a grappa tasting, a prosecco tasting and a cooking class. All breakfasts, all dinners except one and four lunches are included.
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For more information: Call Tullia at 434-409-5164 or Dolceitalia@comcast.net |