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Italy Retreat: The Veneto

Italy Retreat: The Veneto

From $ 1,315 AUD

Description

Just like the cork from a bottle of bubbly, this four-day Intrepid Retreat in the north of Italy is popping (with tastes and sights). Base yourself in the heart of historic Treviso, the canalled sister city to its more famous neighbour, and make the most of the quieter atmosphere. Walk under the shady arcades, past Venetian villas and faded frescoes while you try tiramisu in its home. Head out to the Prosecco producing hills of the surrounding countryside and get a taste of the local vintage, then contrast winelands with waterways with time to uncover the sights and traditional bites of Venice.

Trip Name
Italy Retreat: The Veneto
Last Updated
2021-05-08
Days
4
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Get a true taste of Veneto as you explore the terraced vineyards and rolling hills of the home of Prosecco, supporting local wineries and sampling on some of the world’s best bubbly.
  • Take advantage of a whole day to explore the maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands of Venice.
  • Make the most of your host's local knowledge with a backstreets walking tour of Venice, snacking on cicchetti and sipping on vino in a typical community osteria.
  • See the canals of Treviso and the beauty of the Sile River from the saddle with a rejuvenating morning bike ride.
  • Enjoy the sights and bites from gelato to tiramisu of historic Treviso, and enjoy the comfort and ease of returning to the same accommodation right in the heart of the city.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Please note that many sights, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes even Tuesdays). We recommend you carefully consider which sites and museums you are going to want to visit and that you do some research and make your reservations in advance where required/possible.

Day 1 - Treviso
Welcome to Treviso, a beautiful canalled city that lies north of its more famous watery neighbour and offers a sense of real Veneto life. You’ll be based in the historic city centre of Treviso for the next four days, so unpack, settle in, then meet your local host in the hotel lobby in the early afternoon for a welcome meeting. Take an orientation walk with your host to get your bearings in Treviso. Afterwards you can choose to join your host and group and get to know each other better over an optional dinner. Either way, your host can point out the best places to try tiramisu for dessert, after all Treviso is where it was born!
Day 2 - Venice / Treviso
Catch a local train to Venice (approximately 25 minutes) after breakfast this morning for a whole day to explore this watery wonderland of bridges, piazzas, towers, churches, canals and gondolas. Take a brief orientation walk with your host to get your bearings in this maze of a city, then enjoy some free time to see the sights on your list. There’s so much that it’s best to pick just a few – be mindful of crowds and queues if picking sites like St Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace, or maybe head to a district like Cannaregio to see a different side to the city. You’ll meet back up with the group later today for a Venetian walk down the hidden calli and across the ponti that takes full advantage of your host’s insider local knowledge of the secret spots. Discover the true food and wine traditions of the city with a tasting of cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and a glass of house wine at a typical Venetian osteria (local tavern) that’s 100 per cent local owned. It’s the perfect way to find the spirit of the city and wrap up the day. Return to Treviso by train to relax back in your comfortable hotel.
Day 3 - Prosecco Hills / Treviso
After breakfast this morning, head out north to explore the rolling green hills dotted with borghi (villages), strewn with terraced vineyards, and topped with terracotta coloured villas that make up the heartland of Prosecco. This roughly topographied region is wedged between the Adriatic and the Dolomites, and has been granted world heritage status. Head towards the village of Valdobbiadene, which lends its name to the status that confirms the prosecco produced here conforms to the strictest standards (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore, also DOCG). Today you’ll help support wineries at a time when wine exports have taken a significant hit. You'll visit two vineyards along the so-called ‘Strada del Vino di Prosecco’, where you can learn more about the vineyards, the Glera grape and, of course, taste Proseccos from Brut to Dry – with a light lunch of local meats and cheese alongside. Return to Treviso in the late afternoon for a free evening. Wander past the medieval towers, walk along the Venetian Walls, or stand on the staircase of Palazzo dei Trecento overlooking the main square with a gelato voted as some of the best in the country.
Day 4 - Sile River / Treviso
Fuel up with breakfast for a morning bike ride along the beautiful Sile River today (approximately 20 kilometres return). Treviso might be in the countryside, but its heart still flows with water. The canals here are still home to fish and fowl, power pretty watermills, and as you cycle from the Gothic 15th-century townhouses to the green-filled banks further out, you’ll understand why Treviso is called “The Little Venice of the Mainland”. Your Veneto trip comes to an end after this morning’s ride (approximately 12 pm), when you’re free to join your host for an optional lunch, or continue to your onward connection.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-07-202102-08-2021AUD $ 1,315-
13-08-202116-08-2021AUD $ 1,315-
20-08-202123-08-2021AUD $ 1,315-
27-08-202130-08-2021AUD $ 1,315-
03-09-202106-09-2021AUD $ 1,315-
17-09-202120-09-2021AUD $ 1,315-
01-10-202104-10-2021AUD $ 1,315-
05-11-202108-11-2021AUD $ 1,315-
17-12-202120-12-2021AUD $ 1,315-

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (3 nights)

Transport

Train,Private vehicle,Bicycle

Map