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Itinerary
Day 1
We meet at our designated pick up points and transfer by private coach to Heathrow Airport for our direct scheduled British Airways flight to Venice. On arrival in Italy we are met by our tour manager who will accompany us throughout our tour. We transfer in our private executive coach to the 4* Terme Orvieto Hotel in the charming spa town of Abano Terme for a five night stay on a half board basis.
Day 2
Our morning guided tour of Vicenza concentrates on the architecture of Andrea Palladio and begins with an outside viewing of the domed and porticoed Villa La Rotunda, the most famous of Palladio’s buildings. We continue to the great Palladian city of Vicenza for a tour of a number of his palaces and civic buildings including the Teatro Olimpico, Europe’s oldest surviving indoor theatre designed by Palladio in 1579, and the exterior of the Basilica Palladiana to see one of the first examples of the Palladian window. We spend some time at leisure in Vicenza, and on an individual basis you may choose to visit Palazzo Leoni Montanari, home to a wonderful collection of Russian icons and paintings. The rest of the day is at leisure in Abano Terme.
Day 3
Today we enjoy a private boat trip with our guide to the neighbouring islands just off Venice. We visit Murano, the island famous for its glass making. Then on to Burano, the most colourful of the islands with brightly coloured houses, such as the well known Casa Bepi, lining the waterways and easily recognisable from the tilting tower of its church. Our final stop, Torcello, is a complete contrast; barely inhabited, the central piazza and its ancient buildings are a haunting reminder of a bygone era.
Day 4
Our full day in Mantova begins with a guided tour of the Palazzo Ducale, once one of Europe’s largest palaces and now housing a wonderful art collection including the frescoes in the ‘Camera degli Sposi’ by Mantegna. This afternoon we visit the magnificent Palazzo Te, which was built in the 16th century for the Gonzaga family. The palace includes the Sala dei Giganti (Room of Giants) where the art and architecture work together to produce striking effects.
Day 5
We travel to Venice for a guided tour of the Gallerie dell’Accademia this morning, introducing us to the wonderful collection of Venetian art from the 14th to 18th century including works by Titian, Carpaccio, Tintoretto and Veronese. This afternoon we visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the Grand Canal. Home to the most important collection in Italy of European and American art of the first half of the 20th century, we see works from Picasso, Mondrian, Dali and Pollock.
Day 6
Our guided tour of Padova takes in sights such as the Basilica di Sant’Antonio with Donatello’s magnificent reliefs on the miracles of St Anthony, the Café e Pedrocchi, a famous intellectual meeting place dating from 1831, and Giotto’s frescoes at the Cappella degli Scrovegni. We continue to Venice Airport for our direct scheduled British Airways flight to Heathrow, and onwards coach travel back to our original pick up points.
NB: Please note we reserve the right to alter the above itinerary if required for operational reasons. Given the historic nature of the places visited, a certain degree of walking will be involved, and this holiday may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Flight details may be subject to change. Price based on twin share. Minimum numbers required. Normal booking conditions apply. Any air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Tailored Travel’s ATOL number is 5605.
Featuring
4* hotel
Half board accommodation
All excursion travel, entrance fees & guided tours included
Boat transfers on Days 3 & 5 included
Return UK airport coach transfers included
Direct scheduled flights from Heathrow
Professional tour manager
Executive coach throughout
Audio headsets included on Days 2 to 5
Gratuities included
Villa La Rotonda (exterior view)
Vicenza – guided tour
Teatro Olimpico
Boat trip to the Islands of the Venetian Lagoon
Mantova
Palazzo Ducale – guided tour
Palazzo Te
Gallerie dell’Accademia – guided tour
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Padova – guided tour
Cappella degli Scrovegni
Hotel
We stay five nights on a half board basis at the 4* Terme Orvieto Hotel (www.termeorvieto.it) in the charming spa town of Abano Terme near Padova. Located a 15 minute walk from the centre of Abano Terme, facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium and a sauna. All rooms are ensuite and feature television, an in room safe, and a hairdryer.
Extras
Single room supplement £99
Insurance (including Covid cover) £56
Local accommodation tax to be paid directly to the hotel (approximately €2 per person per night)
Optional Excursions
All excursion travel, entrance fees & guided tours included
