Food & Wine in Verona, Lake Garda, Padua & Treviso - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Train to Verona

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival in Venice, catch a train from the city's Mestre Station and take in the views of the Veneto countryside. In just under two hours, you'll arrive in Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in art and culture and known for its famous opera and as the setting for Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Check into your hotel, and after a quick refresh, head out to explore. 

Make your way to Piazza Bra, the city's largest square and social hub. It's the perfect spot to get your bearings and sip a glass of the local prosecco while savoring the views of the Arena, Italy's second-largest Roman amphitheater after Rome's Colosseum. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, the Arena is one of the best preserved of its kind and is now a world-famous music venue and home to the city's annual opera festival. Stroll over to Casa di Giulietta, the house that inspired the story of the star-crossed lovers, and home to Juliet's famed balcony. 

Wander the Old Town toward the Piazza dei Signori, an elegant square framed by Romanesque and Gothic churches, buildings, and palaces with a central marble statue of Dante, built in 1865. Cross the Ponte di Castelvecchio, an impressive red brick medieval bridge dating back to 1350, and discover the sculpture and artworks in the Castelvecchio Museum, located in the eponymous castle. In the evening, head to Piazza delle Erbe for dinner, relax with a glass of local wine, and dine on specialties such as risotto all'amarone (risotto with red wine).

Day 2: Pasta & Risotto Masterclass, Free Afternoon

This morning, you'll earn your cucina Italiana stripes with a 3.5-hour authentic pasta and risotto-making cooking class in Verona's center. Led by a local professional chef, you'll learn step by step how to transform flour and eggs into silky soft pasta strands and master the skills that go into creating a perfect risotto, including the all-important mantecare stage. At the end of the workshop, sit down with your fellow chefs and enjoy your delicious creations, accompanied by the local Valpolicella red wine and rounded off with a classic tiramisu. 

Spend the afternoon exploring Verona's cobbled streets and piazze and make your way to the Ponte Pietro bridge, where you can either walk the 147 steps up to the Castel San Pietro or ride the Funicolare di Castel San Pietro cable car. While the centuries-old fortress is impressive, the splendid panoramic views across Verona, especially at sunset, make this worth the walk to the top. Admire the skyline dotted with church towers and the River Po snaking its way through the city before walking back down and over the bridge for dinner in the Old Town. 

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Garda, Explore Sirmione

Swap Verona's city walls for the serene shores of Lake Garda today with a transfer to one of Garda's prettiest and most evocative towns—Sirmione. A picture postcard town perched on a peninsula jutting out from the southern shores of the lake, visitors have been coming here since Roman times to benefit from Sirmione's thermal springs. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and head out to grab some lunch. Piazza Carducci, the town's main square, is a great spot with plenty of restaurants serving local specialties such as bigoli con le sarde del Garda (a Veneto pasta dish made with sardines). 

Make the most of your free afternoon with a boat ride over to the pretty town of Peschiera del Garda. Ferries leave regularly from Sirmione's harbor for the 25-minute journey, and you'll find plenty of Roman ruins and UNESCO Heritage sites to explore. The town is also one of nine local municipalities that make up the Custoza dry white wine appellation, and after several hours of exploring, reward your efforts with a glass or two of the local vino bianco at one of the bars overlooking the lake. Catch the ferry back to Sirmione, and the rest of the evening is yours to spend at leisure. 

Day 4: Guided Tour of Lake Garda

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then wander into Sirmione's center to meet your guide for a half-day tour of the town and Lake Garda. You'll start with a visit to the town's Castillo Scaligero, a vast 14th-century fortress with magnificent views across the lake and plenty of ramparts to explore. Your next stop is the Grotte di Catullo (Grotto of Catullus), an archaeological site housing the remains of a sprawling Roman mansion set among olive groves that was built for the poet Catullus.

When you've finished exploring the site, wander over to the harbor, where you'll catch a ferry to nearby Desenzano del Garda. Stroll to Piazza Malvezzi, the main square just behind the Porto Vecchio (Old Harbor), and wind through the narrow streets until you reach the famous Castillo di Desenzano, a beautifully preserved 11th-century castle. Your guide will share stories of the town's history as you see other landmarks, including the Piazza Duomo and the Duomo di Santa Maria Maddalena. 

Part ways with your guide and stop at one of the waterside cafés for gelato before continuing to explore on your own. The town's Museo Rambotti Archeologico is a Bronze and Stone Age museum and a great place to learn more about the area's ancient history. Wander among the local delicatessens and sample local produce, including formagella di tremosine (a semi-hard cheese), sbrisolona (a crumble cake), and delicious stuffed tortellini before returning to Sirmione in time for dinner. Fish is a specialty here, and you'll find plenty of fresh trout on the menu and risotto di pesce (fish risotto).

Day 5: Train to Padua, Free Afternoon

Spend one last leisurely breakfast in Sirmione, then head to the station in Desenzano for a 1.5-hour train ride east to Padua. Founded in 1183 BCE and one of northern Italy's oldest cities, the town is known for its historic Università di Padova and counts Dante as one of its past students and Galileo as a former lecturer. Arrive in time for lunch, and after checking in, head to one of the side streets around Piazza Duomo for the best lunch spots. Thanks to its proximity to Venice, you'll find plenty of great seafood here and dishes such as pasta e fagioli (a hearty pasta and bean soup).

In the afternoon, spend a little time exploring the town. Don't miss the 13th-century Basilica di Sant'Antonio, a grand architectural mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine styles that houses the Anthonian Museum and works by Giotto and Donatello. From here, wander toward the ornate Piazza Prato della Valle, where you'll find Europe's first botanical garden, the Orto Botanico. Stroll the restful gardens and admire the ancient trees before returning to the Piazza—a great place to stock up on local artisan produce at the regular market or simply people-watch over a spritz. 

Day 6: Euganean Hills Wine & Olive Oil Tasting

Today, you'll leave the city behind in favor of the vineyard-laden Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills National Park). Your half-day tour begins in Montegrotto Terme, a short 10-minute train ride from Padua. Meet your guide and drive across the rich, verdant hills of the Colli Euganei. Volcanic in origin and with microclimates unique to each hill, the area is famed for its exceptional produce, particularly its olive oil, and its wide variety of regional wines, including prosecco, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and muscat.

After a scenic drive through vineyards and olive groves, you'll stop at an acclaimed local olive press and winery, where you'll get to try the local produce for yourself. Sample the estate's extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and discover how this centuries-old staple of Italian life and diet is harvested, pressed, and bottled. To accompany the tasting, you'll be served a selection of local wines alongside plates of delicious cured meats, fresh local cheese, and home-baked bread. 

Finish your tour with a visit to the wine cellar and return to Padua (via Montegrotto Terme) in the late afternoon. Stretch your legs with a stroll around Piazza delle Erbe and the medieval streets of Via San Martino and Solferino, stopping to see the nearby 12th-century Palazzo della Ragione. Experience authentic Padovan aperitivo at Piazza della Frutta or Piazza Signori, and when it's time for dinner, head to one of the cozy restaurants that line the narrow cobbled streets just off the squares. 

Day 7: Self-Guided Visit to Venice

It's impossible to come to the Veneto and not explore Venice—and with the city a short 30-minute train ride from Padua, you'll have the whole day to discover the city's foodie hotspots and landmarks. Arrive at Santa Lucia Station and take the vaporetto (water bus) to the Rialto Bridge stop. For the best fresh produce, head to the Rialto Market, northwest of the bridge in San Polo. Here, you'll find everything from fresh fish to seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, rice, and a fascinating insight into local Venetian life.

Follow the signs to Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square) and stop to admire the splendid Saint Mark's Basilica before venturing inside. It's worth booking ahead of time in the busier months for a skip-the-line ticket that includes entry to the top of the Basilica. Marvel at the mosaics that adorn the inside of the church, and if you're up for a bit of a climb, take the steps up to the top of the campanile (bell tower) and soak in the wonderful panoramic views across the lagoon. 

While Venice is brimming with art and history that would take months to discover, take a moment to soak up the incomparable atmosphere of the car-free, canal-studded city. Do as the locals do and savor a glass of wine alongside plates of cicchetti (the Venetian version of tapas) at a local bar. While the city has its fair share of iconic bridges, the Ponte dell'Accademia gives a picture-perfect view of Venice and the Grand Canal—it's the best spot to capture a great golden hour or sunset shot. Venetians eat early, so enjoy a local neighborhood dinner before catching the train back to Padua.

Day 8: Train to Treviso, Free Afternoon

Today marks the last leg of your trip, and after a leisurely breakfast and check out, you'll catch a train to Treviso, located to the northeast of Venice. The journey takes around an hour, so get settled at your hotel, then make your way to the walled city's main square, Piazza dei Signori, to get your bearings and absorb local life over a glass of the local prosecco. Often overlooked in favor of its neighbor, Venice, Treviso has a tranquil atmosphere and plenty of art, culture, and history to charm visitors.

Admire the Palazzo dei Trecento, the Town Hall overlooking the square, and wander among the boutiques and vintage shops that line Via Calmaggiore, the town's main shopping street. Continue to the Civic Museums of Treviso and view the beautifully restored 114th-century Santa Caterina Church, with impressive art and archaeological collections. Art lovers should also head to the Gallerie delle Prigioni and Casa dei Carraresi, two privately owned galleries with extensive collections featuring plenty of avant-garde and international works.

When it comes to local cuisine, you'll dine exceptionally well in Treviso, with plenty of eateries serving hearty pasta and meat-based dishes. Make your way to one of the streets off the Buranelli Canal for some of the city's best neighborhood spots, or stroll nearby Vicolo Trevisi and follow your nose for a bustling osteria full of locals. 

Day 9: Italian Prosecco Experience

Italy's Prosecco Route runs from Treviso to Valdobbiadene, and since 2019, Le Colline de Prosecco di Conegliano (the Prosecco Hills) and Valdobbiadene have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of the region's prosecco production. This morning, you'll meet a local sommelier for a drive through the renowned hills, where you'll visit two leading prosecco wineries. Learn about the production process involved in making these effervescent wines and taste different styles and vintages accompanied by tasty formaggi and prosciutto.

After a morning spent exploring the vineyards and cellars, your guide will drop you at a nearby trattoria, high up in the hills with spectacular views across the vineyards—the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious lunch on your last day. Afterward, return to Treviso, where you can either relax back at your hotel or stroll around the city's walls. A leisurely walk from the western gate, Porta Santi Quaranta, takes you to Porta San Tomaso, where you'll find the Saint Francesco Church, open to visitors every afternoon. As the sun dips, head to Piazza dei Signori for aperitivo and dinner. Buon appetito!

Day 10: Depart Treviso

Say goodbye, or ciao, to Italy for now. Take advantage of any extra time with one last morning stroll around Treviso before transferring to the airport to catch your flight home or continue your European adventure. Safe travels!

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