Food & Wine in Verona, Padua & Venice - 7 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 that's home to the city's annual opera festival. Stroll over to Casa di Giulietta, the house that's said to have inspired the story of the star-crossed lovers, and snap a pic of 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 and 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 piazzas 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 down and back across the bridge for dinner in the Old Town. 

Day 3: Day Trip to Lake Garda

Swap Verona's city walls for the serene shores of Lake Garda today with a guided tour of the villages that dot the lakeside. After a short train ride, you'll arrive at Desenzano station and meet your guide. 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. 

Return to the harbor and catch a ferry to Sirmione, a picture-postcard town perched on a peninsula jutting out from the southern shores of the lake. Famous for its thermal springs, which have attracted visitors since Roman times, and the imposing Castillo Scaligero, a vast 15th-century fortress with magnificent views and plenty of evocative battlements to explore. Delve further back in time with a visit to the Grotto of Catullus, a sprawling Roman mansion set among olive groves and overlooking the expansive lake.

Part ways with your guide and head to Piazza Carducci—an excellent spot for lunch where you can feast on dishes, including bigoli con le sarde del Garda (a Veneto pasta dish made with sardines). Afterward, continue your lake tour at your own pace with a boat ride over to the pretty town of Peschiera del Garda to explore the Roman ruins and wander the local delicatessens. Try the local formagella di tremosine (a delicious local cheese) and sbrisolona (a crumble cake). When you're ready, return to Verona in time to enjoy your last night in the city. 

Day 4: Train to Padua, Free Afternoon 

Spend one last leisurely breakfast in Verona, then head to the station for a one-hour train ride 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 heading back 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 5: 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 one of the main squares, like 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 6: 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), where you'll be rewarded with wonderful panoramic views across Venice. 

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 spend your final night feasting in style before catching the train back to Padua.

Day 7: Depart Padua

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

More Great Italy Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Italy? Check out these other Italy itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in Italy indulging in food and wine, or discover the best time to visit Italy.