Group tour operator for holidays to Tuscany and Veneto, Italy
The Wines of Veneto & Tuscany
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Ponte Vecchio and the River Arno, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
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Pisa Cathedral and the Leaning Tower
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Santa Maria dei Fiore Duomo, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
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Village Square, Montecatini Alto - Tuscany, Italy
Discover the Veneto & Tuscany region of Italy including Verona, Florence & Milan
Start your Italian adventure with this luxurious tour of the Veneto and Tuscany regions, for a wine tour like no other. See undoubtedly some of Italy’s most beautiful regions as well as a stop in Emilia-Romagna region, a firm favourite with travellers. Experience Golden wheat fields, silver olive groves and pea-green vineyards as well as soul-soaring medieval hilltop villages, mountain ranges and never-ending forests in the north.
Read MoreVerona and the wine-fields of Veneto
Here you will find a great number of Italian piazzas, including the famous Piazza delle Erbe, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy watching the world go by. There are many ornate churches and Roman monuments that remain in the town – the most famous being the Roman Arena, still in use some 2,000 years later. Here is also home to Soave wine region, arguably the most famous white wine in Italy. Made from Garganega grapes grown in hillside vineyards east of Verona, in the Veneto wine region. This dry, crisp, fruity white wine, is naturally refreshing and its appeal led it to phenomenal popularity in the second half of the 20th Century.
Glorious Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes and provides a beautiful taste of Italy’s laid-back atmosphere. The lake is known for having crystal clear waters and beautiful surroundings. The spectacular mountainous backdrop of the Dolomites lies on the Northern shoreline and at the south, sit the gentle slopes. This varying scenery provides an ever-changing vista of the stunning Italian Lakes. Explore the numerous delightful towns and villages dotted along the edge of the lake. Sirmione, located to the south of Lake Garda boasting incredible views of the lake.
Italy’s food capital of Bologna
Home to some of the nation’s finest restaurants, Bologna has a rich legacy in food. None more popular than the Ragu or Bolognese sauce which has its origins in this city. However, the city itself quite stunning. Located in the Emilia-Romagna region, medieval heart is filled with terracotta buildings and the Porticoes of Bologna, the porch-like entrance of a building, are considered to be of ‘outstanding universal value’ and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Major architects from Bologna have contributed throughout many centuries to create these great buildings and the city’s university is considered the oldest in the world, having been founded in 1088.
Florence
One of Italy’s most beautiful cities and the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a must see. Here, see the main sights of the Tuscan capital including the magnificent Duomo Cathedral, the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio and many more around every corner! Moreover, there will be plenty of time to explore this enchanting city.
You will also have the chance to combine all of this with sightseeing of the world famous Chianti region, before heading back north to Milan via Parma, to taste its two most famous products – ham and cheese!
Dates
Dates throughout 2025
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1-2
Travel to Italy
Take a short sea crossing to Calais then drive south through France, stopping overnight. The following day we travel to the Milan area for a second overnight stop.
Day 3
Bardolino and Valpolicella Vineyards
After breakfast, your full coach arrives and you head north, firstly to the Bardolino area on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Here, visit the Cabottura vineyard at which you will enjoy a tour of the wine-producing process, a tasting of at least three wines and delicious local snacks. tastings of own-produce olive oil and grappa are also on offer. Lunch is then at your leisure. In the afternoon, head east along the scenic Valpolicella wine road. Upon arrival at a Valpolicella vineyard, the Villa Mosconi Bertani vineyard, where apart from delicious tastings of these fine wines; Soave Lepia Doc, Torre Pieve Chardonnay, Pràgal Merlot Syrah and Valpolicella Ripasso Doc, you will also enjoy a tour of the villa, the park and the wine cantina. Then return to Verona and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 4
Verona Sightseeing and Soave Vineyards
After breakfast, your guide arrives at the hotel and set off on a fascinating walking tour of Verona including the Piazza Bra’, Piazza Dante, Juliet’s Balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, and the Cortile of the Mercato Vecchio. Lunch will be at your leisure. In the afternoon, board your coach and head east to Soave wine country in search of dry crisp white wines of the area. Enjoy a tasting and tour at Montetondo winery near the town of Soave. Then you will return to Verona to spend the rest of the day/evening at your leisure.
Day 5
Verona to Bologna and Florence
After Breakfast check-out of your hotel and your coach arrives to transfer to Florence. There will be a mid-morning stop in Nonatola, near Bologna to visit the wine cellar and acetaia (vinegar factory) of Osteria di Rubbiara to see how Balsamic vinegar is made. Afterwards, continue to Bologna arriving at lunchtime with time at leisure.
Day 6
Florence Sightseeing
After breakfast, your morning guide arrives at the hotel to take you on a walking tour of Florence.
Day 7
Chianti Vineyards
After breakfast, your coach and guide arrive to take you on a wine-tasting tour of Chianti – because no wine and food tour of Italy would be complete without Chianti Classico! After an hour, arrive at the hill-top town of Panzano-in-Chianti. Just outside the town, Signora Monia runs the Il Palagio Agriturismo with her husband. Here, enjoy a mid-morning wine and olive-oil tasting with local snacks of hams and cheeses. Lunch will be at your leisure in Panzano. Continuing on to nearby Castellina-in-Chianti, where we can have a brief stop, and heading down the hill from Castellina, there is the well-renowned winery of Rocca delle Macie. Here, enjoy a wine-tasting of their superb selection of Chianti Classicos. Return to Florence via the splendour of the Chianti countryside. Rest of the day/evening at your leisure.
Day 8
Lucca, Tuscan Hills and Montecatini Terme
After breakfast, your coach arrives to take you on a cultural tour to the splendid city of Lucca, after which its beautiful hills. On arrival in Lucca, meet your morning guide for a walking tour of Lucca.
Day 9
Florence to Parma and Milan
After breakfast, your coach arrives to take you back north to the area of Milan. En route, while passing through the Parma Area, stop at a producer offine Parmesan cheese, such as the Caseificio San Salvatore, where you will learn about the long production processes of this famous cheese and have a taste. Next, around lunch time, stop at another producer of a famous Parma product: Parma Ham. Visit the Salmificio La Perla for a tasting and tour of the factory.
Day 10-11
Depart Italy
After breakfast, travel back through France, stopping for overnight stay before travelling to the UK on day 11.
Greatdays can offer a selection 3 and 4 star hotels
