12 Days Contrasts of Northern Italy Small Group Tour
The two major cities, Rome and Venice, are so unique from each other. If it weren’t for the Italians who spoke in the streets, you might think they were from different countries! Rome is vast and full of clues to its distinctly Roman history, with ancient monuments still standing proud and tall. Massive baroque piazzas throughout the city are the size of ball fields, even in its historic center. Venice is almost otherworldly, so the history and romance of Florence and Rome but a uniqueness that makes the city all its own. It’s the perfect place to fall in love, a city full of romantic canals and gondolas, bustling markets, grand piazzas, and local Venetian cuisine.
On our small group tour, we will visit all these beautiful cities and more, covering the history, culinary delights, and culture that make Italy famous. Secret Italia will take you on a whirlwind tour of Italy you’ll never forget!
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Location
Day 1:Ciao Italia!
Arrive in romantic Venice, a city unlike any other, where light and water create a world of timeless beauty. Your private driver will meet you at the airport and accompany you to your centrally located hotel. Take a moment to unwind or wander through quiet lanes and graceful bridges that reveal glimpses of daily life along the canals. This evening, meet your tour director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink before sharing dinner in a traditional Venetian restaurant. It is a gentle beginning to your journey through Northern Italy.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on your own, dinner included
Accommodation: Overnight in Venice
Day 2:Grand Architecture & A Sunset Gondola Ride
Fall in love with Venice on a guided walking tour that reveals the city’s most treasured landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the graceful Rialto Bridge. Inside the Basilica, admire the Byzantine mosaics and the ornate Treasury, where jewels and sacred art reflect centuries of history. Beyond the grand squares, your guide will lead you through quieter streets and canals, offering a glimpse of authentic Venetian life. Pause to enjoy cicchetti and a glass of prosecco in a local wine bar, a moment to live like a local and savor the city as Venetians do. Take the afternoon to explore the district of San Polo, home to the Gothic church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Titian’s masterpiece “The Assumption of the Virgin“. As evening falls, gather for a gondola ride through the canals, a timeless way to experience the romance of Venice at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Venice
Day 3:Color & Craft in the Venetian Lagoon
A private boat carries you across the Venetian Lagoon to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano, each known for its artistry and charm. In Murano, wander among canals and colorful façades to see glassblowers transform molten glass into luminous works of art, continuing a tradition that has endured for centuries. After lunch in a welcoming local tavern, sail on to Burano, a cheerful island where lacemaking remains a living art and the houses seem painted in sunlight. Return to Venice by private boat as the light softens over the lagoon, an enchanting close to another Venetian Day.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Venice
Day 4:From Padua to Valpolicella: A Journey Through Culture and Wine
Travel on to Padua, one of Italy’s oldest university cities and a place where art and intellect have long flourished. Stroll through graceful squares and arcaded streets that once inspired scholars such as Petrarch, Dante, and Galileo. A guided visit to the Scrovegni Chapel reveals Giotto’s luminous fourteenth-century frescoes, a masterpiece of Italian art. Afterward, we’ll journey into the Valpolicella wine region, where rolling vineyards and time-honored traditions await. Enjoy a wine tasting and tour, the perfect opportunity to deepen your appreciation for Italy’s rich winemaking heritage. Finally, be welcomed by the serene lake and mountain views of Riva del Garda, where you will stay for the next three nights.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Riva Del Garda
Day 5:Limone & Malcesine, The Pearls of Lake Garda
You will sail first to Malcesine, rising gracefully between the mountains and the lake, crowned by the medieval Castello Scaligero and framed by winding lanes that lead to the harbor. Wander its cobbled streets and take in the views reflected on the still blue water. Sail on to Limone sul Garda, a picture-perfect village surrounded by terraced lemon groves and dramatic cliffs. Pause in a café, browse small shops, or visit the Limonaia del Castèl to breathe in the scent of citrus carried on the breeze. Cruise back to Riva del Garda and enjoy the remainder of the day relaxing by the lake. Enjoy an included dinner this evening at a local restaurant
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Riva Del Garda
Day 6:Live Like a Local in a World Without Boundaries
Begin the day with a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef who shares the secrets of Italian home cooking. Prepare regional dishes using simple, seasonal ingredients and enjoy the meal together over laughter and wine, a true moment to live like a local. Take the afternoon to explore Riva del Garda at your own pace. You may wish to stroll along the waterfront promenade, relax with a book by the lake, or browse the elegant boutiques tucked within the old town. Once part of Austria until 1918, Riva del Garda carries both Italian warmth and Tyrolean charm, reflected in its architecture and cuisine. Notice how grazie and danke blend easily here, just as strudel and espresso share the same table
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Riva Del Garda
Day 7:From Sacred History to Country Hospitality
Meet your local guide for a walking tour of Trento, a city where history and faith intertwine. Known as the site of the Council of Trent, which shaped the Counter Reformation in the sixteenth century, Trento still reflects the grandeur of its past in elegant Renaissance architecture and quiet piazzas. Visit the Castello del Buonconsiglio at the heart of the city and admire its rich sense of history and beauty. Travel on through Alpine valleys and meadows for an included lunch at a traditional farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and natural beauty. Upon arrival in Bolzano, your base for the next three nights, join your fellow travelers for a dinner showcasing the region’s culinary traditions.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Bolzano
Day 8:Highlights Of Bolzano & South Tyrol Museum
Learn about Bolzano on a walking tour with a local guide. Cobbled lanes, pastel façades, and arcaded streets lined with cafés and artisan shops create a quintessential Northern Italian village. Visit the medieval Castel Roncolo, admired for frescoes that recount the tales of Tristan and Isolde, then continue to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology to meet Ötzi, the five-thousand-year-old Iceman preserved in remarkable detail. After lunch on your own, take the afternoon to explore to your heart’s content, perhaps browsing the arcades, pausing for espresso, or tasting local specialties that reflect both Italian and Tyrolean traditions. As evening arrives, relax with fellow travelers or enjoy a quiet drink in one of Bolzano’s inviting cafés.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Bolzano
Day 9:Dolomites Highlights: Ortisei, Seceda & Passo Sella
Depart Bolzano for the spectacular Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel through Val Gardena to the charming village of Ortisei, known for its Tyrolean character and woodcarving tradition. Enjoy a short stroll before taking the cable car to Seceda, one of the Dolomites’ most iconic viewpoints, with breathtaking panoramic views and easy ridge walks. Free time for lunch at one of the traditional mountain huts (lunch not included). Continue to Passo Sella, surrounded by the dramatic Sassolungo and Sella massifs. Return to Bolzano in the late afternoon after a memorable day among the Dolomites’ finest landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch & dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Bolzano
Day 10:Charming Bressanone, Historic Novacella Abbey & The Funes Valley
Join a local guide for a walking tour of Bressanone, a colorful town set where the Eisack and Rienz rivers meet. As the oldest settlement in South Tyrol, Bressanone blends centuries of history with graceful Alpine charm. Stroll through lively squares framed by pastel façades, browse small shops and cafés tucked beneath arcades, and admire the quiet beauty of the cathedral square. Head to nearby Novacella Abbey, a magnificent Augustinian monastery founded in the twelfth century and surrounded by vineyards and landscaped gardens. Visit the richly decorated chapel and its historic wine cellar, where the abbey’s renowned white and red wines have been produced for generations. Continue through the enchanting Funes Valley, where the dramatic Odle Peaks rise above alpine meadows and traditional mountain villages, creating one of the most iconic landscapes in the Dolomites. After time to enjoy the scenery and capture memorable photographs, cross the historic Brenner Pass into Austria and continue to Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps, for your final two nights.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Innsbruck
Day 11:Imperial Elegance & A Farewell Dinner
Begin the day with a guided tour of Innsbruck, once a Celtic trading post and later a proud Habsburg capital. Follow the trail of the Habsburgs through the well-preserved old town, admiring landmarks such as the triumphal Gate and Court Church. The morning walking experience concludes with an included ascent on the Hungerburg Funicular, where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon, explore at your own pace, wander the medieval streets, browse the shops, or simply enjoy the sound of street musicians echoing through the squares.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch & dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Innsbruck
Day 12:Arrivederci Italia!!!
After breakfast, private transfers will be provided to Innsbruck airport or train station for your journey home. As you travel, remember the beauty of Northern Italy, from the canals of Venice to the peaks of the Dolomites and the peaceful shores of Lake Garda. You have shared meals, stories, and laughter, discovering the warmth of Italian hospitality and the charm of life in the north. May these memories stay with you always, a reminder of Italy’s art, beauty, and grace.
