Italia Venice & Rural Lombardy

Italy: 6 Night – 7 Days

Hotel Options:
3 Nights – Venice, Hotel Bauer Il Palazzo
3 Nights – Lombardy, Hotel L’Albereta

This is a wonderful Italy itinerary that combines the art, culture and beauty of Venice, before setting off to explore the stunning countryside, vineyards and delicious cuisine of the beautiful Franciacorta region of Lombardy.

Description

Days 1-4:
Spend 3 nights at the opulent Bauer Il Palazzo on the banks of the Grand Canal. Laze on the terrace beside the canal, watching the gondolas glide by. Lose yourself in the quintessential Venetian streets, wandering across beautiful bridges, passed ancient townhouses to idyllic restaurants serving steaming bowls of pasta e fagioli and scampi alla busara. Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia, marvel at the grandness of Piazza San Marco and climb the Campanile for breathtaking views over the city.
At the end of an energetic day of sightseeing, take the hotel’s solar powered vaporetti across the lagoon to Guidecca island, to relax in the tranquillity of the spa at the Bauer’s sister property, the Bauer Il Palladio, and enjoy their natural wellness therapies and beauty treatments. A visit to Venice is a unique experience, made even more so by the chance to stay in this beautifully restored ‘palazzo’ on one of the world’s most famous thoroughfares, the bustling Grand Canal.

Days 4-7:
Collect a car and head into the heart of Lombardy, to the charming boutique hotel, L’Albereta. The area is known for the grand villas, beautiful gardens, fruit groves, vineyards, and the world-renowned wines. Take a tour of the adjacent Bellavista wine estate and taste some of their famous sparkling Franciacorta wines. Indulge mind and body in the Henri Chenot Spa and Wellness centre, then treat yourself to the exquisite and innovative cuisine of Gualtiero Marchesi’s restaurant. This itinerary offers a perfect opportunity to discover the contrasts of Northern Italy, from the magnificence of the architectural wonders of Venice to the tranquillity of the rolling hills of undiscovered Lombardy.

When to travel
Venice is a city that can be enjoyed at all times of the year. The months from Easter to October are the main tourist season when hotels can be difficult to come by at short notice. The other two really popular spells are during the Carnival in February (the 10 days up to Shrove Tuesday) and the weeks on each side of Christmas. Summer (mid July to the end of August) isn’t necessarily the best time to go to Venice. Apart from the hordes of tourists, the air can be humid and unpleasant. The climate will often result in clouds of mosquitoes and other insects invading the lagoon, and the smell emanating from the water can be very unpleasant. Italians holiday in August, so many shops and restaurants close during this time.
If you’re planning to visit Venice between October and late February, take your wellies just in case! This is the season of floods – known locally as acqua alta, and occasional downpours can be heavy. The low-lying Piazza San Marco is especially vulnerable. Clear blue skies and balmy weather make spring and autumn the best times to go.