Food Wine & Cultural Tour of Franciacorta – Parma - Valpolicella - Vicenza 8 days/ 7 nights

Arrival at Malpensa airport and transfer to Franciacorta Region,   located close to   Iseo Lake and

Brescia. Accommodation at   hotel   and welcome dinner.

Franciacorta is the first and the only Italian brut product exclusively with bottled re-fermentation to have obtained since 1995, the Denomination of Origin Controlled and Guaranteed, Docg highest recognition of quality and typicality of the wine Franciacorta. It is only the name of geographical area, limited and defined its boundaries, where the wines grow and have established its producers.

Overnight.

After breakfast visit of a well known winery located in Borgonato di Cortefranca, in the heart of the Franciacorta region, in the centre of its hills; the seventy hectares of vineyards with Controlled Origin Certification give excellent grapes. The Franciacorta Champagne produced by this Farmhouse is

appreciated all over Italy.  Wine tasting. In the afternoon for the visit of the centre of Parma.   Local   guide for the visit of Teatro Farnese, Teatro Regio, the Duomo. Visit of Roncole where    you can visit Giuseppe Verdi’s Natal home and then Busseto   with the Theatre dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi.

Accommodation at hotel and dinner at a typical restaurant. You will taste tortelli di   zucca, and parmesan tripe.

Overnight.                 

After breakfast, day departure for   Collecchio for the visit of a cheese factory, where you can see the   parmesan Cheese production. Cheese tasting. In the afternoon visit of a Parma Ham factory and tasting. This Parma   Ham or Prosciutto di Parma, has been prized for its enticing aroma and incomparable flavour.

Dinner   in a restaurant in Parma and overnight .

 

After breakfast departure for lake Garda and visit of Salò, the small city in the southwest part of the lake Garda. The historic old part of town, which originates from Middle age, is ideal for strolling around . The local cuisine is also well well-known, particularly the fish specialities . Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake. After lunch visit of Sirmione, one of the best known resorts on the lake, located at the far end of a long, narrow peninsula. The entrance to the historic centre is controlled by the castle Rocca Scaligera. The ruins of one of the largest Roman mansions named "Grotte di Catullo" ,at the end of the peninsula, are visited from many tourists. Visit   with local guide and private boat.   Accommodation   at hotel dinner and overnight.

After breakfast departure for the Valpolicella area , located north of Verona .Visit   of a farmhouse

in Marano di Valpolicella and   wine taste of the wines :Valpolicella" , "Recioto della Valpolicella" e "Amarone della Valpolicella".   Lunch in a local trattoria   and continue on to   Verona.

Visit   of Verona    with local   guide. Start in Piazza Bra, where the Arena is and then continue to Piazza delle Erbe, the Market Square, Piazza dei Signori and  Juliet’s house.

Back to   hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast departure for Vicenza and visit   of the golden city with local   guide :

Teatro Olimpico, one of the best Palladio’s masterpieces, the Basilica Palladiana , Piazza dei

Signori and Corso   Andrea Palladio, the   main street. Accommodation at hotel.

Visit of Villa Valmarana ai Nani  where you can admire frescos from Giovanbattista and Giandomenico Tirpolo. Dinner at the villa and   back to   hotel  for overnight.

 

After breakfast departure for the visit of a famous wine Factory , located on the   way

to Bassano del Grappa .Wine tasting of Cabernet, Marzemino, Vespaiolo and Torcolato.

Continue   for the visit of Marostica  with the Square famous for the  Human Chess Game

represent the most spectacular moment inside this historical/traditional performance.

Continue of the tour for Bassano del Grappa. Visit  of the Bassano’s   Bridge , considered

one of the most famous  bridges of Italy; build of wood   and projected by   Palladio, has   been

rebuilt several times and the last   one after the second world war.Dinner at a local restaurant:

you   will    taste the   rice with red chicory and Asiago cheese’s   fondue. Grappa tasting at the end. Back to Vicenza and overnight.

After breakfast   departure for   Venice airport.