“Discover the Veneto and Friuli regions with our immersive 9-day tour. Explore Venice’s iconic sights, the historical landscapes of Aquileia, Trieste, and Grado, and experience the charm of Friuli with a blend of ancient Roman history and modern Italian culture.”
Itinerary: 9 days/8 nights
Day 1: Fly to Venice, Italy
Board your transatlantic flight from the USA and fly overnight to Venice, Italy.
Day 2: Venice
Benvenuti in Italia! Upon arrival at Venice airport, meet your Italian Tour Director. In Venice, experience the city like the locals do—on foot or by water taxi/vaporetto.
Enjoy lunch on your own, then join your Dolcevita Tour Director for a fascinating walking tour of Venice. See iconic sights like the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, the Bridge of Sighs, and St. Mark’s Square.
Dinner at a local restaurant with your group. Overnight stay in Mestre (Venice).
Day 3: Venice
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide for a walking tour of Venice’s top attractions, including the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, and the Bridge of Sighs. Enter St. Mark’s Basilica to admire its extravagant Byzantine architecture and gilded interiors, and visit the Doge’s Palace, a Venetian Gothic masterpiece.
Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, take a vaporetto ride to explore the Venetian lagoon. Visit the island of Murano and discover the art of glassblowing with a live demonstration by local artisans.
Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Mestre (Venice).
Day 4: Venice – Aquileia – Grado
After breakfast, board the bus for a journey to Aquileia. Meet your local guide to explore this ancient Roman settlement. Founded as a military colony, Aquileia thrived under Augustus and later became a center of Christianity. Visit the magnificent Romanesque cathedral and the archaeological area.
Lunch on your own. Continue to Grado, a charming town whose historic center is perfectly preserved, offering an atmosphere reminiscent of an ancient fishing village. Check in at a hotel near Grado for dinner and overnight stay
Day 5: Grado – Trieste and Miramare Castle
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Trieste for a guided tour of the city. Start at the Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of Europe’s largest squares, surrounded by elegant buildings like Palazzo Pitteri and the Fountain of the Four Continents. Visit the Trieste Cathedral, Castello di San Giusto, and the Risiera di San Sabba.
Lunch on your own, followed by a visit to Miramare Castle in the afternoon. This 19th-century castle is an architectural gem, beautifully restored with stunning views over the Adriatic.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Grado Lagoon/Palmanova
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a guided boat trip through the Grado Lagoon. Explore the unique islets, home to traditional “casoni” (thatched huts), which were once used by fishermen. Visit the islands of San Giuliano, San Pietro, Sant’Andrea, and Barbana, where you’ll find an ancient Marian sanctuary.
Lunch at a local restaurant, followed by an excursion to Palmanova, a star-shaped fortress town built by the Venetians. Its historic center and fortifications are incredibly well-preserved.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Postojna Caves/Portoroz/Piran
After breakfast, head to Postojna to explore the famous Postojna Caves. Take a ride on a small electric train through this underground wonderland, filled with extraordinary limestone formations and stalactites. In the afternoon, visit Portorož, a beautiful resort town known for its stunning coastal scenery and cultural history.
Continue to Piran, where Venetian influences are still evident in its medieval streets and architecture. Explore this picturesque seaside town and its charming old town.
Return to Grado for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Udine/San Daniele del Friuli/Mestre
After breakfast, head to Udine for a guided tour. Discover the city’s fascinating history, built around a hill and dominated by a medieval castle. Visit the cathedral, the Loggia del Lionello, the archiepiscopal palace with frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo, and the beautiful Piazza Libertà.
Continue to San Daniele del Friuli, renowned for its prosciutto. Visit a local ham factory and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local specialties. In the afternoon, head back to Mestre.
Check-in at your hotel and leave your luggage. Take a vaporetto to the heart of Venice and enjoy a romantic gondola ride through the canals at night.
End the evening with an authentic Italian meal with your group and your Dolcevita Tour Director.
Overnight accommodation in Mestre.
Day 9: Return Home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you unforgettable memories of your Italian journey.
Say a fond arrivederci to your Italian Dolcevita Tour Director.
Board your transatlantic flight from Venice and fly back to heme
Note: Tour designed for American groups, adaptable for European agencies as well
This tour was created for groups from the United States, but it can also be easily adapted for groups departing from Europe, with the possibility of arranging transportation by Gran Turismo bus. The itinerary, full of exciting visits and discoveries, is flexible and customizable to the specific needs of each group to provide a unique, tailor-made experience.
