Superb tour combing two Venetian Institutions

6 nights from £949pp.

Departing 28 August 2012

This superb tour, this year travelling by air, combines two Venetian institutions that go back centuries with a tour of the historic and scenic Veneto region. The two highlights of the tour are a performance of La Traviata at Venice's historic La Fenice Opera House (re-opened in 2004 after being destroyed by fire) and a day in Venice to see the atmospheric historic Regatta, an annual tradition that is thought to date back to the 13th century.

From your base in Abano Terme (new for 2012), you will also visit the beautiful lakeside town of Mantova, Palladio’s city of Vicenza and the hill town of Bassano del Grappa (where the liqueur is made), Romeo and Juliet’s Verona and scenic Lake Garda.

Itinerary

INCLUDED

• Return scheduled flights with British Airways from London Gatwick to Verona
• 6 nights' bed and breakfast at the 4-star Universal Abano Terme Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Transfers and full touring itinerary
• Loggione ticket (yellow on the seating plan) for performance of La Traviata at La Fenice Opera House 
• Tour manager throughout 

NOT INCLUDED

• Single room supplement 
• Holiday Insurance 
• Upgraded ticket for opera - 2nd sector stalls (red on the seating plan) - £155 per person, 1st sector stalls (burgundy on the seating plan) - £180 per person
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls
• Porterage and gratuities

Places of Interest

Padova
Padova, renowned for its university, has a wealth of sights, particularly the wonderful Giotto frescoes at the Scrovegni Chapel, the imposing Duomo and Baptistry, Palace of reason, several beautiful squares and the Palazzo del Capitano. 

Mantova
One of northern Italy's most beautiful cities, described as "the most romantic city in the world" by Aldous Huxley is surrounded by lakes and often described as "piccola Venezia" (Little Venice). Mantova has an immaculate medieval centre that includes the impressive Palazzo Ducale and an evocative skyline of ancient towers. 

Vicenza
A delightful city, overlooked by most tourists, Vicenza is the home and bears the influence of the architect Andrea Palladio with a host of his hallmark buildings giving the city a distinctive look. Most important among the sights are the Monte Berico church, Basilica in the beautiful main square, the Corso Andrea Palladio lined with his buildings including his home, and the Teatro Olimpico, Europe's oldest indoor theatre. 

Verona
Verona is classed as one of Italy's most beautiful cities, to rival Florence or Venice. Renowned as the city of Romeo and Juliet and for its opera festival held each summer, Verona is an ancient and beautiful city in its own right. Highlights include Juliets's legendary balcony, the magnificent Roman Arena, the church of San Zeno Maggiore and lovely piazzas including the heart of the city, the Piazza delle Erbe.

Lake Garda
Lake Garda offers a scenic contrast to the wealth of history and culture on the other excursions on this tour. Flanked by picturesque villages along its shoreline with a dramatic backdrop of mountains and hillsides dotted with vineyards, the lake is regarded by many as the most beautiful, as well as the largest, of the Italian lakes. 

Regata Storica, Venice
The Regata Storica is one of the most spectacular moving events of Venetian life which has been taking place on the canals of Venice since the second half of the 13th century. A historical procession commemorates the welcome given to Caterina Cornaro, wife of the King of Cyrpus, in 1489 after she renounced her throne in favour of Venice. It is a procession of 16th century style boats, with the famous Bucintoro, the boat representing the Serenissima, at its head.