Direct flights to Italy are available from major hubs in the United States, offering robust non-stop options. This journey is strictly limited to 20 participants due to the new site and city visitor limits in specific parts of Italy.

Today is the day of arrival in Venice, where you will have a private transfer to our hotel, the Hotel Villa Cipriani in Asolo.

We arrive in the enchanting village of Asolo to check in at the historic and luxurious Hotel Villa Cipriani, our elegant home for the next four nights.

This evening, we will gather for a refined dinner hosted within the villa, enjoying the sophisticated atmosphere and local culinary delights.

Overnight at the Hotel Villa Cipriani.
(D)

This morning, we will embark on a private, guided walking tour to unveil the historical and scenic splendors of Asolo. Our journey traces the footsteps of Queen Caterina Cornaro and Eleonora Duse, commencing with a visit to the medieval Rocca, perched high above the town, to fully appreciate the famed "City of a Hundred Horizons." We will then descend into the historic heart, a tapestry of arcaded streets and frescoed villas, pausing at the tranquil Piazza Garibaldi and the Duomo, home to a masterpiece by Lorenzo Lotto.

The tour is an intimate exploration, revealing the quiet elegance and artistic soul of this beloved hilltop retreat.

Following the tour, the balance of the day is dedicated to a more leisurely rhythm, allowing for personal preferences and ensuring an opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy the elegant atmosphere that has charmed poets and travelers for centuries.

Overnight at the Hotel Villa Cipriani.
(B)

Our day commences with an ascent to the revered heights of Monfenera, a tranquil mountain crest which served as a crucial defensive position during the pivotal "Battaglia d'Arresto" in World War I. Here, a private exploration with our historian illuminates the dramatic defensive lines that held the front, offering a profound moment of contemplation amidst breathtaking panoramic views across the undulating Venetian foothills. This significant visit includes a moving exploration of restored trenches, tunnels, and machine-gun posts, offering a poignant testament to the spirit and sacrifice of the past. From this poignant landscape, we transition to the magnificent Villa di Maser (Villa Barbaro), a UNESCO-listed masterpiece representing the pinnacle of High Renaissance harmony.

This historic estate offers a world-class immersion into the intersection of art and viticulture, beginning with an exclusive exploration of the villa’s legendary interior, adorned with magnificent, illusionistic frescoes by Paolo Veronese. The day culminates in a refined culinary experience at Casa Diamante, the estate's elegant bistro, where we savor an innovative farm-to-table luncheon featuring traditional local flavors and estate-grown wines, served in a breathtaking garden setting overlooking the timeless Venetian foothills.

We return to Asolo, where the evening is at leisure.

Overnight at the Hotel Villa Cipriani.
(B,L)

Today, we will experience an unparalleled immersion into Italian heritage with a day defined by private access and aristocratic storytelling. Our morning begins in Padua with an exclusive, extended viewing of the Scrovegni Chapel, where we can contemplate Giotto’s celestial frescoes in a serene, intimate atmosphere far removed from the public rush. Accompanied by an expert art historian, you will unlock the symbolic secrets of this 14th-century masterpiece before retreating to the Euganean Hills for a refined, sommelier-led lunch featuring the region’s celebrated volcanic wines and seasonal delicacies.

The afternoon elevates the journey to a rare level of prestige at Villa Barbarigo in Valsanzibio, where we will be personally hosted by the Owner for a curated exploration of Europe’s most significant symbolic garden. As we walk the "Path of Salvation" and navigate the world’s oldest boxwood labyrinth, the family’s private narrative brings to life the 17th-century philosophy and survival stories etched into the statues and fountains. This bespoke encounter concludes with a private aperitivo on the villa’s elegant patio, offering a sophisticated moment of reflection amidst the golden autumnal light of one of Italy’s most storied estates.

Dinner tonight is at The Villa Cipriani.

Overnight at the Hotel Villa Cipriani.
(B,L,D)

Today, we immerse ourselves in the Veneto region's most sublime architectural and cultural legacies.

As we make our way from Asolo to Lake Garda, we have included an exclusive visit hosted by Count Valmarana through the iconic Villa La Rotonda, Palladio’s most celebrated masterpiece. Admired for its perfect symmetry and harmonious proportions, this ideal Renaissance residence is poised atop a gentle hill, offering refined, breathtaking interiors and panoramic vistas that capture the balance between sublime architecture and the surrounding landscape—a timeless vision that has inspired generations worldwide.

The Villa Valmarana ai Nani, renowned for its extraordinary frescoes by the Tiepolo brothers, Giambattista and Giandomenico. These vibrant, theatrical decorations instantly transport you, providing an elegant and immersive glimpse into 18th-century art, aristocratic culture, and life.

A gourmet, leisurely luncheon awaits at a carefully curated local establishment, where you will savor an exquisite tasting experience showcasing authentic regional flavors in a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. The afternoon is dedicated to a private guided exploration of Vicenza's historic heart, revealing its sophisticated character and unparalleled architectural harmony.

And the extraordinary Teatro Olimpico, Palladio’s final, enduring masterpiece and the world's oldest surviving indoor theater.

This afternoon we arrive at the The Grande Terme Sirmione, where we check-in relax and enjoy dinner.

Overnight at The Grande Terme Sirmione.
(B,L,D)

After a lovely lakeside breakfast, we depart on a private excursion to Isola del Garda.

Visiting Isola del Garda on a curated tour is a rare chance to explore a private family estate that has been home to the Borghese Cavazza family for generations. Because the family lives there year-round, the island is strictly accessible only via private guided tours.

Approaching the island, we will begin to get a "fairytale" view of the massive Venetian Neo-Gothic villa rising above the water, framed by cypress trees and lush greenery

We will tour the meticulously designed English and Italian hanging gardens that descend toward the lakeshore, which are filled with exotic plants, fruit trees (lemons, pomegranates), and rare flowers. We continue through the early 20th-century villa, showcasing fine furnishings, Carrara marble, Venetian stucco, and coffered ceilings. During our curated visit, we will hear the island and villa’s history from its time as a Roman retreat and a monastic hermitage founded by St. Francis of Assisi to its current life as a private residence, ending with refreshments and wine on the villa’s panoramic terrace with breathtaking views.

We then continue back to Sirmoine and the Grande Hotel Terme, where we are free for lunch and to relax at the hotel or explore Simomine (or both!).

This evening depart our hotel for the beautiful rolling hills of Valpolicella, where we have an exclusive visit to the estate, discovering the vineyards, the history, and the soul of the land. A private wine tasting will follow, featuring exceptional local labels.

Dinner will take place in an intimate setting among the vineyards, surrounded by nature. Authentic Valpolicella flavors will be showcased through traditional dishes. Each course will be perfectly paired with outstanding wines. This is truly an immersive experience to savor slowly and remember forever.

Overnight at The Grande Terme Sirmione.
(B,D)

We will enjoy a private guided tour of Mantua, a UNESCO-listed city of remarkable elegance surrounded by lakes and rich in Renaissance heritage. Once the seat of the Gonzaga family, Mantua enchants visitors with its noble palaces and artistic masterpieces, such as the Palazzo d'Arco a 16th-century masterpiece features the Zodiac Hall with frescoes by Giovanni Maria Falconetto and extensive museum collections of natural history, period weapons, and an art gallery featuring works by Tintoretto and Van Dyck; the Palazzo Ducale, housing Mantegna’s renowned Camera degli Sposi, to the Mannerist brilliance of Giulio Romano’s Palazzo Te. The city’s spiritual and historical depth is further revealed in the ancient, circular Rotonda di San Lorenzo and in Leon Battista Alberti’s masterful Basilica di Sant'Andrea, while the exquisite Teatro Bibiena remains a testament to the city’s enduring musical legacy, having once graced a young Mozart on its stage.

When one looks at Mantegna's frescoes in the Ducal Palace, imagines Monteverdi's music being sung there for the first time, and reflects on Virgil, whose birthplace it is, it is easy to forget that Mantua is also known as a city for food lovers.

We dine at Dining at Il Cigno for a refined journey into Mantuan nobility, where we will experience elevated regional specialties within the frescoed, art-filled halls of a 16th-century palace.

Return to our hotel, where the balance of the day and evening is at your leisure.

Overnight at The Grande Terme Sirmione.
(B,L)

Today, we will discover the hidden gems of Brescia, a Lombardy treasure offering Roman ruins and Renaissance beauty without the crowds. Pairing this cultural experience with an authentic, family-run farm-to-table lunch at Al Rocol in the heart of the Franciacorta wine region, featuring vineyard views, local cuisine, and refined DOCG sparkling wines.

Brescia seamlessly blends ancient Roman ruins with elegant Renaissance architecture, all without the overwhelming crowds found in nearby Milan or Venice. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and a former Italian Capital of Culture, the city boasts the best-preserved public Roman buildings in Northern Italy and the sprawling Santa Giulia museum complex. We will experience breathtaking panoramic views of the hilltop castle and the rare sight of two distinct cathedrals sharing a single square. Brescia offers a rich, layered history and an authentic atmosphere.

From Brescia, we then continue to Franciacorta, known for Italy’s most treasured sparkling wines, for a truly soul-satisfying farm-to-table experience that captures the heart of Franciacorta’s rural charm. We will walk the terraced vineyards with the owners before heading into the historic cellars to uncover the secrets of Italy’s finest sparkling wines. The magic continues at the table, where "Grandmother’s recipes" come to life with ingredients grown right on the property—think hand-rolled casoncelli pasta, slow-cooked beef in local olive oil, and honey harvested from their own hives —offering a warm, unpretentious atmosphere that feels more like a private family feast.

We return to our hotel in the afternoon for rest and relaxation, before dinner overlooking Lake Garda at our hotel.

Overnight at The Grande Terme Sirmione.
(B,L,D)