From Venice to Amarone Italy's Northern Renaissance As Shakespeare fans well know, Venice and Verona are cities of lovers and romantics. Explore both towns as well as their nearby wine zones. You'll rediscover Soave, which lately has enjoyed a renaissance in quality, and indulge in Amarone, one of Italy's preeminent red wines. Highlights: • Venice, with Bellinis at Harry's Bar • Verona, with Juliet's balcony • Top Amarone & Soave, including Tedeschi, Allegrini, Pieropan & more 2008 dates: [5 days/4 nights] Available on a custom-tour basis only; final price determined by group size and level of accommodation* Cost: approx. $2,545*; single room supplement $280 Meet: Verona Depart: Venice Day 1 - Love in the Air: Shakespeare & Amarone This tour begins in Verona, the Renaissance home of Romeo and Juliet. The morning is dedicated to a guided walking tour of Verona, including a visit to Juliet's balcony and the bustling marketplace in the Piazza delle Erbe. After a complementary welcome lunch, we'll head to the Valpolicella wine zone and explore Amarone, made from partially dried grapes, and learn why this distinctive wine makes enophiles swoon. We'll visit two top-notch producers: Tommasi, one of the region's larger wineries, and, for contrast, either the smaller Viviani or the traditionalist Tedeschi, both family-run properties making award-winning wines. Dinner introduces us to cuisine of the Veneto, which has an emphasis on seafood. Dinner might include risotto with cuttlefish (risotto nero), pasta and bean soup (pasta e fasoi), thick spaghetti with duck ragout (bigoli con l'anatra), or the beloved Venetian chocolate dessert tiramisu. L, D Day 2 - Verona Morning offers free time in Verona to shop, visit the Roman coliseum (one of the best-preserved in all of Italy), or venture into the art and archaeological museums. After lunch, we'll return to Amarone land to give this eminent wine its due. Our afternoon tastings take us first to Allegrini, long a leader in Amarone production, then either to Le Ragose or Begali. where we'll learn how dried grapes are used in making the succulent Amarone and recioto wines. Afterwards, there will be time for a splash of sparkling Prosecco before dinner. B, D Day 3 - The new face of Soave Today we visit Soave, an ancient walled city with a crenellated castle. We'll stop by one of its charming tasting rooms, the elegant quarters of Giuseppe Coffele. Then it's off to visit Pieropan. Leonildo Pieropan was a leading pioneer who turned Soave from a mass-produced white into a lovely, seductive wine made from single vineyards. Heading out of town, we'll stop at the beautiful estate of Trabucchi in the town of Ellasi for our second tasting. This winery is known for top-notch Amarone as well as a Soave-like white, all made according to biodynamic methods, as is their olive oil. We'll then transfer to Venice in time for dinner alongside the canals. B, D Day 4 - Venice, city of enchantment Morning is dedicated to a walking tour of Venice, with an emphasis on artisan bakeries, neighborhood cafes, and marketplaces frequented by locals. After lunch, there will be free time for shopping, or one can take an optional excursion by boat to the Isle of San Gregorio and its basilica, one of the most famous buildings by architect Andrea Palladio. Inside are major frescos by Tintoretto, and its belltower offers an unbeatable panorama of Venice and the lagoon. We'll reconvene for an apertif and people-watching at Harry's Bar on St. Marks Square, where the Bellini cocktail, using Prosecco and white peach nectar, was invented. Our farewell dinner features sea-based cuisine, such as Venetian-style cod, marinated sardines, or pasta with seafood. B, D Day 5 - Arrivederci! A vaporetto to the Venice train station or airport, and assistance with your travel plans. B Copyright © 2007 - La Dolce Vita Wine Tours, Inc. - All rights reserved. Website Design & Programming: Canfield Design Studios, Inc.