How far would you go for romance? A romantic stroll along Lake Garda? Breathing in the spirit of the City of Love? A fresh glass of your favourite wine?
Lake Garda - Surrounded by mountains, this crystal blue lake sits in the scenic heart of Northern Italy
Venice - One of the great centres of the Italian Renaissance, the ‘City of Water’ will steal your heart
Padua - Rest your head surrounded by this city’s beautiful mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture
Cremona - Music lovers will adore this stunning city with a rich history of music and violin-making
Valdobbiadene - Savour the flavours and beauty of the Prosecco Heartland
Romance. There’s a reason we seek it out. Crave it. Dream of it. Chase it. And no one does romance quite like the Italian. What’s more, it’s time to romanticize your own life. Take yourself for a leisurely stroll along the impossibly blue waters of Lake Garda. Sip a freshly opened bottle of Prosecco in the heartland. Let your ears fall in love with the music of Cremona.
This tour is the romantic quest you’ve been looking for. When you come out the other side, you may just understand what true love is all about.
Don’t get us wrong, we adore Milan. But we’re taking you away from it for now for a very good reason. The moment you arrive in Peschiera del Garda, you’ll be mesmerised by the glistening blue water, the burst of flowers around every corner, and the glow of happiness emanating from the people around you.
Lake Garda is as famous as they come. This lake’s crystal-clear waters and views of the Dolomites have made the place a favourite destination for artists, poets, and travellers since the Roman ages. We spend the day exploring this beautiful spot and trust us when we say it feels like a true vacation getaway.
We then head to Padua, our home for tonight. This city has rich historical significance, its architecture reflecting a blend of various periods. Make sure you wander town tonight on your way to find something delicious and carb-heavy to eat. This is Italy, after all.
Accommodation
Hotel Al Prato (or similar), Padua
Your morning starts with a masterpiece, Villa Pisani, in the town of Stra. This rural palace is widely beloved for its Venetian Baroque architecture, designed by Andrea Palladio in the 18th century. Here you have time to explore the palace and its magnificent gardens... the very same ground where many historical figures once wandered, including Napoleon Bonaparte.
Now it’s time to visit the lovely city of Bassano del Grappa. Don’t forget to get a picture of the 13th-century wooden Ponte Vecchio bridge that spans the River Brenta. There’s plenty to see here, from Bonaguro Palace to the Civic Museum, which you can either explore at your own leisure or join us for an optional Grappa tasting.
Your day ends with a visit to a region known as the Prosecco Heartland, Valdobbiadene. Surrounded by lush vineyards and delicious wines, this charming region is both delicious and beautiful. It’s up to you what you’d like to do here. Choose between an optional winery visit with Prosecco tasting, or free time in the town.
Then it’s onwards to a pretty exciting city. Venice. The best part? This is where you’ll be sleeping for the next two nights. And if there’s one thing we love – it’s Venice after dark. When the day visitors go home, the city goes quiet, and you’re left to wander its winding streets, canals and bridges on your way to find somewhere cosy to eat.
Included Activities
Optional Activities
Accommodation
You will stay in one of the following hotels depending on your date of travel: Hotel NH Rio Novo, Santa Lucia, Carlton, Principe, Amadeus (or similar), Venice
With its wealth, trade, and power; Venice has always been bold. Trust us, you’ll need at least a full day in Venice. We wish we could give you more, and, as there will be so much for you to choose from, we recommend making a list before you go.
177 canals, 350 gondoliers, and the most idiosyncratic cityscapes in the world: Venice, ‘the Floating City', is your home for the day.
It’s been built on over 118 islands and hosts one of the most famous festivals in the world. Not to mention its unique painting style and architecture classifies Venice as one of the great centres of the Renaissance, equal to Rome and Florence.
You enjoy an included two-hour guided walking tour of the city and then it's up to you what you explore next. From people-watching in Piazza San Marco to frequenting the famous galleries, you have the whole day and night in Venice.
Included Activities
Accommodation
You will stay in one of the following hotels depending on your date of travel: Hotel NH Rio Novo, Santa Lucia, Carlton, Principe, Amadeus (or similar), Venice
Italy is all about romance and our first stop this morning is the charmingly romantic medieval town of Mantua. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with rich historical and architectural legacy, including the Palazzo Ducale and all its stunning frescoes. You have several hours to explore this artistic treasure and taste some of the local good specialities.
Speaking of gorgeous, you’re going to love Cremona and for far more than its glorious architecture. Cremona is internationally renowned for its tradition of violin making. Music lovers may know names such as Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri... well Cremona was the place these legends called home.
With a rich Italian song in your heart, it’s time to head back to Milan for the end of your journey (for now).
Where does this tour stay overnight?
You stay one night in Padua and two nights in Venice. For examples of the accommodation, please see the tour itinerary.
How does the accommodation work?
A good night’s sleep is often needed for a good day of travel.
So we’ve hand-picked three-star to four-star hotels in remote coastal villages, bustling towns, and mountain valleys.
Your accommodation is included in the tour price; and when you book your trip, you can choose whether you want a double room, a twin room, or a single room.
Are there any extra accommodation costs?
The price you see is for all your tour accommodation and for the tour itself. It also includes a tourist tax. This figure is based on shared accommodation. When you're booking your tour and select a single room, an additional single room supplement will be added to the price.
Do I need a visa to take this tour?
You may need a Schengen Visa to travel throughout Europe. Check the official tourism website of the country you’re visiting for up-to-date and reliable information. Travel between countries is easy because there are no passport checks at the borders.
Are the tours suitable for people with mobility issues?
Most people can comfortably enjoy our tours, but it's worth bearing in mind that we often include optional short walks in scenic locations. Please also be aware that many of the old European towns are built on steep hills with cobbled lanes, and you may have to carry your own luggage at times.
So that we can ensure you're comfortable travelling with us, please let us know about any special requirements or needs at the time of booking. If you have any more questions, simply email tours@rabbies.com .
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
Europe's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure and avoid contributing to congestion issues, we start our trip from hotels located conveniently on the edge of cities. We choose hotels with good public transport connections to the city centre, so you can enjoy your evening explorations.
To make your tour more convenient, you can add an optional pre and post-departure accommodation in the hotel we use as a pick up or a drop off point.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive at the hotel lobby 15 minutes before your departure time. Unfortunately, we’re unable to wait for you if you’re late due to vehicle restrictions. But depending on your situation, we may be able to help you catch up with your tour.
What are your cancellation policies?
We have a cancellation period of 42 days for our Europe tours. If you cancel your trip before this period, we give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this time frame, you’re liable for the cost of the tour package.
We understand how disappointing it is when you have to cancel a trip with us, so please contact our friendly team who will try their best to resell your ticket and refund you.
Click here to view full terms and conditions.
What is a guaranteed departure?
It's simple: you book, you go. This means we'll never cancel your tour because of a minimum numbers policy.
Can routes change?
Your friendly driver and guide are passionate about the places they visit and know all the local gossip. This means your tour itinerary can change a little due to festivities, attraction opening hour changes, and spontaneous photo opportunities.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable mini-coaches offer a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
We like to keep our coaches small, nimble, and odour free. This means we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you frequently stop in local towns and villages for comfort breaks.
Do you take children on your tours?
We're unable to permit children under 16 years old on our Europe tours due to the nature of the activities that are included.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy your trip to Europe. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of stops to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
What are 'included activities' and 'optional activities'?
We've arranged experiences for you on your tour. The 'included activities' are already booked and paid for as part of your trip, whereas you can purchase 'optional activities' while on your tour. You also have free time in many destinations to pick and choose which attractions you visit.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to pack or bring along food on the mini-coach. We stop in small European towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
What should I do if I have too much luggage?
It’s more enjoyable to travel with light luggage. You can take less by cleaning clothes along the way. Most hotels provide affordable laundry service.
But if you're travelling with more than 20kg, don't worry! There are left luggage facilities close to the majority of our departure points, and courier companies who could ship your excess luggage on to your chosen destination. Our team are happy to help if you need any suggestions or recommendations.
Should I tip the driver and the guide?
Let's be honest, our drivers and guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We highly recommend you take out travel insurance, so you can enjoy a stress-free journey.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you book a tour with us. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we run into any issues. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
Our packages are covered by the Package Travel Regulations. For full details of your key rights please click here.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com, or check out our full FAQs.