Summer Break in Veneto

Spend a few days in the beautiful rose pink city of Verona

Explore the città d’arte’s many historic building and churches including the Romanesque basilica of San Zeno, the mysterious African bishop of Verona martyred in 380, the stunning Castelvecchio and its museum of art as well as the church of Sant’Anastasia whose unfinished façade belies an exquisite interior.

Venture out into the surrounding hills for guided a wine tasting tour which includes four of the country’s best known DOC wines – Soave, Bianco di Custoza, Valpolicella and Bardolino

Learn from the experts as the Arena’s maestro and soloists give a private recital of the opera you will see that evening then sip prosecco in the Piazza Bra before joining opera goers dressed in anything from Prada to Primark in the Roman ‘arena’ for a night of romance and beauty during Verona’s summer opera season.

Relish specialities such as bigoli (Veronese spaghetti) and the freshest produce and local wines in restaurants just off the beaten track or in the hills on velvet nights. Perhaps take a cookery lesson with a Veronese chef to complete the picture.

Therapy – retail style; shopping is so easy in the centre of Verona not just fashion but antiques, jewellery and fabulous pastry shops

Relax in the Byblos Art Hotel – a meticulously restored Venetian villa just 7 km from Verona. A gorgeous setting complete with fountains, a church and health spa.

Take a train to Venice for the day or extend your stay to a couple of nights in the ‘serenissima’ and visit fresco restorers at their painstaking work. For something less watery and more peaceful, visit Padua to drink in Giotto’s frescoes in the Cappella degli Scrovegni his work as revolutionary for its power then as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel was 200 years later.

As part of our service, to welcome you to your trip we send you a fact file on your destination together with essential holiday reading and music to get you in the mood.