Venice, Padua, Verona and the Veneto Region - October 7th to 15th
Day 1 - Friday, October 7th
(Departure)
Depart Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on an early evening flight to Marco Polo Airport (VCE) in Venice
Day 2 - Saturday, October 8th
(Padua)
Arrive in Venice in the morning and transfer to the Hotel Plaza in Padua. The City is best known as the town of Saint Anthony, but it also one of the most important art locations in Italy. 
The hotel will be your base for trips throughout the region. All of the scheduled attractions and cities are within an hour ride from Padua. The hotel is located in the city center near cafes and restaurants, and a short walk to the main piazza.
In the afternoon you will be led on an orientation tour of the city conducted by the group’s personal tour guide. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner in the hotel dining room and entertainment by the City Rhythm Orchestra in the lounge.
Padua Map
(Includes Walking Tour of Padua, Dinner, Show)
Day 3 - Sunday, October 9th
(Scrovegni Chapel, Saint Anthony Basilica, Vicenza, Venetian Villa)
After breakfast, you will tour one of Italy’s major art attractions - the Scrovegni Chapel. The chapel was built in 1303 and decorated by Giotto in 1304 with a series of frescoes considered masterpieces of Italian art. You will then be taken to the shrine of Italy’s most popular saint - the Basilica of Saint Anthony. The basilica has numerous works of art and has been an important place of worship for pilgrims since the 13th century.
In the late morning you will take a short ride to the fascinating city of Vicenza, known over the centuries for its gold crafts. Vicenza is also connected to the artistic and creative genius of Andrea Palladio. Its villas and palaces are of such extraordinary beauty that UNESCO has attributed Vicenza the title of “Patrimony of Humanity”. Among the architectural treasures are the Palladian Basilica in the heart of the city and the Olympic Theatre, which is the only 15th century wooden theatre in the world still standing.
After lunch at a local restaurant in the town, there will be free time to explore Vicenza, then the group will transfer to one of the beautiful Venetian Villas in the area for a visit and entertainment by the City Rhythm Orchestra. You will return to Padua in the early evening. Dinner is on your own.
Vicenza and Andrea Palladio
(Includes Breakfast, Admission to Scrovegni Chapel, Tour of Saint Anthony Basilica, Tour of Vicenza, Visit to Venetian Villas, Lunch, Show)
Day 4 - Monday, October 10th
(Venice)
You will board the tour bus after breakfast for the short drive to the Venice boat terminal. There you’ll board the boat that take you along the Grand Canal to the City of Venice. The experience of exploring Venice is like no other. It is a magical tapestry of buildings perched on narrow canals with sleek gondolas gliding silently beneath ornate bridges that will leave you breathless. The guided tour will take you to the Piazza San Marco where will see the majestic Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Bell Tower and Saint Mark’s Basilica. Following the tour you will have time at your leisure to explore “La Serenissima” – the “Serene Republic of Venice”.
In the early evening you will rejoin the group for a special dinner hosted at a local restaurant in the city, followed by entertainment by the City Rhythm Orchestra.
Venice Map
(Includes Breakfast, Tour of Venice, Dinner, Show)
Day 5 - Tuesday, October 11th
(Verona and Lake Garda)
After breakfast you will depart for Verona, a lovely city known for its architecturally handsome churches and monuments that have witnessed over 1,000 years of history. Verona harmoniously blends its ancient and contemporary treasures. It is also the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. You will see Juliet’s House with the famous balcony and Romeo’s house as you are guided through the ancient streets.
Early in the afternoon you will travel to the southern section of Lake Garda, the most prominent lake in the Veneto Region. Lake Garda has always fascinated its visitors as the largest glacial lake of Italy. Its picturesque villages, medieval castles, and waterside promenades enchant visitors. You will visit Sirmione, the Pearl of the Lake. It is a charming peninsula that was once an antique village of fishermen situated at the southernmost point of Lake Garda.
You will return to Padua for dinner at a local restaurant followed by entertainment by City Rhythm at a local club.
Verona Map
(Includes Breakfast, Tour of Verona, Visit to Lake Garda, Dinner, Show)
Day 6 - Wednesday, October 12th
(Treviso, Prosecco Region, Winery)
In the morning you will ride to the lovely nearby city of Treviso, surrounded by walls built in the 16th century. After some free time in town, discover one of the most beautiful roads in all of Italy 
through the gentle hills and vineyards of the Prosecco region.
In the early afternoon you will visit one of the best wineries near Conegliano and see the cellars, wine press, and fermentation room followed by a wine tasting and lunch with entertainment.
You will return to Padua for an evening at your leisure.
(Includes Breakfast, Visit to Treviso, Wine Tasting, Lunch, Show)
Day 7 - Thursday, October 13th
(Lagoon Island Tour, Murano, Venice)
You will start the day with a panoramic drive along the Brenta Canal where you can admire more than fifty villas that were once summer residences of the Venetian nobility, surrounded by parks and gardens with graceful statues erected by important architects such as Palladio. The road leads you back to Venice where you will 
begin your boat tour of the Lagoon Islands. The first stop is Murano, the largest and most famous island, known for its splendid glassworks. The tour also visits Burano, famous for the lace works and its painted houses and buildings, and Torcello the smallest of the islands with only 20 permanent inhabitants, but with the lovely Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta founded in 639AD.
You will return to the center of Venice for an afternoon at your leisure. You will rejoin the group later in the day for an aperitif with the locals in a historical osteria typical of the Venice wine bars. Here you will be treated to wine and typical Venetian appetizers.
You will return to Padua for an evening at your leisure.
(Includes Breakfast, Lagoon Island Tour, Aperitif with Appetizers)
Day 8 - Friday, October 14th
(Free Day)
Enjoy the day at your leisure to further explore the area or revisit some of your favorite destinations. There will be an afternoon open-air show by the City Rhythm Orchestra in Padua folloswed by a farewell dinner at the Hotel.
(Includes Breakfast, Show, Dinner)
Day 9 - Saturday, October 15th
(Departure)
Depart hotel for transport to the Venice Airport for a morning return flight to Philadelphia
Meet Your Tour Guide
Your experience on this trip will be enhanced tremendously by the presence of one of Italy’s finest tour guides – Oliviero Olivieri. Not only does Oliviero have an amazing knowledge and passion for the region, he also brings a warmth and humor that makes you feel like you are traveling with an old friend. His interaction with last year’s group was one of the highlights of the trip.
Olivieri is also a world class photographer. He studied at the Central School of Art in London and has circled the globe producing works of art for travel books and journals. In 2004 he started a collaboration with Club ABC leading groups throughout Italy and Sicily. He is passionate about cooking and the history of art, but above all, loves to share with people the emotional connection to the places visited.