What to expect
Venice&Verona Carnivals
Elaborate costumes & festive tradition
Historic Sites
Visit Juliet's Balcony in Casa di Giulietta
Architectural Marvels
Enjoy St. Mark's Square's lively atmosphere
Vibrant Venice
Explore the network of famous canals
About this trip...
Discover the enchantment of Italy as we take you on a journey through two of its most celebrated carnivals. Our adventure begins in Venice, the legendary "floating city," where you'll wander through its winding canals and historic alleyways, all while experiencing the vibrant Venice Carnival. This annual event transforms the city into a kaleidoscope of masks, costumes, and festivities, offering you the chance to don your own disguise and lose yourself in the magical atmosphere. Next, we'll travel to Verona, home to one of Europe's oldest and most storied carnivals—the "Bacanal del Gnoco." During this lively celebration, you'll witness the grand "Gnocolar" Friday parade, a colorful procession led by "Papa' de' Gnocco," a character embodying the spirit of the festival. The parade winds through Verona’s charming streets, ending in front of the historic St. Zeno Church. This tour not only offers a deep dive into Italy's rich cultural heritage but also immerses you in the unique and festive spirit of its most iconic carnivals. Join us for an unforgettable experience, where history, tradition, and celebration come together in the most spectacular way.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Return flights & Water Taxi Transfers-
Airport taxes & charges
Twin room for sole use with private facilities
Solos Board Breakfast Daily & Welcome Dinner with drink (Wine, Beer or Soft drink)
Information Meeting
1 hour 15 minutes ticket on Vaporetto boat-
Guided tour of Venice
-
Guided tour of Verona
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
- €3.50 per night tourist tax payable to the hotel locally
Itinerary
- Arrive in Mestre
- Venice
- Verona
- Day at leisure
- Departure Day
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Mestre
Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel in Mestre - a historic town on the mainland that faces the Venice Archipelago. When evening comes, we gather together and enjoy our welcome dinner and drink at Ristorante Pizzeria Da Michele.
- Dinner included
Day Two: Venice
Today we spend a day in Venice during the Carnival, where the city's historic squares come alive with elaborately costumed performers and lively street parties. We wander through the maze of canals and alleys, encountering masked figures and musicians at every turn. Around every corner will be sights and sounds to take the breath away, from the majesty of the Piazza San Marco, to the Rialto Bridge, to St. Mark's Basilica or the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale). After our walking tour, there will be time to enjoy lunch at one of the many small streetside restaurants or cafes. In the afternoon we spend up to 75 minutes on the amazing Venetian Vaporetto system - the network of public boats that traverse the various waterways or canals.
We will take a route that passes along the iconic grand canal. The rest of our day will be at leisure to further explore the network of streets and canals of Venice. Enjoying the vibrant atmosphere we have opportunity to partake in traditional events, from mask contests to grand balls.
- Breakfast included
Day Three: Verona
We board a coach after breakfast to the historic city of Verona. When we arrive we will be met by our local guide who will lead us on a walking tour (two hrs) of the heart of the city where we will see traces of its long history from Roman and Medieval, through to the Gothic and Scaligera periods. We will get to see the most iconic sights of the city such as the Arena, Piazza Bra, Piazza Erbe, Juliet’s balcony and more. The Verona Carnival, also known as 'Bacanal del Gnoco' is one of the oldest carnivals in Europe. Taking place in February, it is considered one of the most popular events in the city, made famous by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
The highlight of the celebrations is a street parade of masks and floats that takes place on the so-called 'Gnocolar' Friday, as on this day it is a custom to eat homemade gnocchi. We enjoy a voyage of discovery of this ancient festival and much more.
After our walking tour, there will be time to find lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we have free time to explore the city further on our own before we meet back together to take the coach back to our hotel at Mestre.
- Breakfast included
Day Four: Day at leisure
After breakfast, we have a free day to either relax at our hotel in Mestre, or walk around the town and enjoy its tranquil pace of life, shops, cafes and restaurants. For those wishing to spend their free day in Venice, take a train from Venice Mestre Station to Venice Santa Lucia (Venice' main station). Trains are very frequent and run every 15 minutes. The journey is 10 minutes each way. Return trip cost around 5 Euros. Your Tour Leader can provide more details for these services.
- Breakfast included
Day Five: Departure Day
It's time to say arrivederci Italy! After breakfast, we’ll have some free time before transferring to the airport for our return flight home.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
Hotel Campanile Venice Mestre Three-star
Modern and stylish hotel. Situated at Mestre, only 500m from station with direct connection to Venice island (10 min).
Facilities include
Holiday Smart Hotel has Open lobby and bar, rich continental breakfast buffet. WiFi is free throughout.
Room includes
Spacious rooms are equipped with flat screen TV, phone, bathroom with rain shower and hair-dryer, air condition, soundproofed windows, free WIFI
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Transfer time
The transfer time from Venice Airport to your hotel in Mestre is approximately 15 minutes.
Dress code
Venice in winter is cold. Ensure you have a warm coat, sweater, hat, scarf and gloves. Casual evening wear is recommended and comfortable waterproof shoes for sightseeing.
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of minimum £15.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Important Information
Please note
- A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required.
- €3.50 per night tourist tax payable to the hotel locally
Passport & Visa Information
A full 10-year passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport.
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Currency
Euro
