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Cultural and Language Tours in Italy .
Our tours offer a unique and combined learning and travel experience.
On the tour you will be able to learn the language, experience the culture and see the sights of Italy as part of a small group accompanied by a native speaking teacher and tour guide.
Most days are divided between a language lesson and guided visits to various cultural attractions, with plenty of opportunities to use the language in real life situations.
Those not taking part in the language component of the tour can take part in alternate guided activities or can enjoy Italy at their own pace.
Venice, the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige
5 - 18 May 2008
This 14 day tour covers the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, the Veneto and the city of Mantua in the north eastern part of Italy . This area offers a variety of cultural experiences, which reflects its diverse history. In the Veneto , the tour visits Verona , Vicenza , Treviso , Padua and Venice . The rich medieval culture of each city reveals the influence of the wealthy and powerful families who controlled the cities. The unique identity of each city is as earnestly guarded
now as it was, but nevertheless together today they collectively reveal the character that is il nordest .
A side trip to Mantua will show the city of Mantegna , one of the genius artists of the renaissance. Moving into Trentino-Alto Adige, the tour visits the cities of Trento , Bolzano , Rovereto and le Dolomiti, the spectacular Dolomite mountains. The tour group stays in three centres Verona , Trento and Treviso and visits the other cities on a day trip basis, travelling by air conditioned mini bus, ferry and train.
Travel Information
The tour starts in Verona and finishes in Treviso and includes land content only.
Level of Italian
Participants in the language course component of the tour should speak Italian to intermediate level (approximately 72 hours of Italian language classes). If you are not sure, you can also contact us to check your language level. Optional pre trip Italian classes are available for those who wish to do some preparation.
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation is in 3 star hotels that we have visited and hand picked because of their proximity to the city centre, level of comfort and affordability. All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 7 dinners are included.
Price
Tour & language courses $4990
Tour only $4490
N.B. Tour price is for land content only airfares are not included. Final price may change due to fluctuations in the exchange rate and final group size.
PROGRAMME DAY BY DAY
Monday 5th May 2008- Verona
We meet mid morning at our hotel in the historical centre of Verona for an introduction to the tour, before lunch. In the afternoon we set off for a walking tour of this fascinating city, home to the mediaeval ruling Scaligeri family. We wander through Piazza Bra and the Arena, the second largest coliseum in Italy , famous for Verona 's open air opera in August. We visit the gothic twelfth century San Zeno Maggiore, to see some of the best examples of mediaeval art in Italy . There is time to relax before aperitivi in one of the bars lining Piazza Bra as we watch the Italians making la passegiata, before moving on to a typical Veronese trattoria for dinner.
Tuesday 6th May 2008- Verona
After breakfast we set out to visit Porta Borsari, one of the old Roman gates to the city, before following the Roman road through to the main food markets in Piazza delle Erbe. We visit the Mediaeval and Renaissance administrative centre of the city, cross a Roman bridge and wend our way to the top of Collina di San Pietro to take in a magnificent view of the city. We spend
the afternoon in class.
Wednesday 7th May 2008 - Vicenza
This morning we take a half hour bus ride to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vicenza .
On our way we visit two famous villas, Capra Valmarana and La Rotonda, which inspired
many of England 's Georgian architects. We'll do a walking tour of Vicenza , which is the
home of the major architectural works of Palladio, and call in for an extended visit to
Palladio's Teatro Olimpico. We have a language class back in Verona in the afternoon.
Thursday 8th May 2008- Mantova
After breakfast our bus takes us on the half hour drive to Mantova. We spend the morning visiting the Palazzo Ducale, home of the Gonzaga family and a world famous collection of art including many works by their court artist Mantegna. If the weather is fine, we'll have a picnic lunch by the lake before, visiting the Gonzaga's summer palace, Palazzo Te, returning to Verona for our language class.
Friday 9th May 2008 Lago di Garda
This morning we check out of our hotel and drive along the shores of Lago di Garda to Trento . Along the way we stop to explore small lakeshore villages such as Sirmione and Lazise before taking a break at Malcesine to visit the castle that juts out into the lake. After lunch and a glass of the local bardolino, our bus collects us and take us on to Trento . Our route hugs the coast of the lake amkng for a beautiful afternoon's drive. No language class today but plenty of
opportunities to keep practising our italiano .
Saturday 10th May 2008 - Trento
After breakfast we set off for Piazza del Duomo, the Duomo and Palazzo Pretorio, one of the seats of the Council of Trent from the days of the Reformation. We also spend time in the Castello Buonconsiglio, which is hosting a special exhibition on the Knights Templar. We spend the afternoon in language class. Tonight we get together for an evening in a typical trattoria di Trento.
Sunday 11th May 2008 Rovereto
In the morning we have our language class, before taking a short bus ride to Rovereto, beloved of Mozart. We visit Rovereto during the Mozart Festival, giving us the chance to attend a concert of Mozart's music in his second home.
Monday 12th May 2008 - Bolzano
We spend the morning polishing our language before heading off to the intriguing town of Bolzano , which may seem more German than Italian. One of the highlights of our afternoon in Bolzano is a visit to the archaeological museum where we meet' Ötzi, the Bronze Age iceman who popped out of the end of a glacier in 1991 after a five thousand year journey. We'll follow up with a discussion of Ötzi in Italian, over dinner in Bolzano .
Tuesday 13th May 2008 Le Dolomiti
This morning we set off for a scenic drive through the Dolomites, stopping from time to time to take in the breathtaking scenery and to watch local artisans at work on their famous woodcarvings. We're planning a long lunch in a mountain top trattoria, before heading back to Trento .
Wednesday 14th May 2008 Bassano del Grappa, Asolo and Marostica
This morning we spend the morning in language lessons before moving on from Trento to Treviso . On the way we stop at a number of quaint towns, including Bassano del Grappa, Asolo (known as the Town of a Thousand Sighs) and Marostica. We arrive in Treviso in plenty of time to check-in to our new hotel and enjoy dinner.
Thursday 15th May 2008 - Treviso
We spend the morning getting to know the small canal city of Treviso . We'll be staying in the mediaeval area of the city so there's plenty to see and do. You can visit the fish market on the island in the middle of the main canal, explore some of the local palazzi, have a coffee in the town square or do some shopping on the excellent and well priced corso . We spend the afternoon in language class.
Friday 16th May 2008 - Padova
We need the best part of the day to visit the fascinating city of Padua . We'll visit Giotto's famous Scrovegni Chapel only twenty-five people allowed at a time and wander through the university quarter that dates back to mediaeval times. There'll be some free time for you to wander round the city in the afternoon before the bus collects us.
Saturday 17th May 2008 - Venezia
We meet early to travel by train to Venice . This is a free day for you to explore the marvels of the most beautiful city on earth. You won't want to miss Palazzo Ducale, San Marco, L'Accademia or the Rialto Bridge but we think the real joy of Venice is just wandering through the narrow calli and seeing what surprise is around the next corner. Your guides will be available to escort you if you wish. We'll meet for a conversation class over drinks before dinner on our last night an Italian only dinner!
Sunday 18th May 2008
Our tour ends this morning. We farewell each other over breakfast.
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