Trip Overview
The Veneto is a region shaped by water, and for centuries water was its highway. Before trains and cars, the rivers and canals that connect Treviso, Venice, and Padua were the trade routes that made this one of the wealthiest corners of Europe. This journey follows those routes by foot, by boat, and by private transfer, through three cities that grew up around water and still carry the marks of it in their architecture, their street plans, and their daily life.
You'll begin your journey in Treviso, a walled city where two rivers meet and canals thread through the medieval center. As you stroll along grassy banks and under the shade of weeping willows, you'll pass a fish market that has opened every morning since 1856. A private guide will escort you through the Duomo, the Piazza dei Signori, and the frescoed churches by Tomaso da Modena and share the fascinating history before you continue on to the next water world.
From Treviso, you'll transfer to Venice and arrive by private water taxi, and your guide will take you through St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, then past the crowds into the narrow passageways and quiet campos where the real Venice lives and breathes. The next morning, you'll board a Burchiello boat and cruise the Riviera del Brenta, the canal where Venetian nobles built their summer villas in the 1700s. Many were designed by Andrea Palladio, and you'll have the option to tour three of them before arriving in Padova.
Padua (Padova) is a historic university city, home to a university founded in 1222 where Galileo once lectured. Your guide will take you to the Scrovegni Chapel, whose fresco cycle by Giotto, completed in 1305, is regarded as one of the finest works of European painting. You'll also visit the Basilica of St. Anthony and walk Prato della Valle, the largest square in Italy. Shakespeare set The Taming of the Shrew in Padua, and you'll understand why once you explore the city. Throughout the trip, you'll stay in the historic centers of each city, with private transfers and local English-speaking guides included.
This water journey of Veneto takes you from Treviso's bustling fish market to Giotto's frescoes, Palladian villas on the Brenta River, and a water taxi ride into Venice. Contact our expert team, who can help bring your vacation to these three Italian water cities to life.
Highlights
- Discover three water-world cities, all based in the Veneto region of Italy, Treviso, Venice, and Padova. on a 6-day cultural immersion tour with Dolomite Mountains
- Explore Treviso, the walled Città d'Acque, where canals weave through medieval streets and a fish market has run since 1856
- Private guided tour of Venice, including St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and the labyrinth of alleyways most tourists never reach
- Cruise the Riviera del Brenta on a Burchiello boat past Palladian villas, with optional tours of Villa Foscari and Villa Pisani
- Visit Padova's Scrovegni Chapel, home to Giotto's fresco cycle completed in 1305, and the Basilica of St. Anthony
- Walk Prato della Valle, Padova’s monumental 88,620-square-meter square and one of the largest in Italy and Europe
- Relax for 5 nights in excellent, hand-selected 4-star hotels in Treviso, Venice, and Padova
Day By Day
Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.
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Day 1
Hotel in Treviso
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Day 2
Hotel in Treviso (B)
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Day 3
Hotel in Venice (B)
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Day 4
Hotel in Padova (B)
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Day 5
Hotel in Padova (B)
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Day 6
Accommodation
Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.
About Our Accommodations Beyond the Dolomites
At Dolomite Mountains, we handpick accommodations that best reflect the style of each region to provide you with the most authentic experience of the unique cultures found in the different cities and towns where we travel. We work directly with the owners of each property, forging strong relationships to ensure you receive the best service and care during your stay. Regardless of whether it is a five-star luxury hotel or a cozy bed and breakfast you desire, we choose the best-in-class accommodations within each category, providing you stays at the most sought-after hotels in each region. And we always make sure you have access to inspired, regional cuisine!
At Dolomite Mountains, we handpick accommodations that best reflect the style of each region to provide you with the most authentic experience of the unique cultures found in the different cities and towns where we travel. We work directly with the owners of each property, forging strong relationships to ensure you receive the best service and care during your stay. Regardless of whether it is a five-star luxury hotel or a cozy bed and breakfast you desire, we choose the best-in-class accommodations within each category, providing you stays at the most sought-after hotels in each region. And we always make sure you have access to inspired, regional cuisine!
About Dolomite Mountains Luxury Trips
On Dolomite Mountains Luxury Trips, we invite you to discover hidden gems and experience the authenticity of Northern Italy. Embark on a journey through ancient lands and spectacular landscapes – around the edges of the Dolomite Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uncover the treasures tucked away in small hamlets, medieval castles, and ancestral monasteries. Explore away from the classic tourist routes, and delve into unexpected landscapes, cultures, artistic treasures, architectural wonders, and incredible cuisine. Absorb the colors, flavors, and breathtaking scenery of Northern Italy. Lifestyle at its best.Our Luxury Trips are full of options to ensure the trip you choose best fits your travel style. Select a guided trip, and enjoy private transfers and a dedicated guide throughout your entire journey. Or choose a self-guided itinerary, where you’ll have local city guides at each destination but will enjoy private transfers all the way. More adventurous? Use your own vehicle, and take the self-guided version of this trip! You’ll still have the benefit of local guides at each destination, but you'll have the freedom to explore the countryside from behind the wheel.
Cost
All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.
Prices for this trip are on request. Please contact us for a quotation.
Important to note:
Take to the skies for an aerial look at the spectacular Dolomite Mountains, and make memories to last a lifetime! Whether on a panoramic sightseeing ride or an airport transfer, you'll appreciate a bird's eye view of the stunning scenery aboard state-of-the-art single-engine helicopters. With over 30 years in operation, our experienced pilots and ground crew employ the utmost safety standards, quality, and service. Contact us for a quotation.
Rides are weather dependent. Heli-transfers from/to airports require advanced reservation. In-resort rides can be reserved with shorter notice.
Important to note:
- There is a high-season surcharge from July 12 to September 6.
- Prices may increase between the time of quotation and booking. Your Dolomite Mountains consultant will inform you of any changes.
Take to the skies for an aerial look at the spectacular Dolomite Mountains, and make memories to last a lifetime! Whether on a panoramic sightseeing ride or an airport transfer, you'll appreciate a bird's eye view of the stunning scenery aboard state-of-the-art single-engine helicopters. With over 30 years in operation, our experienced pilots and ground crew employ the utmost safety standards, quality, and service. Contact us for a quotation.
Rides are weather dependent. Heli-transfers from/to airports require advanced reservation. In-resort rides can be reserved with shorter notice.
Cost Includes:
- Trip briefing
- Logistics and maps of the area
- Private transfers as per itinerary
- Luggage transfer
- 2 nights accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Treviso
- 1 night accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Venice
- 2 nights accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Padova
- All breakfasts
- Local English-speaking guide (guided trips)
- Local English-speaking private tour guide for 3 days (Treviso, Venice, and Padova, 2 hours per day)
- local English-speaking shared tour guide during the Burchiello cruise from Venice to Padova
- An €18 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral
- Italian VAT tax
Itinerary in Pictures
Three Water-World Cities of the Veneto: Treviso, Venice & Padova: Discover three water-shaped cities of the Veneto on a six-day cultural journey through Treviso, Venice, and Padova. Explore historic canals and markets, cruise the Riviera del Brenta by Burchiello boat, and uncover world-class art, architecture, elegant villas, and centuries of history with local guides.
Area Map
