Veneto
Wine + Culture Tour
Next Tours in Veneto
Welcome to Veneto
The Veneto, home to some fantastically good-looking cities such as Venice, Verona and Vicenza, is one of Italy’s top wine producing regions by quantity and quality.
Its diversity should be noted as well — between the refreshing, bubbly Prosecco and the deep baritone Amarone, happily live a few outstanding whites (Soave, Custoza and Lugana), a rosé (Bardolino Chiaretto), enjoyable, fruity reds (Bardolino and Valpolicella) and more voluptuous reds, such as Valpolicella Ripasso. And, one can’t forget the deliciously sweet dessert wines Recioto di Soave and Recioto della Valpolicella, nor the powerful grape-skin brandy Grappa.
This sommelier-led Veneto Wine + Culture Tour introduces you to all of the wines above through a carefully curated itinerary of artisanal and historic wineries. We’ll also see a Palladian Villa or two, hike the terraced prosecco vineyards, enjoy a guided tour of Vicenza and Verona, learn how to make a typical Venetian meal, and relax in a luxurious spa overlooking Lake Garda. You’re already packing your bags, aren’t you?
Veneto Tour Highlights
Each of our tours is designed to offer an authentic experience, where local traditions meet the pleasure of fine wine and rich heritage. From renowned wineries to charming villages, we’ll guide you through the people, places, and flavors that make every destination truly unique.
Taste through the Veneto’s acclaimed and diverse wines through visits to wineries handpicked by your sommelier guide
Visit the charming towns of Asolo, Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza
Visit to a 16th-Century Palladian Villa
Relax in a thermal bath with views of Lake Garda
Hands-on cooking class of Venetian Recipes
Enjoy a private guided tour of Verona, the romantic setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Unesco World Heritage Sites in Veneto
(Starred Sites are on the Veneto wine tour)
Cuisine of the Veneto
Thanks to the legacy of the Venetian Republic and its geographic location, the cuisine of the Veneto is quite varied. Seafood is abundant on the Adriatic and around Lake Garda; Duck, venison and chicken are prevalent inland. Risotto and polenta reign supreme in the Veneto, though pasta such as Venice’s thick spaghetti-like bigoli is still revered.
Radicchio, artichokes, mushrooms and asparagus are frequently featured in dishes. The Veneto is home to delicious cheeses such as Asiago and Taleggio, and various salame. And, dessert? You’re in the home region of tiramisù!
Your Extraordinary Accommodations in the Veneto
Depending on the itinerary, we will stay in two or three hand-picked estates sprinkled throughout the Veneto. From a gorgeous agriturismo in Prosecco wine country to a hip boutique hotel in the heart of Vicenza to a regal villa in the land of Valpolicella, you will love the unique experiences that each offers.
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Veneto Tour Details
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We’ll greet each other with an ebullient buongiorno! at our meeting point in Venice as we board our spacious mini-bus and head to the prosecco hills just north of Venice. The day will start with a visit and tasting at a top winery in Conegliano (one of the three most prestigious prosecco-producing regions in the world). We’ll then enjoy a beautiful al fresco lunch with stunning views. Next, we’ll pop over to another prized winery for prosecco in Valdobbiadene (another famous prosecco region). Just a short drive from there will have us at our home for the next three nights in the charming town of Asolo, known as the pearl of the Veneto. Dinner will be at our hotel.
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head out to see one of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio’s most special villas in the Venetian countryside. It is also an active winery. After touring the villas, we’ll sit down for a wine-paired lunch at their restaurant. Next, we’ll drive to the scenic Bassano del Grappa. After some free time to explore the town, we’ll have a tour and a mini tasting at a distillery that makes the town's potent grape-skin brandy grappa. Dinner will be at a locally-loved restaurant in the city center.
Our third day begins with a drive to Vicenza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to 23 Palladian-designed buildings. You’ll have a guided tour of the city center and then lunch at a wonderful restaurant steps away from the main piazza. We’ll then meet and drive to one of Palladio’s most famous designs for a private residence, Villa Rotonda. Afterward, we will head back to Asolo for some rest and packing before dinner at gourmet restaurant just a short taxi-ride away.
We’ll say goodbye to Asolo this morning and head out west. Before reaching our next hotel, a lovely wine resort surrounded by vineyards, we’ll make a stop in two appellations known for their crisp, mineral-driven white wines: Soave and Gambellara. In each, we will meet a top producer, and have a fantastic al fresco lunch in Soave’s historic city center. There will be some time to settle into our new digs before dinner at a sweet trattoria in a nearby town.
Today serves as a day of well-deserved R&R (Rest and Relaxation). After a leisurely morning, we’ll head to a gorgeous spa overlooking Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. For those who would like to relax in the thermal waters that have been prized since the Romans, there will be a few hours to do so, otherwise you are free to explore the town of Sirmione (technically part of Lombardy). Lunch is on your own today. Back at the hotel, we’ll have time to change and get ready for dinner at a hip restaurant with beautiful views of vineyards and Lake Garda.
Things are getting serious. Today is dedicated to a few grapes that, when processed and aged differently and blended at various ratios, produce six distinct wines: Bardolino Chiaretto, Bardolino, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella. We’ll begin in the Bardolino region at a small winery that specializes in its namesake's light, fruity rosès and reds. For lunch, we will be wined and dined at a world-renowned, historical winery that produces Valpolicella and Amarone. After taking in its spectacular grounds, we’ll head to the vineyards of a truly special producer of Amarone. We’ll stay in the area for a walk and have a hearty meal at a restaurant loved by the locals before heading back to the hotel.
Before we say arrivederci, we’ll head to Verona for a guided tour, taking in the Roman arena, one of the most beautiful town squares in all of Italy, and Juliet’s (of Romeo and Juliet) supposed family home complete with balcony. Following the tour, we’ll have our farewell lunch at a wonderful restaurant in the heart of Verona. Our drop-off will be at Verona’s main train station, Porta Nuova.
We’ll greet each other with an ebullient buongiorno! at our meeting point in Venice as we board our spacious mini-bus and head to the prosecco hills just north of Venice. The day will start with a visit and tasting at a top winery in Conegliano (one of the three most prestigious prosecco-producing regions in the world). We’ll then enjoy a beautiful al fresco lunch with stunning views. Next, we’ll pop over to another prized winery for prosecco in Valdobbiadene (another famous prosecco region). Just a short drive from there will have us at our home for the next three nights in the charming town of Asolo, known as the pearl of the Veneto. Dinner will be at our hotel.
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head out to see one of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio’s most special villas in the Venetian countryside. It is also an active winery. After touring the villas, we’ll sit down for a wine-paired lunch at their restaurant. Next, we’ll drive to the scenic Bassano del Grappa. After some free time to explore the town, we’ll have a tour and a mini tasting at a distillery that makes the town's potent grape-skin brandy grappa. Dinner will be at a locally-loved restaurant in the city center.
Our third day begins with a drive to Vicenza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to 23 Palladian-designed buildings. You’ll have a guided tour of the city center and then lunch at a wonderful restaurant steps away from the main piazza. We’ll then meet and drive to one of Palladio’s most famous designs for a private residence, Villa Rotonda. Afterward, we will head back to Asolo for some rest and packing before dinner at gourmet restaurant just a short taxi-ride away.
We’ll say goodbye to Asolo this morning and head out west. Before reaching our next hotel, a lovely wine resort surrounded by vineyards, we’ll make a stop in two appellations known for their crisp, mineral-driven white wines: Soave and Gambellara. In each, we will meet a top producer, and have a fantastic al fresco lunch in Soave’s historic city center. There will be some time to settle into our new digs before dinner at a sweet trattoria in a nearby town.
Today serves as a day of well-deserved R&R (Rest and Relaxation). After a leisurely morning, we’ll head to a gorgeous spa overlooking Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. For those who would like to relax in the thermal waters that have been prized since the Romans, there will be a few hours to do so, otherwise you are free to explore the town of Sirmione (technically part of Lombardy). Lunch is on your own today. Back at the hotel, we’ll have time to change and get ready for dinner at a hip restaurant with beautiful views of vineyards and Lake Garda.
Things are getting serious. Today is dedicated to a few grapes that, when processed and aged differently and blended at various ratios, produce six distinct wines: Bardolino Chiaretto, Bardolino, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella. We’ll begin in the Bardolino region at a small winery that specializes in its namesake's light, fruity rosès and reds. For lunch, we will be wined and dined at a world-renowned, historical winery that produces Valpolicella and Amarone. After taking in its spectacular grounds, we’ll head to the vineyards of a truly special producer of Amarone. We’ll stay in the area for a walk and have a hearty meal at a restaurant loved by the locals before heading back to the hotel.
Before we say arrivederci, we’ll head to Verona for a guided tour, taking in the Roman arena, one of the most beautiful town squares in all of Italy, and Juliet’s (of Romeo and Juliet) supposed family home complete with balcony. Following the tour, we’ll have our farewell lunch at a wonderful restaurant in the heart of Verona. Our drop-off will be at Verona’s main train station, Porta Nuova.
Double Occupancy
$ 6,000 / Person
Single Supplement
$ 1,300
Inclusions
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Accompanying sommelier guide for the entire tour
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Comfortable Transportation + Driver from our meeting point to our farewell for all group activities
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6 Nights accommodations at boutique hotels with Breakfast
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All meals (except one) with sommelier-selected wine at top restaurants in the region
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All wine tastings + guided activities (special events, private tours, guest experts, entrance fees, etc.)
Exclusions
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Flight to Italy
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Travel expenses before and after the tour period
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Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
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Anything not specified as being included (If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!)
Requirements
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You must be 21+ years of age.
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You must be in good physical condition as your trip will involve walking, hiking, and other physical activities.
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You must sign La Dolce Vigna’s travel agreement.
Tour Details
A couple of months before the wine tour, you’ll receive a confirmed itinerary for the tour. Throughout the year, you will also receive helpful info such as tips on what to pack, a reading list, and articles related to the Veneto.
Deposit + Cancellation Policy
A deposit of $1500 per person is required at the time of booking to guarantee your space. Balance of the full amount is due 90 days prior the tour start date. If there are still spots available less than 90 days prior to the tour start date, the full sum will be due upon booking.
All cancellations must be received in writing. If made 90 days or more prior to the tour start date, a refund less the deposit will be made. If made between 89-31 days prior to the start date, you will be issued a credit in the amount of 50% of the total cost already paid, less the deposit and any and all costs/fees that La Dolce Vigna, LLC has already paid third party vendors, such as room reservations, etc., towards future trips or services. No refunds will be made for cancellations made 30 days or less prior to the tour start date, nor for a cancellation made during the tour.
All clients are urged to book travel insurance for their trip as we unfortunately cannot make exceptions for inclement weather or personal emergencies.
La Dolce Vigna reserves the right to cancel a tour. In this unlikely situation, you would receive a complete refund of your tour fees. La Dolce Vigna will not assume any other liability and is not responsible for any personal expenses as a result of a tour cancellation, such as airline tickets or personal hotel reservations.
Meet Your Guide: Leslie Rosa
Meet Your Guide: Leslie Rosa
Sommelier + Owner of La Dolce Vigna
After a decade of working in the art world for eminent institutions and artists in New York and London, I moved to Italy, fell in love with the diversity of Italian wine and became a certified sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommelier. As an art-curator-turned-sommelier, I founded my company to offer trips that give an in-depth look at the history and culture of a particular region through the lens of local wine, spirits, and food. Over the years, my portfolio of trips has grown from Italy and California to include other places I love: Mendoza, Argentina and Oaxaca, Mexico and now Somerset, England. When not leading tours, you can find me doing pop-up wine tastings, writing for the Slow Wine Guide, or getting lost someplace beautiful with my watercolor set.
La Dolce Vigna Difference
Our tours are always limited to a maximum of 12 people to assure you an intimate experience.
You will always have a certified sommelier guide to answer all of your wine-related questions on the road.
Our tours are centered around small, eco-conscious, family-run wineries that make truly outstanding wine, and are packed with cultural insights.
Be prepared to eat. A lot. We've picked out amazing spots for you, from the small, loved-by-locals osteria to the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Depending on the season and local events, we will custom organize the best and most insider experience for each group.
Rest assured that your tour price includes all meals (except one), activities, hotels, transportation from the moment we meet until our fond farewell.
For those of you who have been on other group tours, you know what we're talking about. Part of living la dolce vigna is taking the time to truly savor your experiences and surroundings. We've built in time for you to do just that at your own pace and on your own terms. Long live slow travel!
Besides helping local, artisanal economies through visiting small wine and food producers, eating at traditional trattorie and staying at boutique hotels, a donation on behalf of each individual that takes one of our tours will be made to 10,000 Gardens in Africa, a Slow Food initiative aimed at cultivating sustainable and healthy communities throughout Africa.
Looking for a Private Wine Tour of Italy?
Look no further! In addition to our intimate group tours, La Dolce Vigna curates private wine tours—with or without a guide—based on your dates, travel style and interests. We will open the doors to authentic experiences complete with exceptional food and wine, colorful personalities, warm hospitality, not-to-be-missed cultural sites and many, many photo-worthy moments. (Trust us.)
La Dolce Vigna's Adventures Abroad
