LIVE THE DREAM

Whether you approach this enchanting city by land or sea, your first glimpse of Venice will take your breath away. Once a powerful maritime republic which ruled supreme over Mediterranean trade routes, Venice continues to conquer visitors from far and wide drawing them into her net. Get ready for your capture on this entrancing orientation tour. Your private guide will meet you at your accommodation and lead you on a trail through Venice’s exquisite tracery of waterways and lacework facades, animated with true tales and snippets about the places you pass.

Venice is an archipelago of one hundred and eighteen tiny islands probably first inhabited by refugees escaping from nearby Roman cities, such as Padua, Treviso and Altino, during the Barbarian invasions in the 5th century AD. The city grew under the influence of Byzantium, flourished in the Middle Ages and reached the peak of its splendour during the Renaissance when it became a thriving commercial, cultural and artistic hub.

Make your way to St. Mark’s Square, once the heart of Venice’s political and religious life and today the main tourist attraction of this fabulous floating city. When you reach this wonderful piazza you will be standing in what Napoleon called “the finest salon in Europe” which does indeed appear to be a stunning hall of stone lined with remarkable historic buildings: the Basilica in all its Byzantine glory; the Renaissance clock tower proclaiming the city’s unrivalled wealth and prestige; the elegant arcades of the Procuratie; Sansovino’s ornate Loggetta; the Doge’s Palace, presiding regally over the Serenissima.

Located at the eastern end of the square, St. Mark’s Basilica was originally the doges’ personal place of worship. It was not until 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, that this private chapel was converted into the city’s cathedral, and henceforth became a public marvel for all to enjoy. Step inside to hear how the construction of the building one thousand years ago was intricately bound up with a theft and the survivors of a storm at sea. The church’s magnificently decorated interior, with its marble inlays, finely carved capitals, jewel-studded altarpiece and, above all, glimmering mosaics covering 8,000 square metres of vaults and domes is an uplifting spectacle that never fails to impress.

Intriguing tales of scandal and conspiracies await you inside the Doge’s Palace, the former residence of the Venetian rulers and a feat of Gothic architecture. Follow your guide through the splendid marble courtyard, up the gold-vaulted staircase, past the doges’ private apartments into the Hall of the Great Council. Here, you will gain a better understanding of the city’s political institutions and take a close look at the priceless works of art by local painters that embellish the walls. An allegorical depiction of the Triumph of Venice by Veronese will draw your gaze to the ceiling while on the wall behind the doge’s throne you will see one of the widest canvas paintings in the world, the Paradise, created by Jacopo Tintoretto and his son Domenico between 1588 and 1592. To this duo we also owe the portraits of Venice’s first 76 doges represented on the frieze that runs beneath the ceiling. A macabre tale will explain why one of these paintings has been replaced with a black veil.

Grand monuments, graceful sculptures and decorative reliefs will amaze you as you saunter across the city’s squares and wander through its maze of narrow alleys, over fairy-tale bridges, along its celebrated canals. Busy workshops and bustling markets are as much a part of the Venetian cityscape as its elegant palazzi and pretty courtyards. A visit to the lively Rialto quarter, for almost 1,000 years the financial and commercial heart of the Serenissima, will let you feel the pulse of daily life in Venice, both past and present. Indeed from here it only takes a tiny step of the imagination to glimpse the sights and scents of exotic wares and oriental spices that merchants of old would have traded on this very spot. As you feast your eyes on brightly coloured displays of succulent, seasonal produce and a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood, your guide will paint a vivid picture of the scene in medieval times, when this site was Europe’s most important business centre.

In the afternoon, following lunch and time at leisure, reach the dock, hop aboard a gondola and soak up the charm and unique atmosphere of Venice on a magical ride with your private gondolier. While you glide along the shimmering waters of the city’s enchanting canals, the breathtaking views of the lagoon may seem like aspects of a dream… but this is a reverie come true.

After the gondola ride spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Leave the tourist bustle of the city centre and sail off to explore two of the most popular Venetian islands on a half-day boat excursion. As repositories of the lagoon’s centuries-old traditions and manufacturing heritage, Murano and Burano play an essential role in your Venice experience. Don’t miss the chance to discover the history and customs of these magical islands and plunge into their timeless, dream-like atmosphere.

After breakfast meet your private guide and water chauffeur at your hotel and reach the first port of call on your lagoon excursion: Murano. Its 5,500 residents are proud guardians of the island’s long and still-thriving tradition dating back to 1291, when glass artisans were forced to move their kilns here from Venice because of fire risks. In a city of predominantly wooden buildings the profusion of glass-fusing ovens posed a constant threat. However this wasn’t the only reason that led Venice’s officials to relocate glass makers to Murano. Fear that the secrets of the trade might become known to potential rivals was just as dangerous, and possibly more so, than fires. By confining glass workers to a remote island, the republic sought to control glass production and trade and, most of all, to ensure that glass making techniques would remain a Venetian monopoly. The art of glass making helped publicise the island’s fame worldwide and it was the talented masters working here who produced the first Venetian crystal. This delicate, elegant material was highly prized and techniques of the craft were closely guarded secrets, the betrayal of which was once punishable by death. Today, however, you are free to watch glass blowers at work and see for yourself at close quarters how these Venetian craftspeople deftly pull from the furnace and model a dazzling array of splendid artefacts employing skills passed down through generations. These include wine stoppers, jewelry, vases, chandeliers and so much more.

After a pleasant walk in Murano rejoin your water chauffeur and set off for Burano, a quiet fishing village of about 2,300 residents, well known for its lace making industry. The origins of Venetian lace are lost in the mists of time. Legend has it that a fisherman went out to sea a few days before his wedding and encountered a group of mermaids while fishing. So love-stricken with his betrothed was he that the mermaids’ charms and songs failed to bewitch him. Impressed with the young man’s utter devotion, the mermaids decided to reward him with a magnificent piece of cloth embroidered by the froth of the waves. On their wedding day the fisherman gave the cloth to his delighted bride who immediately set about creating another similar piece of cloth… and that’s how the famed Burano lace was born.

Here you will admire a range of lovingly handcrafted goods including doilies, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, wedding veils and babies’ booties expertly woven by lace artisans using the same techniques as their ancestors in the 1600s, which is when Burano’s popularity spread across Europe. Intricate and beautifully stitched Burano lace creations were in high demand with nobles and royalties as attested by portrait paintings of illustrious personalities wearing outlandishly fancy lace finery. It is said that King Louis XIV wore a Burano lace collar for his coronation and the inventory of the English Queen Elizabeth I’s wardrobe provides evidence of her love of Venetian lace.

The striking polychrome homes of the islanders and the shifting hues reflected in the water are another typical feature of this uncannily beautiful spot which has long attracted landscape artists. The tradition of painting houses in highly-saturated hues may well be related to the island’s history as a fishing village. The bright colours which once helped fishermen to navigate through the fog and find their way back home are today a life-size canvas beckoning the modern visitor into the frame.

After a tranquil morning on these charming islands, you’ll be ready to cruise back to the hectic flurry of Venice again. Happy sailing!

In the afternoon, following lunch and time at leisure, click your way through Venice on a private photo walk. Under the guidance of an expert photographer you will polish your skills and capture fleeting impressions of this magical, floating city. Venice is awash with irresistible views begging to be caught through your lens. The fabulous architecture, dream-like atmosphere and ever-changing light playing on its waters make the city a treasure trove for adventurous picture seekers. Participants will have the opportunity to fine-tune their technical skills, stretch their creativity and pick up tricks for a masterly shot.

This activity can be customised to suit the needs, interests and level of expertise of all participants. Budding photographers, amateurs, veterans or curious new-comers to the art of photography will enjoy a revealing experience – whatever their knowledge – as they immortalize the unrepeatable moments of a delightful afternoon in Venice. Your photographer-tutor will explain how weather conditions can affect the quality of an image, show how diverse perspectives generate a variety of moods and feelings, teach you the basic rules of composition as well as offer encouragement to break them, when necessary, to obtain a powerful image.

You will be led past some of Venice’s most enchanting settings and, by using light as your paint brush, sketch your en plein air impressions of this ethereal city of water and stone. While you wander through the exquisite tracery of calli and picturesque campielli, across fairy-tale bridges, past lacework facades, your photographer will illuminate your path by pointing out captivating details and turning the spotlight onto the city’s lesser-known areas. From behind the lens of your camera you will glimpse off-the-beaten-path locations and peek into the city’s unique spirit. A lasting collection of Venetian memories for your holiday album is the souvenir you will take home with you.

After the experience return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast and check out your private water chauffeur will pick you up at your hotel and transport you to Piazzale Roma. From here a 1-hour 20-minute drive will bring you to Ferrara. Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point ready to accompany you on a journey back in time to the city’s age of splendour.

The history of Ferrara is inextricably linked to the reign of the powerful Este family, who governed the city from 1242 to 1597. As passionate art lovers, collectors and patrons, the enlightened members of the Este dynasty attracted some of the most prominent talents of their time, fostering the development of schools of painting, ambitious city plans, chivalric literature and music, thus paving the way for Ferrara to become a thriving cultural hub. Masters such as Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini and Piero della Francesca took up residence at the court of Ferrara, while the city’s university, founded as far back as 1391, drew academics and scholars of the calibre of Ludovico Ariosto, Copernicus and Paracelsus.

As you explore the historic centre, you will certainly notice its beautifully preserved Renaissance urban fabric. We owe Ferrara’s present appearance to the genius of architect Biagio Rossetti who was entrusted with the planning of Ferrara’s expansion by Duke Ercole I d’Este in 1484. The resulting “Erculean Addition” is reputed to be among the most outstanding examples of Renaissance urban design, and has, since 1995, earned Ferrara a place among UNESCO’s Heritages Sites.

The trail will lead you past the striking Palazzo dei Diamanti, a true masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. The building derives its name from the 8,500 marble ashlars jutting from its facades, carved in the shape of precious stones. According to legend, an authentic diamond, placed here by Ercole I and taken from his own crown, is still hidden within the walls of the palazzo. It is said that the Duke’s master builder, the sole repository of his lord’s secret, had his tongue removed and his eyes put out to ensure that the jewel would remain concealed forever. A little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing!

Amble along Corso Ercole I D’Este and reach the city’s most famous landmark, the imposing Estense Castle. In 1385, following a vehement uprising against tax increases, Niccolò II d’Este was urged to erect mighty defences to protect himself and his family from their subjects. Originally built as a military fortress, the castle was later turned into a magnificent princely residence and embellished with roof terraces, marble balustrades, sumptuous frescoes and a Renaissance-style courtyard. The sound of horses’ hooves, the clang of knights’ armour and the clink of prisoners’ chains still resonate as you cross the drawbridge over the medieval moat. The kitchen, private apartments, chapel and prison cells are still on view to the public allowing visitors a unique glimpse into the daily life and hidden intrigues of the royal court. Your guide will show you around the halls and animate your visit with gripping tales of ill-fated lovers, ambitious rulers and vengeful conspirators who played out their destinies within these walls.

A leisurely stroll will allow you to discover many of Ferrara’s picture-postcard landmarks: Piazza Duomo, graced by the stunning Gothic-Romanesque Cathedral of St. George; Piazza Trento e Trieste, for eight hundred years the heart of the city’s social and commercial life; the Palazzo Municipale, the Este family’s former residence and today the seat of the Town Hall. Not to be missed are also the characteristic arched alleys, fascinating survivors of medieval Ferrara.

After the tour and free time for lunch rejoin your driver and reach your hotel in Bologna where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Enjoy the best of Bologna on this hands-on cooking class. Gourmands will discover the city’s tastiest secrets and find out why Bologna has rightfully gained the uncontested reputation as Italy’s gastronomic capital.

Your day begins with a visit to one of the city’s food markets. Here you will become familiar with the daily rituals of the locals, shop for the ingredients needed for the cooking class and stop along the way to taste several delicacies. As you amble past the stalls brimming with endless rows of fresh produce, cheese and charcuterie, your teacher will explain the origins of the products that you see and show you how to select prime quality, seasonal ingredients.

Next, make your way through Bologna’s winding streets and reach your host’s kitchen. In a relaxing atmosphere, under her watchful, friendly eye, you will learn how to concoct a delicious Italian meal using simple, reliable techniques. Depending on the day of the week, the season and the personal taste of her guests, recipes might consist of traditional Bolognese platters, classic Emilian specialities reinterpreted with your instructor’s very own creative twist or other Italian regional dishes.

After the cooking class take a seat around the dinner table and feast on the meal you just prepared… Buon appetito!

In the afternoon explore Bologna’s historic centre and discover the city’s rich cultural legacy on a private guided tour. Bologna’s origins date back to the Etruscan era but this centre grew and flourished in the Middle Ages when a burgeoning economy led to a steady expansion and a series of towers, erected by wealthy families wishing to make a show of their prestige, sprouted across the city. Approximately one hundred of them looked out on Bologna in the 13th century and twenty-two still stand guard today. Your guide will lead you on a carefully planned trail past arcaded walkways, basilicas, palazzi and case-torri that together make up one of the country’s finest medieval cityscapes.

A multifaceted city, Bologna has earned many epithets: “la Rossa” (The Red) refers to the red terracotta bricks of its buildings and to the city’s left-wing political stance; “la Dotta” (The Learned) as it is home to the world’s oldest university, founded in 1088, which boasts a long list of famous students and professors; “la Grassa” (The Well-Fed), a nod to the city’s celebrated cuisine, internationally-renowned for its tortellini, ragu sauce and charcuterie. Popular song lyrics have nicknamed the city “la Vecchia Signora” (The Old Lady) since Bologna sags with history from every corner and one may still feel, see and touch its ancient texture.

The imposing 16th century bronze statue of Neptune welcomes visitors to Piazza Nettuno and the adjoining Piazza Maggiore, the very heart of Bologna, where the most important events in the history of the city unfolded over the last eight hundred years. Your guide will point out the amazingly well-preserved medieval structures which were once the seat of government, city hall, notaries’ guild and banking centre. This square was witness to a series of happenings, both glorious and gory – from an imperial incoronation to public executions – about which you will learn as you pause here.

The majestic Basilica of San Petronio, dedicated to the city’s patron saint and one of the world’s largest Christian churches, dominates the piazza. Construction began in the late 1300s and, although it took three centuries to gain its present appearance, it is still – beautifully – incomplete, as evidenced by its facade, half marble and half brick. Don’t miss the bas-reliefs that frame the main portal, representing prophets and biblical stories, as well as a lunette with a Madonna and Child, Saint Ambrose and Saint Petronius, all the work of Renaissance sculptor Jacopo della Quercia. Step inside to admire the church’s richly decorated chapels and marvel at the achievements of astronomer Giovanni Cassini who designed the longest indoor sundial in the world. This 67-metre-long time device, created in the mid-17th century, still indicates the solar noon throughout the year with astounding accuracy.

A leisurely stroll through the centro storico will allow you to discover many of Bologna’s iconic landmarks, including the Archiginnasio, the former seat of the university, and the monumental monastic complex of Santo Stefano, famous for its labyrinth of intercommunicating churches, originally designed to symbolically reproduce a journey through the sites of Christ’s passion. Not to be missed are also the stunning leaning Towers of Asinelli and Garisenda, which have been looming over the city since the 12th century.

As you make your way through the city’s maze of streets you will certainly notice a famous feature of Bologna’s cityscape – its porticoes. Thirty-eight kilometres of covered sidewalks shelter visitors on rainy days and were originally built with the aim of allowing extra room to be added to the buildings’ second storeys without having to occupy public outdoor spaces.

After the tour spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Get ready for your rendezvous with the Prancing Horse and the Raging Bull on this full-day excursion to the Motor Valley. You will learn all about the triumphs and revolutionary innovations of two of Italy’s most celebrated automotive myths and experience the excitement of driving a Ferrari.

Meet your private driver in Bologna and set off for Maranello. Here, on a private tour led by an official guide from the Ferrari Museum, you will get to know the history behind this famous sports car brand, from its founding in 1947, through the creative and engineering developments of the following decades, to the recent victories of its Formula One racing cars. You will also hear about the life of Ferrari’s creator, the automotive visionary Enzo Ferrari. Born in Modena in 1898, Mr Ferrari devoted his entire life to designing and building sports cars. He discovered his passion for racing at the age of 10, when his father took him to watch a competition at a motor racing circuit in Bologna. Rejected as an employee by FIAT, Enzo Ferrari did not admit defeat and ended up developing his very own racing cars which would become one of the world’s most sought after sports car brands, a symbol of luxury and affluence for generations of drivers. A stubborn, ambitious, successful entrepreneur, Enzo Ferrari is known for his inspiring and provocative statements: “If you can dream it, you can do it”; “No one remembers who took second place and that will never be me”; “Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win”.

On display you will see exclusive creations for track and road together with engines, trophies, photographs and memorabilia relating to the motor racing industry. The museum also hosts a Ferrari store selling official merchandise, including clothing for men, women and children, model cars, mugs and caps.

Next, it’s time to slip into the driver’s seat of a Ferrari, buckle your belt and live your long-wished-for Italian dream. After a technical briefing with an instructor, you will have the opportunity to test drive a Ferrari. Enjoy the riveting sensation of driving through the streets of Maranello behind the steering wheel of this iconic, epoch-making motorsport legend. Your instructor will sit next to you on the passenger seat throughout the test drive so as to ensure a safe, smooth experience.

After some free time for lunch in the quaint town of Castelvetro di Modena, head for the Lamborghini plant. The history of Lamborghini Automobili officially began in 1963 when audacious entrepreneur Ferruccio Lamborghini debuted at the Turin Motor Show with his ground-breaking 350 GTV. Since then the creations of this trend-setting manufacturer have been enthusing the world of super sports cars with their cutting-edge design and exquisite craftsmanship. Lamborghinis need to be instantly recognisable so Mr Lamborghini devised a simple but effective method to evaluate the impact his cars had on the public as he drove along: if people at the sides of the road did not turn around in astonishment and admiration, it meant the car was simply not attractive enough. He also had the idea of naming his models after breeds of fighting bulls – aggressive, dynamic and intrepid, just like his cars.

Car lovers will visit the original factory founded by Ferruccio in Sant’Agata Bolognese and find out how Lamborghini cars are made. A guided group tour will lead you across the assembly line of the Huracán, past the production line of the V12 engine and Aventador, right to the upholstery department. As you will have the chance to see, every single detail, from the chassis to the gearbox, from the suspensions to the leather seats, is forged with passion, finesse and the utmost precision. Once the tour is over, you may independently explore the museum, which features a small but amazing collection of vehicles, including the exclusive Asterion, the few-off Centenario and vintage models.

Relax on the return ride to your accommodation in Bologna after your magical motoring experience.

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver outside your hotel and head for the airport, train station or your next travel destination.