Things to do in

Padua

In ancient times, Padua and Venice were connected by typical river boats called Burchiello®. The wooden boats featured elegant cabins and 3 or 4 balconies, and were driven by the wind or oars, before being drawn by horses from Fusina to Padua. Recreate this journey on a full-day mini cruise from the heart of Padua to Venice San Marco. Departing from the historical Burchiello® Stairway at Portello, you will cruise along the original course of the 18th-century Venetian Burchielli, passing the gorgeous Villa Giovanelli at Noventa Padovana. Relax on board the luxury boat, with open-air deck to soak up the views. Disembark at Stra for a guided tour of Villa Pisani, the grandest villa of the Brenta Riviera. Continue towards Dolo, looking at historic illustrations of the different villas seen from the river. Pass through Dolo Lock and on towards Mira. Just past Mira Lock you will stop at Villa Widmann for a guided tour of the 18th-century mansion that belonged to a noble family of Persian origin. Cruise to Oriago, where you will stop for lunch in the historic Il Burchiello Restaurant. Next, navigate to Malcontenta, cruising past villas, villages and swing bridges. Upon arrival in Malcontenta, stop to explore one last villa; the regal Villa Foscari. Located on the edge of the lagoon, it was within easy access of Venice for its powerful Venetian owner. Finally, cruise through the Moranzani Lock to journey across the lagoon, and dock at San Marco Riva degli Schiavoni at the “Pontile della Pietà” landing stage.

Discover Padua’s famous locations while playing the role of a supernatural traveler trying to uncover the use of magic in the city. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. After you book a game, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. Head to Prato della Valle, where the game will start. It will take you between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete, but there’s no time limit, so feel free to explore and finish it at your own pace. Pause the game and resume at any time from the location where you paused it. You will finish the game at the famous Bo Palace. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to download and play the city game on their phone. Alternatively, each person can make their own purchase. You can play on your own, in a large group or in several smaller groups that compete against each other and meet at the final stop of the game.

Discover a jewel of the European Renaissance on a full-day tour of Verona, with round-trip transfers from a host of locations in Lake Garda, including Limone, Lazise and Riva del Garda. Following a transfer by air-conditioned coach, discover a clear example of a city that has developed progressively without interruption over 2,000 years. Admire artistic elements of the highest quality from different periods, including the ever-present contributions of the Scaligeri family. Upon arrival, take a short walk into the city center, where a local guide will take you to the Verona Arena. See one of the finest Roman theaters still in use in existence anywhere in the world. Continue to the Square of Lords (Piazza dei Signori) and Square of Herbs (Piazza Erbe), before going to Juliet's House to see messages of love written by visitors from around the world. You will also go to the Castelvecchio and see the tombs of the Scala family (Arche Scaligere). Look at the Ponte Pietra, a Roman arch bridge that spans the Adige River. Then, enjoy some free time for some retail therapy on one of the most elegant streets in Italy. Stroll down the Via Mazzini and window shop (or max out your credit cards) before your return transfer to Lake Garda.

Take a City Sightseeing tour of Padua and hop on and off the bus at your leisure, at stops conveniently located along the route. Don’t miss a chance to see the famous Basilica of St. Anthony with its impressive Romanesque architecture and the Gothic-style aisles and eastern apse that were added in the 13th century. Visit the University of Padua, where you can learn about the history of the city and see some of the most interesting areas of this historic institution. Hop back on the bus and head to Piazza delle Erbe, which is overlooked by the Palazzo della Ragione. The palazzo, dating from 1218, was the ancient seat of the city courts. Note the roof that’s shaped like the hull of an upside-down ship. The piazza hosts a vegetable market by day, and by night it comes alive with locals enjoying refreshments at the cafés. Starting point: Stop 1 Duration: 60 minutes Frequency: Every 60 minutes

Join an Italian Sommelier on this special 8-hour trip to small prestigious vineyards in the Valpolicella Valley. Discover the best Amarone and other quality Valpolicella wines, and sample the local cuisine in a beautiful atmosphere. On this tour, you will drive through a landscape of classical villas, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and orchards. Pick-ups are available from Venice, Verona, or Padua, and each tour starts with a visit to a typical cantina, set in a 15th-century building. Drive along tiny roads that wind through the vineyards. Enjoy tastings of Valpolicella’s classic wines - Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella, Amarone, and Recioto. Each wine will be paired with cheese, selected by the vineyard owner and your guide, who is a sommelier and master cheese taster. Next, take a scenic drive to a typical restaurant, for a light lunch with tradional dishes and wine. After lunch, visit a second cantina, where the grapes for Amarone and Recioto are withered before vinification. After a short visit to the vineyard and winery, taste some more famous wines for a chance to compare the differences and similarities of the two different producers.

A spritz walk is an ideal way to experience the Italian apertivio while exploring some of the most characteristic areas of the city. Where better to enter the world of the spritz than Padova, the birthplace of Aperol 100 years ago. You'll meet your expert local guide in Piazza delle Erbe to begin your spritz walk. From there you will discover Padova like a local as you stroll through the charming main squares and narrow cobblestone streets. Throughout your experience you'll enjoy two stops at two unique locations. At each stop you will taste an authentic version of the Italian spritz, served with traditional local finger food such as cheese, prosciutto, olives, and foccaccia. Your tour tour will eventually wrap up with your guide providing some suggestions on recommended restaurants in Padova.

This tour of the Prosecco hills takes you northeast of Venice through the countryside near Valdobbiane. On this tour you will have the opportunity to visit the lush green hills of the Prosecco winegrowing region that included the town of Valdobbiane, Conegliano, and Vittorio Veneto. Admire the beautiful scenery of the steep hills covered by vineyards and framed by the nearby Dolomite Mountains. Discover one of the most famous sparkling wines produced in Italy well known for its fruity aromas and its charming unpretentiousness. In this picturesque winegrowing region you will visit one of the top wine producers, where you can learn about the traditional production methods and enjoy a guided wine tasting. The tour then stops for lunch at one of the most historic Frasche (simple rustic trattorias) specializing in simple local cuisine. You will then continue on your journey, stopping to visit a second cantina to experience the small, family-run wine production that is so important to this area, followed by a wine tasting.

Head out on a full-day cruise beginning in Venice. Sail among the ancient and beautiful villas of the region, pass by 9 swing bridges and through 5 locks, and arriving in Padua in the evening. After meeting with your guide, begin a cruise toward the Brenta Riviera. Along the way you will see various villas lining the water. Keep going until you arrive in Fusina, passing through the Moranzani Lock with rising of the water level. Stop at Malcontenta for the internal guided tour of Villa Foscari, La Malcontenta. Then continue on past villages and swing bridges. In the early afternoon, you will arrive in Oriago. Here you will stop at the famous restaurant, Il Burchiello, where you have the option of a discounted lunch. Next, cruise to Villa Widmann in Mira and stop for a guided tour of Villa Widmann, before continuing on to pass through the Mira and Dolo locks. Arrive in Stra and tour Villa Pisani, then pass through the Stra and Noventa Padovana locks. Go by the gorgeous and suggestive Villa Giovanelli of Noventa Padovana before arriving at the historical Burchiello’s Stairway at Portello in Padua.

Book this private 2.5-hour tour to discover the best part of Padua: the famous Church of the Hermits (Chiesa degli Eremitani, in Italian), the main sites of Padua's old town and the Baptistery of the dome with Giusto de’ Menabuoi's fascinating frescoes. Admire the artworks of Guariento and Mantegna inside the Church of the Hermits, then follow your guide through the beautiful historic center of Padua and listen to their commentary on the most important monuments, buildings and elegant squares in the city. End your tour at the Baptistery of the dome, a real gem in Padua. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, its construction started in the 12th century and was consecrated by the Patriarch of Grado in 1281. The Baptistery is famous for having a large and important fresco cycle from the last quarter of the 14th century inside. Enter the building and discover the fascinating artworks of Giusto de’ Menabuoi.

There is no better way to get a feel a city like Padua than to visit the market squares in the morning, and on this 2.5-hour walking tour, you will explore the various public areas as well as historical, religious, and cultural monuments. First, make your way to Piazza delle Erbe, full of the freshest fruit and vegetables of the season. Continue on to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the spiritual center of the city, dating back to the early 1200s. Near the Basilica is the largest square in town, called Prato della Valle. On Saturdays it is home to a bustling market. Finally you can enjoy the Scrovegni Chapel fresco paintings that are Giotto's greatest masterpiece. In the unlikely event that tickets for the Scrovegni Chapel are not available for your date, the visit to the Scrovegni Chapel will be substituted with a similar visit There are two options available: 10:00 until 12:30 14:00 until 16:30