Mantua Ferrara Bologna Ravenna San Marino

Departure from Venice and arrival in Mantua, about 160 km and accommodation in the hotel. The city is built around three lakes fed by the Mincio river and this makes it a real city of water in the center of the Po valley, with an extraordinary panorama, especially when seen from the San Giorgio Bridge. The visit of the city starts from the Palazzo Ducale, over 500 rooms and home of the Gonzaga family from 1328 to 1707. It is a palace of equal dignity to those of Paris, Vienna or Caserta. Within its borders: the Palazzo del Capitano, the Corte Vecchia with the frescoes by Pisanello, the Castle of San Giorgio with the famous Mantegna's Camera degli Sposi.

Lunch in a restaurant in the center.

In the afternoon visit the splendid Palazzo Te, where the facades, the exedra and the endless rooms that follow one another are an amazing sequence of symbols and references to the life of the Gonzaga family. Finally, the Church of Sant'Andrea and the Rotonda di San Lorenzo. The latter was built in the image of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem around the year 1000.

Dinner in a characteristic restaurant a stone's throw from the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by private vehicle for Ferrara approx. 90 km Visit of the city which is commonly defined as the "city of bicycles". The historic center is almost entirely a pedestrianised area and in its tranquility you can admire the Este Castle, a symbol of the city and the main attraction.

Lunch in a restaurant, tasting the local specialties.

In the early afternoon transfer to Ravenna  and hotel accommodation. 

Ravenna:

A treasure unknown to the majority because it has been overshadowed by more famous cities of art, it is, in fact, an extraordinary town that attracts art lovers from all over the world. Few people know that it was, three times, the capital of three European Empires: Western Roman, Theodoric the King of the Goths and Byzantium.This illustrious past is testified by the basilicas and baptisteries where the rich heritage of mosaics of humanity dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries are preserved. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia with its mosaics, the oldest in Ravenna. The octagonal-shaped Basilica of San Vitale is one of the most important monuments of early Christian art in Italy.

Finally, The Basilica of Sant 'Apollinare in Classe, the most majestic of the basilicas of Ravenna approx. 8 km from the city. Fish-based lunch and continue on to San Marino approx. 85km. It is possible to visit San Marino, the oldest republic in the world, in a few hours. Upon arrival, accommodation in the hotel and visit to the Porta di San Francesco, the main gate to the city.

Dinner at a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the surrounding landscape.

Overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for Venice along the Adriatic coast. approx. 300km.

“Very fresh” fish-based lunch in Comacchio inside the Po Valley Regional Park.

In the evening, arrival at the destination.