⚠️ Booking deadline: May 15 or while seats last.
Discover the Hidden Art Treasures
of Verona & Venice
Join Fine Art Connoisseur for an exclusive behind the scenes art tour with editor Peter Trippi and publisher Eric Rhoads.
October 20 – 29, 2024
Venice: 6 nights, October 20 – 26
Verona: 3 nights, October 26 – 29
Booking deadline: May 15 or while seats last.
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
A rare glimpse of the art world behind the scenes…
Fine Art Connoisseur magazine Behind the Scenes art trips are legendary. You'll see art from a new perspective with excursions to museums, visits with artists, and iconic art experiences which take advantage of our deep contacts in the art world. Guaranteed to create a lifetime memory. We've chosen two incredible "art-rich" cities to give you a world class experience.
Hosted by Fine Art Connoisseur Publisher Eric Rhoads and Editor-in-Chief Peter Trippi, this is a continuation of our eleven year tradition.
Hosted by Fine Art Connoisseur Publisher Eric Rhoads and Editor-in-Chief Peter Trippi, this is a continuation of our eleven year tradition.
Questions or need assistance? Please contact Gabriel:
Activity Level: 2.5 out of 4
You are a traveler who loves to see things up-close and personal. You aren’t bothered by standing or walking for long periods of time (1-2 hours) and can navigate uneven surfaces. You can handle the rigors of exploring the world in a hands-on way, even if that means getting up early or staying up late!
- Round-trip airport transfers in Verona and Venice on scheduled arrival/departure dates
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Nine (9) nights total accommodations in luxury hotels: Verona – Hotel Indigo Verona ~ Grand Hotel Des Arts • Venice – Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
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Meals, as referenced in the itinerary, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water & coffee/tea
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All transportation within Verona and Venice in deluxe, climate-controlled vehicles
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Scenic motorcoach transfer from Venice to Verona.
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Excursions and tours as outlined in the itinerary (subject to change)
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Expert guides with passion and personality
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Basic gratuities included
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Assistance with air booking (service fee of $75)
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Basic emergency medical insurance
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Lectures by Fine Art Connoisseur Editor-in-Chief, Peter Trippi
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The experience and expertise of CTP Group professional travel staff during entire program
Exclusions:
- International airfare (fare will be quoted upon request)
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Extra hotel nights, if requested
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Meals not noted in itinerary
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Incidental charges (shopping, spa, food and beverage not included in the itinerary, etc.)
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Supplemental travel insurance (for trip cancellation, pre-existing conditions, lost luggage, trip delay reimbursement, etc.)
Itinerary & Accommodations
Day 1: Sunday, October 20 ~ Arrive Venice
- Independent arrivals into Venice Airport. Transfer by water taxi to your hotel
- Check-in at Hilton Molino Stucky and unwind after your journey. This wonderful hotel is located on Giudecca Island, directly across from Venice and offering stunning views of the city.
- Evening: Enjoy a leisurely walk around the hotel's vicinity, soaking in the stunning views of Venice.
- Dinner at leisure, on own.
Day 2: Monday, October 21 ~ Exploring Venice
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel's rooftop restaurant, offering panoramic views of Venice.
- No visit to Venice would be complete without a stop at St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace.
- We’ll then enjoy lunch at a local trattoria.
- Afternoon: On the way back to our hotel, we’ll make a stop at Museo Fortuny, an atmospheric studio-house of a 19th-century master with some contemporary art. Finally, our day will end at Tessuti Artistici Fortuny. This is the showroom adjacent to the (secret) factory.
- This evening, a special treat. Our group will have privileged access to St. Mark’s Basilica. After the church has closed to the public, we’ll enter on a private evening visit. Following, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant serving authentic Venetian cuisine.
Day 3: Tuesday, October 22 ~ Murano and Burano Islands
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- Today we’ll get out of the city center and explore several of the gorgeous outer islands. Take a boat tour to Murano to learn more about the art of Murano glass making. Next up is a stop in Burano, known for delicate and beautiful lacemaking. Our final stop will be Torcello Island and the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Enjoy lunch in the stunning gardens of Locanda Cipriani.
- Evening: Dinner tonight is at leisure. There is no shortage of wonderful eateries to select from.
Day 4: Wednesday, October 23~ Explore Venice
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- Explore the lesser-known areas of Venice, such as the Dorsoduro district and its Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
- Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco to admire the magnificent artwork of Tintoretto.
- For lunch, we’ll relax with a traditional Venetian cicchetti (small snacks) and wine tasting at a local bacaro (wine bar).
- Evening: Dinner tonight is at leisure.
- Explore the lesser-known areas of Venice, such as the Dorsoduro district and its Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
- Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco to admire the magnificent artwork of Tintoretto.
- For lunch, we’ll relax with a traditional Venetian cicchetti (small snacks) and wine tasting at a local bacaro (wine bar).
- Evening: Dinner tonight is at leisure.
Day 5: Thursday, October 24 ~ Explore Venice
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- Embark on a guided tour to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (known simply as the Frari church) which contains the unforgettable monument, Tomb of Antonio Canova. Next up is the Pinacoteca Manfrediniana Diocesan Museum. And then, the Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute.
- Free time for lunch in the heart of Venice.
- Continue our exploration to visit Gallerie dell’Accademia featuring the greatest collection of Venetian painting on earth. Following this is the nearby Ca’ Pesaro showcasing excellent 19th century art.
- Evening: It’s time for another wonderful dinner at a local restaurant.
- Embark on a guided tour to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (known simply as the Frari church) which contains the unforgettable monument, Tomb of Antonio Canova. Next up is the Pinacoteca Manfrediniana Diocesan Museum. And then, the Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute.
- Free time for lunch in the heart of Venice.
- Continue our exploration to visit Gallerie dell’Accademia featuring the greatest collection of Venetian painting on earth. Following this is the nearby Ca’ Pesaro showcasing excellent 19th century art.
- Evening: It’s time for another wonderful dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Friday, October 25 ~ Free Day in Venice
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- Enjoy today at leisure. A must for art enthusiasts is time at La Biennale di Venezia. Plan to spend at least half a day at this famous international art festival. Prior to our visit, Peter Trippi will provide a brief introductory talk at the entrance of the Giardini before you are set free to explore both campuses.
- Lunch on own
- Evening: We’ll gather for our Farewell dinner as we bid “arrivederci e a presto” to this stunning city.
- Enjoy today at leisure. A must for art enthusiasts is time at La Biennale di Venezia. Plan to spend at least half a day at this famous international art festival. Prior to our visit, Peter Trippi will provide a brief introductory talk at the entrance of the Giardini before you are set free to explore both campuses.
- Lunch on own
- Evening: We’ll gather for our Farewell dinner as we bid “arrivederci e a presto” to this stunning city.
Day 7: Saturday, October 26 ~ Transfer Venice to Verona
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- Check-out from Hilton Molino Stucky and transfer to our next destination, Verona.
- We’ll make our journey to Verona with two stops at must visit locations including:
- Villa Foscari, also known as La Malcontenta
- Lunch en-route
- Arrive Verona and check-in at the wonderfully situated & boutique Hotel Indigo Verona ~ Grand Hotel Des Arts.
- Evening: Gather for dinner at a local restaurant
- Check-out from Hilton Molino Stucky and transfer to our next destination, Verona.
- We’ll make our journey to Verona with two stops at must visit locations including:
- Villa Foscari, also known as La Malcontenta
- Villa La Rotonda
- Arrive Verona and check-in at the wonderfully situated & boutique Hotel Indigo Verona ~ Grand Hotel Des Arts.
- Evening: Gather for dinner at a local restaurant
Day 8: Sunday, October 27 ~ Explore Verona
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel
- Spend the day in Verona. We’ll enjoy the city by foot today.
Verona is the city of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, small, walkable, and romantic. It is also a Roman city with a lot of history. The Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatre that could once sit 15,000 people.
- Castelvecchio, the iconic stunning 14th century castle and former residence of the Scaligeri family.
- Arco dei Gavi
- The famous “Juliet’s Balcony”
- The Arena and Roman Amphitheatre
- Lunch at a local restaurant
After lunch we explore Piazza dei Signori and the Arche Scaligere, five stunning Gothic funeral monuments celebrating members of the Scaligeri family that once ruled the city. We will cross Ponte Pietra, the Roman stone bridge over the Adige and reach the Roman theatre. And if time allows the Church of San Fermo.
- Evening: Dinner tonight is at leisure
- Spend the day in Verona. We’ll enjoy the city by foot today.
Verona is the city of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, small, walkable, and romantic. It is also a Roman city with a lot of history. The Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatre that could once sit 15,000 people.
Highlights will include:
- Castelvecchio, the iconic stunning 14th century castle and former residence of the Scaligeri family.
- Arco dei Gavi
- The famous “Juliet’s Balcony”
- The Arena and Roman Amphitheatre
- Lunch at a local restaurant
After lunch we explore Piazza dei Signori and the Arche Scaligere, five stunning Gothic funeral monuments celebrating members of the Scaligeri family that once ruled the city. We will cross Ponte Pietra, the Roman stone bridge over the Adige and reach the Roman theatre. And if time allows the Church of San Fermo.
- Evening: Dinner tonight is at leisure
Day 9: Monday, October 28 ~ Visit Lake Garda
Day 10: Tuesday, October 29 ~ Return to United States
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel.