4 days, 3 nights · Best for First-time visitors seeking Venetian culture and cuisine
Flavors of Venice Tour | Vacation Packages for 2025, 2026
Experience Venice as you savor wine, cicchetti and hands-on cooking in a city of timeless beauty and unforgettable flavors.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Stop 1Venice, Veneto
Venice
Canals, wine bars and cooking in a palazzo
We base you in a hotel near the heart of the city, within walking distance of the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square. A local guide leads you through the Doge's Palace and the piazza, then into the quieter calli where neighborhood life unfolds. The next afternoon you taste Venetian and Veneto wines in a traditional osteria, guided by a professional taster who explains the grapes and the pairings. On your third morning a chef meets you in a palazzo kitchen near Rialto Market and walks you through sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato and cornmeal Zaeti cookies, dish by dish.
Evenings are unscheduled. We suggest addresses for dinner, from bacari serving cicchetti and ombra to candlelit tables along the quieter canals.
Arranged for you: Welcome drink, walking tour of St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, wine tasting with a professional sommelier in a traditional osteria, cooking class in a palazzo near Rialto Market with an expert chef.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Venice
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Private boat tour of the lagoon islands Day Trips · Half day
Visit Murano's glass furnaces, Burano's lace workshops and the vineyards of Sant'Erasmo by private water taxi with a guide.
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Gondola ride through hidden canals Day Trips · Half day
A private gondola carries you through narrow waterways away from the Grand Canal, past gardens and sotto-porticos known to your gondolier.
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Aperitivo cruise at sunset Day Trips · Half day
Board a private boat as the sun drops behind the Salute and toast with Prosecco and cicchetti prepared by a local chef.
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Mask-making workshop in Dorsoduro Day Trips · Half day
Learn papier-mâché techniques from a mask artisan in a historic atelier, shaping and decorating your own Carnevale volto.
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Ca’ Rezonico, the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayImmerse yourself in the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Venice on this 5-hour tour, where you’ll explore iconic landmarks such as the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Ca’ Rezzonico.
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Doge’s Palace and Gondola Ride Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day -
Murano and Burano Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayThis 4-hour tour gives you an up close and personal look at the stunning glass factories of Murano Island, as well as a tour of the brightly painted houses on Burano Island.
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San Giorgio, Murano Glass Factory and Gondola Ride Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayThis 5-hour tour allows you to explore a working Murano glass factory, takes you through stunning San Giorgio and lets you relax and unwind with a magical gondola ride through the canals of Venice.
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Tour Venice by Gondola Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayExperience Venice in the most iconic way, gliding through its enchanting canals aboard a traditional gondola.
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Venetian Costumes Tour Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day
Uncover Venice’s most elegant legacy, where master tailors, lavish fabrics, and palace-ready fashion shaped centuries of style.
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Venetian Lagoon Cruise Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day
See Venice the way it was meant to be seen, by water, gliding through the lagoon with postcard views at every turn.
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Venice and Jewish Ghetto Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayStep into Venice beyond the postcards. Discover the Jewish Ghetto’s living history, vibrant squares, and authentic neighborhood soul.
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Venice with Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Cathedral Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayFor travelers eager to experience Venice’s top sights, this 6-hour guided tour provides exclusive access to two of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
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Walking Tour of Venice Shore Excursions · Tour in a Day
Wander Venice’s legendary squares and secret lanes on a relaxed 4-hour walk filled with bridges, beauty, and unforgettable stories.
Day by day in Venice
Arrive on your own in Venice, Italy’s iconic “Floating City,” and check in to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink as you settle into the magical atmosphere of canals, bridges, and historic palaces. The rest of the evening is at leisure: wander through narrow calli, cross romantic bridges, or simply relax and soak in the unique charm of this enchanting lagoon city. Dinner is on your own, giving you the chance to try a local trattoria or wine bar before returning to your hotel for the night.
After breakfast, meet your local guide for an engaging walking tour through Venice’s historic center. Discover the city’s most famous landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, as you learn about Venice’s rich history and timeless architecture. Following free time for lunch, your afternoon is dedicated to Venice’s wine culture. In a carefully selected traditional osteria, a professional wine taster will guide you through a tasting of typical Venetian and Veneto wines, explaining their history, characteristics, and ideal food pairings. You may choose to enhance the experience with a selection of local cheeses and classic Venetian cicchetti (small appetizers) for a true bacaro‑style tasting (food not included). The rest of the evening is free to continue exploring Venice by night. Dinner is on your own, and you’ll spend another night at your hotel.
After breakfast, immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Venice with a memorable cooking experience in a local palazzo near the famous Rialto Market. Meet an expert chef who will introduce you to the flavors and ingredients of classic Venetian and Italian cuisine, from seasonal lagoon vegetables to iconic dishes like sarde in saor (fried sardines marinated with onions), baccalà mantecato (creamed salted cod), and traditional Zaeti cookies made with cornmeal and raisins. As the chef prepares each dish, you’ll learn about the origins of the recipes, the aromas of the ingredients, and why these specialties remain beloved centuries after their creation. The irresistible lunch, cooked in front of you, will be served in the elegant dining room of this authentic Venetian home. In the afternoon, we suggest ending your day with a romantic gondola ride at sunset, admiring Venice from the water as the city lights begin to glow. Dinner is on your own, followed by an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 4
Venice
Enjoy your final breakfast in Venice before checking out of your hotel. With unforgettable memories of walking tours, wine tastings, and hands‑on Venetian cooking experiences, your culinary and cultural stay in Venice comes to an end, arrivederci!
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
Ready to make it yours?
Send us this adventure with your changes. An Italian-born planner builds the first full draft and calls you to walk through it.
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Questions travelers ask
Where will we travel on this itinerary?
Over 4 days this journey brings you to Venice. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How will we get around during the vacation?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
What kind of traveler is this package for?
It suits independent travelers who love the freedom of the open road with the security of arranged hotels and routing.
Can we customize this itinerary?
Absolutely. Every Trips 2 Italy itinerary is designed to inspire and can be tailored end to end, from the number of nights and hotel categories to the experiences along the way. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
What is the best season for this itinerary?
The package is available all year around on request. Spring and fall offer mild walking weather and lighter crowds at the major sights, summer brings long lively evenings, and winter rewards travelers with quieter museums and festive streets.