5 Days of Enchanting Romance in Venice and Verona

5 Day Tour of Venice

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Trip Map
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Gondolas in front of the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute in Venice

5 Days 4 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Cultural Exploration

History Buffs

Experience the magic of Venice on this 5-day journey to Italy’s most romantic destination. Every canal whispers tales of love & adventure in the city of Casanova, from the grandeur of Piazza San Marco to the intimacy of a private gondola cruise. Wander narrow streets and over the iconic Rialto Bridge, then savor an evening meal al fresco as you admire the view of the Grand Canal. Take a day trip to Verona, the city of Romeo & Juliet, and immerse yourself in its rich history and Renaissance charm. With private guided tours and detailed travel guidance from Go Real Travel’s mobile app, you’ll focus on romance rather than the stresses of travel.

Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of St. Mark's Basilica in the heart of Venice.
Enjoy a private romantic gondola cruise along Venice’s enchanting canals.
Browse a market and stroll across the Rialto Bridge, enjoying stunning views of the Grand Canal.
Visit Juliet's Balcony in Verona, a symbol of eternal love and romance.
Venture to the island of Burano, renowned for its brightly colored houses and exquisite lace-making.

Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of St. Mark's Basilica in the heart of Venice.
Enjoy a private romantic gondola cruise along Venice’s enchanting canals.
Browse a market and stroll across the Rialto Bridge, enjoying stunning views of the Grand Canal.
Visit Juliet's Balcony in Verona, a symbol of eternal love and romance.
Venture to the island of Burano, renowned for its brightly colored houses and exquisite lace-making.

Grand Canal

European History

Saint Mark's Basilica

Architecture

Rialto Bridge

Architecture

Gallerie dell'Academia

Museums & Galleries

Islands of Murano & Burano

Cultural

Must see sights

Grand Canal

European History

Saint Mark's Basilica

Architecture

Rialto Bridge

Architecture

Gallerie dell'Academia

Museums & Galleries

Islands of Murano & Burano

Cultural

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$1299

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Venice

Day 1

Arrive Venice

To Be Determined

Arrival in Venice Airport and Transfer by Water Bus or Taxi

There are two main airports in Venice. You will likely arrive at the main airport of Venice Marco Polo which is located 5 miles (8km) across the water from Venice. The water bus (i.e. the "vaparetto") picks up directly at the airport and delivers you to Venice. You'll find the docks just by following the signs and you can purchase a water bus ticket at the airport for 15 EUR. You can also book a private, and very expensive, water taxi directly to your hotel, or take a land taxi to Piazzale Roma near the Venice main train station. From there you can walk or catch a water bus to your hotel. Uber is not available in Venice. If you are arriving at the more distant Treviso Airport, you will need to take a shuttle bus or an expensive taxi (100 EUR) to Venice. The ATVO bus delivers you to the Piazzale Roma on Venice in 70 minutes. The Barzi Bus Service takes you to the Tronchetto docks in 40 minutes, but from there you must take a water taxi or water bus. Both cost 12 EUR.

Day 1

Arrive Venice

To Be Determined:

Transfer from Airport

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon:

St Mark's Square

Late Afternoon:

The Grand Canal

Day 1

Arrive Venice

Day 1

Arrive Venice

To Be Determined

Arrival in Venice Airport and Transfer by Water Bus or Taxi

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

St Mark's Square & Surroundings

St Mark's Square was the embodiment of The Most Serene Republic of Venice's power and prestige, and as such contains its most magnificent public buildings: the extraordinary golden mosaic-encrusted basilica of St Mark's, the exquisite Doge's Palace, the all-seeing bell tower, the Bibliotecca Marciana library, and what is nowadays the famous Correr Museum. If timed correctly, it is possible to see all these sights on your own within half a day, although a guide can make the process much more efficient (and more educational as well). Keep in mind that the square is one of the most heavily touristed places in the world, so crowds and lines can be an issue. St Mark the Evangelist was not the patrion saint of Venice until 829 AD, when two Venetian merchants stole St. Mark's remains from their original resting place in a chuch in Alexandria, Egypt, and then smuggled the relics home trussed up in a canvas sheet. The pretext for the theft was that the Muslim conquerors of Alexandria were expected to defile and plunder the church. While this may have been true, it is no coincidence that bringing such an important saint's relics to Venice was hugely important politically and signaled Venice's place as a rising independent power. A church was built to house the relics, and St. Mark's Square was established as the spiritual and political heart of the city.

Late Afternoon

The Grand Canal

Snaking through the heart of Venice, the Grand Canal is the main artery of Venice. Flanked by Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish palaces, a trip down the Canal is often the highlight of many people's trip. While the Gondola is the most romantic option, many opt for the less glamorous but equally as enjoyable ride on the 3.8 kilometres Water Bus Line 1, which passes some 50 palazzi and passes underneath the famous Rialto Bridge.

Day 2

Venice

Day 2

Venice

Day 2

Venice

Day 2

Venice

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

'First Walk' Guided Tour in Venice

If you are a first-time visitor to Venice, the best approach is an introductory tour. This 3-hour private guided walking excursion begins with a selection of the “must sees,” including St. Mark's Square, the former political center of the Venetian Republic, with its many famous buildings: the Doges' Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Marciana Library, the Bell Tower, and the Clock Tower. You'll end your tour in the Rialto neighborhood next to the famous Rialto Bridge.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Rialto Bridge & San Polo District

The graceful arch of the Rialto Bridge is perhaps the single most iconic sight in Venice since nearly everyone passes beneath it on their journey along the Grand Canal. It connects Venice's two most visited districts, San Marco and San Polo. While San Marco is famous for St. Mark's Square, San Polo more than holds its own as a must-see destination, as it contains some of the city's oldest neighborhoods and most picturesque canals and bridges. It is also home to some of the best restaurants in Venice, and admittedly some of its worst tourist traps as well. Among many highlights is the bustling Rialto Market, which was once one of medieval Europe's busiest financial and trade markets, and still does a brisk trade in fresh seafood and produce.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Visit the San Marco Sestiere

The sestiere (district) of San Marco is much more than just St Mark's Square. It's also home to some of Venice's more unusual churches and stunning alfresco artwork, and the world-famous concert venue, La Fenice, which you can visit during the day prior to performances. As the district surrounded the political center of the Venetian Republic, St. Mark's Square, the neighborhood also has more than its fair share of impressive palaces which were owned by many of the most powerful families. Neither is St. Mark's Square the only square in the district. Wander about and you'll discover several nice squares in San Marco, including the large and pleasant Campo Santo Stefano (Santo Stefano Square), which has a much more relaxed vibe than St. Mark's. The statue in the middle of it is of Niccolo Tommaseo, an eminent man of letters who attacked censorship laws. However, the unfortunate positioning of the pile of books behind (representing his voluminous literally output) has earned the statue the nickname il Cagalibri - the Book-Shitter.

Day 3

Venice

Day 3

Venice

Day 3

Venice

Day 3

Venice

Morning to Afternoon

Visit to the Islands of Murano & Burano

Explore the intricacies of two famed Italian handicrafts with a day trip from Venice to the nearby islands of Murano and Burano. Stop by a glass factory or two and watch a live demonstration of glass artisans at work on the island of Murano, before hopping over to Burano, known for its brightly colored buildings and lace making, a tradition that dates back to the 16th Century. Both quiet islands offer a peaceful retreat from the often tourist filled squares of Venice's mainland. You can easily reach them by taking a guided tour or simply by catching the Vaporetto. It only takes about ten minutes to reach Murano from the F.te Nove stop, and another 30 minutes to reach Burano. Once arrived you will surely enjoy the laid-back island havens, both with their own Grand Canals, colorful buildings and a host of fascinating workshops, showrooms, and picturesque sidewalk cafes.

Afternoon/Late Afternoon

Visit the Dorsoduro District

Discover the less well-known sestiere (district) of Dorsoduro and visit its world-famous art collections at Gallerie dell'Academia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and Cà Rezzonico. Once a haven for artists before rising rents drove them out, it is still a charming and unique district with many lively spots, such as the Campo Santa Margherita, one of Venice's largest squares. Be sure to take a walk along its enchanting waterfront promenade known as Zattere and explore the cafes along its canals.

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Private Gondola Ride

The gondola is no doubt one of the most universally known symbols of Venice; this elegant, elongated black wooden boat inspired innumerable writers & poets and was used by rich & famous people of any age. From Lord Byron to Hemingway, from Elton John to George Clooney, they’ve all been on a gondola ride! Now it is your turn to be rocked down the ancient, peaceful canals, while your gondolier will tell you about the construction of gondola itself and the meaning of the strangely shaped iron on its bow. Venetian palaces will appear to you in all their charm, as the fanciest facade is always the one facing the water!

Early Evening/Evening

Dining Out In Zattere

The Fondamenta delle Zattere in the Dorsoduro sestiere (district) is a beautiful promenade with many bars, restaurants and ice cream parlors. It has a great view across the Giudecca Canal and therefore makes for a lovely evening out to enjoy some Venetian cuisine and wines from the Veneto region. The nearby canals of Dorsoduro are also home to myriad bars and al fresco dining venues in the summer months.

Day 4

Venice

Day 4

Venice

Day 4

Venice

Day 4

Venice

Early Morning to Afternoon

Trip to Verona

Fair Verona, located just to the east of Lake Garda, is renowned for its beauty, its numerous buildings of immense artistic and historic value, and, of course, for its legendary story of Romeo and Juliet. There is more to Verona than just the Shakespearean tale, however. It is also home to one of the best preserved first-century amphitheaters in the world, as well as to a bustling historical center full of markets, boutique shops, and some fantastic eateries in which a stop for a taste of the regional wine is a must. Verona is an easy trip, as the fastest trains reach Verona in less than 75 minutes, and the historical heart of the city is only 1.2 miles (2 km) from the train station. There is a bus that connects the station to the central square, Piazza Brà. Verona's Old Town is surrounded by the River Adige on three sides, and many of its key attractions are located within a tightly-bound area of pedestrian-only streets. This makes exploring the city on foot very easy, which is a good thing since there is no public transport in the historical center.

Early Evening/Evening

Concert Evening

Venice is a city with a number of amazing concert venues, and what better way to spend an evening than listening to the melodies of one of Italy's great composers, or watching a famous Italian opera. Two very popular venues include The Pieta and the Teatro La Fenice, one of the world's greatest opera houses. Tickets for both venues sell out fast, so it is advisable to book well in advance and dress accordingly. Venice is the city of Vivaldi, so there are always multiple Vivaldi concerts being staged throughout the year. Several of Venice's palaces, churches and scuola act as concert venues, so you're sure to find something to your liking and in the most exquisite setting imaginable.

Day 5

Depart Venice

Day 5

Depart Venice

Day 5

Depart Venice

Day 5

Depart Venice

Morning/Mid-Day

Discover Venice's Naval Heritage in the Arsenale & Castello District

The Venetian navy once ruled the waves in the Adriatic Sea. You can find out more about the Venetian navy's rich and colorful history at the Naval History Museum beside the great naval dockyards at the Arsenale. These mammoth shipyards constructed the Venetian Republic's fleet, which at one time was unrivaled in tonnage, fire-power, and efficiency. Its payroll numbered 16,000, and in the 16th-century wars against the Ottomans a new galley left its yards every morning for 100 days. This helped to secure victory in the decisive Battle of Lepanto, which was the last great sea conflict fought by galleys and which proved crucial to stopping the Turkish advance into Europe. The rest of the Castello District has some wonderful gems hidden away in its back alleys and canals. It is one of the least visited parts of the city, meaning it is a great place to head if you want to avoid the crowds. It even has Venice's first public park (Giardini Pubblici), which was created by order of Napoleon. Four convents were razed to make room for it, but now it is a favorite spot for locals. It is also the venue of the famous Biennale Arts Festival venue. Established in 1895, the Biennale has an attendance today of over 500,000 visitors at the Art Exhibition.

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport by Taxi or Water Bus

Most visitors will depart from the Venice Marco Polo Airport, which is located just across the water on the mainland. Because of the impossibility of driving inside Venice, you will need to take a water bus to Piazzale Roma on the edge of the city and then a land taxi to the airport (40 EUR), or take a water bus directly to the airport (15 EUR). It is also possible to take a private water taxi directly from your hotel to the airport, but it's very expensive. If you are departing from Venice Treviso Airport, you have much further to go. You can either take an expensive taxi ride (about 100 EUR) or take a shuttle bus for 12 EUR. The ATVO line departs from Piazzale Roma and takes 70 minutes, while the Barzi line picks up at the less convenient Tronchetto (the docks) but only takes 40 minutes.

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5 Days of Enchanting Romance in Venice and Verona

5 Day Tour of Venice

$1299

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Venice Airport and Transfer by Water Bus or Taxi

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.