Italy·September 28 - October 8 2023

A Grand Tour from Venice to the Alps

From the canals of Venice to the beer halls in Munich, join us for all the sights and sounds that the Grand Tour has to offer!

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Overview

Imagine embarking upon a 10-night journey starting in Venice on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, then journeying to Verona, home of Romeo & Juliet. Then set off across the Venetian Plains to the Italian Dolomite mountains, some of the most beautiful in Europe. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy a hike or two, before crossing the famous Brenner Pass into Austria. In Austria we’ll visit Innsbruck, host to the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics before moving on to Salzburg. We’ll discover the beautiful city of Mozart and The Sound of Music before finishing this exceptional Grand Tour in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Germany, famous for its great architecture and style. Along the way we’ll enjoy many different types and styles of food, but a highlight will be lunching at a #SearchingforItaly which our guide has loved for decades, recently discovered and televised on Stanley Tucci’s CNN show.

Highlights

Enjoy a private boat tour of Venice, the Grand Canal and St Mark’s Basin

Enjoy a private boat tour of Venice, the Grand Canal and St Mark’s Basin

Visit Palladian villas filled with extraordinary art and frescoes

Visit Palladian villas filled with extraordinary art and frescoes

Discover Ernest Hemingway’s Lagoon on a private boat tour

Discover Ernest Hemingway’s Lagoon on a private boat tour

Visit Verona – home to the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet

Visit Verona – home to the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet

Visit the botanical gardens at Trauttmansdorff Castle

Visit the botanical gardens at Trauttmansdorff Castle

Join a hike with a picnic in the mountains

Join a hike with a picnic in the mountains

Enjoy a wine tasting in a 13th century winery

Enjoy a wine tasting in a 13th century winery

Explore the Swarovski Crystal Centre and the Chamber of Wonder

Explore the Swarovski Crystal Centre and the Chamber of Wonder

Apppreciate a Mozart and Sound of Music experience in Salzburg

Apppreciate a Mozart and Sound of Music experience in Salzburg

Discover the capital city of Bavaria where every German wants to live

Discover the capital city of Bavaria where every German wants to live

Hit up the smart, sophisticated, stylish shops in Munich

Hit up the smart, sophisticated, stylish shops in Munich

Tour the art-filled Nymphenburg Palace

Tour the art-filled Nymphenburg Palace

Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day itinerary of the trip

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Venice

Day 1: Thursday, September 28th, 2023

Fly into the Venice Airport where you’ll be met by our driver and whisked to the Relias & Chateau Hotel Villa Franceschi in Mira. Janet and Lucy, your guides, will be waiting at the hotel to welcome you to this beautiful hotel. 

Here you can relax, unpack and settle in. We’ll meet for an evening welcome drink followed by dinner at the hotel restaurant, featuring traditional Italian and Venetian food.


Included

Dinner

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Venice

Day 2: Friday, September 29th, 2023

Well rested, we’ll start the day with a fabulous breakfast on our hotel terrace. Then we’ll head into Venice by boat for the day. As we cruise along the Grand Canal, we’ll see boats of every kind and magnificent palaces will line our route.

As we pass under the Rialto Bridge, you’ll see the fish market of Venice which has operated here for more than 700 years. The boat tour will end at a typically Venetian restaurant for a selection of local ‘cicchetti’ (delicious local snacks).

In the afternoon, you’re welcome to head back to the hotel to relax or stay with Janet and Lucy and continue exploring the hidden gems of Venice. There’s quite literally ‘Treasure in Every Church’ in Venice. In the evening, we’ll meet in the hotel lobby to go out for dinner.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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Venice

Day 3: Saturday, September 30th, 2023

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off to discover the Venetian countryside and the Brenta Canal. Venetian aristocrats built their country houses along the Brenta. We’ll visit the spectacular Villa Pisani, admired by Napoleon and built on the plan of Versailles. Try to escape from the difficult maze if you can! Next, we’ll drive to Fusina and take a private boat across the lagoon to the islands of Torcello and Burano.

Torcello is famous for its mosaics and was one of the first islands to be inhabited in the lagoon. Lunch today is at the fantastic Da Romano Trattoria where risotto is the specialty. This restaurant was recently featured in Stanley Tucci’s ‘Searching for Italy’ (on CNN).

Dinner this evening is a casual supper at the hotel.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Verona

Venice to the Italian Alps

Day 4: Sunday, October 1st, 2023

Today we’ll pack our bags and head for the hills. We’ll stop in Verona, romantic home town of Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. We’ll visit Juliet’s famous balcony and the charming medieval squares of Verona and will be sure not to miss the Roman amphitheater that hosts an opera season every summer. It’s almost two thousand years old!

After lunch in Piazza del’Erbe, Verona’s prettiest square, we’ll follow the shores of Lake Garda and continue our journey northwards into the mountains. On the way, we’ll stop off for a delicious Italian ice cream (gelato) and a coffee.

In the late afternoon we’ll arrive in the Italian Alps, known as the Dolomites, where the fabulous Romantik Hotel Turm is our luxury accommodation for the next few days.

Time to unpack, relax and make the most of the hotel’s world-class spa.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

RomantikHotelTurmVoels

Dolomites

Day 5: Monday, October 2nd, 2023

The next few days are all about relaxing, immersing yourself in the fresh mountain air and re-charging your batteries. Relax at the hotel or go into the local town of Bolzano to experience Italian fashion and boutiques. Or you can spend the day outdoors with an alpine walk to a traditional mountain hut (“Alm”) for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll go to the nearby Trauttmansdorff Castle which has spectacular botanical gardens. If you prefer, you can stay at the hotel and luxuriate in the amazing spa facilities. Our dinner this evening will be in the hotel.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

AutumninDolomitesItaly

Dolomites

Day 6: Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023

The Dolomites in autumn are particularly special – the days are still long and sunny and yet there is a mountain crispness in the air. If you haven’t tried out the spa yet, then today is your chance.

If relaxing and a sauna aren’t really your thing, there’s a rock-climbing wall at the hotel for the active ones amongst you! There will be an optional hike today – an energizing walk in the hills with an “Einkehrmöglichkeit” that you can’t miss. To translate, that’s somewhere to stop off for coffee, cake or even a light lunch.

The alpine pastures are dotted with rustic log cabins with the peaks of the Dolomites soaring in the background.

In the evening, we’ll drive down the hillside to Grottnerhof. This 13th century wine estate was recorded under the ownership of Oswald von Wolkenstein. The winery has an extensive history as well as a selection of fabulous wines. We’ll enjoy a wine tasting and dinner in this historic setting.

Included

Breakfast

Dinner

innsbruckportrait

Dolomites – Innsbruck – Salzburg

Day 7: Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

Farewell to our spa and hello to Austria. Today we’ll be leaving Italy and heading over the Alps via the extraordinary Brenner pass into Austria. The Brenner is a key alpine pass that’s been a challenge for travelers for generations. Even in May heavy snow is not uncommon.

Stopping half-way for lunch in Innsbruck, we’ll enjoy a couple of hours in this charming city nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. Innsbruck was the imperial capital of Austria in the 16th century. In recent years it has been an important winter ski destination – there’s a world-famous Olympic ski jump here.

Afterwards, we’ll continue our journey to Salzburg, the land of the Sound of Music. But first we’ll stop in the village of Watters to visit the amazing world of Swarovski crystal for a tour that includes the sparkling chamber of wonder.

Tonight, we’ll be staying at the Gersberg Alm Romantik Hotel, only 15 minutes from the city of Salzburg.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Salzburg_portrait

Salzburg

Day 8: Thursday, October 5th, 2023

After a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, it’s time to discover Salzburg. This is the city of Mozart and the Sound of Music. Our local guide will introduce us to this charming city of beauty.

We’ll visit the birthplace of Mozart and later today we’ll have our very own Sound of Music tour with a singing tour guide. Salzburg is full of traditional coffee houses and great shops – an ideal place to pick up souvenirs and get an early jump on holiday gifts!

If you fancy a hike or a panoramic view of the city, you can head up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress which has its very own funicular railway.

Included

Breakfast

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Salzburg to Munich

Day 9: Friday, October 6th , 2023

Leaving Salzburg for Munich, today’s drive will take us approximately 2 hours. We’ll cross the border into Germany, traveling past the famous Chiemsee to our right and the Austrian-German Alps to our left.

We’ll stop at Prien am Chiemsee for a coffee and a walk alongside the shores of what is known as the “Bavarian Sea”.

Then we’ll continue to Munich, the capital city of Bavaria. Munich is so full of history, culture and shopping opportunities that you’ll have plenty of choices here. After a short walk around the city centre, we’ll make our way to our centrally-located hotel – The Excelsior Hotel. Here, you can unpack and relax before we meet to go out for dinner in the fabulous city that is Munich.

Included

Breakfast

Dinner

munichportrait

Munich

Day 10: Saturday, October 7th, 2023

Today, there will be free time in the morning to explore the Marienplatz, the main square in Munich. There’ll be a walking tour of the city centre with a local guide, ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about Munich’s rich heritage and history. On our tour, we’ll visit the 15th century Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady), which will followed by coffee and cake in a traditional Munich Kaffeehaus.

This afternoon, we’ll visit the beautiful Nymphenburg Palace, home to the Wittelsbach family for centuries.

Tonight, our last evening together, we’ll end the trip in style with a farewell dinner at a traditional wirsthaus, Maximilian, that offers a range of German beers and local South Tyrolean fare. We will be breaking the fun meter!

Included

Breakfast

Dinner

Munich2portrait

Munich

Day 11: Sunday, October 8th, 2023

Today our trip reaches its end. There’ll be several vehicles leaving for Munich Airport at different times depending on your flight time. Your transport will leave the hotel approximately 3 hours prior to your departure time.

We’d like to wish you ‘Buon Viaggio’ and ‘eine gute Reise’ from Italy, Austria and Germany! Until the next time – we already can’t wait to welcome you back to Europe again soon.

Included

Breakfast

You'll Be Staying Here

Relais et Châteaux Hotel Villa Franceschi

Relais et Châteaux Hotel Villa Franceschi

Relais et Châteaux Hotel Villa Franceschi sits outside Venice in a 16th century villa. Here you can wonder the gardens with a glass of wine while admiring the statues.

Romantik Hotel Turm

Romantik Hotel Turm

Romantik Hotel Turm  will be your home for a few days. Enjoy the wellness center which includes saunas, a gym and a pool.

Romantikhotel Die Gersberg Alm

Romantikhotel Die Gersberg Alm

Romantikhotel Die Gersberg Alm is a carefully remodeled inn dating back to 1830's. Situated 10 minutes outside the city, this hotel will be a wonderful spot to rest you head.

 The Excelsior Hotel

The Excelsior Hotel

 The Excelsior Hotel is a centrally located hotel close to all the site Munich has to offer. Don't forget to wonder over to Hofbrauhaus for a beer and pretzel.

Hosts

Janet Simmonds

Janet Simmonds

This exceptional journey will be led by geographer and art historian Janet Simmonds, a friend of Girls’ Guide with a master’s degree from the University of Oxford. Janet lives in Venice and works throughout Italy. When she’s not tripping, she writes about travel including numerous articles on Sicily. 

Price

Private Room

Private Room

Everyone gets their own fabulous room!

FROM$9,975.00/pp

Shared Room

Shared Room

Share a room with a friend or family member

FROM$9,275.00/pp

The trip of a lifetime

The Grand Tour

Three countries, ten days, coasts, mountains, boat trips and hikes, castles, art, history, food and wine. Laughter, friendship and fun…This is the trip of a lifetime!  

The Grand Tour

What's Included

What's Included

Everything stated in itinerary above including all meals (except where otherwise noted) plus beer or wine with dinner

Beautiful, unique hotel stays

Multi-lingual tour guides; experts in History, Art, Geography and Culture

All visits, excursions, experiences as listed in the itinerary

All transport after arrival in Venice

Roundtrip airfare to Europe – Venice / Munich

Spa Treatments

Additional wine, beer, or spirits beyond what is offered at meals

All personal souvenir purchases

Travel and Medical Insurance (required)

FAQs

You are going to want to fly into the Venice Marco Polo Airport. (VCE)

The trip officially starts on September 28th, but if you are traveling across an ocean to get to Venice you want to consider arriving a day early so you have time to relax and get acclimated to the local time zone. If you do decide to arrive early, please let us know and we will take care of booking your room for you and make sure that you are kept in the same room as you will be in when the trip starts.


We will have a zoom call about 6 weeks before the trip starts to discuss all that information and give you a packing list. Here is a great website that we love that will help you with packing and travel trips.

In Venice during October average daily high temperatures decrease from 65F to 55F. In the Alps it will be a little cooler, with high temperatures of 55F and lows of 40F.


This exceptional journey will be led by geographer and art historian Janet Simmonds, a friend of Girls’ Guide with a master’s degree from the University of Oxford. Janet lives in Venice and works throughout Italy. When she’s not tripping, she writes about travel including numerous articles on Sicily. 

Inquire about this trip

A Grand Tour from Venice to the Alps

Italy· September 28 - October 8 2023· 10 nights

FROM$9975/pp