Veneto is a tapestry of water, stone, and vineyards—home to Venice’s maritime republic, Verona’s Roman heart, and wines like Prosecco and Amarone. The region’s story spans empire and trade: Venetian merchants ferried silk and spices, Roman engineers paved roads that still guide us, and medieval guilds left churches gilded with art.

Fun fact: the spritz was born here, first mixed by Habsburg soldiers who “spritzed” local wine with soda; Select, Campari, and Aperol are the preferred Veneto bitters. You’ll also find UNESCO-listed treasures aplenty—from Venice and its lagoon to Verona’s historic center and the jagged Dolomites to the north.

Practical notes: spring and fall bring mellow weather; winter can mean acqua alta (high water) in Venice, when raised walkways appear. Buy a vaporetto pass for flexible lagoon travel, carry a debit card but keep small cash for bacari snacks, and book popular restaurants ahead. Trains connect cities quickly—ideal for this 7-day itinerary.

Venice

Venice is a labyrinth of canals, campi, and time-polished stone. Beyond the postcard views, listen for oarlocks creaking on quiet canals, watch fishmongers at the Rialto Market, and chase golden light across the Zattere quays at sunset.

• Top sights: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, and the quieter sestieri of Cannaregio and Dorsoduro.
• Island time: Murano (glassblowing), Burano (lace and candy-colored homes), Torcello (Byzantine mosaics and silence).
• Eat & drink: cicchetti (Venetian bar snacks) with a glass of local ombra; market-fresh seafood risotti; fritto misto; bussolai cookies from Burano.

Where to stay (search and book): Browse apartments and hotels in Venice on VRBO and Hotels.com. For fewer crowds, consider Cannaregio or Dorsoduro; for doorstep landmarks, choose San Marco.

Getting to Venice: Fly into VCE or arrive by train to Santa Lucia. Compare options on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), or—if you’re booking long-haul from outside Europe—Kiwi.com. A 48–72h vaporetto pass (from roughly €35–€45) is great value if you’ll visit the islands.

Day 1: Arrival, Rialto Market vibes, and a cicchetti crawl

Morning: Travel to Venice. If landing at VCE around midday, allow ~60–75 minutes to reach your hotel via water bus (Alilaguna) or shared water taxi; private boats are fastest and priciest.

Afternoon: Check in, then orient yourself around the Rialto Bridge and the produce-and-fish markets next door. Snack on a slice at Antico Forno (thick, blistered-edge pizza al taglio) and grab an espresso at Caffè del Doge near Rialto.

Evening: Start a cicchetti crawl in San Polo/Cannaregio: stand at the counter at All’Arco for baccalà mantecato crostini; at Cantina Do Spade try sarde in saor; swing by Al Merca for panini and a quick ombra. For a seated seafood dinner, book Trattoria alla Madonna (classic risotto di go) or the canal-side Osteria Anice Stellato in Cannaregio.

Day 2: Venice In a Day — basilica, palace, canals

Maximize your second day with a guide who unlocks the stories behind the stones.

Venice In a Day: St Mark's, Doges Palace Gondola Ride & City Tour

This full-day small-group experience weaves through St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto area, and a gondola ride—ideal if you want the essentials without the guesswork. Expect skip-the-line access and context that brings the Republic’s politics and pageantry to life.

Post-tour dinner ideas: in Dorsoduro, try Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti (seasonal Venetian plates) or casual Pizzeria L’Angelo near La Fenice for a quick, tasty pie. Gelato at Gelateria il Doge (try pistachio di Bronte).

Day 3: Islands of glass and lace, artful afternoon, and a hands-on cooking class

Morning: Cruise to the lagoon’s craft islands on a small-group trip.

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

Watch glassblowers at work in Murano, then wander Burano’s technicolor lanes and lace ateliers. For lunch, book ahead at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero or Da Romano (legendary risotto) on Burano.

Afternoon: Back in Venice, drift through Dorsoduro: the Zattere promenade, the Salute church, and the canals around San Barnaba. Espresso break at Torrefazione Cannaregio (roastery-fresh) or a pistachio cream puff from Pasticceria Tonolo.

Evening: Learn to cook like a local—then eat your masterpiece.

Venice: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine

Roll fresh pasta, whip mascarpone into cloud-light tiramisù, and toast with Veneto wine. After class, stroll the twilight fondamenta and cap your evening with a Select spritz at a neighborhood bacaro.

Day 4: Full-day Dolomites and Cortina d’Ampezzo

Trade canals for peaks on a small-group mountain escape.

Dolomites & Cortina Small Group Tour from Venice

Expect mirror-lake views (often Lake Misurina or Braies, season dependent), serrated limestone peaks, and a leisurely stop in chic Cortina. Dress in layers; even summer mountain weather swings. Back in Venice, a late supper near home—think Trattoria Dalla Marisa (hearty, fixed-menu Venetian) or a simple plate of bigoli in salsa at a nearby osteria.

Verona

Verona is a city of stone amphitheaters, medieval lanes, and river bends. The Roman arena still hosts summer opera; bridges arch the Adige; cafes spill into Piazza delle Erbe, perfumed by fruit stalls and espresso.

• Top sights: the Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Juliet’s House (for the lore), Castelvecchio and its fortified bridge, and the hilltop views from Castel San Pietro.
• Taste: risotto all’Amarone, tortellini from nearby Valeggio sul Mincio, and Valpolicella reds from easygoing Classico to opulent Amarone.
• Easy day trips: Lake Garda’s Sirmione peninsula and Valpolicella wine country.

Where to stay (search and book): Sleep inside the historic center for walk-everywhere convenience. Compare stays on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Getting from Venice to Verona: Take a morning train from Venezia S. Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova—Regionale Veloce takes ~1h10 (about €11–€15), high-speed services ~1h (about €20–€28). Check times and book on Omio (trains).

Day 5: Venice → Verona, Roman stones and sunset views

Morning: Train to Verona (aim for a 9:00–10:00 departure). Drop bags, then espresso at Caffè Borsari (old-world charm) or a pastry at Pasticceria Flego on Via Stella.

Afternoon: Tour the Arena (one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters), wander Piazza delle Erbe, climb the Torre dei Lamberti for city views, and peek into Juliet’s House if you love the legend. Lunch at La Bottega della Gina (handmade tortelloni to order) or Trattoria al Pompiere (excellent salumi and seasonal Veronese plates).

Evening: Aperitivo at historic Antica Bottega del Vino (deep wine list and Venetian-style snacks). Dinner at Locanda 4 Cuochi (modern trattoria with daily pasta specials) or Ristorante Greppia (classic Veronese; try pastissada de caval if you’re adventurous). Gelato at Gelateria La Romana or Gelateria Savoia near the Arena.

Day 6: Valpolicella wine country and hilltop Verona

Morning: Head into Valpolicella Classica for tastings—book two wineries (e.g., a family-run estate and a larger producer) for contrast. Expect €15–€35 per tasting; designate a driver or arrange transfers, or check regional buses to Negrar/Fumane. Learn the appassimento method that concentrates Amarone’s richness by drying grapes.

Afternoon: Simple country lunch—look for tagliatelle with ragù or a board of Monte Veronese cheeses. Return to Verona via the scenic Ponte Pietra, then ascend to Castel San Pietro (funicular or steps) for the best city panorama over terracotta roofs and the Adige’s curve.

Evening: Reserve Ristorante 12 Apostoli (historic dining rooms; refined Veronese tasting menus) or go rustic at Osteria Le Vecete (since the 19th century; grill and local wines by the glass). Nightcap: a small pour of Recioto della Valpolicella, the region’s lush dessert wine.

Day 7: Lake Garda morning and departure

Morning: Quick hop to the lake: train Verona Porta Nuova → Peschiera del Garda (~13–20 minutes, about €4–€7; check Omio (trains)). From Peschiera, continue to Sirmione by local bus or ferry. Explore the moated Scaliger Castle and walk to the Roman-era Grotte di Catullo with shimmering lake views. Prefer to keep it ultra-relaxed? Linger in Verona for Castelvecchio and riverside strolls instead.

Afternoon: Lunch in Sirmione—try lake fish with lemon and capers at Trattoria la Fiasca or Osteria al Torcol—then return to Verona to depart. For onward trains or flights, compare routes on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights).

Evening: If you have a late departure, squeeze in a final spritz in Piazza Bra watching the Arena glow at dusk.

Optional upgrade on your Venice days

If you want a lighter “highlights” day instead of the full in-a-day experience, consider this expertly guided skip-the-lines tour pairing the Basilica and Palace with time-saving entry:

Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour

(Use this as a swap for Day 2 if you prefer a half-day tour plus more free wandering.)

Getting around and between cities: Venice ↔ Verona trains are frequent; plan a morning departure so you arrive before lunch. Inside Venice, most distances are walkable—use vaporetti for the Grand Canal and islands. In Verona, the historic core is compact on foot.

Where to book transport in Europe:

• Omio (trains) — times, prices, and tickets for Italy and beyond.
• Omio (buses) — useful for smaller towns and late-night routes.
• Omio (flights) — check intra-Europe flights if you’re connecting elsewhere after Veneto.
• Kiwi.com — handy for long-haul flight combinations to Italy from outside Europe.

Eat like a local, every day: Breakfast usually means cappuccino and a cornetto; lunch is lighter (tramezzini, cicchetti, or pasta), and dinner begins around 8 pm. In Venice, stand at the bar for lower prices; in Verona, aperitivo hour fills piazzas with spritzes and small bites. Reserve popular spots, especially on weekends.

In one week, you’ll trace the arc of Veneto—from Byzantine-tiled basilicas and island workshops to Roman arches, vineyard hills, and alpine lakes. With trains doing the heavy lifting and a few expert-led tours, this itinerary balances icons with local life—leaving just enough unplanned moments for your own discoveries.