Hidden Italy: Padua, Vicenza and Mantua

This five-night tour with Riviera Travel sets off from Venice to the relatively quiet town of Castelfranco Veneto, providing a base to explore nearby cultural sights without the crowds. Highlights include Bassano del Grappa, where the wooden Ponte degli Alpini crosses the Brenta river, and a visit to a local grappa distillery museum where the process is explained with sights, sounds and tastes — a reminder that Italian spirits are as serious as their food.

From there, the journey turns to Vicenza, a city bearing the mark of Palladio, the Renaissance architect whose classical designs are woven through the streets and villas. The Teatro Olimpico, Europe's oldest surviving indoor theatre, offers a visual surprise: what looks like carved marble is painted wood, a clever theatrical illusion keeping with its classical theme.

The tour then moves westward to Mantua, a city ringed by lakes and steeped in history, which remains largely untouched by modernity. The Palazzo Ducale reveals the Gonzaga family’s opulence through its extensive halls and frescoes. Lastly, Padua offers frescoes by Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel and a mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture, with enough free time to wander or visit museums. The holiday concludes with a straightforward return journey home.