Day 1: Saturday
Benvenuti! Welcome to your Italian home! Unpack, unwind, and get settled. Explore your local village to find the tourist office, grocery shops, restaurants, and the nearest coffee bar.

Day 2: Sunday
Recover from your jetlag by spending a relaxing day at the Lido di Venezia. If you are there in early September, don't miss the Film Festival. You just might spot a famous movie star! Another nice beach where you can relax is Caorle.

Day 3: Monday
Vicenza: Pick up a map at the tourist office, which marks all of the buildings in the area designed by Palladio. Stop on the way at the Gelateria Brustolon (closed Tues), the city's best gelateria! If it's too cold for ice cream, enjoy a nice hot chocolate at any of the cafes in town. Enjoy delicious pastries at the "offelerie." The best one is Bolzani, just right near the Teatro Olimpico. Enjoy a nice lunch at Righetti, near the Teatro delle Poste. In the afternoon, visit the village of Montecchio Maggiore to visit the ruins of Romeo's castle.

Day 4: Tuesday
Visit Padua to see its archtecture, University, open market, and the Capella degli Scrovegni for the beautiful Giotto frescoes. Don't forget to visit the three main squares, where the open market is held every day: Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori, Piazza della Frutta. You can rest at the beautiful Prato della Valle before visiting Petrarca's house, or take a boat tour along the Brenta river.

Day 5: Wednesday
Explore Venezia: Get an early start, to watch the boats unload the day's supplies. Visit Piazza San Marco and all the tourist sights, including the Doge's palace, the Basilica, Ca D'Oro, and the Ghetto. Go to Murano to visit the glass factories and shop for souvenirs. Continue to Burano for lace and gorgeous (and expensive) masks. End your day in Venice by visiting Torcello. Once inhabited by 20,000 people, fewer than 80 call Torcello home today.

Day 6: Thursday
Verona: Among the many things to visit are Juliet's house and the famous Arena, where many concerts are held (some free) during the summer — everything from rock and pop to classical.

Day 7: Friday
Visit Lake Garda, with Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione, sung by the Latin poet Catullus as "the pearl among all the islands and peninsulas," and Riva del Garda, where you can scuba dive in the lake.

Day 8: Saturday
Colli Euganei: for wine tours. Visit the village of Arqua' Petrarca, native village of the poet Petrarca. Then relax at the thermal spa in Abano Terme.

Day 9: Sunday
Marostica: Don't miss the chess game (real people act as chess pieces) held here every two years (held on years ending in even numbers). Spend the afternoon in Bassano del Grappa.

Day 10: Monday
Spend the day in Treviso.

Day 11: Tuesday
Visit Asolo, Belluno and the Dolomiti. Don't forget the Castel Trautmansdorff, with its beautiful gardens and greenhouse with butterflies. Then stop by Pieve Di Cadore and visit the house of the painter, Tiziano.

Day 12: Wednesday
Visit the city of Rovigo and the Polesine area that runs along the river Po.

Day 13: Thursday
Another thermal spa, this time in Recoaro Terme, famous for its mineral waters.

Day 14: Friday
Pack and finish your shopping. Take a last stroll around your village.

Day 15: Saturday
Reflect on all you've done and seen and save the rest for next time. Arrivederci!