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VOGALONGA | VENICE, ITALY


June 2-9, 2025


p. 802-862-2200 • explore@americanexpeditions.net

Paddle in Italy!

This exciting tour to Italy will whisk you into a world of immense beauty, culture, history, and most importantly, paddling!

Your Italian adventure begins in Verona, home to legendary Romeo and Juliet and the glistening shores of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake.  Verona's center is a labyrinth of winding narrow streets that combine the old atmosphere with new, creating a unique appeal.  Contemporary stores fill the historic buildings with modern products while the architecture echoes back to earlier centuries.

Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience paddling a dragon boat in the Grand Canal in Venice! Meet paddlers from around the world and enjoy friendly competition on the water as the Arizona Gila Dragons competes in the 9th Venice International Dragon Boat Festival. Then, participate in the Vogaloga, a celebration of all rowers and paddlers from dragon boats to gondolas.


PROPOSED TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Monday, June 2

DEPARTURE & TRAVEL TO VENICE

Depart on an overnight flight to Venice, Italy.

Select meals, snacks, and refreshments will be served on board the flight. Enjoy reading through the great tips and travel information in your American Expedition handbook!


DAY 2 | Tuesday, June 3

WELCOME TO ITALY!

Upon arrival in Italy, your American Expeditions Tour Manager will greet your team at the airport. Together, travel by private motor coach to Verona.

Join a local guide for a walking tour of this charming Italian city, famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet." See the breathtaking Roman Arena and Juliet’s courtyard balcony where the famous scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet played out in 1302. Stroll along the open piazzas lined with 14th-century buildings and visit the open-air market displaying fresh produce and crafts. Treat yourself to your first real Italian espresso, cappuccino or gelato!

Later, settle into your rooms at a centrally located hotel and relax. This evening, kick-off of your team's tour with a welcome dinner of Italian fare at a traditional restaurant. It is  sure to be an exciting first evening in Europe. Later, settle in for a good night’s rest at the hotel.



DAY 3 | Wednesday, June 4

EXPLORE LAKE GARDA | FRIENDSHIP PADDLE

Each day of your tour starts with breakfast in the hotel dining room. Today enjoy a group excursion to nearby Lake Garda, one of Italy’s largest and most scenic lakes, framed by high alpine peaks. 

Spend the first half of the day enjoying your gorgeous surroundings. Explore the quaint Garda town, shops, galleries, markets, gardens, and parks. Lunch and dinner are on your own today, and you'll discover enticing cafes, pizzerias and restaurants in the neighborhood where you are staying. A guided visit to Sirmione, to visit the famous breathtaking castle and pleasant thermal baths can be arranged upon request.

This afternoon meet up with a local dragon boat team for a few hours of friendship paddling on the picturesque lake Garda! Practice in their boats, see the picturesque landscapes surrounding the lake and then divide up with their team members and enjoy some informal races. This evening, there will be time to mingle over drinks with your new friends!


Return to Verona this evening.


DAY 4 | Thursday, June 5

VERONA TO VENICE

Bid farewell to Verona this morning and transfer by private motor coach and ferry to Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world!  Venice is made up of 118 islands, over 450 bridges, and more than 180 canals.  A local guide will show off the highlights, including gorgeous Basilica San Marco, Rialto Bridge, and the Canal Grande dotted with gondolas.

This afternoon, embark on a walking tour of Venice Island with a local guide. Together, see sites such as fanciful Piazza San Marco, famous glass blowers’ shops, mask-making studios, and the Canal Grande dotted with the gondoliers gliding across the water. Learn about Doge’s Palace, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with the prison from which Casanova made his spectacular escape in 1755. View the famous Bridge of Sighs, which offenders crossed many decades ago on their way to State interrogators. During your tour, visit St. Mark’s Basilica*, one of the most celebrated architectural crown jewels of Venice and certainly one of the most exquisite places of worship in the world.

Enjoy an evening at leisure. Your tour manager will share recommendations for the best options for a delicious dinner.





DAY 5 | Friday, June 6

FREE DAY FOR SIGHTSEEING | OPTIONAL MURANO & BURANO ISLANDS

Spend you last day in Italy exploring the wonders of Venice!

A group excursion to the nearby colorful Venetian islands of Murano and Burano can be arranged for your team upon request. Murano has been known as an epicenter for glass blowing since the Middle ages. The fishing village of Burano, famous for its craftsmanship in lace work and colorful buildings, is a great spot for a seafood lunch. You could also treat yourself to a gondola ride for an iconic Venetian experience gliding across the famous Grand Canal. Wherever you go, enjoy shopping for locally crafted souvenirs.

A practice may be arranged for today.




DAY 6 | Saturday, June 7

RACE DAY

This morning after breakfast, prepare for today's races. Today, join other teams from around the world in the 11th Venice International Dragon Boat Festival! Compete in 200m races through the canals of Venice. Following a day full or racing, join all participating teams and spectators on a parade through St. Mark's Square.



DAY 7| Sunday, June 8

VOGALONGA

Another exciting day ensues, as your team participates in the Vogalonga, a rowing regatta.

Tonight, toast the success of your participation in the Venice International Dragon Boat Festival and Vogalonga over a farewell dinner at a traditional Venice restaurant.



DAY 8 | Monday, June 9

RETURN HOME OR EXTEND YOUR STAY

After breakfast, this morning, check out of the hotel and depart for the Venice Airport and your return flight to North America. Select meals, snacks, and refreshments will be served on board the flight.                        

Alternatively you may wish to continue your Italian tour with a four night extension to Florence and Rome.



Experience Venice
with National Geographic...

The Venetian life resides within the city's hundreds of canals and diverse architecture. This short documentary by directors Olvier Astrologo and Nils Astrologo immerses us in the historical and hidden places of Venice, Italy, to reveal ancient folk traditions.

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Your Tour INCLUDES:

ACCOMMODATIONS 

  • 2 Nights Verona 4* hotel
  • 4 Nights Venice Island 3* hotel

MEALS -

Breakfast daily at your hotel

Two dinners served as follows-

  • Welcome Dinner at a restaurant in Verona
  • Farewell dinner at a restaurant in Venice

PADDING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXCHANGES

  • Friendship paddle with local team on Lake Garda
  • Registration fees for the Venice Dragon Boat Festival & Vogalonga ( 1 standard boat)

ACTIVITIES + TOURS + ENTRANCES -

  • Guided walking tour of Verona with local guide
  • Locally led guided walking tour of Venice with entrance to St. Mark's Basilica

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Group guided tour of Sirmione, Lake Garda
  • Excursion to Murano and Burano Islands by private boat

TOUR MANAGER 

  • A full-time tour manager to accompany your group every step of the way from arrival through departure.

TRANSPORTATION

    • Private Motor Coach transfers as follows:
      • Transfer from Venice airport to Verona hotel
      • Full day excursion to lake Garda Lake with return to Verona
      • Transfer from Verona hotel to Venice pier for boat transfer
    • Round trip transportation to Venice Island from mainland/airport by private motorboat





Register Now

We are excited to begin planning this tour with you!


HIGHLIGHTS


PADDLING IN THE GRAND CANAL

The Grand Canal in Venice is the city's main waterway, winding through its historic center in a sweeping S-shape and lined with stunning palaces, churches, and vibrant activity. Serving as a bustling artery for gondolas, water taxis, and vaporetti, it offers an iconic glimpse into Venice's rich maritime history and timeless beauty. Paddling on the Grand Canal during the Vogalonga is a truly magical experience, blending the vibrancy of Venetian history with the camaraderie of an international rowing festival.

ST. MARK’S BASILICA

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, more commonly known as Saint Mark's Basilica, is the most famous church in Venice and one of the best examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. It is the third church to stand on this site. Built on a Greek cross plan and crowned with five huge domes, it is now used as the private chapel for State ceremonies. Originally the chapel of the Doge, it has only been a cathedral since 1807. The basilica's interior features multiple choir lofts; the inspiration for the development of a polychoral style among Venetian maestro di cappella composers. This style of music took advantage of the spacious architecture and led to the development of polychoral and antiphonal textures.

VERONA

Verona is home to the legendary Romeo and Juliet and the glistening shores of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake.  Verona's center is a labyrinth of winding narrow streets, combining old with new.  Contemporary stores fill historic buildings while markets spread around old-world piazzas.

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