Padova is a cultured and walkable city where Renaissance art, botanical gardens, and Galileo’s legacy unfold beneath elegant arcades and vibrant piazzas.
Luxury Slow Travel through Northern Italy: Padova, Borghetto sul Mincio, Lake Garda & Prosecco Hills
20 nights
TYPOLOGIES
Self Drive Holidays
Settings
City, Countryside, Lakefront with Iconic Views
Activities/Interests
Cultural & Historical Exploration, Walking & Hiking
£ 5630 per person - 20 nights
Embark on a 20-night slow travel holiday through some of Northern Italy’s most inspiring landscapes and cultured towns.
This curated itinerary combines the artistic heritage of Padova, the timeless charm of Borghetto sul Mincio, the lakeside splendour of Malcesine, and the vineyard serenity of the Prosecco Hills.
With five nights in each destination, you’ll enjoy a perfect balance of discovery and relaxation, staying in handpicked boutique properties that reflect the unique character of each location.
This is Italy for the luxury-curious traveller—those who value authenticity, design, and a deeper connection to place.
Holiday at Glance
🕒 Duration: 20 nights
💰 From: £5630 per person
Includes:
✅ Expert Travel Planning
✅ Daily Breakfast
✅ Fully Comprehensive Car Hire (20 Days)
✅ Handpicked accommodation in great locations
✅ 3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Padova
📍 Padova – 5 Nights
Pick your car hire from Venice airport and make your way to Padova
5 nights on self catering sharing the one-bedroom apartment at Palazzo Bovio
A Renaissance city where science, art and elegance meet
A refined one-bedroom apartment in a historic palazzo—ideal for design lovers seeking space, privacy and a stylish base in the city centre.
Top things to do in Padova:
• Marvel at Giotto’s frescoes inside the Scrovegni Chapel
• Visit the University of Padua, where Galileo taught for 18 years
• Wander the Botanical Garden of Padova, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Stroll through the city’s lively squares: Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori
• Take a short train ride to Venice or Vicenza for day trips
📍 Borghetto sul Mincio – 5 Nights
5 nights on B&B basis sharing a double room at La Finestra sul Fiume
A riverside retreat wrapped in slow countryside charm
With its cobbled streets, ancient watermills, and vine-draped gardens, Borghetto sul Mincio is a fairy-tale village made for unhurried exploration.
A secluded riverside guesthouse with just a few romantic rooms—perfect for travellers seeking peace, beauty, and a strong sense of place.
Top things to do in Borghetto sul Mincio:
• Cycle the scenic Mincio River path all the way to Peschiera del Garda
• Stroll across the Visconteo Bridge and discover the tiny village centre
• Explore the vast and colourful Parco Giardino Sigurtà
• Enjoy riverside dining in a converted mill
• Take day trips to Verona and Mantua
📍 Malcesine – 5 Nights
5 nights on B&B basis sharing a Junior Suite wit lake view at the Hotel Castello Lake Front
Where Lake Garda sparkles beneath mountain peaks
On the eastern shore of Lake Garda, Malcesine combines alpine views with Mediterranean ease. From its fairytale castle to its lakeside promenades and mountain cable car, it’s an ideal base for outdoor adventures and lakeside lounging.
A boutique hotel with private lake access, panoramic terraces, and a privileged location beneath Malcesine’s historic castle.
Top things to do in Malcesine:
• Ride the Monte Baldo cable car for hikes and panoramic vistas
• Visit the historic Scaliger Castle and its lake museum
• Swim, kayak, or take a private boat on Lake Garda
• Enjoy local cuisine on romantic lake-view terraces
• Ferry to Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda, or Torbole
📍 Prosecco Hills – 5 Nights
5 nights on B&B basis sharing a double room at the Relais D'Arfanta
Rolling vineyards, sparkling wines and tranquil hilltop villages
North of Venice, the Prosecco Hills offer a peaceful and luxurious finale to your journey. Explore vineyard-covered slopes, charming towns like Asolo and Valdobbiadene, and unwind with wellness experiences in this UNESCO-listed wine region.
A luxurious, adults-only estate set among the vines with an infinity pool, elegant suites, and personal service—ideal for unwinding in style.
Top things to do in the Prosecco Hills:
• Taste award-winning Prosecco Superiore DOCG wines at boutique estates
• Drive or cycle the Strada del Prosecco
• Visit the elegant towns of Asolo, Follina, and Cison di Valmarino
• Book a picnic in the vineyards or a spa treatment overlooking the vines
• Enjoy refined local cuisine paired with sparkling wines
🚗 Self-Drive Fact Box: Distances & Scenic Routes
🛣️ Total driving distance: Approx. 470 km (excluding optional excursions and day trips)
📍 Venice Airport → Padova: ~50 km | ~45 mins
Fast & Easy: Follow the A57 and A4 motorways
Alternative: Local roads through the Brenta Riviera for Palladian villas and riverside scenery
📍 Padova → Borghetto sul Mincio: ~105 km | ~1 hr 20 mins
Scenic Option: Detour through the Berici Hills near Vicenza or stop in Soave for a wine tasting en route
📍 Borghetto sul Mincio → Malcesine: ~80 km | ~1 hr 30 mins
Most Scenic: Take the SR249 lakeside road via Lazise, Garda, and Torri del Benaco for stunning lake views
📍 Malcesine → Prosecco Hills (Tarzo area): ~160 km | ~2 hr 30 mins
Recommended: Combine speed and scenery via A22/A27 with a stop in Bassano del Grappa or Conegliano
Alpine Charm Route: Add time with a detour through the Belluno Prealps
📍 Prosecco Hills → Venice Airport: ~75 km | ~1 hr 15 mins
Quick Exit: Via A27 motorway
Countryside Finish: Stop in Treviso or drive through Conegliano’s vineyard roads for a final taste of the region
Map
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