Wine Weekend in Italy: Prosecco, Amarone and Verona
Love good wine, Italian food and stress-free travel? Then this trip was made for you!
We’re taking you on a two-day journey through northern Italy, a true paradise for lovers of wine and the good life. We travel from Zagreb in a comfortable minivan, in a small group of no more than eight guests, so the atmosphere is relaxed and the trip feels more like travelling with friends than a typical tour.
Along the way, we’ll visit some of Italy’s most famous wine regions. First comes Friuli, known for its outstanding white wines, followed by the rolling Prosecco hills, so beautiful that they are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we’ll descend into the kilometre-long underground cellars of one of the most renowned wineries and taste prosecco right where it’s made. Day two takes us to Valpolicella, home of the bold and highly prized Amarone, and finally to romantic Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet.
Day 1: From Friuli to the Prosecco Hills
The alarm goes off early, but trust us, it’s worth it! We set off from Zagreb in a comfortable minivan, in a small, relaxed group of no more than eight guests. No crowds, no waiting and no big coaches, just good company and the open road to Italy.
On the way, we stop for a quick coffee break, a proper Italian one, to wake us up. Then we arrive at our first destination, the Borgo Conventi winery in the heart of Friuli, a region famous for its outstanding white wines. Our hosts will show us around the winery and reveal how their wines are made, from vineyard to bottle. The best part comes at the end: a guided tasting that will quickly show you why wine lovers talk so much about this region.
After the tasting, it’s time for lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Italian cuisine. Expect homemade flavours and seasonal ingredients, with no rush, exactly the way Italians do it.
In the afternoon, we continue to Villa Sandi, one of the largest and best-known prosecco producers. A real experience awaits you here. We descend into impressive underground cellars stretching for several kilometres, where thousands of bottles age in silence and semi-darkness. Then we explore the beautiful historic villa that gave the winery its name. Of course, there’s also a guided tasting, so you’ll get to know prosecco first-hand and discover just how many faces this sparkling wine really has.
We end the day with dinner at the nearby Locanda Sandi, a charming inn where home cooking and good wine go without saying. Well fed and content, we head to our charming family-run accommodation, set among the vineyards at the foot of the famous Cartizze hill. In the morning, a view you’ll want to wake up to awaits: green hills covered in vines as far as the eye can see.
Day 2: Amarone, Verona and a Touch of Romance
We start the morning slowly, with breakfast and a view of the vineyards, which look even more beautiful in the morning light. With batteries recharged, we hit the road again, this time towards Valpolicella, home to one of Italy’s most highly regarded red wines.
At the Corte Odorico winery, our hosts will show us around their estate and share the secrets behind the famous Amarone. This wine is made from grapes that are left to dry for months after the harvest, which gives it its rich, full and unforgettable character. Tasting Amarone right where it’s made is an experience every wine lover should have at least once.
From Valpolicella, we head to nearby Verona, one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy. First, lunch awaits at a top-notch pizzeria. Forget everything you think you know about pizza, because this is the real thing: thin, airy dough, top-quality ingredients and a taste you won’t forget.
After lunch, we take a leisurely stroll through the city. We wander along cobbled streets and squares, past the famous amphitheatre, before visiting Juliet’s House. We’ll go inside too, so you can feel the spirit of the world’s most famous love story. Don’t miss the view from the famous balcony either. Maybe that’s the perfect spot to make a little romantic wish, and who knows, it might just come true!
In the late afternoon, full of impressions, flavours and wonderful memories, we head back to Zagreb, arriving late in the evening. Tired? Maybe a little. Happy? Absolutely!
