Explore Italy With Francesco Da Mosto

May 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Francesco da Mosto explores some of the Italian cities that fired Shakespeare's imagination in a two-part BBC2 series starting on Thursday 3 May. Incorporating some of Italy's most dazzling cities, such as Verona, Padua, Venice and Rome, his journey unlocks the story of Shakespeare's love of Italy.

See the sights at some of the cities featured in the series with ExpertoItaly on a two-centre trip to the north of Italy that includes visits to Verona, Venice and Padua.

Verona:  After a 6-year refurbishment programme, the former 17th century Villa Cordevigo reopened last year as a 5-star wine resort with the appealing atmosphere of a traditional Veneto villa.  Located 20 kms from Verona, in the heart of the Bardolino vineyards and on the eastern shores of Lake Garda, the hotel sits at the end of a cypress-lined avenue amidst stunning parkland, flanked by a private chapel, and with a view from the pool across the vineyards and olive groves of the Cavaion Veronese hills.

Padua:  Drive eastwards from Verona to Venice (110 kms), stopping en route at Padua, the setting for 'The Taming of the Shrew'.  Often overlooked by visitors to northern Italy, the city boasts remarkable works of art and architecture with Renaissance squares, Roman ruins and medieval palaces all vying for attention.

Venice:  From Padua, Venice is a mere 20 minute drive.  Stay amidst the peace and calm of Campo Santo Stefano, home to Bloom and Settimo Cielo, two very stylish B & B's in a traditional Venetian house, in which contemporary design meets extravagant 18th century Venetian decor.  Bedrooms are lavish and extremely colourful, with heavy brocaded curtains, beamed ceilings and immaculately preserved wooden floors.  The B & B's are centrally located, just a five minute walk from the Grand Canal and a little further to St. Mark's.

A 7-day tailor made tour with www.ExpertoItaly.com (tel. 020 7520 3100) in May starts at £1320 per person, inclusive of 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast (4 nights at Villa Cordevigo, 3 nights in Venice), BA flights and car hire.

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Note to editors:
Francesco da Mosto's Shakespeare in Italy is a two-part BBC2 series, starting on Thursday 3 May at 9.00 pm.