1st day
Arrival on Thursday and accommodation in private rooms. Free lunch and time for a first walk in the center to discover the historic buildings and monuments of the city. Ferrara, capital of the Duchy under the Estense domination, was an important political, artistic and cultural center. Its urban development with the Addizione Erculea during the Renaissance earned it the title of the first modern capital of Europe. In 1995 it was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic center and in 1999 it was the turn of the Po Delta and the Este delights.
In the evening reaching Darsena on foot, possibility to make an optional excursion*(1) aboard a historic restored Venetian boat, called the "Nena". The excursion includes sailing with pizza on board sipping a drink at sunset. A great way to experience a carefree moment enjoying the city at sunset and watching it from the river. Free dinner and overnight in the hotel.

2nd day
Breakfast in the hotel and day to visit the Renaissance city on foot or on board a comfortable bicycle from real citizens. We suggest you to visit immediately Palazzo Ducale, adjacent to the Castle, provided that the municipal activities do not hinder the entrance, with its beautiful rooms: "the Arengo Hall" and "the Tapestry Room" and also the magnificent "Camerino delle Duchesse" (The Palace can be visited only during the opening of the municipal offices and if there are no events such as weddings, municipal councils or press conferences). Entering from the monumental staircase you can make the path coming out of the ancient "Via Coperta" the escape route that the Duke used to sneak out, coming out in Piazza Savonarola. You can then immerse yourself in the Renaissance city starting from Ercole I d'Este. Stop at Palazzo dei Diamanti and stop to taste local excellences with a good glass of wine. Passing the Quadrivio degli Angeli and the monumental cemetery of Certosa, you will reach the ancient defensive walls of the city. Perfectly preserved and 9 km long, they are passable only on foot or by bicycle and are very popular with Ferraris who regularly visit them as a place of leisure and sport. You will continue to Piazza Ariostea, famous for the races during the Palio held every year in May, passing by the Via delle Vigne, where there is the Jewish Cemetery*(2) and where lies our illustrious citizen, the writer Giorgio Bassani, author of the famous novels "Il Giardino dei Finzi Contini" and "Una notte del '43".
In the early afternoon visit to Palazzo Schifanoia now home to the homonymous Museum and historical delight where the Estensi went to "avoid boring things". Going out, you should visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Vado with its wonderful kiosk. It is said that on 28 March 1171 a miracle took place during the celebration of the Easter Mass. At the moment of the fraction of the consecrated bread, the Blood of radiated from the host, imprinting itself in the plaster of the apse overlooking the altar. The vault that preserves the memory of the Eucharistic miracle, was moved in 1501 and today is inserted inside the Renaissance cathedral to the right of the present altar and is a destination for pilgrimages from all over the world. Free dinner and overnight at the hotel.

3rd day
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning dedicated to the optional guided tour of the historic center and the Jewish ghetto. The history of the Jews has very ancient origins in Ferrara and deserves a path to itself, accompanied by an expert guide. Free lunch.
In the afternoon guided tour of the Estense Castle. Surrounded by its moat which recalls its origins as a military fortress, it became over time the residence of the ducal court. Inside the impregnable prisons, where they were imprisoned not common prisoners, but famous people considered dangerous enemies of the court. On the ground floor the medieval rooms and the cannon ramp lead to the so-called piano nobile, where you can admire the Giardino degli Aranci, the ducal chapel and the large frescoed halls. With a small surcharge you can access the Torre dei Leoni to admire the panorama of the city from above.
In the evening in the narrow alley that runs along the Cathedral in Via degli Adelardi, we recommend an aperitif in the oldest tavern in the world "Al Brindisi". Already existing in 1435, with the name of "Hostaria del Chiuchiolino" (from "ciuc", drunk) became famous because inserted in the Guinness Book of Records, but also for its illustrious attendance: Ariosto, even mentions it in his comedy entitled "La Lena"
Free dinner and overnight at the hotel.