Top Italy How to Get Around - page 6

Explore the Italian Riviera without having to rent a car on this day trip to the Cinque Terre from Florence. After arriving at La Spezia, follow your guide to each fishing village, from the beaches of Monterosso to the charming streets of Riomaggiore. Swim in turquoise waters and soak up all the character of this UNESCO-listed region before heading back to Florence.

Save precious vacation time when you book this tour of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome with either an audio guide or a tour guide, so you don't miss out on valuable information. Even better, it includes access to the reconstructed Arena Floor, usually off-limits to the public. After visiting the ancient gladiatorial arena, proceed to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, to recount the story of Rome’s founding.

Avoid the stress of navigating winding coastal roads and coordinating transport between Amalfi Coast towns on your own. This small-group day trip from Naples takes you seamlessly to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi, with time to explore each stop. With scenic commentary and photo opportunities, it’s a relaxed way to experience the highlights without planning hassles. An optional boat cruise along the Amalfi coast is available for an additional cost.

Treat your hungry self to a food tour of Bologna and discover why the city is known for its love of gastronomy. With a local guide, choose between our 3-hour immersive experience or our 2-hour express tour to sample fresh pasta, balsamic vinegar, cheese, wine, and gelato, plus a secret dish to be revealed on the longer route. Explore the city by foot in between tastings and learn about Bologna’s heritage through the tour. Just let the local supplier know in advance if you have special dietary requirements.

Taste your way through the backstreet bars of Venice—and discover sights and bites you'd be unlikely to find on your own—on this small-group tasting tour. Follow your local guide to a range of bars where Venetians go to drink and mingle. At each stop, sample regional wines alongside plates of the popular Venetian appetizers called cicchetti. Along the way, visit multiple neighborhoods and discover key city landmarks.

The La Scala Theater in Milan’s city center is one of the world’s most famous opera houses, inaugurated in 1778. Join a small group and a guide to explore the temple of music and learn about its secrets and history. See a collection of set designs, musical instruments, and costumes that have been used for some of the greatest performances during your tour.

Embark on a charming small-group day trip to Siena and San Gimignano from Florence. Explore medieval landmarks, enjoy a guided walking tour of Siena, and savor a delightful Tuscan lunch at a winery. Visit the iconic Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, and the historic center of San Gimignano. Relax and soak in the stunning countryside views, with ample free time for exploration and gelato.

Visit the ruins of Pompeii and the top of Mt. Vesuvius on a tour from Naples. Learn about the history of the ancient Roman city and its destruction more than 2,000 years ago, and gain insight into the geology of the region from expert guides. Includes round-trip transportation from central Naples and the choice of a pizza lunch or wine tasting.

Knowing where to visit in the Tuscan countryside can be daunting for first-timers, especially if you're starting off in Florence. Simplify your day out with this group tour. Once you've boarded your coach, sit back knowing the transportation and activities are covered, meaning you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. Enjoy visiting Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, the Orcia Valley, and taking part in a wine and cheese tasting.

Enjoy a rare bird’s-eye view over Rome with this tour of St. Peter’s Basilica that includes a climb to the top of its dome. Visit St. Peter’s Square and church with an art historian guide to marvel at its Renaissance art and architecture. Then head underground to see the grottoes and St. Peter's tomb before climbing the dome to admire the church interiors and the surrounding city from above.

Whether you’re new to Rome or getting reacquainted as a return visitor, it can be hard to get oriented within the maze of streets and piazzas that make up the historical center ("centro storico"). On this walking tour, cover highlights such as Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain with a private guide filling you in on their history—capped off by a complimentary scoop or cone of gelato.

Skip the long lines and discover masterpieces inside the Borghese Gallery on this small group tour in Rome. Don't waste time waiting as you explore renowned works like Bernini's 'Apollo and Daphne' and Caravaggio's 'St. Jerome.' Admire art by Raphael and Da Vinci on the main floor, featuring classical sculptures and breathtaking frescoes with insights from a guide.

Avoid the difficulty of trying to see the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic towns in a single day without reliable transport or a clear plan. This day trip from Naples is designed for time-limited travelers, taking you by coach to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi in one streamlined itinerary. With hotel or port pickup and drop-off included, you can focus on the views instead of logistics.

The Vatican Museums hold a collection so vast that first-time visitors lose hours finding the highlights. An art historian-guide cuts through it, with entry included and a route straight to the major works, ending at the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's ceiling. Hear the stories behind the art as you go, and upgrade to add a guided visit to St. Peter's Basilica.

Get more out of Rome's storied Borghese Gallery and Gardens when you explore as part of a guided, small-group walking tour. Admission tickets are included in the tour cost, so you guarantee your entry to the often sold-out attraction. Once inside, see works by Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian, and other Italian masters, and then stroll through the tranquil gardens for top-notch city views.

Spend a day in the beautiful Tuscan countryside sipping wine and making new friends. Visit authentic wineries for tours and generous tastings of world-famous varietals like Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan. Learn about wine production and flavor profiles, and round out your palate with samplings of high-quality balsamic vinegar and olive and truffle oils. Also, visit the charming medieval village of San Gimignano for free time to explore the winding streets and artisan shops.

Avoid the challenge of planning transport and fitting Italy’s most iconic coastal views and archaeological sites into one day. This guided trip from Naples combines the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Pompeii in one seamless journey, with scenic drives and expert insight into Mt. Vesuvius’s history. Enjoy a limoncello tasting and optional lunch stop, all with convenient hotel pickup included.

Experience the true flavor of the Tuscan countryside and taste wine without the worry of driving on this Chianti wine tour from Florence. Visit local wineries in scenic villages to sample revered Tuscan wines and learn winemaking secrets, or enhance your day with a morning cooking class and prepare traditional Tuscan recipes paired with premium wines.

When you’re in Milan, don’t miss the chance to visit nearby Lake Como and Lake Lugano. This day trip makes it easy with round-trip transport, and carefully planned stops at the lake towns of Bellagio and Lugano. Ample free time is included in each place, and you get the lowdown on the Italian lakes as you travel with a professional guide.

The dome atop Florence's Duomo offers unique views of the city, but tickets sell out long in advance. Secure your spot with pre-booked entry on this guided tour. Head straight into the church with skip-the-line access, bypassing the long wait. After touring the cathedral, make your way up the staircase and along corridors that have been closed to the public for centuries. Then continue to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome, if you wish.

Get a taste of Capri on this full-day small-group tour. Board a boat and cruise the coastline of Sorrento, bound for Capri. Once at the island, visit several grottoes and admire the natural rock formations that protrude from the sea. If time and crowds permit, you may stop outside the famous Blue Grotto. After swimming and snorkeling breaks, you'll have about four hours to explore the island by land.

No trip to Venice is complete without visiting some of the most notable islands in the Venetian Lagoon—particularly those that are renowned for their handicrafts. This cruise visits two in just half a day. Begin at Murano, where you can watch a thrilling glass-blowing demonstration, before transferring to Burano, known for its tradition of lace-making.

Skip the crowded and stressful ferry with this boat tour to Capri that departs directly from Sorrento. Skirt the scenic coastline of the Sorrentine Peninsula to take in the views before heading across the water to Capri. Sail around the island to take in its picturesque caves and dramatic rock formations, relax over lunch on the waterfront, and stop to swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters.

Discover three of Tuscany’s most iconic destinations all in one day—and benefit from hassle-free transit—on this time-saving four from Florence. Snap photos of the famous Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, stroll through the UNESCO-listed hill town of San Gimignano, and step inside Siena’s cathedral. This tour also includes bonus experiences, such a wine tasting in Chianti and a traditional Tuscan lunch.