Top Italy How to Get Around - page 7

Feel like a local (and ditch the tourist traps) when you follow your guide to Venice’s in-the-know bars and restaurants on this small-group food tour. Come hungry: over four stops in the Cannaregio district, try everything from spritzes and crostini to *cicchetti* (Venetian small plates) and gelato. As you go, learn more about daily life in Venice from your guide. Choose from lunchtime or dinner options.

The coastline of Polignano a Mare is dotted with picturesque grottoes and coves, only accessible by sea. With this small-group boat tour, you'll be able to cruise right up to the coast and dive into the turquoise waters of the Adriatic to swim or snorkel. Learn about this area's history and traditions from your skipper, snap pictures of the Grotta Azzurra and Grotta Piana, and relax over drinks on board.

Glide around the island of Capri by boat, and see the coastal sights from the water. From a Sorrentine boat, you’ll check out landmarks such as the Faraglioni rocks, the Punta Carena lighthouse, the White Grotto, and more. Take a dip in the cobalt blue waters, then relax with happy hour drinks before you return to shore.

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.

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.

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.

Board the Bernina Red Train, Switzerland's alpine delight, for a ride along one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world. After a coach ride from Milan to St. Moritz, enjoy free time to explore the chic mountain town before boarding the bright red train to travel on the UNESCO-listed route. Soak up unparalleled views of tall peaks, clear glaciers, and wide valleys as you make your way to Tirano. Explore the town a bit before your return coach journey to Milan.

If you've only got limited time in Siena, make sure you maximize your experience of the Tuscan hot spot on a sightseeing tour that includes skip-the-line entry. An expert guide gives you an insider's view of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. Linger for a while in Piazza del Campo and stroll the streets with your guide, learning about the history of the place and leaving the navigating to someone else. Visit the Duomo, Siena's stunning cathedral, and stroll right in thanks to your skip-the-line ticket.

Matera is home to the Sassi cave churches and dwellings that make up one of the oldest cities in the world. Join your guide for an in-depth tour of the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano districts to learn about their unique history and evolution. Discover rupestrian structures, stroll the steep and narrow lanes, and gain a deeper understanding of how this town, once called the “Shame of Italy”, is now a UNESCO-listed treasure.

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.

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.

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.

The Vatican Museums draw long lines—and long wait times—but this guided tour helps you bypass the crowds with handy skip-the-line access. Check out the vast array of galleries and spend time in the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica—all while a guide provides commentary and shows you highlights that you might miss on your own.

Visiting Pompeii from Rome independently means hours on crowded trains and buses. Save time and travel in comfort on this escorted day trip by air-conditioned coach. Take an expert-led tour through the ancient ruins of Pompeii and opt to customize your adventure by adding a steady-paced crater hike or scenic walk with a local geologist at Mt. Vesuvius or a 3-course Neapolitan lunch with views of the Bay of Naples.

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.

Visit the historic vacation homes of the Roman elite on a Rome to Tivoli day trip. The full-day guided excursion includes tours of Tivoli’s two UNESCO-listed sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hear Renaissance and Ancient Roman history and scandal, admire archaeological ruins and explore some of Italy’s most extravagant private gardens.

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.

Skip the crowded restaurants and immerse yourself in Italy’s delicious culinary traditions during this hands-on cooking class. Make your own way to the kitchen in central Florence, grab an apron, and learn how to make classic pasta dishes from scratch. Choose the pasta and gelato option and learn to make fresh pasta, seasonal sauces, and enjoy a tasting of gelato and sorbet. Or, opt for the longer lasagna and tiramisu class to shop for ingredients at a local market and learn to prepare the classic dishes, just like nonna.

A center of Italian cuisine, Naples is home to countless hole-in-the-wall eateries serving divine food—if you know where to look. Save hours of researching and go on a small-group tour around the city’s historic center, tasting local specialties along the way. Try Neapolitan pastries, pizza, different sauces, a “secret” dish, and more. Upgrade for a private tour with more personalized attention from your guide.

Soak up the flavors of Italy on an olive oil- and wine-tasting tour in Tuscany—without the hassle of driving. Depart from Florence to the heart of the Chianti Classico region, known for its red wines, flavorful olive oil, and scenic medieval villages. Visit two to three wineries and an olive oil mill to learn about production with your guide and relax over tastings. Enjoy a gourmet 3-course Tuscan lunch at a boutique estate before returning to Florence.

Bologna is known as a culinary hotspot, and this walking tour offers an excellent overview of the city’s food scene. Visit a historic center with local food boutiques and cafes. Sample the city’s culinary offerings including a glass of wine, pasta, espresso, and either gelato or cake depending on the season, guided by a local food expert.

Leave the busy streets of Florence behind and soak up Tuscany's views on this small-group Vespa tour. Hop onto your scooter once you reach the beautiful country roads of Chianti, so you don't have to navigate inner-city traffic. Stop for a traditional Tuscan meal at a farmhouse and taste olive oils and Chianti wines for an authentic taste of Florence's culinary scene. You can also enjoy the journey in a Fiat Topolino e-car.

Discover the parts of Capri that many visitors miss on this small-group, full-day boat tour. Embarking from the port of Sorrento, travel across the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea in style. Head to the island’s hidden coves and beaches, try your hand at snorkeling (all equipment is included), and hop off to explore the town of Capri at your leisure. Free bottle of Prosecco, beer, soft drinks and seasonal fruit on board.

Get familiar with the ins and outs of Florence on this small-group walking tour of the city. Your local guide leads you through town, taking you past landmarks such as the Church of Santa Maria Novella, the Medici Chapels, the Duomo, and the Uffizi Gallery, sharing the history and culture of the city as you go.