Secret squares, pretty palaces and grand domes – that’s just a glimpse of what you’ll tick off on this tour of Italy’s famous Floating City. Once you’ve arrived in Venice, you’ll hop onboard a private boat, which will take you along the Giudecca Canal to St Mark’s Square. You might recognise some of the buildings around you, like the mosaic-clad St Mark’s Basilica, with its Byzantine domes and bell tower. Next, you’ll make your way over to the Bridge of Sighs. Built in the 17th-century, it was meant to connect the new prison to the interrogation rooms in Doge’s Palace. Legend has it that if a couple passes under the bridge, their love will last forever. After, there’s time to explore, on foot, or via gondola, before heading down the Mercerie shopping streets. Here, it’s designer shops galore, from Gucci to Prada. Later, you can dine in a canalside bistro and head out for a sightseeing cruise.
Venice isn’t called the Queen of the Adriatic for nothing, and this evening tour will show you another side to its marble palaces and charming canals. You’ll arrive as the sun sets, so you can take a scenic canal ride to St Mark’s Square – the real heart of the city. St Mark’s Basilica takes centre stage here, with its spires, dome and intricate mosaics. Then, you’ll head to the 17th-century Bridge of Sighs. It was built to connect the new prison to interrogation rooms in Doge’s Palace. Some say it was named after prisoners sighing at their last glimpse of the outside world, while others suggest it was the sighs of lovers passing under the picture-perfect bridge. Next, there’s time to explore by gondola, before hitting the designer boutiques along the Mercerie shopping streets. Come dark, you can tuck into homemade pizza at an authentic restaurant and take in the sights on a lagoon cruise.
You’ll get to explore Venice’s narrow backstreets and bustling squares under your own steam on this tour. Starting in the afternoon, you’ll head by coach and then motorboat into the city centre. You’re free to explore the Titian-filled art galleries, grand palaces and famous bridges for a couple of hours. You can see where the locals do their food shop at Rialto Market, or head to the Mercerie shopping streets for boutiques packed with jewellery, clothes and glass art. After, you’ll hop onboard a boat and head out into the surrounding Mediterranean waters of the Venetian Lagoon. You’ll spot islands lined with colourful fisherman’s homes, as well as age-old island monasteries. And later, you can hit the water again with an evening boat trip along the famous Giudecca Canal. Along the way, you’ll pass old churches and a 19th-century factory complex, before making your way back to the coach.
This tour will conjure up images of Romeo and Juliet, but you’ll find there’s more to Verona than star-crossed lovers. A guide will show you around the city, which inspired Shakespeare to pen the renowned love story. First stop is the 2,000-year-old Verona Arena – the world’s third-largest amphitheatre. It’s still in use today – One Direction, Duran Duran and Paul McCartney have all taken to the stage. Next, you’ll head to the Square of Lords, where you can see a statue of Medieval poet, Dante. Nearby, you can tour palace-fringed Herbs’ Square – once home to the Roman Forum and chariot races. Then, it’s on to Juliet’s House, a Gothic townhouse, with the iconic balcony, which is meant to be the setting for the Bard’s play. You’ll find a statue dedicated to the tragic heroine and a courtyard, where you can write your own romantic messages. After, you’ll spend the rest of your afternoon wandering Verona&#
You’ll get a tour of the pretty towns sprinkled around Italy’s biggest lake on this boat tour. You’ll have a guide to fill you in, as you make your way from Lake Garda’s rocky northern cliffs, to the thermal springs on its southern shore. You’ll hop off in Limone, which is famous for its lemon-growing past. You can walk in the footsteps of James Bond, as parts of blockbuster, Quantum of Solace, were filmed here. Cafés and bars line the port, where you can take in views of Monte Baldo’s snow-covered peaks. Next, you’ll visit Salò, which lays claim to the longest promenade on the lake. Then, it’s down to the honey-coloured town of Sirmione. Here, you can tick off thermal springs, ancient caves and a 13th-century castle. Lazise is your last stop – most of the old town is off-limits to cars, so you’re free to roam the tiny boutiques and restaurants.
Plenty of poets have showered Lake Garda with praise, like Pound, Tennyson and Goethe. And you’ll get to see the lakefront promenades, Medieval towns and sweeping views they’ve all waxed lyrical about on this boat trip. You’ll start with a visit to the town the world-famous lake was named after, Garda. It’s all about the views here and you can see as far south as Sirmione’s peninsula from the water’s edge. Plus, you can explore a miles worth of ice-cream parlours, bars and restaurants. Next, you’ll hop back onboard a boat to Sirmione. Roman poet Catullo called this place the ‘pearl of the islands’ and it’s been a spa destination since Roman times, thanks to its thermal springs. You can wander the maze of streets, full of pavement cafés and boutiques, before heading to the western side of the lake, and Gardone. Here, you’ve got a tree-lined promenade and square, as well as botanical gardens.
You’ll learn all about Milan’s love for fashion, football and grand façades on this tour. Starting at 15th-century Sforza Castle, you can wander the mini-museums and art collections inside, including Michelangelo’s last sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà. Then, it’s on to nearby Cathedral Square, where you’ll meet your guide for the day. There’s impressive architecture around every corner, and your first stop is the iconic Gothic cathedral. Its marble frontage is made up of 135 spires and over 3,000 statues. You’ll also head to the glass-vaulted Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, one of the world’s oldest shopping centres. Next, you can visit the famous La Scala opera house and its museum. You’ll be able to see costumes, set designs, instruments and paintings – all from Italy’s theatrical past. After, there’s the chance to tour San Siro Stadium, home of A.C. Milan and Inter Milan, where you can walk through the Tun
You’ll head into the heart of the world-famous Dolomites Mountains on this bus tour. The UNESCO-protected mountains were formed over 224 million years ago, and they’ve been visited by everyone from Hemingway to Hepburn. You’ll start by heading up to Pordoi Pass, for sweeping views of some of the Dolomites highest peaks. At 2,240 metres above sea level, you’ll see why they’re nicknamed the ‘pale mountains’, all snow-covered, with golden, pink and purple hues. You can visit a memorial to Italian cyclist, Fausto Coppi, who is remembered as ‘the champion of champions’. He won the Tour de France twice, the World Championship and the Giro d’Italia, which passes through the mountains. You’ll stop for lunch, before visiting the mountain village of Ortisei. Here, you can learn about the art of wood carving. Locals have been producing wooden statues and art for two centuries, and there are plenty of shops selling their work.
This tour is all about markets, mountain backdrops and a well-preserved mummy. First stop is the city of Bolzano. It’s a real mixture of cultures, with Bavarian beer gardens sprinkled among the colourful Italian-style squares. You’ll have the option of exploring the wooden market stalls, selling alpine cheeses, ham and loaves, or heading to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. The highlight here is Ötzi the Iceman, Europe’s oldest known human mummy, dating back to around 3,300 BCE. You can learn all about the prehistoric history of the region, and how Ötzi lived. After, you’ll take the cable car up the side of the mountains to Renon Plateau. You can take in views over Bolzano and the valley, from 4,000 feet up. Then, you’ll take a walk to the earth pyramids. They might look like something out of a fairytale, but these 30-metre-high stone formations are actually made from rock glaciers.
Opera was born in Italy in the 16th-century, and this evening trip will take you on a trip back in time. Verona’s 2,000-year-old arena is the third-largest amphitheatre in the world – it used to be able to hold 30,000 people, but now seats around 16,000. Unlike Rome’s equivalent, this place is still very much in use, with a packed-full summer opera season. You’ll be whisked into the heart of the romantic city for an evening performance at the grand open-air opera house. You can sit on seats, once used to watch deadly gladiator fights and chariot races. You’ll be able to watch famous opera stars perform under a starlit sky, with the choice of stone seats or fancy cushioned ones. And you can bring your own picnic for a late-dinner, or tuck into a Panini, washed down with wine, from one of the vendors.
Your taste buds are in for a treat on this trip. Hop on a coach to the region of Veneto, where you’ll spend half a day in the Valpolicella area. This place produces some of the best wines in northern Italy. You can take a tour of Tenuta Ugolini vineyard, and learn the methods, techniques and secrets of making fine wine. And, of course, you’ll be able to try some of the produce. Enjoy a taste of some crisp, fruity wines, served with a snack and a panoramic view. With terracotta towns, undulating hills and sweeping vineyards, Valpolicella provides great photo opportunities, too.