Day Trips in Italy

Explore without the hassle of planning on a full day tour of the Pope's year-round and summer residences. After a tour of the Vatican, which includes the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Gardens, hop on a train to Castel Gandolfo for a tour of the Pope's summer residence and a buffet lunch made with locally-sourced ingredients. Skip-the-line Vatican admission and a round-trip train ticket are included for your convenience.

Visit the lovely mountain town of Tivoli and explore an emperor's villa and a gorgeous museum on this all-day tour. After a comfortable ride on an air-conditioned coach, tour Emperor Hadrian's lavish complex, with its beautiful pools and baths. Learn about the villa's history from an informative guide and head to Villa d'Este, a 16th-century villa-turned-museum and see its terraced hillside garden and more than half a dozen fountains.

Cover the highlights of Venice in a single day during this whirlwind small-group trip from Rome. Travel comfortably in a scenic, high-speed train, and enjoy front-door hotel transfers for a VIP experience. Hit all the main attractions - from Saint Mark's Square to the Grand Canal - with a private guide on-hand to give you enriching historical background on the UNESCO-listed city and lagoon.

For a break from the bustle of Milan, this small-group tour takes you to the glittering shores of Lake Como and two of the lake's hidden gems. Take a short and scenic walk along the lakeshore to reach Villa del Balbianello and Villa Melzi, two historic estates and gardens that are only accessible by foot and often closed to the public. Travel in a comfortable minivan with an intimate group no larger than eight.

Your visit will start at Villa Cimbrone complex consists of a historic building built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Amalfi Coast, and a huge park of about six hectares full of statues, fountains and various antiques.In the afternoon you will be guided to the ancient town of Pompeii which  is known throughout the world for the tragedy that hit it in 79 AD, when the rich Roman city was buried by the eruption of Vesuvius.

Puglia is renowned for its historic towns, delicious cuisine, and fine wines, and this full-day tour from Bari or Ostuni checks off all three. Visit the medieval fortress of Castel Del Monte and the picturesque port town of Trani, enjoy an expert-led wine tasting at Tormaresca winery, and tuck into a gourmet lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit the Reno Valley and cycle through its fabulous villages: Sasso Marconi and Porretta Thermal Baths. On this self-guided tour, you will discover the medieval castle of Bentivoglio and the impressive hilly vineyards of Vignola. Savor age-old food of Valsamoggia. Pickup is included from a centrally located meeting point in Bologna. The tour includes use of a bike, as well as entrance fees and a roundtrip train ticket.

Discover the beautiful Lake Como area by land and water on this day trip from Milan. Sample delicious Italian treats and take a walking tour of Varenna. Learn about the history of the Lake and its surrounding villages from your guide. Embark on a sightseeing cruise on the lake and pass landmarks such as Villa del Balbianello on the way to Bellagio and the Villa Melzi gardens.

See more of Italy in just one day by heading east of Milan on a day trip to Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) and Verona. You'll take a boat ride on the lake and explore Verona's historical city center with a guide, plus enjoy free time in Verona to eat lunch (own expense).

Explore Venice the way it was meant to be seen - from the water. On this motor boat tour along the famous Grand Canal, get the best views of ancient palaces and the dazzling monuments of St. Mark's Square, learning the history behind them from a guide. You'll also venture into smaller side canals for a glimpse into daily life in the 'floating city.'

Visit Positano, Amalfi, and the historic Villa Cimbrone on this private Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome. The hilltop villa in Ravello sits high above the Mediterranean, offering dramatic views that sweep from the Amalfi Coast to the Cilento National Park. After soaking up the sights from the gardens, you'll then check out Amalfi town and Positano. Ample free time to explore is included, and you'll learn about the UNESCO-listed coast as you travel.

See two of Italy's greatest archeological sites on this exciting guided tour of the Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale. Leave Taormina with a local guide and be prepared to get very acquainted with Ancient Greek statuary and architecture, as well as, as centuries-old monuments from the Roman Empire. See the amazing collection of mosaics and even an ancient hunting lodge.

Visit two of the well-known islands in the Venice lagoon and dine on a splendid seafood lunch during this 4.5-hour boat tour of Murano and Burano. Explore the islands famous for glass and lace, respectively, traveling by boat through the lagoon. Savor local seafood during lunch in a traditional osteria in Burano.

Get swept up in the scenery and romance of Verona and Lake Garda on a day trip from Milan. Led by a local guide, begin with a walking tour of Verona, passing the main square of Piazza delle Erbe, the Roman Arena and the house of Juliet where Shakespeare enthusiasts can call out to Romeo from the balcony. After pausing for lunch, head to the lakeside village of Sirmione to explore the medieval streets, famous castle and stunning views.

Experience the best of the Valpolicella wine region with this wine-tasting day trip from Verona or Vicenza. Visit a small and charming village before visiting a local winery. Learn about the wine-making process in Valpolicella, from grape to bottle, and the elements of wine that determine its quality - aroma, color and taste. Enjoy lunch at a local trattoria. Visit an olive oil mill in the afternoon to sample at least two kinds of olive oil.

Visit Verona on a day trip from Milan, and discover the romance of the city made famous by Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet.' After free time in Verona's medieval center, you'll continue by coach to the banks of Lake Garda. Stop in the town of Sirmione where Roman ruins, a moated castle, and enchanting lake views await. 

Experience the unmatched beauty and romance of Venice - all without booking a hotel - on a day trip to 'the Floating City' from Pula. Cross the Adriatic Sea and Venetian Lagoon on a high-speed catamaran, and enjoy a half day of leisure time to spend as you wish. Ride a gondola through the famous Venetian canals, savor northern Italian cuisine, shop for handmade masks, or visit world-famous landmarks like St. Marks Basilica and the Doge's Palace on your own before returning to Pula in the evening.

Experience the Colosseum's newly-opened upper levels with a small group and an expert guide. Enjoy skip-the-line access and tour this notorious landmark's 4th and 5th levels. Learn about the arena's history and architecture - and imagine the gruesome spectacle witnessed by tens of thousands of ancient Romans - and get treated to unparalleled views and access to the Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.

Fit a trip to Venice into your Croatian itinerary even if you just have one day with this fast-boat trip from Poroc. Relax on the open deck of a high-speed catamaran as you zip across the Adriatic Sea and into the Venetian Lagoon, where the Byzantine treasures of St. Mark's Square rise from the water like a mirage. Get a brief introduction to Venice on a short guided stroll, and then enjoy free time to explore the city's romantic canals, palaces, and world-class shops on your own.

Explore the towns of Como and Brunate on this full-day tour from Milan. Walk through the famous town of Como and learn the history of the city and the lake. Take a private boat tour of Lake Como, passing beautiful villas and maybe even catch a glimpse of George Clooney. Snap some photos and wander the city center before heading to Brunate for lunch and a visit to the lighthouse.