Duration: 2 hours
Type of Service: Venice Doge's Palace Tour - small group tour
The Doge's Palace is where the highest-elected magistrates ruled Venice with an iron fist. Go back in time to hear stories of crime, betrayal and the legal system that once kept Venice in check. Inside the Venetian Gothic palace, admire works of art by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese. See the Golden Staircase, the Bridge of Sighs and even some prison cells. This 2-hour includes:
- English-speaking local tour guide
- Maximum group size of 15
- Comprehensive tour general access rooms
- Skip the line Doge's Palace tickets
Experience Doge's Palace History - Meet your guide outside Doge's Palace. Before skipping the line, admire the building’s exterior and learn about St. Mark’s Square. The Doge's Palace, or Palazzo Ducale in Italiano, is a perfect example of Venetian Gothic architecture. Once home to the Doge when the city was a Republic, the palace sits next to St. Mark's Basilica (the former private place of worship for the Doge).
Doge's Palace Interior - The interior of the Doge's Palace is grand to say the least. Inside you’ll find marble fireplaces, friezes and stucco adorning the walls. Some works of art stand out over the rest and our guide will lead you straight to them. These grand creations include frescoes by Titian and Veronese. Look at the Stairs of Gold, which connect the first floor of the palace to the third, where offices were located. However, not everything on this small group Doge's Palace tour is beautiful! Get a look at the grim prison cells where accused criminals spent their days in darkness. All these places paint a portrait of law and order in Venice, and the harsh lives of Venetian prisoners, including Giacomo Casanova.
Something to Sigh About - Doge's Palace not only held the seat of the Venetian Republic, it also connected to a prison via the famous Bridge of Sighs. Linking freedom with incarceration, prisoners walked across this bridge before spending years or even the remainder of their lives behind bars. If that wasn’t enough to sigh about, the small windows carved into the bridge offered convicts their last glance of beautiful Venice. That's plenty to sigh about.
Things to Know:
Duration: 3 hours
Type of Service: Best of Venice with St. Mark's Square & Water Taxi Boat Ride - semi-private tour
See all the top sights of Venice with this exclusive, semi-private tour, limited to only ten people or less per group. With commentary tailored by an expert, English-speaking guide to suit your group, you’ll learn more about Venice in just a few hours than many visitors do on an entire trip. And with such small group sizes, your guide will have more time to answer questions and tailor the pace of the tour to suit you.
Beat the Queues at St Mark's Basilica - First of all, we’ll head straight for the main attraction, to be sure that you have plenty of time to take it all in. St. Mark’s Basilica took 800 years to build with relics and monuments inside bought (or stolen) from all over Europe and Asia. Even St. Mark’s remains eventually ended up here (albeit through dubious means) when Crusaders stole them from Egypt. The queues here can be long but no worries, we have Skip the Line Access! Your guide will take you inside this cavernous space for an extended tour, pointing out mosaics that date all the way back to the 11th century and beautiful artworks. Then it’s up to the second floor for some stolen time inside this busy basilica. The terraces of St. Mark’s Basilica are worth a visit, not to mention the incredible views they offer over bustling Piazza San Marco below.
After our tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Piazza San Marco, we’ll set out on a walking tour past some of Venice's best-known sights, along with some unlikely favorites. We spent a lot of hours traversing the city, trying to get the right balance of major landmarks and picturesque corners and discovered that much of the joy of visiting Venice is in the journey, walking from one spot to another through quiet residential streets and along canals. Our Venice walking tour will take you on such a journey.
You'll see Marco Polo’s house to hear about the Venetian son who went to sea one day and came back with stories of China; Campo SS Giovanni Paolo with its mix of architecture from so many ages; and the famous Bridge of Sighs. As you move from one spot to another, your guide will entertain you with stories of Venice, from informative tales about how the city has stayed afloat so long, to the whispers of scandal that make Venice such a captivating city. They’ll also point out features and buildings that you may never have noticed on your own.
Enjoy the Grand Canal on a Private Vessel - A visit to the Rialto Bridge, an incredible marble structure that cost Venice a small fortune to build but was certainly worth every penny, is a highlight of this journey, and it’s here where our walking part tour ends. Now it's time to take a seat on a private boat to enjoy the beauty of the city. The tour continues to the Grand Canal, the city’s main waterway which snakes its way past no less than 50 palaces, six churches, four bridges and two open-air markets. We’ll take to the water for a cruise that includes all these wonderful sights. Although many visitors opt to travel the Grand Canal by gondola this wide and hectic waterway is much better suited to the water taxis we use, which allow us to move quickly and easily along the canal without losing the intimacy of a smaller vessel.
Your tour will end at the famous Rialto Bridge. And there you have it, in only a few hours you have seen the very best of Venice from three entirely different perspectives: water, land and even air from the terraces of St. Mark’s Basilica.
Destination Sites:
Things to Know:
Duration: 3 hours
Type of Service: Food Walking Tour of Sorrento
Sorrento Food Walking Tour like a local - a 3 hour delicious adventure through the historic center
Things to Know:
Duration: 8 hours
Type of Service: Small Group Tour to the Amalfi Coast, Departing from Sorrento
Depart in total relaxation from your hotel centrally located in Sorrento. Get on our comfortable coach bus and get ready to join a tour that will make you discover one of the most famous places in the world and three of the most beautiful cities in Italy: Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, all located in the Amalfi Coast. If you want to spend some magical hours along the Amalfi Coast, this is the tour designed just for you!
Your comfortable minibus will pick you up from your hotel centrally located in Sorrento at the set time, or at a designated location where you will start this marvelous day immediately, with the wonderful panorama that will surround you while you are driven along the Amalfi Coast, in the direction of one of its most beautiful places, Positano. After this you will wander its white streets and colored alleys, made even more beautiful by the flowers that decorate almost every house in Positano. You will spend one hour in Positano before getting back on the coach.
After boarding your bus from Positano, you will continue your visit through the incredible villages of Furore, Praiano and Conca dei Marini along the Amalfi Coast. It is now time to meet the second wonder of your tour, the super colored Amalfi. Again, you will have some free time to admire its beauty and to breathe the fresh scents of lemons and flowers of these lands. You will find it hard to choose which one of these to visit first: the Sant’Andrea Fountain, the Santa Maria del Carmine chapel, or walking by the Valle dei Mulini. A must see before leaving will be a visit to the Amalfi Duomo, built in Arab-Sicilian style and dedicated to Saint Andrea, the patron of the town. During your 2- hours, in Amalfi, you have an option to join a panoramic boat trip, taking 45 minutes (12 euros per person).
The final stop on this tour is discovering the enchanting Ravello. Ravello is a flourishing, rich in culture, art, with beautiful views. A famous panoramic center, it is one of the most visited places in Italy by tourists from all over the world. It also draws intellectual personalities interested in its architectonic beauties and famous villas. In addition to the Churches, Villa Cimbrone Gardens is definitely worth a visit. This Villa is entirely built on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, between all kind of plants, flowers, fountains, and caves. After spending 1 hour in the beautiful Ravello, you will begin your return trip.
A breath-taking view, that will surely accompany, together with some nostalgia, your trip back to Sorrento.
Things to Know:
Duration: 8 hours
Type of Service: Day Tour of Capri and Anacapri, departing from Sorrento - group tour
Relish in the most authentic and charming Italian lifestyle with our unique tour of Capri Island, one of the most enchanting places of the Mediterranean, a veritable paradise that seems to impress and inspire travelers year after year.
A day tour from Sorrento to visit Capri Island - This unique activity from Sorrento is specially designed for travelers who wish to discover a romantic piece of Italy, a small sunny island with a fascinating heritage. Our tour of Capri and Anacapri from Sorrento will take you all around this stunning island, exploring its most interesting highlights and delving into the unique atmosphere.
This experience will start in the port of Sorrento where your guide will accompany you to the boat towards Capri.
Explore Anacapri and admire its amazing landscape - The short boat ride towards Capri offers a great chance to admire the beautiful panorama of the island. From the landing on Capri Island, you will be guided towards a short ride by bus to Anacapri, the charming town of the island.
The walking tour of Anacapri will reveal the amazing charm of this place, exploring the small streets with your guide and learning more about the past and present of the island. You will also have some free time to discover the famous Villa San Michele. The next destinations will be Capri Town, where you will also explore its heritage on foot.
Visit Capri and enjoy a free time for shopping - Enjoy one of the most unforgettable experiences with our tour of Capri and Anacapri from Sorrento. Explore the small island from one side to the other and be inspired by its unbelievable beauty.
After an amazing guided tour of Capri, you will have free time to spend on the island. You can spend your time by enjoying a delicious lunch at a seaside restaurant, having a coffee or gelato in the piazza or shopping at the numerous shops. The tour of Capri and Anacapri will conclude in the afternoon with a boat ride back to Sorrento.
Things to Know:
Duration: 2 hours
Type of Service: Vatican Under the Stars Evening Tour - small group tour
Are you looking for unusual things to do in Rome? How about touring the Vatican at night? Not only does this special small group Vatican night tour let you skip the crowds, lines and heat, but it also provides a fresh way to see the Vatican’s amazing collections. If you aren’t an early morning person, or you just want less distractions as you enjoy the museum’s treasures, this is the best Vatican tour for you. This two hour tour includes:
- After-hours access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- An English-speaking guide with expertise in art history
- Access to the treasures inside the Vatican without the heat and crowds
- A maximum group size of 13 people
Night Tour of Vatican Museums - Skipping the line, take a journey with your expert Vatican guide through art history as you walk through the rooms of the most fascinating “living” museums on earth. See works of art in the Pinecone Courtyard and a great view of St. Peter's Basilica. View sculptures handed down to us from the Ancient Romans in the Pio-Clementine Collection. Pass through the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of Tapestries and Gallery of the Maps as your guide explains the history and stories surrounding these art collections.
The School of Athens by Raphael - Learn about the complexities of Raphael's fresco in the former papal apartments. Raphael was one of Rome's most famous Renaissance artists and he encompassed all the ideals of a Renaissance man. He designed and frescoed multiple rooms connected to the Vatican Museums. In addition to other masterpieces, visit one of Raphael’s most famous works of art, The School of Athens.
The Sistine Chapel at Night - Our evening Vatican tour concludes in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling and the altar wall are adorned by world-famous and inspiring frescoes. Only when you enter the Sistine Chapel is it clear how high the ceiling is and how many paintings are up there. At this point, it is impossible not to appreciate how difficult it must have been for Michelangelo to lay on his back and toil at his masterpiece, year after year. Since the Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums, it is included in your Vatican tour tickets.
The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, therefore, speaking inside is not allowed. Since our guide cannot explain the frescoes while you are inside, we explain the Chapel in advance and provide you with a map/handout for reference before you enter. Men and women must cover their knees and shoulders before entering. We understand the summers in Rome get hot, a good alternative is to bring a scarf or shawl to cover up with before you enter.
Take Your Time and Explore the Collections - If you want to stay inside the Vatican Museums after the conclusion of your evening tour, go right ahead! The museums remain open for another two hours after the guided tour concludes. Take your time and revisit your favorite works of art or simply wander around taking in the intense beauty of your surroundings.
Things to Know
Duration: 8 hours
Type of Service: Siena Foodie Tour with Charcuterie Lunch at Salumeria – private tour with one hour visit to the Siena Cathedral
You will be picked up from the Siena train station if coming from Florence or your accommodations in Siena. Private door to door service is also available from your Florence accommodations. The medieval town of Siena is located 1 hour, 20 minutes south of Florence.
This special foodie tour starts in the heart of the ancient hilltop town of Siena. We will visit a cafe for coffee, where the owners roast their own coffee beans as they have for 3 generations.
Then we will make the short walk to a family owned generation bakery to hear the history and sample many of the local Sienese desserts.
If this tour is booked on a Tuesday or Saturday, we can visit a local farmers market for a sampling of the Tuscan Pecorino cheeses, and honey, among other things.
Next, we make the short drive outside the walls of Siena, to a Salumeria for lunch. This is a historical delicatessen, which offers artesian quality products. The salamis are lovingly made by, the Norcino, using local recipes that are 300 years old. All made from local livestock without any use of colorants, preservatives, milk-based ingredients or gluten.
Following our lunch, we will make a short drive to visit a family winery for a wine and olive oil tasting. At the end of the tasting we will return to Siena or drop off at the Siena train station or transfer back to Florence.
Things to Know
Duration: 3.5 hours
Type of Service: Privileged Entrance Vatican Walking Tour with Sistine Chapel – small group tour
Our Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour starts at 7:30a.m. and we enter the Vatican Museums just after 8:00a.m. (an hour earlier than general public access). As a result, witness the jaw-dropping Sistine Chapel before the masses of people stream in. After visiting the Sistine Chapel, our professional English-speaking guide will take you back through the highlights of the Vatican Museums. Then pass back through the Sistine Chapel and head to St. Peter’s Basilica. One of our most popular Rome tours, this 3.5-hour Vatican tour includes:
First stop is a visit to the Sistine Chapel before it’s open to the general public. Since the Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums, it’s included in your Vatican Museums ticket. When you enter the Sistine Chapel, you’ll realize our descriptions cannot do this incredible work justice. As well as being one of Michelangelo’s most prized masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel also serves as a gathering place for cardinals of the Catholic Church. This is also where new popes are elected - including Pope Francis! The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so speaking inside is forbidden. Don’t worry though, your guide will provide you with a map/handout for reference before you enter. *The Sistine Chapel is a sacred place, so both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. Otherwise, you may be refused entry to a portion of your Vatican tour. We understand the summers in Rome are hot - a great alternative is to bring a shawl/sweater to wrap around you when necessary.
The Best Galleries at the Vatican - Led by our guide, visit our favorite galleries including the Borgia Apartments, Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Maps. Predating a unified Italy by nearly 300 years and based on painted topographical maps of Italy, the Gallery of the Maps is one of the coolest places in the Vatican Museums. One of the frescoes contains the image of a sea monster - see if you can spot it!
Raphael Rooms - The term Renaissance literally means "rebirth" and refers to the period of European civilization that produced a great revival in art, literature and learning. Raphael was one of Rome's most famous Renaissance artists who encompassed all the ideals of a Renaissance man. He designed and frescoed multiple rooms connected to the Vatican Museums. Among other masterpieces, you’ll see one of Raphael’s most famous works of art, The School of Athens.
Skip the Line St. Peter’s Basilica - St. Peter's Basilica is the grand centerpiece of the Vatican. Imagine walking into the biggest church you've ever seen, filled with artwork from all the famous Italian artists you learned about in school. Skip the lines that wait outside in St Peter's Square as you access the basilica from the inside, through a special side entrance our guides can use. Once inside, admire masterpieces that include the Baldacchino, La Pieta, the statue of St. Peter and more. While it is free to enter, this guided tour helps you make the most of it, without suffering the long lines.
Things to Know
Duration: 8 hours
Type of Service: VIP Small-group Siena and San Gimignano day tour from Florence with dinner - small group tour
A fabulous and exclusive all-round Tuscan extravaganza!
Spend an enlightening afternoon visiting Siena and San Gimignano, two of Tuscany's "jewel cities", and top the day off with a sunset and dinner in a boutique winery in the rolling Chianti countryside.
Depart Florence for Siena in full comfort aboard our state-of-the-art minivan, with your dedicated English-speaking driver and tour escort, and reach Siena.
Set in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, it is one of the most enchanting medieval cities in Italy.
Led by a specialized knowledgeable guide you will discover the town's most striking sights, admire the marvelous Piazza del Campo - where twice a year dashing horses compete in the heart-rendering Palio race. Explore quieter backstreets and learn everything about the Contrade (the 17 medieval city districts that compete against each other in the Palio) and enjoy a flavorful surprise, a tasting of a local specialty.
Then travel on to San Gimignano, UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most splendid examples of an ancient walled town. Renowned as “the city of beautiful towers” or "Tuscany's Manhattan" it boasts an exceptional skyline. It is certainly one of the most well-preserved towns in the whole of Italy and has, in fact, been used as a background in many movies. During your free time here, stroll the maze of quaint cobblestone streets at leisure, discovering the many tall towers, once homes, which characterize the town.
Breathe in the authentic atmosphere and then set off to admire the sun setting over the vineyard-clad Chianti hills and savor a genuine Tuscan dinner and wine tasting in the charming premises of a delightful boutique winery.
Enjoy the scrumptious flavors of an authentic typical meal splendidly paired with different excellent wines, as well as the privilege of a private visit to the estate's wine cellar.
Leaving you free to relax in the morning, and leading you into the heart of Tuscan beauty and heritage in the afternoon and evening, our VIP Small-Group Siena and San Gimignano with Dinner in a Chianti Winery provides a quintessential Dolce Vita Tuscan experience which you will never forget.
Things to Know:
Duration: 3 hours
Type of Service: Food Lover's Tour: Tasting at Florence’s Hidden Classics and Gems – small group tour
Florence is home to the some of the best foods and family run bottegas. On this food tour in Florence, we will have the bonus of strolling the historical center of town with a local expert while tasting the regions finest specialties on this fun, informative food lover's crawl. You’ll visit a mix of classic culinary institutions and hidden gems on the tiny streets off famous squares. You will visit artisan purveyors such as bakers, family-owned bottegas procuring goods from their own farms and local wines, a truffle cafe, institutional gelato parlors and more. You'll taste prized ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, caliber vintage prosecco, aged balsamic vinegar, local cheeses (ewe's milk pecorino), artisan cured meats, and learn all about Florentine's food history while getting a sense of the city with this specialty gourmet walk. This tour is a must for true food lovers who want to get down to the grain of the local food culture while meeting the city's most cherished bottegas, with a touch of sightseeing and main square orientation.
Highlights:
Our gourmet food tours in Florence are perfect for discerning food lovers, chefs, bakers, cooks, farm-to-table eaters and Italian culture enthusiasts. After your food tour, you will feel more confident to return to these shops and know what defines the traditional food landscape. Be prepared for genuine backdoor journey through these local-loved food shops.
Things to Know