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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:

  • Tour is offered March - November
  • Tour is offered 7 days a week based on availability
  • Tour begins at 1:10pm / Tour check-in 12:55pm
  • Meeting Point Location: Between the two big columns in St. Mark’s Square located on the south side of the square, near the canal – more details upon booking
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes
Published in Venice Half Day Tours

Duration: 2.5 hours

Type Of Service: Best of Rome: Afternoon Walking Tour with Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain & Pantheon - small group tour

Enjoy a relaxed, 2.5-hour tour covering Rome’s compact historic center and visiting its most iconic sights. Your expert, English-speaking guide will also give you the history that brings these incredible monuments to life and take you to some of the lesser-known corners with stories of their own to tell.

See the Best of Rome on Our Walking Tour - Learn how Raphael died when you visit the Pantheon, hear about Bernini’s famous feud at Piazza Navona and discover the meaning behind a name at the Spanish Steps. Often referred to as an “outdoor museum,” the streets of Rome are home to some of the city’s finest art. You’ll see the momentous Trevi Fountain, Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers and appreciate some of the world’s most impressive architecture in the dome of the Pantheon.

Uncover More with Our Expert Guides - Our guides are experts in their fields, trained in the art and history of the city, and are passionate about showing you more than what’s in front of your nose. Take a Gentle Stroll Through Rome's Past - Our Best of Rome walking tour is the perfect way to orient yourself to the streets, art, and history of Rome. Traveling at an easy pace, you’ll never feel rushed. We’ll even stop for a traditional Italian treat along the way, free of charge, so you can take a few minutes to soak up Rome’s famous ‘dolce far niente,’ the sweetness of doing nothing.

Sites Visited

  • The Spanish Steps
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Pantheon
  • Piazza Colonna 
  • Piazza Navona – Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Things to Know:

  • Guided stroll covering the Eternal City’s historic center & iconic sights
  • See the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, & more
  • Learn Rome’s history from an expert, English-speaking guide
  • Tour is offered daily 7 days a week from March – December, based on availability
  • Tour begins at 3:30pm / Tour check-in at 3:15pm
  • Small group tour of 25 people or less
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes
  • Meeting point location: Piazza di Spagna – more details are given upon booking
Published in Rome Half Day Tours

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:

  • Small-group, culinary tour of Florence with a local, passionate expert
  • 5 gourmet tasting pit-stops, with wine at 2 stops
  • Crash course into Florentine food culture and traditional Tuscan goods
  • Guided walking tour in the center of Florence, tasting at both cult classics and hidden nooks
  • Traditional Tuscan sweet pastries like rice pudding budino or chocolate semolino tartlets with Italian roasted espresso
  • Snack like a royal at king-approved truffle cafe’ for Florence’s famous panino tartufato with bubbles
  • Visit classic bakeries for Tuscany’s schiacciata flatbreads along with seasonal delicacies (wine grape pie, sweet chestnut & pine nut cake castagnaccio, etc)
  • Farmstead quality cheese and cured meat tasting with locally produced wine
  • Savor in Italian excellence via tastings of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from around Italy & Aged Balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 Wine tastings included (i.e. bubbly with truffles, local red wine with prosciutto, etc)
  • Meeting local characters and purveyors
  • Wholly artisanal gelato, gelato judge approved
  • ...and more!

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

  • Small group tour food walking tour - 8 people or less
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes
  • Tour begins at 3:00pm /Tour check in 2:45pm
  • Tour is available for youth 12 years old to adults
  • Inquire about discount rates for children ages 12 - 17 years old
  • Meeting Point Location: Piazza Signoria – more details are given upon booking

Duration: 5 hours

Type of Service: Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class at a Farmhouse in Tuscany - small group class

Learn to make these Italian classics in an idyllic setting in the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Under the guidance of a professional Italian chef you will be taken on a cultural journey learning the skills and inside tricks of making the best mouth-watering pizza and gelato right in the country where they were born.

The beautiful estate that offers stunning views over the surrounding hills just outside the center of Florence provides the perfect setting to roll up your sleeves and get hands on when learning the process from making and kneading the dough to choosing the perfect topping for your pizza. Some ingredients for your pizza are picked from our very own vegetable garden.

You will be able to relax and enjoy the delicious pizza cooked in our wood oven with a glass of Chianti wine or a cold beer before you get started on the gelato making. By the end of the class you will feel confident enough to re-produce the food at home impressing your lucky guests!

Being both a fun but instructive class this hands-on pizza and gelato making class will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip to Tuscany.

 Highlights

  • Small-group pizza and gelato making class at a breathtaking farmhouse set in the rolling hills of Tuscany!
  • Learn the insider tips and special techniques from our professional chef
  • Hands on experience: learn to make Pizza and home-made Gelato
  • Enjoy the food accompanied by wine and beer

 Things to Know

  • After meeting the professional chef in our centrally located office you will be transported directly to our beautiful private estate in the hills just above Florence where you will start to live the full Italian experience.
  • On arrival you will be able to appreciate the stunning views over gorgeous countryside as you taste the traditional 'fettunta' and enjoy a glass of Chianti wine whilst listening to the culture behind Italy's most famous food, pizza and gelato.
  • By this time you will be eager to get hands on. The professional chef will teach you the art of dough making and kneading and will give you all the inside tips in order to easily produce the same result back home where you'll be able to impress your friends and family. You'll learn about the different ways to make pizza depending on the region.
  • Next it will be time to get creative as you use the ingredients picked from our very own vegetable garden and choose from the many traditional toppings the Italians love. The pizza will be cooked in our wood oven to give it the traditional flavor that will make you feel proud as you sit down and enjoy your pizza with more wine or beer.
  • The fun continues as you then learn the special techniques to make your very own gelato. You will make creamy gelato with unique toppings/sauces and though you may always want to reproduce these same toppings the chef will make sure you have an adequate understanding in order to be able to experiment at home!
  • You will leave feeling satisfied, excited and with wonderful memories that you will be able to take home with you!
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes and casual attire – you will be working in an outdoor kitchen
  • Upon arrival from the parking lot – you will walk down a set of stairs to reach the outdoor kitchen and vegetable garden
  • Meeting Point Location:  more details are given upon booking (center city of Florence)
  • Tour is offered Monday – Saturday at 2:30pm

Duration: 8.75 hours

Type of Service: From Naples - Pompeii and Vesuvius Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting

The Complete Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Experience - Meet up with your expert local guide in the center of the fascinating city of Naples and hop aboard a comfortable private coach to head straight for the archaeological area of Pompeii. Your guide will prepare you for everything that’s in store on our Pompeii tours from Naples, sharing the captivating stories and history behind the fateful day in 79 AD when Mt. Vesuvius exploded in one of the most catastrophic eruptions ever, covering the area in a thick layer of ash and rubble.

Absorbing Explanations and Descriptions - Once we get to Pompeii you’ll benefit from skip-the-line, pre-booked entry and the expertise of an official local guide, as you walk this former port town’s main streets just as the ancient Romans did on stones that are still worn with tracks from the carts that tread them nearly 2,000 years ago. We’ll visit the forum, the center of Pompeii’s political and social life, the startling plaster death casts of the victims of the violent eruption that destroyed the city, as well as take a look inside intact dwelling complete with their porticoes, mosaics, and frescoes. The city’s baths and gymnasiums will also impress as you look across the millennia at a moment frozen in time forever.

An Epicurean Lunch with Local Food and Wine - After Pompeii, head up the lush slopes of Mt. Vesuvius itself to meet its most famous wine producer for a tasting of 6 fantastic native varieties produced from the volcanic soil right under your feet. Enjoy an inviting 3-course lunch of some of the region’s most delectable culinary delights, including cheeses, cured meats, pasta with local ‘piennolo’ heirloom tomatoes and a mouthwatering ‘pastiera napoletana’ pastry dessert with ricotta cheese and fruit. Admire sweeping views from the terrace over the surrounding countryside, and visit the vineyards and cellar with a careful explanation of the grape varietals and each step in the winemaking process from the family that owns them.

 From here we’ll finish our ascent to the edge of Mt. Vesuvius’s crater. Take the chance to look an active volcano in the face on the 20-minute hike where you’ll get to look inside the caldera and take in the most breathtaking panoramas of the day. You’ll see Naples, the bay and the island of Capri from a height of over 4,200 feet, as well as bask in the pristine nature that surrounds you.

Things to Know:

  • Expert, local English -speaking tour guide
  • Groups no larger than 25 people during guided tour of Pompeii
  • All transfers in private air-conditioned coach
  • Skip the line admission tickets and reservations included in tour cost
  • 3 course-lunch with 6 wines produced at the vineyard
  • Tour is offered April - October
  • Toured is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
  • Tour Time:  Tour departs at 8:45am and check-in by 8:30am
  • Meeting Point Location: Naples Train Station – more details are given upon booking
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes

 

  

Published in Milan/Naples

Duration: 12 hours

Type Of Service: VIP Small-Group Cinque Terre Discovery & Vineyards Escapes Tour with Seafood Lunch

There is nothing better than the VIP Cinque Terre Discovery & Vineyards Escapes to explore a real Italian coastal paradise with the exclusivity of a small-group tour. This is the most complete experience and the only one-day tour to Cinque Terre that will allow you to discover the beauty of the villages while breathing the true relaxed essence of this paradise. A small-group adventure. The personalized attention of a knowledgeable guide. Exclusive escapes from the crowds that will reveal hidden, no touristy, gems. Relaxed savoring of two of the treasures of this region: its cuisine made of ancient traditional recipes and its local unique wines.

Departure from meeting point in the morning, transfer to the North West Riviera with a comfortable air-conditioned minivan.
During the day the guide will introduce guests to this spectacular corner of Italy, famous for its panorama, its wine, its food, beautiful sea and hiking opportunities.
Our comprehensive exploration will include the visit of some of the most beautiful villages and landscapes of Cinque Terre National Park (a world-heritage protected by UNESCO since 1997) which are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, the villages clinging to a remote stretch of the Riviera coastline. You will enjoy the five-mile-long rocky coast lined by thousands of dry walls built on terraces cultivated with vineyards, and the small medieval fishing villages built on rock… add to this the incredible color of the sea and the sky, and you may understand what paradise the Cinque Terre really is. Enjoy the most astonishing views either from land and sea, as we stroll along the national park by boat, train, and walking/hiking on the fabulous trails on the cliff (including famous Via dell’Amore - see notes -) in a perfect mix for a memorable experience.
A delicious full lunch with wine tasting in a typical restaurant on the sea is included, thus you will be able to enjoy incredible fresh seafood cooked the Ligurian way, accompanied by some great white wines typical of this region.

An amazing boat ride (weather and sea conditions permitting) will be an additional memorable perspective on the Riviera, to take back home with you the most incredible pictures of this day.
This experience is a unique opportunity to explore Cinque Terre in a day, also enjoying a few enchanting escapes from the crowds of the villages. You will have the chance to admire the astonishing coastal panorama from a high vantage point, with a very light hike on an almost levelled trail through seaside vineyards. Natural amphitheaters of luxuriant vineyards will disclose to your eyes and senses, facing the sea and the open horizon, and you will learn about the unique peculiarities of grape harvesting (that often include incredible steep mono-rails through the vineyards) and wine production of this region.
Get the best out of a day out, join this small group adventure!

Things to Know:

  • Small group tour with 16 people or less
  • Round-trip transportation from Florence in A/C luxury minivan
  • Visit this UNESCO World-Heritage Italian coastal paradise
  • Discover the most beautiful villages of Cinque Terre
  • Enjoy some relaxed escapes from the crowds, through luxuriant panoramic seaside vineyards – light hiking
  • Savor a delicious lunch with seafood and wine tasting in a typical restaurant
  • Magnificent views of the coast on a light hiking trail through vineyards
  • An amazing boat trip to take the most beautiful pictures of Cinque Terre from the sea
  • Tour departs at 8:00am / Tour check-in at by 7:45am
  • Tour offered 7 days @ week to peak season
  • Wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
  • Meeting point location: -Piazza della Repubblica (next to the APPLE STORE under the loggias, corner with Via Pellicceria) - more details upon booking

 

 

 
Published in Cinque Terre

Duration: 3 Hours, (includes one-hour visit to the interior of Doge's Palace)

Type of Service: Walking food tour of Venice

On this three-hour tour you’ll enjoy the authentic Venetian food and wine traditions at a local Osteria and be introduced to Venice’s famous landmarks, including the exterior of Doge’s Palace.

Your personal local guide will provide you a walking tour of the picturesque Venetian calli (streets) and ponti (bridges) of Venice, telling you the incredible history and secrets of this unique city. You’ll admire the center of the Venetian power during the Serenissima Republic of Venice: Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and its fascinating buildings, such as the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), which was the heart of the political life and public administration of the Venetian Republic.  Follow some incredible off-the-beaten-track itineraries and discover Venice's best-kept secrets, then taste the authentic Venetian food and wine traditions in a typical “Osteria.” Mix up with the locals and enjoy a tasty Venetian aperitif with “cicchetti e un’ombra di vino” (finger food and a glass of wine), that will invigorate your spirit and make you look at Venice from the locals’ point of view!

Things to Know:

  • 3-hour private walking tour of Venice 
  • Experience the grandeur and history of Venice on this tour of a one-hour interior visit to the Doge’s Palace.
  • See notable Venice attractions like the Rialto Fish Market and the Cannaregio Quarter, as well as lesser-known sights
    Sip on a glass of wine and enjoy appetizers at a traditional Venetian osteria
  • Minimum of 2 and Maximum of 8
  • Tour is offered Tuesday through Saturday based on availability
  • Tour can be offered on Mondays with no interior visit to Doge's Palace
  • Tour is offered at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm
  • Meet your private guide at either your hotel or St. Mark's Square in the heart of the city
  • Your friendly, English-speaking guide will answer all your questions and provide personalized insights so you can get the most out of your time
  • Admission fees, skip the line tickets, private tour guide, and  tasting fees included in tour cost
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes shoes
Published in Venice Half Day Tours

Duration: 3 hours

Type of Service: Pizza & Gelato Making Cooking Class - group class located in center city of Florence

Join us for this unique cooking class in Florence and learn to make pizza from the master chefs, called pizzaiolo. The techniques will teach you how to prepare the most tender pizza dough and the most delicious pizza tomato sauce. You will be able to take these lessons with you, cooking pizza like an Italian right at home. The chefs will show you how to add ingredients and bake your pizza, and best of all, you will be able to eat it at the end. This is truly one of the best things to do in Florence and beyond pizza, the chefs will also introduce you into the culture of Italian gelato. See why this is considered among the best ice-cream in the world and learn the secrets of the most delicious gelato from professional chefs. We offer you the best Florence experience for families, immersing into the traditional cuisine and culture of Italy, discovering more about two of the best Italian specialties.

Things to Know:

  • Make your own Italian pizza and gelato in this Florence cooking class
  • Sample a variety of different pizzas and gelato flavors
  • Learn tips and traditional Italian culinary methods from a professional chef
  • Use of apron and cooking utensils – hands-on experience
  • All ingredients for your pizza and gelato
  • Dinner with Wine Tastings (soft drinks for children)
  • Graduation Certificate Booklet with recipes
  • A small amount of walking is involved (12-minute walk from check-in location to cooking class)
  • Class size is limited to 25 people or less
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes
  • Classes available: 7 days a week based on availability / March - October
  • Tour is offered Monday - Saturday
  • Class times: 3:00pm and 6:00pm
  • Meeting Point Location:  Center City of Florence - Piazza della Repubblica - more details and map provided upon booking

Duration: 3 Hours

Type Of Service: Local Foodie Tour in Trastevere with Wine & Dinner

Embark on a food tour in Trastevere that offers an excellent introduction to one of the best foodie districts in Rome. Walking around the Eternal City is an excellent way to work up an appetite; a food tour is the best way to end your day of sightseeing. Led by a local foodie guide, visit some of our favorite restaurants and trattoria in Rome.

Roman Bakery and Pizza - At this stop, learn more the history of bakeries, or forni, in Rome. Get acquainted with a major part of Roman culinary tradition by ordering a hot square of pizza bianca for lunch. In Rome, people line up for these olive oil flat breads stuffed with prosciutto, parmesan and rocket. As opposed to red pizza served by the slice (al taglio), pizza bianca is not what most people associate with pizza. After you've tasted this treat, you'll understand how pizza need not have sauce or cheese to be delicious. Pizza bianca is a piece of chewy and crispy culinary heaven. 

Roman Street Food - While a sit-down meal of creamy carbonara accompanied by copious amounts of Sangiovese is more likely associated with the best Italian fare, street food is nothing to sneeze at. Some of the most delicious cuisine in Rome includes quick and casual street food. From deconstructed pizza sandwiches at Trapizzino to traditionally fried filetto di baccala at Dar Filettaro’s near the Campo de' Fiori district, Rome street food is hard to beat. In the spirit of experiencing the joy of Roman street fare, enjoy a stop at one of our favorite local spots. 

An Authentic Roman Restaurant - An evening food tour in Rome isn’t complete without a stop for a multi-course Roman dinner. Sit down and relax in a friendly local restaurant and sample an antipasto starter, tastes of two popular Roman pastas, a traditional meat dish, and wine. No Italian dinner is complete without a digestivo to wash things down and help you digest your meal. Limoncello will be served at the end of your meal and only then will you feel like a true paesano. As opposed to the other stops on this walking food tour in Rome, this is your chance to rest your feet, enjoy your dinner and learn more about what makes the Eternal City so special when it comes to dining. 
 
The Best Organic Gelato in Trastevere - You didn't think we'd finish a food tour without gelato, did you? If you've been to Italy, regardless of the time of year, you'll know how important it is to end the evening with a gelato. It's a staple food for Italians. Learn how to spot good quality gelato from ones with additives and try some new flavors. From caffè to fragola to pistacchio, there's a gelato flavor for everyone. 
A day of food and fun; put on your comfortable walking shoes and come with an empty stomach! 
 
Things to know:
  • Guided food walking tour of Rome with English-speaking guide
  • Small-group walking tour with 12 people or less
  • At least 3 glasses of wine
  • 4 carefully selected stops with multiple tastings including wine or beer
  •  Sit-down dinner at a local Roman restaurant
  • The cost of food and tastings included in tour price
  • Learn about local history and culture on this walking tour
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes - casual attire
  • Toured offered on Monday - Saturday
  • Tour begins at 5:30 PM
  • Meeting Point:  – (Piazza Farnese - by the fountain) more details upon booking

 

 

Published in Rome Half Day Tours

dDuration: 2.5 hours

Type of Service: Florence Evening Walking and Wine Tour – private tour

A popular social tradition in Italy, aperitivo comprises of snacks and drinks to be enjoyed in a bar before dinner.  Your tour will begin from your accommodations as you stroll towards the Duomo where you will receive a short introduction about this historic building and the piazza that surrounds it before enjoying a glass of wine or prosecco with crostini's and tuscan meats and cheeses at a favorite Florentine wine bar and restaurant.

Your next stop on this walking tour you will cross over the Ponte Vecchio Bridge for a great photo before strolling through Piazza Santo Spirito, one of the more picturesque areas of Florence, a lively scene both day and night on your way to a popular wine bar for a glass of prosecco.

Your final destination on this wine tour is to enjoy a beverage of your choice and appetizer on a rooftop bar with amazing views of the Arno River and surrounding landmarks.  

This is a wonderful introduction to the beautiful city of Florence. I highly recommend this tour for anyone and everyone.

 Things to Know:

  • Enjoy and experience a traditional Italian ‘aperitivo’ – at three different locations
  • Tour includes a glass of wine, prosecco or beverage of your choice at each location and shared Tuscan appetizers
  • Set out to explore the city at dusk - perfect introduction to Florence for first-time visitors
  • A unique, interactive evening walking tour to taste the best Italian wines and appetizers
  • 2.5-hour wine tour with a licensed private English-speaking local tour guide (tour times between are between 5:30pm or 6:00pm)
  • Tour departs from your accommodations in the Center City – more details are given upon booking
  • Tour is offered Monday – Saturday / Mid-March to Mid-December
  • Wear comfortable walking or tennis shoes
  • Tour must have a minimum of two people and maximum of six people for this private tour
  • For groups over 6 people or early afternoon tours, please contact us directly
  • Tour does not operate the last week in August and the first week of September
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