Full-Day Bus Tours from Venice to Verona, Lake Garda, Italian Alps, Friuli, Vineyards and Wine Tasting

Discover magical Verona -- one of Italy's most picture-perfect cities -- as well as the world-class wine regions of Amarone and Valpolicella. From Venice it's a 90-minute drive through verdant hills and past ancient villages to the very heart of Verona, Piazza Bra. Step off the bus and marvel at Italy's third-largest ancient arena. Built by Roman soldiers almost 2000 years ago, it has 22,000 seats and originally hosted gladiators and wild animals. Today it is used for opera and concerts in the summer. Verona is rich but small, so in your two-and-a-half hours of free time, you will be able to easily walk to the most interesting sites. Start with the very balcony where Juliet stood when Romeo wooed her (you are welcome to repeat the scene with your own true love!). Then stroll across a 14th-century drawbridge to Castelvecchio, the quintessential Italian castle. Next visit Piazza delle Erbe, where a lively marketplace sits atop the site of the original Roman Forum. End your walk at Piazza dei Signori, lined with the delicate 15th-century Loggia del Consiglio, the 17th-century Baroque Domus Nova, and the 13th-century Palazzo dei Scaligeri. After Verona, you'll head to the medieval towns of the Valpolicella region, where you'll have time for lunch on your own, as well as a chance to visit the 13th-century church of San Giorgio with its splendid altar dating back to the year 712 and featuring beautiful frescoes with panoramic views of Sirmione and Lake Garda. From here you'll continue to an Amarone vineyard for a visit and tasting of this, one of Italy's most esteemed wines. This is your chance to purchase a few bottles of Amarone (which the locals call "the big dry one") and Recioto della Valpolicella before your English-speaking driver-escort takes you back to Venice.

Tour Length: 4 hours approx.

Leaving Venice, your English-speaking driver-escort will take you, by private car or minivan, south-east of Treviso to a 17th-century villa that was once the home of a famous Doge. Surrounded by 100 acres of vineyards, in very fertile terrain that is perfect for the production of high quality wine, the owners grow Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Refrosco, Raboso, Verduzzo, Chardonay, Pinot Grigio, Tocai, Traminer and Prosecco -- all grapes typical of this area. Upon arrival at the 300-year-old cantina, you will be shown how the superlative wines aging in huge oak barrels are being produced today. Then you're invited to a wine tasting, accompanied by appetizers of local products. Afterwards, your driver-escort will take you back to Venice.

Tour Length: 8 hours approx.

This is the perfect day trip for those who want to get off the beaten track, see spectacular nature and unspoiled historical towns, AND taste some of the best food and wine Italy has to offer! Your English-speaking driver-escort will take you through the countryside of eastern Veneto, where you will be able to admire the exquisite vineyards of the Veneto and Friuli regions. Because it's off in the far northeastern corner of Italy, very few travellers make it to Friuli. But what they are missing! This is one of the most picturesque areas in all Europe, almost totally unspoiled and blessed with deep green forests, impeccably maintained rolling hills, authentic hill towns and fine Renaissance treasures. Connoisseurs have heard of the world-class wines produced here, and you will be able to taste them at your first stop in the Corno di Rosazzo hills. Here you'll meet a renowned wine maker/oenologist, who will show you his vineyard and cellars, then lead you through a tasting of great whites and full-bodied reds, including Cabernet, Merlot, Refrosco and Tocai Friulano. Lunch is served in a tiny trattoria. You will note the influence of the nearby Slovenian border on the home-made specialties you'll taste alongside Schioppettino wine, and of course a Friulan meal would not be complete without a chaser of local grappa! After lunch you'll continue to the picturesque medieval town of Cividale del Friuli, which was founded in 50 BC by Julius Caesar. Your escort will take you on a walk through the historical centre, where you'll cross the Devil's Bridge and delight to the spectacular views over the river before your journey back to Venice.

For a complete change from Venice (and most the rest of Italy, for that matter!) take this delightful day trip through spectacular canyons, amazing tunnels, beneath towering mountain passes and across deep green valleys, ending up in one of Europe's most popular resort towns, Cortina D'Ampezzo. Nicknamed "the Pearl of the Dolomites," it is exactly what you'd expect, with its adorable gingerbread houses, cobblestone lanes and unparalleled views of flowering valleys and snow-capped mountains. You will have approximately one-and-a-half hours of free time to stroll around. Weather permitting, we suggest you take the cable car up to the 7,000-foot summit of Mount Faloria, which overlooks the fairy-tale village and the surrounding mountains. Afterwards, you'll continue to the natural Lake of Misurina (5,700 feet above sea level), followed by the winding road that leads to the three peaks called "Tre Cime di Lavaredo." At 7,700 feet above sea level, this spots provides some of the most unforgettable views you'll ever find of the Dolomites. Here you will have time to explore the unspoiled nature, or you can enjoy lunch at the restaurant whilst admiring the beautiful mountain peaks and spectacular views of Sorapis and Marmarole. Surrounded by scenery as stunning as this, photo opportunities are plentiful! After lunch you'll journey on past enchanting mountain villages, to admire picturesque Auronzo Lake before your English-speaking driver-escort takes you back to Venice.