Day Trips & Excursions in Italy

While your ship is in Messina, see more of Sicily with a 6-hour trip to Taormina. Take a guided tour of this historical city, including a stroll along Corso Umberto, once an ancient Roman street, and a visit to the Greco-Roman Theater. Plus, sample Sicilian delicacies, admire views of Mt. Etna and Giardini-Naxos bay from Castelmola, and on return to Messina, check out this ancient port's highlights. Port and Taormina pickup and drop-off included.

When visiting Florence, don't miss the chance to visit one of Tuscany's other most enchanting destinations with this private, half-day tour to Lucca. Travel in a Mercedes through the beautiful countryside to arrive at the Renaissance city, famous for its preserved medieval walls that encircle the old city center. Enjoy several hours of leisure time to spend as you please, whether you want to grab lunch at a local cafe, stroll along the promenade atop the walls or explore local attractions like Puccini's former home and Piazza del Giglio. Price is per group, based on a maximum of three passengers per vehicle.

Monteriggioni is a medieval little village built in 1200 characterized by its perfectly preserved belt of walls; in the centre of the village we will stop for a quick walk and a coffee"¦.Back on our van we will reach Siena in just 20 minutes!Siena is a pearl in the Tuscan countryside, a countryside steel rich of ancient castles which show how life was going on in the middle ages. This tour will make you discover the town that had been fighting against Florence for centuries; the town that gave birth to artists such as Simone Martini or Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti"¦

Discover the natural beauty of the Italian Lakes district on a day trip from Milan to Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. With a guide, you'll take a boat ride on Lake Maggiore, the second-biggest lake in Italy, to admire the sights along its shoreline; then enjoy Lake Orta, a much smaller lake, on a walk through the town of Orta San Giulio.

Combine food and Ferraris on this 13-hour tour from Milan. You'll travel by high-speed train to Bologna, where a guide meets you to take you to production centers of the area's most beloved items: balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, and prosciutto. Then head to the Museo Ferrari in Maranello to see various models of this classic sports car and learn about the history of the prestigious company. A test drive is available (own expense). End your tour with a 4-course lunch with wine.

Discover the Eternal City at your own pace on this day trip from Florence to Rome. Climb aboard the high-speed train from Florence and arrive in the Italian capital to enjoy a 12-hour sightseeing pass on a hop-on hop-off bus. Pass the Vatican, the Colosseum and other top attractions, hopping off to further explore your points of interest. At the end of the day you'll return to Florence on the high-speed train.

Visit the famous filming locations for the 'Inspector Montalbano' TV series on this tour from Syracuse. See Vigata, Marinella's beach, Don Balduccio's Palace, the police station, Montalbano's house and more. Enjoy the sights of this charming Sicilian town.

Dating back to the Etruscan era, the medieval settlements of Montepulciano and UNESCO-listed Pienza are considered among Tuscany's prettiest hilltop towns - but reaching them from Rome without your own vehicle is a challenge. On this tour, visit both towns in comfort by air-conditioned minivan and enjoy free time to explore the historic streets at your leisure. Admire uninterrupted views over the Val d'Orcia, with round-trip travel from your Rome hotel included.

Experience Italy's fashion and design capital without booking a hotel on a day trip from Rome to Milan. Catch the high-speed train to arrive in the glamorous northern city in 3 hours, and make the most of your time on a guided tour of highlights like the Milan Cathedral, La Scala Opera House, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping center. A small group size allows for personalized attention from the guide, who arranges all logistics.

See southern Italy in style with this eye-pleasing trip around Mount Etna via a vintage mid-20th-century train on the Circumetnea Railway. The train journey includes visits to the canyons of Alcantara Gorges (admission at own expense), an amazing natural setting made up of black lava rock walls up to 160 feet (50 meters). And then explore the base of Mount Etna, Sicily's legendary volcano that is 11,000 feet (3,300 meters) tall. Optional upgrade to ascent by cable car up to 2,500 meters and continuing on board jeeps up to the authorized crater zones at approximately 3,000 meters with the assistance of licensed guides of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club); stop to admire the eventual activity of the upper craters in a safety zones according to weather conditions. From November 1 to March 31, this tour does not include the train ride nor the optional upgrade.

Combine food and Ferraris on this full-day tour from Verona. Catch a high-speed train to Bologna, and discover the culinary and automobile highlights of the region. Visit a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto factory with tastings at each, and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Ferrari Museum at Maranello. Admire the cars, and finish with a 4-course gourmet lunch before your return train ride. Lunch with drinks, train tickets, and entrance fees included.

Explore several highlights of the French and Italian Rivieras on this full-day, small-group tour from Nice. Meet your guide directly at your accommodation, and don't forget your passport: you'll be journeying across the border to either San Remo or Ventimiglia in Italy. Upon your arrival, stroll the busy markets, explore the charming backstreets, and soak up la dolce vita. Then, return to France to explore Menton, a seaside destination famed for its medieval old town and elegant gardens.

Ride a high-speed train round-trip from Florence to Bologna on a full-day tour that combines culinary arts and cars. With an informative guide you'll visit the production centers of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto. After sampling these edible delights, gain skip-the-line entry to the Museo Ferrari of Maranello for a tour of the prestigious sports car company. Finish with a 4-course gourmet lunch accompanied by wine, coffee and a digestif. Numbers are limited to 14 participants to ensure a small-group experience.

Swap the city sights of Milan for the lakeside allure of Lake Como with this day trip from Milan. Showcasing the highlights of the glamorous northern lake, the excursion packs in a walking tour of Como town and a visit to Villa Olmo with a boat cruise to Bellagio and free time in Varenna. You'll travel with a guide to get the lowdown on all the sights, and you'll be back in Milan in time for dinner.

Discover some of the highlights of Tuscany on this day trip from Florence by coach. Visit historical hill towns Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano; admire the gorgeous, vineyard-covered scenery of Orcia Valley (Val d'Orcia); and enjoy cheese and wine tastings as you stop at local wineries and other venues. It's a great day out in the Italian countryside.

Leave urban Milan for the day and spend some time at picturesque Lake Maggiore, located in Italy's Lake District. Explore the chic town of Stresa, learning about the area's history from your guide and perusing the shops. Then hop on a boat for a 2-hour cruise around the lake, and take in the scenery of the water and surrounding mountains. Visit the Borromean Islands – Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella – before making the return trip to Milan.

Discover the charms of Capri on this day trip from Naples. After convenient hotel pick-up, head to the Naples port and travel to the lovely island of Capri. Visit Anacapri, the Piazetta, and the Gardens of Augustus. Travel along Via Camerelle and Via Tregare to the charming village center. Enjoy a local lunch and admire the striking views of the Faraglioni before your return to Naples.

Spend a delightful day in the Tuscan countryside exploring some of the region's best-kept natural and cultural gems. Traveling from Pisa in a minivan, tour the charming medieval city of Lucca, birthplace of opera master Puccini. Follow the river Serchio through Garfagnana hill country, taking in the sights such as a massive fortress and the legendary Devil's Bridge. Finish the day with a visit to the picturesque village of Barga, which offers spectacular valley views from its hilltop cathedral. 

Explore Europe's largest active volcano this day trip to Mt Etna from Taormina. Relax with transportation to the base station of Rifugio Sapienza and then take off through the foothills for three hours of hiking at your leisure. Alternatively, upgrade your ticket for a trip up to the upper craters and a guided walking tour through the volcanic craters. Soak up scenic views from the UNESCO-listed spot before concluding with transportation back to Taormina.

Live 'la dolce vita' on Italy's most glamorous island with a small-group day trip from Rome to Capri. All the details are arranged, including hotel transfers to the port of Naples and a boat ride to the island, so you can relax and enjoy the idyllic retreat of emperors and movie stars. Explore highlights like the ancient Augustus Gardens, ritzy Piazetta, and the yacht-filled Marina Grande on a tour of Anacapri village, traveling with a guide and a small group for a more intimate escape.