Bolzano (half day)
This half-day excursion takes you to the scenic South Tyrol and its capital, the popular tourist centre of Bolzano.
This region in the Alto Adige is now part of Italy, but was Austrian until the end of the First World War. It still has a distinctly Austrian appearance, in its architecture, scenery and even the continuing use of the German language in many areas.
The older part of Bolzano has a cathedral and several churches in the German gothic style. There are also some delightful old houses between Piazza Walther and the Via dei Portici.
During your free time, you may wish to visit the museum housing the well-preserved 5,300-year-old body of ‘Ötzi the Ice Man’, found in 1991 in the nearby mountains on the border between Austria and Italy.
The Dolomites (full day)
Travel high into Italy’s Dolomite mountains, where you will enjoy the dramatic views of these craggy limestone mountains, whose shimmering pink hues can be seen both day and night. If the weather is fine, you should have plenty of opportunities for photographs.
The Dolomites are ancient coral reefs that were once covered by a shallow, warm sea. After millions of years, the sea receded, and the former sea bed was raised to heights of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres. Marine fossils have been found high in the mountains.
This tour visits the Gruppo di Brenta Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio, Passo Mandola and when weather is good there is a view of the Brenta Mountain Group. Lunch is included in a local village.
This tour travels to heights of at least 2,000 metres, therefore you should be in good health and are advised to consult your GP if you have concerns about altitude or medical conditions.
Lake Garda (full day)
Beautiful Lake Garda is the largest and the most popular of all the Italian lakes.
This tour takes you to the charming town of Riva del Garda at the northern end of the lake.
In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat ride to the lakeside town of Malcesine, the northernmost town of Lake Garda. It retains a number of medieval buildings including a castle and the so-called Palazzo dei Capitani (Palace of the Captains).
Trento (half day)
The capital of the beautiful Trentino-Alto Adige region, Trento is a town in a stunning location, surrounded by mountains.
The northern province of Trentino was ruled by a dynasty of Prince Bishops from the 10th to the 18th centuries.
Trento boasts a wealth of churches from all eras, including Romanesque, Renaissance and gothic church architecture. Attractions include the cathedral and the Museum of the Diocese of Trento, which is housed in the Bishop’s Palace. The latter includes a display on the famous Council of Trento (1545-63) which was called at the height of Protestant advances to discuss ways in which Catholicism could combat the new creeds.
Verona (full day)
Verona is best known by the British for its associations with Shakespeare, and you can discover the delights of the city on this trip.
Verona is a city with great artistic and architectural treasures, and well-preserved Roman remains, of which the most famous is the Amphitheatre. This is the largest in Europe after the Colosseum in Rome, and is still used for renowned outdoor opera performances in the summer. Also worth seeing is Porta Borsari, one of the original Roman gates.
Your visit to the city starts with a morning walking tour with a local guide. No entrances are included. Afterwards you have free time to explore the city independently- you can visit Juliet's house and see the famous balcony or walk along the narrow medieval streets which are a delight to stroll around.