Short Breaks: Italy

The following short break excursions are offered by AltaVia partner Viaggi del Mappamondo, one of Italy's leading tour operators.

Venice Gondola Ride with Serenade

What could be more romantic than a private gondola ride for two in the most magical city in the world, Venice? As you float along in an authentic gondola, your gondolier will serenade you with songs of love as he navigates the beautiful canals of Venice.

Venice is made to be seen from the water, its faded splendor unfolding from your unique vantage point in a gondola. The experience is mesmerizing as you look up at the old Venetian palaces and watch the oars silently glide through the water. Floating beneath elegant bridges and traveling along small canals into the vibrant Grand Canal, it's easy to imagine Venice in its prime centuries ago.

Ancient Rome

Small group walking tour of Ancient Rome's major attractions -- minus the queues for the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Perfect for first-time visitors, this guided morning walking tour is the ideal introduction to Ancient Rome, leaving you with the afternoon free to explore Rome at your leisure. Several major sites are covered in just three hours, and you'll receive enlightening insights into Rome's millennia of history...

Chianti Region Wine Tasting (from Florence)

Combine wine-tasting and a country drive through magnificent Tuscan landscapes on an afternoon excursion to Chianti. This popular Tuscan region is universally acclaimed for its classic wines and natural beauty. You'll discover a magical world of woods alternating with vines and olive trees, Romanesque churches, medieval farmhouses, Renaissance villas and castles.

A highlight of the tour is your visit to an ancient Tuscan town and one of Chianti's most renowned wine-growing estates. Here, you'll receive insights into the local wine-growing traditions and sample three prestigious wines: Chianti Classico, Chianti Reserve and Vin Santo dessert wine. The wines are accompanied by local traditional snacks.

Milan Shopping Tour + Dinner with Da Vinci

Guarantee your visit to see one of the most famous artworks in the world, da Vinci's 'Last Supper'. Reservations to see Leonardo's 'Last Supper' are limited and sell out quickly, sometimes months in advance.

Discover the world of fashion in the capital of glamor and style, Milan. If you love fashion and shopping, this tour is for you! You will visit some of the top designer houses in Milan, accompanied by an expert who can offer you valuable shopping and style tips.