The 9 Best Luxury Day Trips in Italy

1.Lake Como Highlights – Villa Balbianello & Bellagio exclusive full-day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $302Our pick

Spend about eight hours with a live English-speaking guide, traveling by hydrofoil and public ferry from Como to Villa Balbianello, Lenno, and Bellagio. Expect film locations, grand villas, mountain views, steep walking, and a group of up to 12. Guides such as Violetta, Michele, and Elena lead the route.

“I want to begin by mentioning the few positive things: Our guide, Michael, was excellent and did a good job. He was very nice, knowledgable and fun yo be around. It would have been even worse if he was not good at his job. Lake Como and the Villa Balbianello were both spectacular. Worth visiting as a tourist—truly. Just not on this overpriced and poorly planned tour. The tour itself was a complete waste of time and money. Did not even remotely meet our expectations. We met with our guide and small group and then got on the public ferry from Como to Lenno. We were charged €45 per person…”

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2.Lake Como – Varenna & Bellagio Exclusive Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $266

Spend about eight hours exploring Lake Como with an English-speaking guide, often Violetta, Giovanni, Daniele, Bianca, or Paula. Travel by hydrofoil and ferry, walk Varenna and Bellagio, visit three historic churches, and get help handling crowded boat schedules. Expect extra costs for the scenic ferry, lunch, and gelato.

“We have been using Viator for over ten years now. This was the best, most informative tour we have ever been on. We had Violetta as tour guide. She is by far the best guide we have ever had. She was skilled and professional in every way. We had 8 people in our group and by the end of the 8 hour tour, we were all friends. Violetta had a great personality, she knew all of the historical details of every place we walked by and into. She pointed out the most scenic photo ops and was happy to act as photographer to capture the most endearing scenes. We highly…”

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3.Villa Balbianello & Bellagio Full-Day Tour on Lake Como by boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $453

Spend 8 to 9 hours exploring Lake Como from Como by boat, with visits to Villa del Balbianello gardens, Villa Melzi, Lenno, and Bellagio. An English-speaking guide such as Ricardo, Francesca, Bianca, or Violeta leads the day for groups of up to 10. Expect steep walks, free-time lunch, and changing boat arrangements.

“Was looking forward to this tour. Sadly, two people caused a huge 1-1/2 hour delay (they over slept) and we had to wait for them. This in turn caused us issue all along the rest of the day. We had to wait now an extra 30 minutes for a boat to the Villa, not being allowed the hike up as we were hoping to do. The tour guide could have let us proceed and these other people could have caught up to us at some other point, but we had to wait in the hot sun, doing nothing. We were rushed through all other portions of the tour. Villa del…”

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4.Exclusive Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $700

Leave Florence at 7am for a private 13-hour day through all five Cinque Terre villages. Your guide, such as Angel, Daniele, Stefano, or Freddy, handles the train, boat, timing, and lunch while you explore Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

“Our guide Danieli was wonderful and the scenery of Cinque Terre were the highlights. Beautiful vista’s ad Danieli’s detailed explanations enhanced the tour. He was a wealth of information both on our 2 hour ride from Florence…and on our return trip. Great guide!! He truly felt bad about the train delays. The only negatives ….no reflection on Viator or Danieli..we’re the crowds of people in all 5 towns and the very poor train service. We wasted about 90 minutes on delayed trains and the hordes of tourists made it almost impossible to keep with our schedule. It was a great tour but when we got back to Florence we were…”

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5.Tuscany EXCLUSIVE Private Day Trip from Florence by Car with Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $569

Leave Florence by private air-conditioned car with a local host and driver for a flexible day in Chianti. Visit Piazzale Michelangelo, Badia di Passignano, and Greve in Chianti, then enjoy one local wine tasting. Lorenzo is one named host associated with this experience.

“We had a blast with Lorenzo exploring the Tuscany countryside. We saw so many beautiful villas, learned a lot about the history of Tuscany. The winery we visited was absolutely gorgeous. I would recommend this tour to anyone.”

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6.From Rome: Luxury Van Day Trip to Pompeii & Sorrento Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 33 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $93Best value

Travel from Rome to Pompeii and Sorrento in a small group with an English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide. Walk Pompeii with a certified archaeologist, stop for coffee and a cornetto, enjoy Italian lunch by the sea, and pause for coastal photos and possible limoncello tasting.

“Like everything, efficient, Driver was very helpful and very polite knowledgeable. I will recommend this small group experience to everybody.”

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7.Exclusive Chianti Classico Day Trip from Florence

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $509

Leave Florence at 9:30 a.m. with a private driver and certified sommelier, then visit three boutique Chianti Classico estates near San Casciano, Greve, and Panzano. Expect cellar tours, Sangiovese tastings, olive oil, a three-course lunch, and time to ask questions at your own pace.

“Absolutely incredible! This day was our favorite part of an awesome Italy trip. Our guide/driver/sommelier was the best. He was super knowledgeable and easy to talk to. He chose 3 different wineries that were completely different from one another. It was just an all around incredible day in the Chianti countryside. We will be booking this again when we go back.”

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8.Exclusive Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · from $653

Travel from Florence to all five Cinque Terre villages with a private English-speaking guide such as Fabio, Angel, or Elizabeth. Ride coastal trains and a ferry, enjoy a multi-course Ligurian lunch by the sea, and keep the day flexible with expert help through crowds and changes.

“It was a fun day with lots of beauty and memorable moments. Elizabeth, our guide, was fantastic. Kind and fun and helpful and knowledgeable! She stayed calm and problem solved when unavoidable issues came up. She was amazing!”

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9.Florence: Siena San Gimignano Private Day Tour by Deluxe Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 18 reviews · 8 hours

Travel from Florence with a private driver escort to Monteriggioni, Siena, and San Gimignano. You’ll have about three hours in Siena, 90 minutes in San Gimignano, and time for gelato. Guides may include Ayoub, Giacomo, Claudio, or Sam, with several languages offered.

“Our first time in Florence/Siena and our private guide Ayoub was great! Very knowledgeable and friendly. Guided us through the scenic drive, as well as Siena itself. Great communication and timing to let us know where he’d be to pick us up! The car itself was a nice benz, clean and comfortable. Highly recommend him!! Worth it.”

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