Valpolicella Day Trip from Venice: Wine Tasting and Verona

Spend a day in Veneto’s glorious Valpolicella region, and discover its history, wine and the romantic city of Verona. Led by a friendly driver-guide, the tour visits the Church of San Giorgio with its intriguing 8th-century altar as well as a winery nestled into the Valpolicella valley. Learn about the region’s winemaking heritage, sample a selection of robust amarone wine, and then enjoy three hours of free time in Verona, the city that inspired William Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet.'

Numbers are limited to eight on this small-group tour, ensuring personalized attention from a driver-guide.

Leave central Venice by air-conditioned minivan, and then travel west with your driver-guide to the region of Valpolicella, a gorgeous winemaking area spread around the city of Verona and Lake Garda. Peppered with medieval towns and rustic vineyards, Valpolicella is home to treasures aplenty that the tourist maps often miss.

Stop in the town of San Giorgio for a look inside its 13th-century church with its magnificent altar. Predating the church by nearly five centuries, the stone-canopied altar is the Church of San Giorgio’s crowning glory, beautifully preserved and complete with its original carvings. Head outside to take in views over the lakeside town of Sirmione set against Lake Garda, and then continue your journey through the region.

Pass along country roads fringed by olive groves and vineyards, and then stop at a local winery for a tour. Explore the vineyard and learn about the prestigious amarone wine that’s produced in the region. Translating as ‘the great bitter,’ amarone is a rich and dry red wine that’s made from partially dried Valpolicella grapes. Sample a selection of the estate’s wine, and perhaps purchase a bottle to take home, if you wish.

Continue from the rural countryside to the town of Verona, the historical home of the world’s best-known love story: Romeo and Juliet. Enjoy roughly three hours of free time to explore the city independently. Ask your driver-guide for a cafe recommendation for lunch (own expense), shop ‘til you drop at Piazza delle Erbe or pay a visit to Juliet’s House to see the balcony that inspired Shakespeare.

Meet your driver-guide at the prearranged time, and then relax on your journey back to Venice. Your day trip finishes with a drop-off at the start point.

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan
• Driver-guide
• Wine tasting

• Gratuities (optional)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Entrance fees to Verona attractions
  
• Food and drinks