Romeo and Juliet's Verona

Your day starts early in Venice, from where you'll be spirited away to Verona in an air-conditioned mini bus, straight to a photo stop at Colle di San Pietro. You will enjoy the panoramic views of Verona from above and learn why it was the perfect setting for Shakespeare's greatest romance - Romeo and Juliet.

From its world famous amphitheater, medieval castles, and glorious churches, to its frescoed houses, gothic tombs, charming piazzas, and stunning vistas, Verona is bursting with sites that will charm and delight you and your family alike! This day trip from Venice will whisk you out of the lagoon and into this fairytale city with a local Verona tour guide on hand to bring its turbulent history and beguiling charms to life.

Along the way you'll stop for a skip-the-line visit to the ancient Roman amphitheater, a 1st century marvel that is one of the greatest amphitheaters in Italy and also among the top opera venues in the world. You'll also see the Verona Duomo from the outside, and pop into the beautiful Basilica of Saint Anastasia.

Then it's on to Verona's top attraction: The home of Shakespeare's Juliet, where, from the outside, you gaze up at the famed balcony where Romeo is said to have done his wooing. There is also a statue of Juliet where you can rub her breast for good luck - just make sure Romeo's not around.

With that box ticked, we'll take you into the historic center to uncover the real story of the city that served as the colorful backdrop for Shakespeare's classic. You'll visit the gorgeous plazas, Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe to see the Palazzo Maffei, the Palazzo Barbieri (Town Hall) and the famous Mazzanti Houses whose facades are decorated with beautiful 16th-century frescoes. You'll also stop by the Piazza Dante to pay your respects at the statue of Italy's most famous writer.

Lunch is not included, so you can choose where you want to eat or ask your guide for recommendations. Local specialties include risotto, polenta and even donkey meat! The afternoon will included a walk along the river past the Casa di Romeo - yes, that Romeo - and two very famous arches, the ancient Roman gates of Porta Borsari and the Arco della Costa, where you'll learn about one of most bizarre local legends ever (it involves a pure-hearted person and a dangling whale bone).

You'll also get a chance to pay your respects at the Scaligeri family tombs - incredible examples of gothic architecture that hold the remains of one of Verona's most important families - gape up at Lamberti tower, and saunter over the iconic Castelvecchio bridge, all before your guide puts you back on the train to Venice.

In this tour won't just see Verona, you'll walk through the heart of its history and culture to get a deep, personal understanding of what makes it such a special place. Once your tour is over, you will be dropped off at the Venice Train Station, Santa Lucia.