Italy

Mount Vesuvius Crater Tour with Lunch at a Vineyard

This full day tour has a perfect pairing – a climb up to the crater of Mt Vesuvius followed by lunch and a tasting at a vineyard that grows Lacryma Christi wine. It'll bring you closer to the awesome intensity of mainland Europe's only active volcano and amaze you with life borne out of its volcanic soil.

Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Select Tour with Local Lunch

A real history fest, this tour first takes you to Pompeii, which lay buried under volcanic ash for centuries. After a guided tour and a light lunch, you'll then visit the summit of Mt Vesuvius, the only active volcano on Europe's mainland.

Otranto Half-day Tour from Salento Ionian Coast

Lauded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, Otranto delivers on great views and a fascinating past. Spend a few hours here soaking up the scenery, shopping in the market, or losing yourself in the maze-like medieval centre. A must-see is the Romanesque cathedral, famous for its ornate mosaic floor.

Taormina City by See Bus Ticket - Blue or Red Line

See the sights around Taormina with the freedom to hop-on and hop-off all day long with just one ticket. Travel between Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, Letojanni and Castelmola on both the Red and Blue Lines. There's a multilingual audio commentary, and the frequency is hourly for both lines. At the Castelmola stop, enjoy a complimentary tasting of almond wine.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Spartacus' World at Ancient Capua

Boasting a strategic location on the Via Appia, Ancient Capua was a hugely important city since its foundation in the 5th century BCE. Your journey begins at the Arena of Spartacus, the ancient amphitheater in Capua. Second in size only to Rome's Colosseum, this amphitheater is older, better preserved, and less crowded. Join your guide, a specialist in Roman archaeology, to tour the home of the Gladiator school of Ancient Rome where the legendary gladiator Spartacus made his daring escape and ignited his revolt against Roman slavery.Upon leaving the army, Spartacus was sold into slavery. He was ordered to go to Capua to enroll in Gladiator training school, where he rebelled against his enslavement and managed to escape alongside several other trainee gladiators. He became the leader of the growing group of escaped slaves who were ready to fight for freedom and autonomy. Against the odds, Spartacus and his rebel army resisted Roman attempts to overpower them, becoming a symbol of resistance against oppression.As you explore the amphitheater's ‘hypogeum' or underground area, you'll feel like you have a backstage pass to the gladiator shows of days past. The areas here are far better preserved than those found at the Colosseum of Rome. You'll then visit what is known as the 'gladiator's room,' off limits to other visitors. Still being studied, specialist archeologists are still trying to understand the room's original purpose.An augmented reality experience, exclusive to National Geographic travelers, will bring to life the experience of being Spartacus 2000 years ago, complete with reconstructions of the original amphitheater from the perspective of both the spectators and the gladiators. Step into the shoes of Spartacus, and feel the pulse of Ancient Rome.After your tour, relax over a lunch lovingly prepared with local organic produce by owners who take pride in maintaining their historic surroundings. The restaurant is conveniently located on the perimeter of the archeological site.

The Original Lake Garda Tour with Boat Trip – from Southern Hotels

Spend a day soaking up the scenery surrounding one of Italy's most popular lakes. Passing olive groves, cypresses and grand villas, stopping off at pastel-hued towns and enjoying a short boat trip along the way. The northern shores of Lake Garda offer dramatic mountains rising behind pretty lakeside villages such as Limone and Malcesine.Unless your start point is Sirmione or Dezenzano, your first stop will be Sirmione, often hailed as the lake's most beautiful village. Here, you'll have an hour to soak up its charm before the journey to Limone. Spread around a bay with an exceptionally mild climate, it's undoubtedly one of the most scenic spots along the lake. The town is a gem, full of character and pretty views.Next, we'll head to Malcesine, on the opposite shore. It's an impressive medieval village crowned by a castle. You'll have an hour or so here to explore the maze of narrow streets and absorb its history.

Olbia Wine Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Get ready to whizz through Olbia on this Tuk-Tuk tour – with a wine-tasting experience too. As you zip through the city centre, snap up photos of the Church of San Paolo, and soak up the sea breeze along the waterfront. At the local winery, dive into Sardinia's winemaking history – and then, it's time to raise a glass! Treat your taste buds to three wine tastings, paired with delicious meats, cheeses, and olives. Plus, you'll be able to purchase your favourite bottles to take home with you.

Siracusa & Ortigia Tour from Syracuse

Tick off a Sicilian must-do on this morning tour to Syracuse. Unravel layers of history while admiring Roman, Greek, medieval and baroque architecture at the Neapolis Archaeological Park, before heading to the island of Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse, for a tour around its honey-coloured lanes. You'll also see the UNESCO-protected Cathedral of Syracuse and the Fountain of Arethusa.

Alberobello, Ostuni & Local Tasting from Salento Ionian Coast

This full day tour allows two of Puglia's gems to shine brightly. You'll travel to the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, known as the capital of ‘trulli' houses, then round it all off with a visit to the white city of Ostuni.

Private Boat Trip to Capri from Sorrento

Cosmopolitan Capri has been a magnet for the rich and glamorous for decades – everyone from Jay-Z and Beyoncé to Elton John has been spotted on the island's well-groomed shores. On this private tour, you'll glide over on a leisurely boat trip to see some of the highlights of the island's rugged coast.Sailing from Sorrento, you'll pass the pretty beaches of Marciano and Mitigliano en route to the island. Once under the cliffs of Capri, if conditions are right, you'll get the chance to enjoy a swim. Pass under the infamous Faraglioni rocks, and even dip in and out of some of the island's caves. Access to the blue grotto is not always available by boat due to local restrictions, but you can check this with your skipper.After a few hours at sea, it will be time to set foot on terra firma with free time to explore the island of Capri. Once back on board you'll set sail again from Capri back to Sorrento, and sea conditions permitting there will be time for another quick dip - all sweetened by a taste of limoncello offered by the crew.

Neptune’s Caves Boat Tour

It may be named after the Roman god of the sea – but Neptune's Grotto was discovered only a couple of hundred years ago. Hidden just above the water level at the base of the towering and remote Capo Caccia cliffs, the grotto is one of Sardinia's most dramatic natural attractions.After sailing from the harbour, you'll pass rugged coastline before reaching the grotto in under an hour. On arrival, you can choose whether to go in to Neptune's Grotto or not. If you do, you'll see stalactites biting down like incisors from the roof of the cave and stalagmites stabbing up from the floor like daggers, and a saltwater lake that stretches out for 120 metres – all while having the geology expertly brought to life by your local guide.If you choose not to take the subterranean tour, you can stay on board basking in the sunshine. Either option is a great way to spend some time before a leisurely trip back to port.

Agrigento Temples & Scala dei Turchi Tour

Two of Sicily's highlights are in the spotlight on this compelling tour. You'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Temples, to step back in time in amongst a captivating archaeological site, then head to one of the top ten most unique coastlines as named by TripAdvisor - Scala dei Turchi.First up will be one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the immense Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It packs in countless temples perched on a high ridge, all of which you'll see, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and Concordia Temple at the end of the Sacred Way. You'll be given headphones to hear your guide, too, so you'll not miss any details.Afterwards, you'll make your way to the bright white Scala dei Turchi, a natural limestone staircase that descends into the blue sea. You'll have time for a swim before heading back to the hotel.