Valpolicella Wine Tasting & Verona: Private Day Trip Venice

Amarone & Shakespeare's City: A Day Through Veneto's Wine Country

You travel from Venice through Soave's medieval streets and into the Valpolicella vineyards with a driver-guide who knows the region. At a local winery, you learn how Amarone is made and taste the estate's selection. Then you get three unscheduled hours in Verona to explore on your own (lunch, Juliet's House, the piazza) before returning to Venice in the evening. Groups stay small (maximum eight people), so the pace stays relaxed and the driver can answer questions without rushing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Valpolicella wine tour and Verona visit

• Stop in medieval town of Soave
• Visit local winery and vineyard
• Learn about Amarone wine
• Sample estate’s Amarone wines
• Travel to Verona city
• Enjoy three hours free time

The Experience

"You'll see why people come back to Valpolicella," our driver said as we wound through the first vineyard roads, and he wasn't wrong. The day starts early from Venice, heading west toward the Valpolicella region, with a quick stop in Soave first. It's a medieval town perched above its own vineyards, famous enough that you'll recognize the castle from postcards, but small enough that you can actually walk it in twenty minutes without crowds. The views over the valley are the kind you photograph and then just stand there for a minute, not doing anything.

After Soave, the drive takes you deeper into wine country: olive groves and rows of vines on both sides, the landscape getting quieter. The winery stop is where the real work happens. You tour the estate with the driver-guide, who explains how Amarone gets made: they dry the Valpolicella grapes before pressing, which concentrates the sugars and gives the wine that deep, almost bitter richness. Then you taste a selection. Amarone is bold (it's not a wine you sip politely), and if you want to buy a bottle to take home, they'll pack it for the minivan. The group stays under eight people, so there's no herding, no rushed tasting notes read off a clipboard.

By early afternoon you're in Verona, and this is where the tour hands you the keys. Three hours of free time means you can actually do something, not just tick a box. Some people head straight to Juliet's House to see the balcony that inspired Shakespeare. Others eat lunch at a cafe the driver recommends (you pay for it yourself) or wander Piazza delle Erbe, the old market square where the light hits the buildings in a way that makes you understand why the city inspired a love story. The driver waits and brings you back to Venice in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Venice and return transfer.
• English-speaking driver-guide for the full day.
• Stop in Soave with free time to explore.
• Winery tour and guided Amarone wine tasting in Valpolicella.
• Three hours of independent time in Verona.
• Air-conditioned minivan transport throughout.

Days and timesMon–Fri · 08:30

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Meet the driver 15 min before at the left hand side of Piazzale Roma, in front of the hotel Olimpia in the car park area. Look for the sign with the name of th…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Venice Events srl

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste Amarone in the region where it's made without renting a car or arranging your own transport from Venice: the small group size and included driver mean you get local knowledge without the logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

How long is the full day trip from Venice?

The tour runs the full day, departing from your Venice hotel in the morning and returning in the late afternoon. Travel time to Valpolicella is roughly 90 minutes each way.

What's included in the wine tasting?

A guided tour of the winery and a tasting of the estate's Amarone selection. Wine purchases are optional and at your own cost.

Is lunch included?

No. During the three hours of free time in Verona, you choose where to eat and pay separately. The driver can recommend cafes.

Can I visit Juliet's House during the Verona stop?

Yes, if you want to. Entry is not included, but you have three hours to decide how to spend your time in the city.

What's the group size?

Maximum eight people per tour, ensuring a more personalized experience with the driver-guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, the tour includes pickup from and return to your Venice hotel.

Do children pay the same price as adults?

Yes, children are charged at the adult rate because they occupy their own seat in the minivan.

Is the minivan air-conditioned?

Yes, transport is by air-conditioned minivan.