Piedmont & Liguria Tours: Top 5 Full-Day Excursions Reviewed
Dreaming of the Italian countryside? So, are you ready to explore Piedmont and Liguria? These two gorgeous regions offer some truly unforgettable experiences. From the rolling hills covered with vineyards in Piedmont to the dramatic coastline of Liguria, it’s almost like there’s something for everyone. Let’s jump into some terrific full-day tours. We’ll give you the lowdown to help you pick just the right one for your travel style.
1. Barolo Wine Region Tour from Turin
If you’re into wine (and, really, who isn’t?), a full-day Barolo experience from Turin is really one terrific pick. Piedmont is rather famous for its outstanding wines, especially Barolo. This tour typically offers a chance to see a couple of family-run wineries. And there’s usually the opportunity to learn about the entire wine-making thing, like, from grape to bottle, very interesting. Plus, many tours make sure you get to taste the wine. Which is very, very important. So, imagine wandering those gorgeous vineyards, sampling very rich, complex Barolos, and, well, enjoying the Italian sunshine. Read our full review: Barolo Wine Region Tour from Turin Full Review and Details.
You will probably see a couple of smaller producers that tend to keep to traditional approaches. Then you will often find that there is more explanation with it to go with the tasting experience, like what foods pair best, the story behind the winery, why a vintage may be a very good one, that sort of stuff. Seeing some pretty old, and historical wineries would be good too, maybe one that goes back centuries, just for a better, like fuller picture of what this place is.
But what’s arguably just as great is you also normally get a chance to see some little Italian villages. Places like La Morra or Barolo are filled with history and the views there are pretty impressive. Picture narrow cobblestone streets, charming cafes and just like, real, authentic Italian atmosphere. What a tour will provide, very frequently, is a hassle-free trip to it all and, arguably more significantly, someone local and pretty well informed who speaks English very fluently to provide a bit of context, which is arguably really useful.
Why This Tour?
- Wine Lover’s Paradise: You’re, in effect, going to explore the home of Barolo, one of Italy’s amazing wines.
- Family Wineries: Get that like, intimate look into how very good wine comes to life.
- Stunning Scenery: That views of the Piedmontese hills and vineyards can very often be magnificent.
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2. Genoa and Portofino Day Trip from Milan
Okay, ready for a coastal thing? Check out a Genoa and Portofino tour. The tour almost typically leaves from Milan, which offers two, different coastal experiences. Genoa is pretty historical and offers a peek into a pretty important sea port, in effect, a real place. You might take to wandering through the Caruggi (that is what you call narrow streets), visit Piazza de Ferrari and maybe get a bite of some real Genovese pesto. These tours would be quite useful for that first flavour for that reason, it would appear.
Then, of course, Portofino is really a treat for the eyes. This almost unfairly charming fishing village, arguably that’s exactly what it is, is where colourful buildings almost cascade down to this like, crystal-clear harbour. Loads of these Genoa & Portofino tours frequently feature a bit of free time to explore and, it stands to reason, get very photogenic shots. Perhaps you get a glimpse of the harbour there with all the yachts. Anyway it is all a perfect picture opportunity. You will take terrific memories home, no matter what, if you can get the right angles.
What also very often comes along is a boat ride from Genoa towards Portofino. Viewing the coastline of Italy as the vessel does so is arguably pretty impressive, for the sheer majesty, as you see things like mountain sides or rock formations, too, if that coastline really shows it, depending where you travel. Some guides will be knowledgeable with the different architecture styles that may be prevalent there as well. The only reason someone may avoid this one, is perhaps they do not like a little bit of travelling, this particular trip involves multiple hours in one go.
Why This Tour?
- Two for One: Seeing two cities in just one day sounds just terrific, right?
- Coastal Views: Pretty colourful buildings, sparkling waters – need I say more?
- Pesto Time: Get, like, ready to indulge in the genuine flavor of Genovese pesto.
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Read our full review: Genoa and Portofino Day Trip from Milan Full Review and Details
3. Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan
Alright, for something a bit tranquil, think of a Lake Maggiore day thing from Milan. It tends to be one of Italy’s lovely lakes, surrounded by lush gardens and charming villas. Usually these types of tours almost feature a boat trip out towards the Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori are the key places there. Arguably one that does so is highly regarded, even a partial offering is still a great option though, especially as transport between them can often be a bit fiddly at best. Plus the tour normally does that for you and makes the planning a lot easier in that respect, too.
Each island has its unique charm. Isola Bella is known for its palace and gardens. It’s almost the best to show to someone to almost ‘wow’ them with an attractive environment. Isola Madre features botanic gardens which offer just very peaceful spots. Finally, Isola dei Pescatori, so too is, offering an appealing glimpse of authentic life in a tiny fishing community. Seeing how these types of island settlements often live is not easily represented and tours usually pick that up as, perhaps, part of the guide information about what you should all expect.
Many tours give a good amount of, in effect, free time to almost do exploring by yourselves, to savour just lovely lunches. The lakes there is almost an especially serene break away from city life if that sort of vibe does truly sound good. Keep an eye on those weather warnings and plan your itinerary accordingly and that part of Italy tends to be quite temperate and enjoyable almost year round as well.
Why This Tour?
- Island Hopping: What a chance to explore pretty distinctive islands with different appeals.
- Beautiful Gardens: That botanic gardens and landscaped areas are almost certain to amaze you.
- Relaxation by the Lake: This tranquil setting sounds just superb for a very chilled day trip.
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Read our full review: Lake Maggiore Day Trip from Milan Full Review and Details
4. Serravalle Designer Outlet Shopping Trip from Milan
Alright then, for those shopaholics out there, Serravalle Designer Outlet trip will sound absolutely terrific. Serravalle, probably the very largest outlet in Europe. You have the opportunity to search through an enormous selection of designer brands at like, discounted prices. From high fashion to sportswear, is that your thing? If it is, you’re probably going to spot pretty much everything, anyway. Many of these outlet-dedicated tours make for trouble-free transport to and from Milan and, maybe also, potentially a discount voucher too to perhaps enhance any existing discounts at the outlet.
You will get, as a matter of fact, many of those pretty useful tour add-ons with one of these offerings and there is certainly very likely the food, but for food in particular, those smaller trips may give suggestions and tips based on your particular diet and other dietary requirements, for those perhaps more picky about this and, it stands to reason that most of that trip, may just about revolve about you. Also perhaps they would cater the itinerary a bit more on what brands appeal the very most too.
Consider a designer shopping thing to potentially grab amazing deals on lots and lots of brands. That is like retail therapy to a greater level than you’d expect if you are truly enthusiastic with brands. Get those deals! But only when the need arises.
Why This Tour?
- Shopping Spree: That largest outlet in Europe is practically calling your name if designer goods and bargains are what you need.
- Convenient Transport: No need to, you know, stress about transportation. Getting there and back looks straightforward.
- Deals, Deals, Deals: The pretty discounted prices are absolutely irresistible to some folk.
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Read our full review: Serravalle Designer Outlet Shopping Trip from Milan Full Review and Details
5. Cinque Terre Day Trip from Turin
Fancy seeing perhaps a UNESCO World Heritage site? I think you do! That would very easily have to be a Cinque Terre day thing. Though these may sometimes run from Turin (and more, very, very, very often from Milan instead due to proximity), it can mean one very hectic day that would cover quite a distance on your side (or very late nights). What is likeable about it is though that Cinque Terre are 5 colourful villages on the Ligurian coastline.
Tours from these sort of departure points often arrange transport and allow some amount of freedom, and also a brief guide on what each stop looks like with a handy summary of how long to perhaps see each one, if one of the ones departing does just that. You might have one tour operator tell you all the top local dining to potentially have at each stop for lunch or the local delicacies there as part of your dining plans. A visit here may tend to be really well represented when a boat tour happens, and then the different scenery comes into effect as they sail by.
Perhaps take that coastal path (Via dell’Amore) which tends to connect all the villages, or maybe consider savouring seafood, to give this visit the edge. Either of these actions may or may not apply when you visit depending how prepared you truly are, if, say, it involves being aware the coastal path sometimes suffers blockages so there’s the added knowledge element and preparation required in knowing it so your hike, if you will partake, remains uninhibited by outside things like these.
Why This Tour?
- Iconic Views: Cinque Terre can offer really picture-postcard views.
- Coastal Hike: Stretch those legs across just gorgeous walking trails (check first on whether the routes are accessible, mind you).
- Seafood Feast: Get that local flavours that the villages there are just offering in the food.
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Read our full review: Cinque Terre Day Trip from Turin Full Review and Details
