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A tour guide leading his charges through the streets of Rome.
I hesitate even to talk about fully escorted tours because I believe that, in general, they detract from the travel experience, insulate you from the culture and people, provide only a superficial view from the deepest rut of the beaten path, and feed you the lowest common denominator vacation.
However, I also realize they help some people feel far more comfortable with the idea of visiting a foreign country, especially for the first time.
So, in the spirit of "to each his own," I have created a FAQ (on a separate page) of just what guided tours are like, whether they are right for you, and questions you should ask a prospective tour company. » more
I have also compiled a list of some of the best tour companies in the business you can can pick the best guided tour out there for you.
I'm going to start with the Italy specialists, but in truth, if I had to recommend the three tour companies that will give you the best Italy experience, they would be the first three listed under "generalists": Rick Steves and, for the slightly more adventurous, G Adventures and Intrepid.
Tourcrafters (www.tourcrafters.com) - Great values on everything from fully escorted tours to simple vacation packages. Just be sure to read the fine print. The prices are great, but not always quite as amazing as they seem at first, since Tourcrafters often stuffs all the fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges into the fine print. Annoying.
Perillo (www.perillotours.com) - If you haven't seen their commercials you haven't been watching TV for the past 20 years. Family travel firm founded in 1945 and now in its third generation, with an enormous focus on Italy (though they've added Hawaii and Israel in recent years).
Donna Franca Tours (www.donnafranca.com) - Italy specialist, offering independent vacations, escorted tours, and he ability to put together your own, personalized touring program. Not the cheapest, but of impeccable quality. Donna Franca and her team really know their stuff.
Italiatours (www.italiatourusa.com) - Former vacations branch of Alitalia (the Italian state airline), now run by TourPackagers.com. Everything from escorted bus trips to active adventures to learning vacations to day trips and half-day experiences.
Central Holidays (www.centralholidays.com) - Long-established tour company specializing in Europe with Italy as its signature product—nearly 50 different trips, tours, and cruises, many with made-to-order themes like "Florence Cooking" or "Honeymoon in Venice & The Amalfi Coast."
Intrepid Travel (www.intrepidtravel.com) - One of only two only major tour outfits I know of that makes a concerted effort to travel like real independent travelers—small groups (max of 12 people), staying in mom-and-pop accommodations and getting around by public transport (trains, local buses, bikes, feet) rather than a big tour bus.
Aimed at a slightly more adventurous, slightly younger crowd than Rick Steves, and even closer to true, independent travel. Intrepid is all about the cultural experiences.
Intrepid has a larger than usual commitment to sustainable tourism, and travels in tiny groups, often limited to 8-12.
There are usually around 30–35 Italy trips on tap each year (see the box on the right)—though half of those will be longer overland treks across Europe and/or the Middle East (with Italy making up just a slice of the two– or three-week trip), and a handful are self-guided walks (no group to follow, just you, your itinerary, and your pre-booked accommodations).
Intrepid really does run a different breed of group tour. Let me put it this way: When my parents—who travel widely and on their own and normally would never have even considered taking a group tour—suddenly found themselves with airfare to Japan but no time to plan a trip, I suggested they try booking with Intrepid. They did—and they have raved about it every since. Nearly seven years later, they still keep in touch with their guide via email.
One drawback: no airfare.
G Adventures (www.gadventures.com) - The other major outfitter with small group sizes and a devotion to seeing its destinations more like an independent traveler. G Adventures trip range from the more tour-like Comfort and Original trips to the gnarlier Active and Overland ones.
Drawbacks: no airfare (yet), and quoted prices are not as inclusive as some others (read the fine print to find out about lots of on-the-ground costs, often including most meals).
They offer between 15 and 20 Italy trips each year (see box on the right)—some focused more on sightseeing; others more physical and active (lots of hiking and biking), and a few include Italy as part of grander overland treks across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) - PBS superstar Rick Steves runs a highly-successful tour company that really tries to highlight all the best of the independent travel style espoused in his guidebooks and TV show in a group format. I've bumped into several of his tour groups over the years, and the participants always gush about what a great time they're having.
He also keeps his groups smaller than most (24 to 28 travelers versus the 40 to 60 many big companies cram onto the bus), and the smaller the group, the more authentic the experiences each member is going to have (to say nothing of more room on the bus).
InfoHub (www.infohub.com) - Not a tour company, rather a kind of aggregator of trips offered by tour companies. it casts one of the largest nets over the industry, listing some 14,000 tours offered by 4,000 operators in more than 100 categories—everything from artists' workshop to llama trekking, nudist resorts to biblical tours, language schools to personal guide services.
InfoHub's search engine returns results listed by trip rather than by company (for example, it lists nearly 100 bike tours in Italy, but those are offered by just 15 companies). Still, I guess if you could care less the name of the outfitter and are just looking for a selection of 10-day bike tours across Tuscany and Umbria, this is the best way to do it. You don't book trips directly. You are essentially sending away for a brochure (or a contact) from the actual tour companies.
Go-Today.com (www.go-today.com) - The price champ on air-hotel packages also sells escorted tours. They seem to operate under a "we will not be undersold" attitude on such packages. Tour prices are also very competitive—though I've never heard any feedback about quality, so I can't speak to it.
Sceptre Tours (www.sceptretours.com) - Famous for its package vacations, Sceptre also now runs nearly a dozen escorted motorcoach tours of Italy at amazingly low prices.
Brendan (www.brendanvacations.com) - Well-established and highly regarded general tour company with loads and loads of Italy trips lasting from 6 to 16 days. There are 43 itineraries of just Italy alone, and another 25 European ones that include Italy as part of a wider-ranging trip. Note that tours listed as "Escorted" are just that—fully escorted bus tours. Those listed as "Locally Guided" are more of air-hotel-transport packages with a local tour in each city—though these are the generic kind of city tours you could book on your own.
Friendly Planet Travel (www.friendlyplanet.com) - Popular low-cost tour company. Stronger in exotic locales (Asia, Africa, etc.), but there is usually an Italy itinerary in there as well.
Grand Circle (www.gct.com) - Top tour company for the senior set, aimed squarely at the over-50 market (though skewing older than that—and no, I'm not implying that over 50s are seniors; I'm just trying to provide a sense of the typical tour participants). Usually the full soup-to-nuts tours, including nearly nearly all meals, sightseeing, etc., and paced reasonably—you see a lot, but not a a whirlwind clip. Prices are guaranteed (no surprise fuel surcharges or anything). Usually a handful (3–4) Italy tours, plus another handful of cruises that include Italy.
Liberty Travel (ww2.libertytravel.com) - One of the biggest old school travel agencies, with offices across the country. The kind of place where you still call up and arrange everything in person. May not be the cheapest, but impeccable quality and pretty much guaranteed to run smoothly.
Gate1 Travel (www.gate1travel.com) - One of the consistently cheapest tour providers around. They cover the entire world and offer a range of travel "products" from about a dozen escorted tours of Italy to several air-hotel packages. Also, they're based in Fort Washington, PA, a few miles from where I live (that's just a coincidence, but I think it's cool).
Globus/Cosmos (www.globusandcosmos.com) - The kings of the escorted bus tour (generally, Cosmos is the cheaper option, Globus aims for "first-class" travel).
Sometimes you just want a 2-, 3-, or 4-day tour within Italy—perhaps to make the rounds of Campania or Tuscany after several days spent in your own in Rome, or to visit the highlights of the Veneto and Nothern Italy during a stay in Venice.
Destinations: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri
Take time out on this three-day excursion from Rome and see the highlights of some of Italy's most popular cities: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri. You'll combine a love of food, history and coastal delights on this fascinating multi-day trip, and your friendly and knowledgeable guide will ensure you get a local feel for this engaging region...
Destinations: Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii
Leave Rome behind and see panoramic Naples, visit historic Pompeii and Sorrento before taking a boat to Capri where you can see the Gardens of Augustus where you can get a splendid view of the Faraglioni...
Destinations: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri
Take time out to tour four of Italy's most popular cities - Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri - on a two-day excursion from Rome. You'll visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and discover the rich history of Pompeii and beautiful Sorrento and Capri...
Destinations: Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast
Spend three days exploring Naples, Pompeii and Amalfi. You'll visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and discover the rich history of Italy. Departing Rome, you'll travel through the Campania region where high-end hotels meet historical sites. This is also the capital of Italian comfort food, home to pizza, spaghetti and mozzarella cheese...
Destinations: Sorrento
Take advantage of the luscious sights, historical attractions, shopping options and holiday pleasures of the region of Campania. Travel from Rome to Sorrento, your home base for three days of exploring Naples and Pompeii and a ferry ride to explore the beautiful island of Capri...
Destinations: Matera
Sleep like a caveman on this exclusive 2-night vacation package that provides a glimpse of what life would have been like 9,000-years ago (if prehistoric people had had Wi-Fi and air conditioning, of course!). Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita (The Caves of Civita) in Matera is an extraordinary 4-star boutique hotel where tufa rock mixes with hospitality to create an atmosphere that's far from the traditional concept of luxury. Call it "minimalist eco-luxury" that coddles its guests in spacious but sparsely furnished caves spread over three levels that are all connected by a staircase and a system of private terraces, accessible through the individual rooms...
Destinations: Vallelunga
About halfway between Palermo, on the north coast of Sicily, and Agrigento, on the south, lies one of the island's premier wineries and cooking schools - Regaleali, which has been in the family of Count Lucio Tasca since 1830. The almost 3,000 acre Regaleali estate and its cooking school draws culinary professionals from around the world and is practically self sufficient, producing most of the vegetables, fruits, wheat, olives, cheeses and meats used in the classes. In the charming country kitchen of Le Case Vecchie, immersed in the vineyards, you will learn to make authentic Sicilian dishes like ...
Destinations: Val d'orcia, Pienza, Monatelcino, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Carrara, Lucca
Get to know gorgeous Tuscany and the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre on this incredible 4-day tour from Rome! With 4-star hotel accommodation in Siena and La Spezia included, plus an expert guide, your tour offers everything you need to experience the best of these stunning regions. Discover charming hilltop towns like Pienza and San Gimignano, and then gaze in wonder at monuments like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Head to Liguria and explore the five fishing villages that make up the beautiful Cinque Terre before returning to Rome...
Destinations: Florence, Pisa (or, Nov–Feb, Siena and San Gimignano)
Escape to the romance of Tuscany on a 3-day tour from Rome! The rolling hills of Tuscany continue to shape Italy's rich culture, be it through art, history or the finest Italian produce. Departing Rome, you will travel to the heart of Tuscany in Florence. The city is home to an abundance of paintings and sculptures housed in numerous galleries and public squares. Next it's onto Pisa with its biggest attraction, the Leaning Tower...
Destinations: Florence, Rome, and Venice
Destinations: Venice, Verona, Lake Como, Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Siena, Rome
See the most beautiful cities and towns of Northern Italy. See Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet; see Lake of Como, famous for villas and mountain scenery; see the world famous Duomo in Milan; visit the most important ports in Italy in Genoa; see the bell tower of the Pisa'ss cathedral; and view the Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace in Siena...
Destinations: Venice, Verona, Lake Como, Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Siena, Rome
See the most beautiful cities and towns of Northern Italy. See Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet; see Lake of Como, famous for villas and mountain scenery; see the world famous Duomo in Milan; visit the most important ports in Italy in Genoa; see the bell tower of the Pisa'ss cathedral; and view the Piazza del Campo and the Municipal Palace in Siena...
Destinations: Assisi, Montepulciano, Florence, Padova, Venice
A coach tour of the best of Central and Northern Italy leaving from Rome and touring the mystic town Assisi in Umbria, the medieval wine town of Montepulciano in Tuscany, the greatest Renaissance sights of Florence, the Cathedral of St. Anthony in Padua, and walking tours of Venice, the Most Serene city of canals....
Destinations: Florence, Padova, Venice
Visit Florence, Padua and Venice on this 3-day Italy tour that ends in Rome! With an expert guide at your side, discover the art and culture of these three northern cities during a mix of walking tours and free time. Sightsee independently in Florence, see Donatello’s Renaissance artwork in Padua, marvel at architectural landmarks like Basilica San Marco in Venice, and then watch a glass-blowing demonstration on the Venetian island of Murano. Your tour includes overnight accommodation in Florence and Venice as well as transport to Rome, where your tour ends....
Destinations: Venice, Verona, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Milan
Discover the romance of northern Italy on this 3-day tour from Venice to Verona, the Italian Lakes and Milan! After spending time at leisure in Venice, explore Verona (the city that inspired Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’), soak up heart-stopping scenery at Lake Garda and Lake Como, and then see Milan’s city highlights on a sightseeing tour. Your 3-day package includes overnight accommodation in Venice and Milan, as well as a drop-off at your choice of Milano Centrale or Rome Termini station at the end of your tour...
Destinations: Venice, Veneto
It can't get more valuable than this. Seriously. 3 days to spend in Veneto and Venice to discover some of the oh-so-many other great destinations that the region has to offer. A Select Italy TRAVEL SMART package offered at an incredible price....
Destinations: Como, Bellagio, Varenna, Brunate
Explore Como in this three day tour. Admire the beautiful Villa Olmo and other nearby villas by the shore, take in the magnificent view of the lake from Brunate, go on cruises and tours of the area, and much more...
One-week tours of Italy. (Note that a "week" can really last from 5 to 9 days, depending on how long you want to tour—if you fly out one Friday and return the following Sunday, that's actually nine days in Italy)
Most one-week classic tours of Italy use a major city as a lynchpin—Rome, or in the north Venice—and then focus most of the trip on a general region: Southern Italy (usually Campania—Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast—or Apulia), Central Italy (Tuscany and Umbria), or Northern Italy (the Veneto and Lombardy, sometimes Piemonte)
One-week tours that visit much of Italy
Destinations: Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Montepulciano, Bologna, Padua, Venice
Take your time with five days to explore the best of Italy! After a taste of Italy's capital, venture north of Rome and navigate your way through Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padua, and Venice. Your journey will take you away from modern highways and large cities to discover the real Italy, where ancient villages are just waiting to be explored...
Destinations: Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padova, Venice, Verona, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Milan
Explore enchanting Italy on this 8-day tour from Rome to Milan! With an expert guide at your side, visit Rome, Umbria, Tuscany, Veneto, the Italian Lakes and Milan, taking in world-class attractions like Rome Pantheon, Florence Duomo and Venice’s Basilica di San Marco. Hotel accommodation in the top cities of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan are included, plus guided walks and a departure transfer to Rome (should you need it), ensuring you have everything you need to discover Italy with ease...
Destinations: Rome, Florence, Venice
Select Italy's Amazing Family Tours are a bonding experience for the whole family, with a pizza-making class in Rome, mask-making workshop in Venice, museum tickets, walkign tours, and more. We have created them by teaming up with Alphabet Kids, the go-to source for multicultural educational activities and adventures. The trip starts in Venice, and when you arrive a gondola ride will introduce you to the city's canals and to mesmerizing views of its ancient palazzo. The following day, explore Venice with a private guide in...
Destinations: Florence, Pisa (or, Nov–Feb, Siena and San Gimignano instead), Venice
Spend five days exploring three of Italy's most romantic cities: Florence, Pisa and Venice. This classic multi-day trip deaprting from Rome is ideal for those seeking to combine aspects of Italy's rich culture: art, history and authentic cuisine...
Destinations: Florence, Siena, Assisi, Montepulciano, Padova, Venice
Spend five incredible days exploring Assisi, the mystic town of St. Francis and passing by Siena, renowned for the Palio di Siena. See Florence, the cradle of Italian Renaissance; in Padua visit the famous Cathedral of St. Anthony guarded by Donatello's Gattamelata; sampel wines in Montepulciano; and wander through the streets of Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world...
One-week tours that focus on Southern Italy—Campania, Apulia, Basilicata
Destinations:Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast
Discover Rome and southern Italy on this exciting 6-day tour with an expert guide, 4-star accommodation included! Spend two nights in Rome and get to know the city on a walking tour, taking in iconic sites like Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Then head south to Italy’s Campania region, where a hotel in Amalfi will be your base for two nights. Visit Naples and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii, plus enjoy free time to explore the glittering Amalfi Coast before returning to Rome...
Destinations: Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
If you want a short trip packed with diversity, then this tour of southern Italy is the adventure for you. Acquaint yourself with Italy's 'Eternal City' of Rome and learn about the catastrophic fate of Pompeii. Soak up the sunshine in the coastal town of Sorrento and explore the beautiful Amalfi Coast. This trip offers the chance to delve into history, culture and cuisine and to live a little of la dolce vita....
Destinations: Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Capri
Exploring ancient Roman ruins, Discovering delicious Italian foods during a cooking class in Rome, Pondering ash-covered Pompeii under the shadow of Mt Vesuvius, Learning how limoncello is made before sneaking a taste, Walking the Amalfi coast and the island of Capri and feeling connected to all of Italy...
Destinations: Brindisi, Lecce, Ostuni, Locorotondo, Otranto, Trani, Andria
As one of the most celebrated but often overlooked wine regions of Italy, Apulia offers visitors a true taste of Italy. The best wines of the region will be your guide on this eight-day trip to a mysterious and enchanting corner of Italy and of the Mediterranean. During the tour you will stop at different vineyards and will have the chance to sample the flavors that have made this region famous and you will also discover Apulia from its historical, artistic and architectural point of view...
One-week tours that focus on Central Italy—Tuscany, Umbria
One-week tours that focus on Northern Italy—Veneto, Lombardy
Active & adventurous tours of Italy
One-week walking and trekking tours in Italy
Destinations: Cinque Terre
Isolated from the rest of Italy by the impressive landscape, you're here to hike. The rugged villages of Cinque Terre still remain a world away from the bustle of Rome. Follow coastal trails and discover villages clustered on windswept cliffs and perched above beautiful coastlines. Hike and swim by day and sample the fresh seafood and local delicacies by night. For the active traveller who wants to experience a real slice of Italian life, this compact adventure tops the menu. ...
Destinations: Garfagana Valley, Tuscany
Pnce you’ve seen, smelled, felt and tasted northern Tuscany, you’ll want to devour as much of it as possible. This journey into Garfagnana—one of Italy’s top trekking regions—offers plenty of exercise for mind, body and soul alike. Over eight days, you’ll hike the unspoiled mountains by day, learn to prepare delicious local cuisine in the evening and put your well-used feet up at the end of it all to soak in the simple pleasures of country life....
Destinations:In Italy: Courmayeur, Planpincieux; In France: Chamonix, Lac du Miage, Le Buet, Les Houches, Les Contamines
Description...
Destinations: Amalfi, Furore, Positano, Ravello, Valle delle Ferriere, Pompeii, Naples
Charming hilltop towns, acres of lemon groves and vineyards, mile after mile of stunning cliffs kissed by cobalt-blue waters… its official name is the Amalfi Coast, but this magical land answers to ‘heaven’. On this trip, you’ll live like one of the region’s (incredibly lucky) locals, discovering the small towns, mountain trails and local customs of this uniquely beautiful place. Explore the ruins of Pompeii in the morning, hike the coastline of the Med by afternoon, and tuck into bed at your converted 17th-century monastery homebase at sundown...
One-week cycling tours of Italy
Destinations: Siena, Chianciano Terme, Pienza, Montepulciano
In a country famed for its extensive (not to mention delicious) culinary traditions, Tuscany is top dog. And what better way to work up an appetite for all those gastronomic delights than by taking a leisurely ride through some of the most gorgeous countryside you’ll find anywhere? On this trip, you’ll explore the gently rolling hills and tiny villages of this idyllic patch of Europe from the seat of a bike, then dig in to expertly prepared meals and flavourful wines drawn from the land you’ve spent all day traversing. If you really are what you eat, expect to become exquisite....
One-week sailboat tours in Italy
Family-friendly Italy tours
Destinations: Rome, Florence, Venice
Select Italy's Amazing Family Tours are a bonding experience for the whole family, with a pizza-making class in Rome, mask-making workshop in Venice, museum tickets, walkign tours, and more. We have created them by teaming up with Alphabet Kids, the go-to source for multicultural educational activities and adventures. The trip starts in Venice, and when you arrive a gondola ride will introduce you to the city's canals and to mesmerizing views of its ancient palazzo. The following day, explore Venice with a private guide in...
Destinations: Naples, Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, Amalfi, Ravello, Furore
Eager to expose the kids to Italian cuisine that doesn’t come in a cardboard box in 30 minutes or less? Take ‘em to the Amalfi Coast. Long a secluded hideaway for adults, the Coast has the most for the younger set as well. Based in smaller towns amidst truly breathtaking scenery, there's a huge variety of activities for your family. Try a delicious cooking class, see the ruins of the doomed city of Pompeii, hike the hills of Tre Calli, explore Capri and more, all in a breezy and affordable seven days. This is pizza’s ancestral home, after all. Deliver yourself to its doorstep. ...
Tours to more than just Italy...
Destinations: London (England), Paris (France), Interlaken (Switzerland), Milan, Rome
Crisscrossing four countries, this whirlwind tour of Europe’s most celebrated capitals squeezes unique culture, delectable food and drink, stunning scenery, wild nightlife and centuries of thrilling history into eight days without ever feeling rushed. Browse the galleries and museums of Paris, gape at the Swiss Alps' natural beauty, hike the verdant hills of Cinque Terre and more, for less than you’d ever dreamed possible...
This kind of trip mixes the best of independent travel with a degree of guided support.
If you like to bounce from one place to another, try a Intrpeid Travel BASIX trip. With this, you get your lodgings (generally in smaller, 1–2 star hotels, guesthouses, or hostels), group transfers from one destination to the next (usually by train), and the services of a group leader—not a guide in the traditional sense, but someone who handles all the logistics, accompanies you on transfers, and provides information on the destinations you visit. You are on your own for meals and sightseeing—though the group leader will recommend places to eat, top sights, and local guiding services.
If you prefer the home-base model of travel—staying in one central location and making lots of daytrips to explore the region—check out the GAdventures "Living Local" program. With this, you get a week in an apartment or agriturismo, transfers, a starter kit, and the services of a local Chief Experience Officer who can help you settle in, offer advice and tips, and orginize day trips and other adventures.
Though there may be other travelers on the same "tour" (staying in a neighboring apartment or room), your trip is entirely your own—though often there is a group meal and perhaps an activity, like a cooking class (or, in the case of the Amalfi Coast, many guided daytrips and hikes and most meals).
Destinations: Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome
Discover the sights and delights of Italy on this week long highlights tour. Begin amid the canals of Venice, visit the charming towns of the Cinque Terre, soak up beauty and history in Florence and wind up in the piazzas of Rome. With plenty of free time for independent exploration, and the freedom to discover Italy's history and culture at your own pace, there's no better way to see this wonderful pocket of Europe...
Destinations: Rome
This Local Living option situates you in a comfortable apartment—kitchen, wi-fi, dining area—within walking distance to St Peter's Basilica and Vatican City. Spend your time exploring Roman ruins, medieval sites and Renaissance highlights. You’ll share your home with like-minded travellers but your days are your own. ...
Destinations: Tuscany
Centred in San Gimignano, this Local Living adventure places you in the heart of Tuscany for eight days of exploring. After a chef-prepared lunch, you’re free to explore the town, visit vineyards, discover medieval highlights or embrace your inner artist wandering the Tuscan countryside. You’ll share the accommodation with like-minded travellers, and with a CEO there to point you in the right direction, prepare to fall in love with Italy...
Destinations: Chniaciano Terme, Montalcino
Experience life the local way and you’ll experience a Tuscany that most tourists miss. This trip offers plenty of opportunity to get your hands dirty in the kitchen as you’ll learn to prepare and enjoy this picturesque region’s culinary and viticultural delights. Peruse the local markets and delis in search of the finest organic fare, sample wines in the very vineyards that produced them, and work off all that deliciousness with walks across some of the world’s most beautiful scenery...
Destinations: Amalfi, Furore, Positano, Ravello, Valle delle Ferriere, Pompeii, Naples
Charming hilltop towns, acres of lemon groves and vineyards, mile after mile of stunning cliffs kissed by cobalt-blue waters… its official name is the Amalfi Coast, but this magical land answers to ‘heaven’. On this trip, you’ll live like one of the region’s (incredibly lucky) locals, discovering the small towns, mountain trails and local customs of this uniquely beautiful place. Explore the ruins of Pompeii in the morning, hike the coastline of the Med by afternoon, and tuck into bed at your converted 17th-century monastery homebase at sundown...
Destinations: Lipari, Aoelian Islands, Catania, Acitrezza
On this unique Local Living departure, you’ll get an up-close-and-personal glimpse of everyday life on this laidback island from three different yet equally charming towns, with five of the nights in a comfortable apartment. By day, you’ll stroll the streets of baroque Catania, the beautiful fishing village of Acitrezza, and the tiny, volcano-ringed Lipari—considered by some to be the 'Sicilian Santorini'. Pleasant seaside strolls? Volcano hikes? Kayaking excursions? Loads of downtime? Why leave?...
Destinations: Bari, Polignano al Mare
Some destinations are best experienced quickly in a single gulp. Puglia, on the other hand, is a place you sip and savour slowly. From a charming apartment inside the walls of an ancient city, this Local Living trip to Italy’s boot heel puts you in close contact with the people who are lucky enough to live here full-time. Discover the culinary secrets of the region’s age-old winemaking and olive oil trades, learn to make your own pasta, bike down dozens of scenic trails or simply soak up the splendour of your surroundings. Above all, make yourself at home...
Two-week tours of Italy. (Well, anything from 10 to 17 days, really.)
Classic tours of Italy
Destinations: Venice, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Siena, Rome
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Destinations: Venice, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Rome, Naples, Amalfi, Sorrento, Pompeii, Mt. vesuvius, Herculaneum
Artists have always travelled to Italy to lift their spirits. This 2-week adventure offers you the same opportunity. Connect with the ancients at the ruins of Pompeii and in Rome and marvel at the Renaissance in Venice and Tuscany. You’ll explore tiny markets and walk the hills of Cinque Terre and with the gods in Amalfi. We’ve taken care of the planning so you’ll have plenty of time for solo exploring and optional activities. Connect with the culture—past and present—and discover what visitors have always known: the heart beats faster in Italy...
Destinations: Rome, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Portofino/Italian Riviera, Asti/Piemonte, Milan, Lake Como, Venice
Starting in the "Eternal City" of Rome and ending by the canals of Venice, uncover the best of northern Italy. Experience classic Italian food, wine, history and style, and discover immense natural beauty while traveling through this spectacular corner of Europe. Marvel at the ancient wonders and modern attractions in Rome. Meet Michelangelo's David in Florence. Visit the gravity-defying Torre de Pisa. Cycle across the Tuscan hinterland. Soak up stunning views along the Cinque Terre coast. Sample local wines in Piedmont. Unwind by Lake Como. Explore charming canals and alleyways on a trip to Venice...
Destinations: Venice, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Herculaneum, Mt. Vesuvius
Save room in your luggage for extra memory cards, shutterbugs; on this travel photography tour through picturesque Italy, every second is a picture-perfect photo-op. From the inspiring ancient architecture of Venice and Rome to the rolling, impossibly lush hills of Tuscany, your shutter-finger is destined to get one hell of a workout. Best of all, you’ll get expert guidance in photography, travel writing and adventuring from our Wanderer-in Resident Gary Arndt, founder of Everything Everywhere, the internet’s most-visited travel blog. Between characteristic Renaissance flourishes, the somber beauty of Pompeii and plate upon plate of Tuscan cuisine prepared with the greatest care, the hardest decision you’ll have to make is which shot to frame first....
Active & adventurous tours of Italy
Destinations: Italy (Coeurmayeur), France (Chamonix, Les Contamines, Les Chapiuex), Switzerland (Val ferret, Champex, Trient)
Experience the rarified air of Europe as you trek the Alps from France to Italy and Switzerland on this active 10-day adventure. This challenging hiking circuit will reward you with mesmerizing views of glaciers, steep valleys and, of course, Mont Blanc itself. Travel across high passes and through Alpine meadows and recharge at night with delicious mountain cuisine in simple refuges. Challenge yourself to conquer one of the world's premier hiking circuits and uncover the alpine heart of Europe on this incredible journey...
Destinations: Calalzo, Cortona d'Ampezzo, Canazei, Bolzano
Beloved by mountaineers and nature lovers alike, the Dolomites sit perched atop northern Italy like a rocky crown. This exhilarating trip through the mountains features day treks through some of Italy’s most unbelievable scenery, with plenty of visits to small villages along the way to soak up the unique local Ladin culture and cuisine. Nights are spent in mountain refuges, where your hosts will ply you with hearty home-cooked meals. Eat up; you won’t find tastier mountain-trekking food anywhere else...
Tours to more than just Italy...
Destinations: Italy (Rome, Viareggio, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Czech Republic (Prague)
This trip is perfect for the young, budget-conscious traveller eager to check a bunch of boxes off their travelling to-do list in one fell swoop. Beginning in Rome—the crucible of Western civilization—and wrapping up in beautiful Prague, you’ll sample the regional specialities and delicious wines of Italy, get in touch with the continent’s rich culture in famed museums and galleries, and compare dance floors in the nightclubs of Europe’s party capitals...
Destinations: France (Paris, Beaune/Burgundy, Avignon, Nice), Monaco, Italy (Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Rome)
Sip wine in Burgundy, feast on local delicacies in Provence, follow scenic tracks along Italy's Cinque Terre coast and raise your glass to the best of France and Italy. Over 13 well-paced days, travel from Paris to Rome and savour the region's cultural and natural highlights. Your expert CEO will take the hassle out of travel but leave you with plenty of free time to explore. Witness the grandeur of Paris and Florence's great masterpieces, relax on the beach and fall in love with the beauty of this region...
Destinations: England (London), Belgium (Bruges), Germany (Berlin), Czech Republic (Prague), Austria (Vienna), Italy (Venice, Viareggio, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome)
With just 17 days to play with, time is tight on this tour, but the possibilities (and options) are wide open. It begins in Rome, home to more ancient landmarks than you could shake a centurion’s spear at. From there, you’ll explore elegant Prague, cut loose in the clubs of Amsterdam and Berlin, and savour the historical charms of romantic Bruges before the whirlwind drops us off in England. Hang on tight...
Destinations: England (London), France (Paris), Switzerland (Interlaken), Italy (Milan, Rome, Viareggio, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Czech Republic (Prague)
Paris, the Swiss Alps, the Italian Riviera, modern Bohemia—you’d be surprised how much of Europe you can pack into 17 days. This excellent whirlwind tour of Europe for younger travellers reads like a greatest-hits compilation of classic Europe experiences: The bustle of busy London, cultural exploration in the French capital, postcard-worthy scenery in Switzerland, trekking in Cinque Terre and a frosty mug of Pilsner in an authentic Czech hospoda at the end of it all....
Destinations: England (London), France (Paris), Switzerland (Interlaken), Italy (Milan, Rome, Viareggio, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice), Austria (Vienna), Czech Republic (Prague), Germany (Berlin), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Belgium (Bruges)
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This article was written by Reid Bramblett and was last updated in April 2015.
All information was accurate at the time.
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