Explore the Best Tours in Italy: Expert Picks for Rome, Florence, Venice & More
Welcome to Italy, and yes – it’s everything you ever dreamed it would be and more. If you’re anything like me (and since you’re here, you probably are), you’re on the hunt to make sure you get the absolute MOST out of your time in Italy and are searching for the best tours in Italy, so you can get the most out of your time!
Well, girlfriend, you are in luck! I am a bespoke custom travel designer and have narrowed down all of my favorite tours that myself and my clients ADORE while they are travelling in Italy.
This blog post is broken down by city – so just scroll down to the cities you are going to be visiting and click the tours you want to take! Many of these tours are day trips to other nearby towns to help ease the stress of planning those yourself. Things like Cinque Terre and Chianti wine tours make FABULOUS day trips from Florence, and of course, you can never go wrong with a Murano/Burano half-day tour from Venice!
Are you looking for help planning your dream getaway? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options on the internet or just don’t have the time to get into planning your dream trip – I really encourage you to check out my travel planning services! You can download my “How We Work” guide here – or submit your inquiry here!
The Best Tours in Italy – Rome
Skip the Line: Colosseum Small-Group Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
It’s not a trip to Rome without experiencing the Colosseum. This tour gives options of group, semi-private, or fully private skip-the-line tours of the Colosseum and ancient Rome. All of my clients who have taken this tour have ADORED it. A must-do in Rome to learn about the ancient history of this magical city – one of the best tours of Italy
Exclusive Early Access Vatican Semi-Private Tour | with Private Option
If you’re into the Catholic Church, Religious History, the history of the Vatican and the world, or just AH-MAZE-ING renaissance art, then a trip to the Vatican is a must. With a semi-private or private tour, you will get early access to the Vatican to avoid the crowds. Marvel at the artwork, from statues to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo himself.
Tuscany Countryside Day Trip from Rome including 3-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting
If you don’t have time to stay in wine country, then at least a day tour is a must. Italy is known for its wine – and for good reason. Chianti vineyards just ~happen~ to be my favorite in the world, and if you’re taking any tours in Italy, at least one has to be a food and wine tour.
Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small-Group Walking Tour
An interesting tour in Rome to take is to head underground and experience the dark history of the catacombs in this small-group walking tour.
Pompeii Day Trip with Option for Mount Vesuvius or Amalfi Coast and Positano
If you’re not spending much time on the Amalfi Coast but want to experience one of the most bizarre and truly eerie histories ever, taking a day trip to Pompeii from Rome is a surefire way to do that. Pompeii is so perfectly preserved that you can almost still feel the presence of the people who lived there.
Rome Food Tour by Sunset Around Prati District
Italians are known for their food, and the food in Rome is no exception. Take a gastronomic tour around the Prati district, awaken your tastebuds, and fill your bellies with this Rome food tour.
Pasta & Tiramisu Lovers Workshop: A Must to Do in Rome
If you don’t just want to eat food – try making it yourself! This pasta and tiramisu-making class will teach you how to bring a taste of Italy home with you, and don’t worry – the wine only makes you a better chef!
The Best Tours in Italy – Florence
Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence Including Lunch
If you’re looking to get out of Florence for the day and experience the Tuscan countryside and also see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa – then this is the best tour in Italy for you! You will visit two of the cutest towns in Tuscany that are also very famous. You will have a traditional and delicious Tuscan-style lunch as well as visit the town of Pisa, where the Leaning Tower is located. One of the best day trips to take from Florence.
Taste of Chianti: Tuscan Cheese, Wine, and Lunch from Florence
If you want to experience Tuscany a bit differently than just touring the cities, this cheese and wine tour departing from Florence is an amazing tour in Italy just for that! Try famous Italian wine and cheese all complete with lunch!
Uffizi Gallery – Semi-Private Tour
The Uffizi is one of the most famous museums in Florence, and it would be a shame to miss it, not only for the stunning artwork inside but also for the building itself, on the interior, is a work of art. It boasts amazing views of the Ponte Vecchio as well. My two favorite works of art reside there – “The Birth of Venus” and “La Primavera,” both by Botticelli.
Semi-Private Cinque Terre and Pisa Leaning Tower Tour from Florence
If you aren’t going to make it down to the Amalfi Coast during your trip to Italy, then you absolutely MUST visit Cinque Terre. These 5 little towns nestled a few hours north of Florence are only accessible by boat or train and are possibly the most picturesque spot in Italy. With bright houses tucked into the ocean-facing mountainside, this is one amazing destination. When I lived in Italy, one of the weekly tours I led was day trips to Cinque Terre, and I never got tired of it.
Skip the Line: Florence’s Accademia Gallery Priority Entrance Ticket
The Academia is another famous museum in Florence, and for good reason. The Academia hosts the famous “Davide” by Michelangelo. These skip-the-line tickets get your priority entrance to Florence’s most famous museum.
Tuscany Hot Air Balloon Flight
If you are on the hunt for a day excursion that is a little off the beaten path – then a hot air balloon ride in Tuscany is probably one of the best tours in Italy for you! Sail in tranquility over the Tuscan countryside in a romantic balloon for two with your special someone.
Handmade Italian Pasta Cooking Course in Florence
Pasta, pasta, pasta – you’re going to come back from Italy as a master chef.
MORE ON FLORENCE
ULTIMATE list of Things to do in Florence
The Best Tours in Italy – the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast Private Boat Excursion from Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Minori or Maiori
Experience the beauty of the Amalfi Coast in this private boat tour from wherever you are staying! See all the sights from the water and experience the best the Amalfi Coast has to offer.
Capri Island Private Tour
Head off to Capri for a private tour from the Amalfi Coast. A private boat takes you to the Isle of Capri, where you can do shore excursions, snorkel, and see the blue and emerald grotti!
Amalfi Coast Boat and Snorkeling Tour in Small Group | Half-day
If a private boat tour isn’t in your budget, this small-group half-day tour will be! You still get all the experiences that come with an Amalfi Coast boat tour, just with other people on the yacht with you!
Sorrento Farm Experience Including Tastings, Pizza Making and Limoncello
Once you see the Lemons in Amalfi, you’ll understand why they are obsessed with Limoncello — these things are bigger than your head! Head to an organic farm for the day and experience tastings, pizza making, and limoncello from the finest of agriturismi.
Half-Day Pompeii Sightseeing Trip from Sorrento
If history is your thing, this Pompeii tour is a must among some of the best tours in Italy. Pompeii was such a magical place, and I had the most amazing experience there. Only a few places in the world give me the vibes that I felt at Pompeii, and I would recommend a trip to anyone who is remotely curious.
The Best Tours in Italy – Venice
Legendary Venice St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge’s Palace
If there’s one entry fee or walking tour to take in Venice – it’s going into Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Both are located right in/near the main square of town. These STUNNING historical buildings will wow you.
Murano & Burano Islands Half-Day Guided Tour by Private Boat
Escape Venice and head to some of the smaller and also canal weaved islands. Experience the artisanal works and bright colors on a half-day tour to Murano and Burano – with adorable bright pink and blue houses, along with glass blowing demonstrations, this is one of the most classic tours in Venice.
Dolomite Mountains and Cortina Semi-Private Day Trip from Venice
If you’re looking to experience a different side of Italy, heading into the Italian Alps is a surefire way to do so. Get some fresh air in nature and experience beauty unlike any you’ve ever seen before.
Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice
Wine lovers unite! Most Americans know of champagne, but did you know that Italy has its own alternative to the bubbly drink we all know and love? It’s crafted in the Veneto area of Italy and is only produced by the single prosecco grape – and it’s better than champagne if I do say so myself.
Venice Walking Tour and Gondola Ride
The classic Venice tour takes you around the city, showing you the major sights and wrapping everything up nice and pretty with a gondola ride. Is the singing man not included????
MORE ON VENICE
The Best Tours in Italy – Milan
Swiss Alps Bernina Express Rail Tour from Milan
Ride the Bernina Express Train – one of the cutest trains I’ve ever seen, from Milan into the Swiss Alps for an incredible day tour through the countryside. Stop in little villages along the way and experience a side to Italy and Switzerland like no other.
Best of Milan Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket to Duomo & ‘Last Supper’
I have to include a walking tour for every city I mention for tours in Italy! Walking is a classic Italian way to get anywhere, and these walking tours are sure to show the best of the historical parts of each city. In Milano it’s an absolute must to do both the Duomo and the last supper – so this walking tour is a perfect fit for any first-timer to Milan!
Lake Como and Bellagio Day Trip from Milan
If you don’t have time to spend a few nights in the Lago di Como area, then you must at least depart for a short day trip from Milan to see this stunning area of Northern Italy.
Venice Day Trip from Milan
Again – no time to stay overnight in Venice? This day trip to the Floating City is sure to tick off all your Venice bucket list items in one go!
Verona and Lake Garda Day Trip from Milan
If you have a bit more time and want to explore a local holiday destination of Italy, Lake Garda and Verona are both stunning areas. Of course, Verona is the famous city in which Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is set, and you can even visit the Juliet House and do a complete Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” tour.
Milan Mix Aperitivo and Street Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience
Milan might be the most underrated city in Italy when it comes to food – so don’t sleep on the amazing options! This aperitivo tour will satisfy your bellies and leave you feeling happy and full.
Italian Perfume Workshop in Milan
Fashion, romance, and perfumes are three things I always think of when I dream of Italy – that is – if I’m not dreaming about food. This Perfume tour in Milan will walk you through all the processes that come with making the world’s finest perfumes!
Florence Day Trip From Milan By Train
While I will NEVER say that a day trip to Florence is enough, if that’s all the time you have to dedicate to my favorite city in the world, then let’s get you there, baby! This Florence day trip will take you on a whirlwind ride down to Florence, where you will see all the major sights, and then back to Milan before you can blink. It doesn’t do the city the justice it deserves, but if you gotta do it, this is the tour I recommend.
UNFORTUNATELY, AS RABBIE BURNS ONCE WROTE, EVEN THE BEST-LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN OFTEN GO AWRY. THAT IS WHY WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TAKING OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE TO COVER ALL EVENTUALITIES. OUR PARTNER, TRAVEL INSURED, IS OUR PREFERRED VENDOR FOR OUR CLIENT AND PERSONAL TRAVELS.
