An Italy vacation is a chance to visit historic sites, sample some of the world’s most iconic dishes, and simply enjoy a slower pace of life. On the best Italy tours, these distinctly Italian delights are woven into days, making it easy to see the country’s iconic sights and have time to simply enjoy being there.
Some of the best Italy tours give you the chance to see everything from the Roman Colosseum and the Vatican Museum in Rome to the stunning cliffside homes of the Amalfi Coast, plus some of Italy’s famed wine regions. Whether you’re looking for an active adventure or a more laid back vacation with plenty of free time, there’s an Italy tour for you.
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These 10 great Italy tours allow you to see all of the highlights in different regions over the span of a week or longer. The best part about these tours is that almost everything, from accommodations to activities and meals, is included in the overall cost. You’ll also be accompanied on your tour by local guides who area full of insider information, can help you arrange meals at the recommended restaurants in town for meals that are on your own, and so much more. Your only responsibilities are to be on time to leave the hotel each morning and to enjoy someone else taking care of the details.
1. Contiki Italian Espresso
For young adults looking to explore without mom and dad and make some new friends along the way, the Contiki Italian Espresso tour is a perfect fit. The 10-day trip is geared to 18 to 35 year olds, making it a fun way for young adult travelers to make new connections with people of a similar age and to have help navigating Italy, all without feeling out of place on a tour geared to older adults.
This Italy tour includes popular experiences like a visit to the Duomo in Florence, a gondola ride in Venice, and a tour of Vatican City in Rome. One other big highlight is a cruise around Lake Como (which is an additional cost, but so worth it), where you can marvel at the dramatic foothills of the Dolomite Mountains as you watch adorable towns like Bellagio pass by. Foodies will also love the food and beverage walking tours of Venice, cooking classes in Florence, and wine tastings in Lucca.
- Length: 10 days
- Starting Price: $1,847
- Group Size: 39 people
2. Intrepid Italy Real Food Adventure
Culinary-minded travelers will enjoy the Intrepid’s Italy Real Food Adventure tour. The eight-day tour takes guests to the Italian cities of Venice, Bologna, Rome, and other cities and towns to try some of the best bites in the country. While exploring each destination, travelers will have the chance to try real balsamic vinegar in a vinegar loft, make tagliatelle al ragù in Bologna, and sample wine in San Gimignano.
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Even with the classes and experiences, there’s still plenty of time to get out on your own in each city. The expert guides who lead the trip can give you recommendations about where to get certain dishes and drinks away from the tourist traps, ensuring you get an authentic Italian experience.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting Price: $2,831
- Group Size: 12 people
3. Abercrombie & Kent Sicily, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast
The Sicily, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast tour from Abercrombie & Kent takes travelers through some of the most beautiful regions of Italy over 11 days. After arriving in Palermo, you’ll enjoy exploring the port city and the hillside town of Monreale, where the cathedral in the town dates back to 1170. Later in the journey, you’ll be able to see Mount Etna before heading to a cooking class where arancini are the star of the meal.
Another foodie delight happens in Paestum, where you’ll learn how to make mozzarella cheese before heading to Naples to try the delicate cheese on authentic Neapolitan pizza and other iconic examples of Italian food. The tour ends with a day on the island of Capri, where you’ll be able to explore the town’s cafes, shops, and grand villas.
- Length: 11 days
- Starting Price: $7,595
- Group Size: 24 people
4. Butterfield & Robinson Piemonte Wine Country Biking
Butterfield & Robinson tours are known for being quite active, with biking and hiking trips that span generations. Adults looking to mix in both relaxation and biking in Italy should check out the Piemonte Wine Country Biking tour. The trip is specially curated for bikers of all ages and skill levels, especially since you’ll be tasting wine along the way. Travelers also get to hunt for truffles and take a pasta-making class.
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For this trip, you don’t need to bring your own bike, because a hybrid or a racing bike rental is included in the cost. The bikes also have a handlebar-mounted tablet so everyone can keep up with the route if they end up falling behind because, say, they stop for photos.
- Length: 6 days
- Starting Price: $6,395
- Group Size: 16 people
5. Tauck Lake Como, Venice, Florence & Rome
Travelers who want to see the big highlights of Italy should take a look at the itinerary for the Lake Como, Venice, Florence & Rome tour from Tauck. The tour is offered from April through October each year, giving guests the best chance for good weather and seeing the most sites possible. The tour starts in Milan before heading to Lake Como on day two. (Star Wars fans will love seeing the Franciscan monastery, which was a filming location for Attack of the Clones.)
Other highlights on the tour include seeing the Duomo and Michelangelo’s David in Florence, and a private after-hours tour of the Vatican Museum. Travelers will also visit the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in Rome.
- Length: 10 days
- Starting Price: $7,990
- Group Size: 44 guests
6. Adventures by Disney Italy – Private Adventure
Families looking to travel together without being paired up with others will enjoy the Italy – Private Adventure from Adventures by Disney. The tour starts in Rome, where your family will have a privately guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and a private walking tour of the city, including a stop at the Trevi Fountain.
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In Tuscany, everyone in the family can participate in a pasta making class, then the adults head off to a wine tasting while kids are able to do a flavored olive oil tasting. The trip concludes in Venice where you’ll get a private tour of Doges Palace, enjoy a Carnevale mask making class, and ride in a gondola.
As with all Adventures by Disney trips, this private tour is led by an expert Adventure Guide, a tour guide who can take your family to almost anywhere in the city, make dining arrangements, and snap photos while you sit back and enjoy the trip through Italy.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting Price: $6,599
- Group Size: just your family
7. AdventureWomen Southern Italy: The Amalfi Coast and Volcanoes of Aeolian Islands
Women looking to travel exclusively with other women will want to consider the Southern Italy: The Amalfi Coast and Volcanoes of Aeolian Islands tour from AdventureWomen. The 11-day tour starts in Naples, where you’ll hike to the crater of Vesuvius National Park and then head to a winery at the base of Mount Vesuvius. Throughout the rest of the trip, travelers explore Positano, the island of Capri, and see the most active volcano in Europe, Stromboli.
The trip is fairly active, with hiking and walking ranging from one to four hours on multiple types of terrain. Those who want to take this trip will want to be sure that they can stand for long periods of time and that they are in good health to take hikes with as much as 1,250 feet in elevation gain.
- Length: 11 days
- Starting Price: $6,995
- Group Size: 12-14 people
8. Road Scholar Christmas in Rome
Traveling to Europe during the Christmas holidays is equal parts exciting and enchanting. With the Christmas in Rome tour from Road Scholar, you can combine the winter holiday with the traditions of Italy for a unique and memorable trip. The tour takes place over nine days, and gives you the chance to explore everything Rome offers. The trip includes stops at the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums, and the Colosseum.
Near the end of the tour, there’s a day on which you learn about holiday traditions in Rome, and your group leader can share where to partake in various holiday activities. Be sure to ask about the Roman Christmas markets, where you can buy gifts for friends at home, try traditional treats, and take in all of the festive vibes.
- Length: 9 days
- Starting Price: $3,099
- Group Size: 12 people
9. National Geographic Expeditions Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy & Sicily Aboard Sea Cloud
Travelers interested in a Europe tour by water will enjoy the Mediterranean Gems: Southern Italy & Sicily Aboard Sea Cloud with National Geographic Expeditions. While the 12-day expedition starts in Dubrovnik, Croatia, the city is really just a launching point to get onto the beautiful Sea Cloud sailing ship before cruising around the boot of Italy, stopping at memorable travel destinations along the way.
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Highlights of the tour include the medieval town of Otranto, seeing Mount Etna from Taormina then enjoying a private dinner at the historic Castello degli Schiavi, and exploring the charming town of Amalfi. History fans will enjoy the day at Pompeii, where you’ll be able to explore the city that was once blanketed in ash and debris from Mount Vesuvius.
- Length: 12 days
- Starting Price: $16,950
- Group Size: 58 people
10. Trafalgar Grand Italian Experience
The Trafalgar Grand Italian Experience allows travelers to see all that Italy has to offer over 17 days. The tour starts and ends in Rome, where you’ll explore Vatican City, sit on the Spanish Steps, and see the Trevi Fountain. While touring the Alberobello region, you can stroll through the magnificent gardens of Tivoli and try local delicacies from a local farmer.
As the trip continues to unfold, the tour group spends a day on the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri before moving on to Pompeii. In Venice, you’ll be able to watch highly-skilled artisans blowing glass and see St. Mark’s Basilica. While exploring Pisa, you’ll get up close to the Leaning Tower; and in Florence, you’ll see Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Santa Croce Basilica.
- Length: 17 days
- Starting Price: $3,932
- Group Size: 45 people