Italy is a premier vacation destination that provides lavish relaxation, culinary experiences, and luxurious delights to everyone who visits it. Filled with history, culture, natural beauty, and culinary masterpieces, Italy is the perfect travel destination with a little bit for everyone, offering everything from family Italy tours to luxury Italy tours and more to encompass the needs of every vacationing family, couple, or individual.
You can experience expert-led travel through many different areas in Italy and do several different activities, including culinary tours, wine tastings, Italy hiking tours, Italy train tours, and more. These tours relieve you of the stress and difficulties of planning independent travels as well as provide you with a group and advisor to enjoy your tour. If you’re contemplating booking a new vacation, consider hopping on one of these affordable Italy tours for one of the best Italy tours you’ll ever take.
Best Private Italy Tours – Top Tour Companies And Italy Trip Reviews
Iconic Italy Tour by G Adventures
This two-week exploration of Italy will take you through the cultural highlights of Italy and its ancient past. Connect to a buried civilization with a visit to Pompeii and stop to admire incredible Renaissance-era treasures in Venice and Florence. The Coast of Amalfi calls out with oceanside views and cliff-side villages. Your fourteen-day tour will cover all the best parts of Italy, blending ancient experiences with contemporary histories to create a true Italian experience of a lifetime.
Dig into agriturismo in Amalfi by joining a cooking class on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean in a 17th-century monastery that is dripping in culture and culinary goodness. Stop at one of Italy’s famous lemon orchards and marvel at cliffside views of the sea just beyond the rolling lemon fields. Your tour begins in Venice and stops through the Cinque Terre before heading to Florence. From Florence, you’ll travel to Naples to sample pizza and more incredible local history before stays in Sorrento, Pompeii, and Amalfi. Finish in Rome for the capstone to an incredible two weeks of la dolce vita in Italy.
Ultimate Italy Tour with G Adventures
Take in a wide variety of delights throughout the Italian landscape with this Ultimate Italy tour designed by G Adventures. Visit the villages of Cinque Terre and the medieval splendor of Tuscany for a range of experiences that take you through contemporary and historical Italy. Marvel at piazzas and winding roads in the Italian countryside, the canals of Venice, and the elegant villas on Lake Como. Take in the historic grandeur of Rome and soak in the remnants of the Renaissance in Florence, all while eating and drinking to your heart’s content.
This two-week tour takes you from Rome to Venice, with stops in many other classic locales across the Italian countryside. Montepulciano, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Lake Como are all on the bucket list here, and travel by train makes for a smooth and comfortable ride you’ll enjoy thanks to the rolling scenery and hills outside your car window. Soak in many different cultural and culinary delights and experience a free day or two to visit your favorite moments uninterrupted for the perfect customizable trip.
Italy Real Food Adventure with Intrepid Travel
Uncover the secrets of delicious Italian cuisine while traveling across the Italian landscape from Venice to Rome. Visit regional locations and take in seasonal and fresh ingredients for a delicious and authentic tasting food tour that’s inspired by the days of the year. One of the best Italy food tours, your trip won’t just be limited to pizza and pasta- you’ll get to enjoy every part of Italy’s classic food traditions here thanks to the unforgettable restaurants and dining experience with your experienced guides.
Your guided tour travels from Venice to Rome, with pit stops in San Gimignano and Bologna (and a loop around Modena). You’ll experience four incredible staple cuisines in the Italian culinary landscape: Rome, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and the Veneto, and get to taste fresh ingredients at farm stays that let you watch fresh wine and olive production as well as original balsamic vinegar handcrafted by local chefs. Take hands-on cooking classes, roll your own pasta, and prepare authentic meals guided by trained chefs in the heart of Italy for the perfect Italy food tour package.
Italian Glory – 13 Days with Trafalgar
A fantastic Italy tour package of almost two weeks touring the most famous Italian marvels. Starting in stylish Milan, you will be visiting popular sites like Lake Maggiore and Verona before heading to the world-famous Venice.
Next is the birthplace of Renaissance, art-filled Florence. Once you have explored the wonderful Tuscan capital, you will head to the Amalfi Coast for a VIP-style vacation around the famous coast and Positano. On these days, you will also visit the archaeological ruins of Pompeii, the town destroyed by the Vesuvius in 79AD.
After the Amalfi Coast, it’s time to visit Rome, the wonderful Italian capital, filled with history, a rich culture, and delicious restaurants. Apart from the wonders of Ancient Rome, you will also be visiting Vatican City.
Grand Italian Experience – 17 Days with Trafalgar
In more than two weeks, the Grand Italian Experience Italy tour package with Trafalgar will be your trip of a lifetime.
You will be visiting all the most famous Italian wonders, from the immortal ruins of Ancient Rome to the incredible art masterpieces of the Vatican to the mesmerizing art galleries of Florence.
But that’s not all. This fantastic tour will take you to the northern city of Verona, to experience the romantic vibe of Venice, and to the fashionable city of Milan.
Don’t worry, you will also be experiencing the Dolce Vita of Southern Italy in the gorgeous Capri island and sunny Sorrento. To carry on the adventurous path, you will also be viewing the odd stone buildings of Alberobello in the Puglia region, and visiting Assisi in Umbria. Heading north, you will visit Lake Maggiore, La Spezia, and Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli.
Taste of Italy – 8 Days with Expat Explore Travel
This Italy culinary tour is designed to give you a taste of Italy’s food and a taste of Italy’s scenery all in one convenient eight-day tour package. Experience the history and architecture of cultural giants like ancient Rome, the Umbrian city of Orvieto, the Tower of Pisa, and more. Your eight-day tour includes a combination of scheduled and free days to allow you a good combination of personal exploration and guided experiences. Take in Venice, Rome, Orvieto, Pisa, Florence, Tuscany, and more, all with an experienced guide who can give you pointers and fresh experiences you’ll never forget.
Several delicious meals are also included as part of your tour, including a delicious Tuscan dinner in the heartland of the Tuscany wine region. Sip on freshly crafted wines or spoon traditional gelato into your mouth after a long day of travel with your friends and family. Accommodations are spacious, relaxing, and enjoyable, making your experience one you’ll never forget.
Sardinia & Corsica Sailing Adventure By Intrepid Travel
For the nautically inclined, the coasts of Italy are some of the most beautiful places to sail you’ll ever find. This sailing tour of Italy offers a relaxing and stunning water-based trip that sees you sail across the clearest and bluest waters you’ve ever seen, island hopping, snorkeling, and swimming through the coasts of Italy with relaxation and peace of mind on every trip. Start in Sardinia, Italy, and swim in the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea as a peaceful break during non-sailing moments.
You’ll explore the ancient citadel of Bonifacio off the coast of Corsica, France, hike the wild landscapes of Isola Caprera, and cycle around La Maddalena for a lively and energetic real-life experience. Experience life on the sea on your sailing yacht and get used to the paradise of white sand beaches and long days in the sun. Relax on the beaches at Isola Lavezzi and Olbia or sunbathe on the deck of your yacht while you travel from locale to locale, making for the perfect nautical adventure for one and all.
Amalfi Coast: Hike & Kayak By Intrepid Travel
This is one of the best all-inclusive holiday tours to Italy because it features a little bit of physical activity for everyone. Situated on the glamorous and stately Amalfi coast, booking this tour package will help you visit Italy’s spectacular coastline on foot in several different ways. Begin in Naples by hiking across the sparkling Mediterranean valleys up the Amalfi Coast. Tour through Naples’ hidden catacombs, take in traditional pizza, and hike up the hills to head into the nature surrounding Naples before heading back down to the coasts.
Other incredible visits include the ancient, volcano-buried city of Pompeii, the jaw-dropping Sentiero degli Dei (the most scenic trail in Italy), and the ominous Valley of the Mills, with mysteriously cool temperatures all year long. Hop a boat or kayak to the island of Capri and explore secluded coves, grottos, and more spectacular Mediterranean scenery before paddling back to shore (or back along the shore). Designed for fitness fans who aren’t afraid of a little physical activity in search of a great adventure, this hiking tour in Italy shows you the Amalfi Coast as a stunning destination for all kinds of tourists and travelers.
Italy Family Holiday by Intrepid Travel
Planning to book your next Italy family holiday? The Italy Family Holiday tour combines family favorite locations with age-appropriate activities for one and all, finding ways to bond your entire family together over history, legacy, and new experiences. Italy will come to life before your family’s eyes with these cultural expeditions into ancient history. Try delicious food, visit historic landmarks, soak in the beaches, and hike the hills of Italy together. With the planning all taken care of, you and your family can just relax and sink into your new experiences across Italy together.
Your tour begins in Rome with a historic trip through the city of ancient wonders. Visit iconic sites like the Colosseum together and enjoy the first of what will surely be many delicious Italian meals before heading over to Pompeii for an incredible blast from the past. Discover the treasures of this buried civilization together and wonder with your family what might have been before heading through Minori and Sorrento for food-based agricultural travels that will take you through the cliffs and beaches of the Amalfi coast and the fields and farmlands of inland Italy. Your eight-day tour is sure to make treasured memories your family will never forget.
Cycle Tuscany by Intrepid Travel
For cycling fans, the Cycle Tuscany tour is an Italy cycling tour paradise on Earth. The picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany come alive in an elegant and exciting cycling adventure from Florence to Pisa, with stops in Vinci, Barga, Garganana, and Lucca. Each stop sees quaint villages, astonishing mountain views, famous locales, and historic sights, including Italy’s oldest bakery. Follow the Serchio River on your pedaling path, with stops in Leonardo da Vinci’s home city and Tuscan vineyards for a rewarding finish after a long day of work.
This tour creates a stunning escape from the ‘tourist traps’ of other popular Italy tours, allowing you to experience a more natural version of life in Italy. Your cycle will help you travel more naturally and unobtrusively, allowing you to blend into the city around you and explore uninterrupted by other public transport modes. Soak in the sights and sounds of Italy in real time and enjoy the comfortable breeze of the sea across your face as you cycle through the hills of Italy.
Rome to Amalfi by Intrepid Travel
Take a focused, express trip along the Amalfi coast that takes you through some highlights of southern Italy with this fast-paced adventure that’s compelling sightseeing and culinary experiences. One of the best South Italy tours, this trip exposes you to some of Rome’s most famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and so much more. Eat pizza in Naples, the original home of pizza, and stumble across the Eternal City of Pompeii, a city frozen in time after a devastating volcanic eruption in 79 AD.
Travel by train from Rome to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and end in Amalfi. Your train ride takes you right along the coast, allowing you to take in the sea and soak in views of the Amalfi Coast every day of your trip. Explore local Italian history in the coastal town of Sorrento and enjoy the history of the olive groves that wall the Amalfi Coast. Taste delicious local food and drinks and sip espresso among the locals to truly experience what Italians call the sweet life.
Lake Magic in Northern Italy by Falk Tours
This tour is for lake lovers. You will start from Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest lake, and end in the gorgeous Lago Maggiore with a stop in the famous Lake Como.
One of the favorite North Italy tours, each stop features many historical, cultural, and natural attractions that make it a stunning vacation destination for all. Local squares, foggy views of mountain ranges, ruined castles, and old homes and villas- all of these are situated strategically throughout your tour for a mysterious and elegant look at Italy’s past. End each day with a delicious dinner and local wines and sleep comfortably in spacious accommodations before waking up to head back out for more adventures the following day.
Italy Experience by Intrepid Travel
This ten-day gastronomic masterpiece tour will take you through some of the best eats and experiences in Italy. Cover every part of Italy’s rich culinary history in this ten-day adventure that sees you cross over most of Italy in your quest to taste all of Italy’s most delicious foods. See the real sights of some of Italy’s most famous cities while tasting your way through Italy’s gastronomic map, enjoying your Italian adventure with every sense in your body.
Your tour kicks off with two days in Venice, eating delicious chocolate and gelato while also touring the canals and the rich Renaissance-era history that remains enshrined in the series of islands. Next, head to La Spezia and Cinque Terre for a colorful and whimsical look at Italy’s local gastronomic heritage. Stop through Pisa and Florence to try heavenly balsamic vinegar and pestos fresh from the plants before traveling through Perugia and Spello for even more cooking masterpieces. End your culinary journey with two days in Rome that combine delicious eats with historic sightseeing for an unforgettable Italian experience.
Cinque Terre: Hike, Bike, & Kayak with Intrepid Travel
Explore the playful coastal village of Cinque Terra with fresh eyes with this guided tour among the cliff-top villages of the Cinque Terre. Vivid, multicolored houses, bright sea, and heavy sun turn the entire village into a brightly colored kaleidoscope of light and color.
The many villages and neighborhoods within the province of Cinque Terre are full of color, life, and vibrant local history, making it a great place to visit as a family or on your own. Cinque Terre is known as one of the world’s most romantic destinations, so this would make a great honeymoon tour or luxury Italy tour for lovebirds on vacation.
Adventure through Cinque Terre’s scenic trails on foot, bike, or by boat, all with a local expert to guide you through the best trails and supervise you as you strike out on your own. Soak up the sun on the beach or out on the sea and enjoy delicious and filling Italian meals overlooking spectacular cliffs, colorful villages, and sparkling seas at the end of every day before continuing on your sightseeing plans. Whatever you discover, it is guaranteed to be romantic, colorful, and historic in the classic Cinque Terre.
Italy by High-Speed Train by Flag Travel Holidays
Want to pack as much of Italy into your sightseeing experience as possible? This high-speed train tour is one of the best Italy train tours available and provides an all-inclusive sightseeing experience that takes you through all the highlights of Italy in just seven days.
Your six-destination train vacation takes you through many historic locales throughout Italy as well as creating space for orientation tours and historic sightseeing in each of the locations you visit.
Your tour will begin in Rome and includes a highly sought-after Vatican tour that takes you through the holy city. Next, travel to Florence and live through the last remains of the Renaissance era before moving on to Tuscany. Soak in the food and wine of this historic culinary region before continuing forward to Venice, including a walking tour of the famous San Marco Basilica. Depart from Venice feeling satisfied with your crash course in the greatest history of Italy and plan ahead for booking your next trip to return!
Explore Southern Italy by Intrepid Travel
The Southern region of Italy is sadly unexplored and undiscovered by many classic tourist destinations. This private Italy tour is designed to take you on an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path journey through the Southern aisle of Italy, beginning with the famed Amalfi coast and crossing the country to end in the southernmost slice of the Adriatic Ocean in Lecce.
Soak in local history and rare stories of Italian culture in small and comfortable villages or join sophisticated diners in Puglia for a classy approach to your tour.
Beginning in Amalfi, your tour will take you by train to Trani, a sophisticated spot on the opposite Adriatic Coast. Next, travel to Matera and Alberobello, enjoying old Roman ruins and faded Italian architecture before dipping into the old town life preserved in Bari’s Basilica di San Nicola. Travel around the so-called heel of Italy and dine on Italy’s finest southern cuisine, enjoying the views of the Adriatic and your time in the secret Southern side of Italy.
Highlights of Charming Sicily – 8 Days by Click Tours
Eat, drink, walk, and bike your way through all the best and most historic parts of charming Sicily with this luxurious 8-day tour that allows a deep dive into the history and legacy of Sicily. Get a taste of island life with this deep dive into the Mediterranean city, including panoramic views of the nearby islands and plenty of other natural wonders to explore, not to mention the delicious food and wine offerings available in the culinary capital of Southern Italy. Swing through Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Modica, and Taormina for peeks into the local island life as well as exposure to exciting local histories and traditions.
This close look at Sicily will take you through many different areas of Sicilian culture, including historic, culinary, natural, relaxing, and ocean-side views. Visit the coast of Erice and Trapani and sip the best fresh seafood and wine before heading through Taormina to visit the historic Mount Etna volcano. Explore classical and baroque architecture and take a deep dive into Roman ruins for a historical component to your trip.
Conclusion
Traveling to Italy is an exciting but potentially overwhelming experience for a few different reasons. With such a big country and so much history, culture, and natural wonders to explore, it can be hard to know where to start. For that reason, taking guided and preplanned tours instead of traveling independently can help you focus your trip on specific locations, theming your tour in a specific interest area and providing you with an expert guide who can help answer your questions and keep your interests at the forefront of their recommendations for your activities.
Booking expert guides also provides you with a seamless connection to the local community. If you don’t speak Italian, having a fluent local guide with direct connections to the community you’re traveling through will help you navigate your experience abroad. They can get you better deals, make sure you’re not being scammed by local townspeople, and provide you with the inside scoop on different travel and tourist destinations that you can visit and tour. In the event of an emergency, they can also serve as an advocate and translator for you, helping to connect you to any of the resources you might need.
Booking expert tours, whether these are 10-day Italy trips or daily food tours of Florence, means trusting people who know Italy to recommend the best places for you to visit and the most efficient combination of sightseeing stops for you to enjoy. Your pre-planned tour has been carefully managed down to the last second by an experienced team who knows what they’re doing.
This removes a huge burden off your shoulders, taking the nitty-gritty daily details and removing that responsibility from you so you can spend more time enjoying yourself and relaxing in your surroundings instead of worrying about getting from place to place. By trusting a tour guide from one of Italy’s best tours, you’re committing to a stress-free, exciting vacation that will provide you with a thorough look at the best Italy has to offer.
What a wonderful article to find for someone thinking seriously about visiting such a beautiful country. My wife has always dreamed of visiting Vatican City and Rome. I spent a year of my youth in Naples at 8 years old. Now that I am 75 it is good to see so many options besides hiking, biking, and climbing. There were a lot of options shared in this article. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, Bob! I am glad you found this article helpful and that you’re excited to visit Italy with your wife. There truly is no shortage of amazing things to see and do here, so I hope you and your wife come and have a fantastic time.
Ciao Angela, these are amazing tours in Italy, I also live in Italy and I’ve done most of these except Sardinia which I’m looking forward to taking the tours. Thank you for the many options.
Enjoy Sardinia 🙂 If you travel independently, you will definitely need to rent a car…
My first trip to Italy was a group tour. It’s a great way for inexperienced travelers to see many of the top sights of Italy!
True, it might give less freedom of wandering on your own but they take care of all the logistics.
All of these trips sound amazing – it would be a tough choice! I do like the sound of the food one though. Italy is such a beautiful country, I’d happily go back again and again!