Italy Tours

Summer is the most crowded and the warmest time of the year, so we typically recommend taking your trip to Italy in the shoulder season months of April, May, September, and October.

During these months in spring and fall, you can enjoy comfortable temperatures for city tours and sightseeing, expect fewer tourists, and experience seasonal festivals. In May and September, on either side of summer, the warm weather is fantastic for exploring the Italian coastline and famous islands like Sicily, Capri, and Ischia.

While these months are our favorites, Italy is a year-round destination, and summer and winter are wonderful for their own reasons. Whether traveling as a family to Rome in August or skiing in the Italian Alps in December, our guide on the best time to visit Italy can help you find the right month for your trip.

While there is a seemingly endless list of things to see and do, we recommend spending at least 10 days on a tour of Italy to experience the highlights.

10-day itineraries provide an excellent overview of Italy’s iconic destinations, including Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. That said, the longer you stay, the more you will experience, and our three-week itineraries are designed for travelers to explore as much of Italy as possible.

If you can only visit for a short time, our 7-day itineraries cover the essentials of Italy, or you can spend a few days in Italy’s capital city on a trip starting from Rome.

From northern Italy’s alpine summits to the central capital of Rome and sun-kissed southern coastlines, there is so much to explore from one region to the next.

Here are a few of the best places to visit in Italy:

• Rome: Home to iconic highlights like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, the Eternal City is the ideal city to visit in Italy for first-timers and an excellent destination to start or end a trip.
• Florence: Gateway to the rolling Tuscan sunflower fields and famous for its Renaissance architecture, Florence, the region’s capital, is one of the most notable places in Italy.
• Tuscany: Known for its enchanting vineyards, medieval villages, and golden sunsets, the Tuscan countryside offers phenomenal wine tasting and cultural highlights to experience on your trip.
• Venice: Sail the canals by gondola, see landmarks like Saint Mark's Basilica, and savor the local Venetian delicacies when experiencing the history, culture, and romance of the Floating City.
• Amalfi Coast: Home to charming pastel-colored towns clinging to the cliffs, you can admire dramatic coastal views as you explore historic neighborhoods of the Amalfi Coast. This stunning stretch of steep, rocky coastline is one of the most scenic places in Italy.

From day trips to the Vatican City to Venetian gondola rides, Tuscan wine tasting, and pizza-making classes in Naples, here are some of the top things to do in Italy:

• Explore the art, architecture, and museums of the Vatican City
• Cruise the Floating City of Venice by gondola
• Discover Italy’s regional cuisines, from Neapolitan pizza in Naples to authentic bolognese in Bologna
• Sail between Italy’s top islands
• Visit the famous Italian ruins and UNESCO sites
• Taste the fine local varietals and blends of the Tuscan wine country

Whether touring top UNESCO sites or admiring the historic ruins, there are many famous landmarks and attractions to see on your Italy trip. Here are some favorites to explore:

• The Colosseum, Rome
• The Pantheon, Rome
• Trevi Fountain, Rome
• The Roman Forum, Rome
• The Vatican Museums, Vatican City
• St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
• Uffizi Gallery, Florence
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa
• Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice
• Duomo di Milano, Milan

Pizza, pasta, and gelato are just a few famous foods to try as you explore Italy’s cities and towns. And while there is no single best city for food in Italy, each region offers signature dishes and cuisine to choose from. When planning an Italy food tour, consider these iconic culinary hotspots and classic Italian food experiences:

• Bologna: Prepare authentic Italian bolognese sauce
• Florence: Embark on a Tuscan truffle-hunting tour
• Parma: Learn about the history of Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Modena: Sample the original Modena balsamic vinegar
• Naples: Make traditional Neapolitan pizza from start to scratch

Visit famous wine regions on Italy wine tours that reveal why the local varietals and blends are among the best in the world. From Tuscany to Trentino-Alto Adige, here are some of the top wine regions to visit:

• Tuscany
• Piedmont
• Sicily
• Trentino-Alto Adige

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Here are some of our most popular Italy itineraries with excellent routing for your first-time trip or return visit:

• Best of Italy Tour: Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Venice is our most popular itinerary for first-timers. You can start your trip in whichever city aligns with your ideal flight routing and experience Italy’s top destinations in 10 days.
• For travelers wishing to visit Rome, Florence, and Venice with an added stop on the Amalfi Coast, our Italy from North to South: 10-Day Classic Tour offers an excellent way to see the most famous cities, along with the Italian coastline.
• With more time, you can explore more of Italy’s popular destinations with added stops in Lake Garda and Naples. Our 15-Day Elegant Italy: Art, History, Food and Wine tour is an immersive experience with optimal routing to see the best of Italy.

For more routing options, explore our best luxury Italy itineraries and let our travel specialists design your personalized trip.

From medieval villages perched on hilltops to coastal towns off the beaten path, Italy’s lesser-known destinations should be on your radar. Here are a few of our favorite hidden gems in Italy where you can experience something unique:

• The Aeolian Islands: Most travelers flock to Sicily in summer, yet the Aeolian archipelago off Sicily’s northeastern coast is a hidden gem worth exploring if you want a sunny beach trip without the crowds.
• Castelmezzano: Second-time trips to Italy are best spent discovering unique spots, and Castelmezzano is a gem in southern Italy with a historic village clinging to the cliffs and overlooking the countryside.
• Trento: Tucked away in the northern Italian hills lies the charming city of Trento, one of Italy’s top winter destinations. Gateway to the Italian Alps, you can escape the crowds on a tour of northern Italy or travel in December for winter sports.

Explore more answers to common travel questions in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Italy.