Italy Tours & Trip Packages

Italy Tours & Trips

1,612 Italy trips. Tours from 237 tour companies. 7,071 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

140 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Colosseum
Florence and Rome explored
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Colosseum, Florence, Rome, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Highlights

  • Uncover the secrets of the Colosseum and Roman Forum on a private tour.
  • Marvel at the majesty of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and St Peter's Basilica.
  • Visit Siena and San Gimignano and have lunch in a local Tuscan farmhouse.
  • Visit Michelangelo's iconic 'David' and explore the opulent Pitti Palace in Florence.

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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Italy's art cities: Venice, Florence & Rome
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Borghese Gallery, Colosseum, Doge’s Palace, Florence, Rome, St. Peter's Basilica, Venice

Highlights

  • Uncover Venice's hidden past by visiting secret chambers within the Doge's Palace.
  • Discover the secrets of Ancient Rome on a private tour of the Colosseum.
  • Marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel with a private guide.
  • Experience Baroque art through Caravaggio's most famous works in the Borghese Gallery and Santa Maria del Popolo Church.
  • Travel Venice's Grand Canal in style by arriving at your hotel via a private boat.

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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London, Paris & Rome in a nutshell
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Colosseum, Kensington Palace, London, Rome

Highlights

  • Explore London aboard a vintage double-decker bus that serves afternoon tea.
  • Discover some of London's finest small businesses on a food walking tour that includes several tastings.
  • Enjoy visiting the iconic highlights in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre.
  • Explore the Vatican museums and Sistine chapel with a private guide.

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

Trip dates & details
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Christmas in Rome
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bern, Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

Highlights

  • Experience reserved entrance to the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) and the Borghese Gallery minimize wait time
  • Through an on-site lecture in the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Massimo, learn about Roman history, art and fashion before exploring the Jewish Synagogue and Museum in the Ghetto with a docent
  • Venture on an exclusive field trip to an underground Roman House

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at their Finest
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Borghese Gallery, Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

Highlights

  • Enjoy two hour private visit to the Sistine Chapel and an evening concert in Venice
  • Reserved entrance times to major museums: the Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery, the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David, the Doge’s Palace in Venice and more
  • Savor a vineyard lunch in Chianti in the Tuscan countryside

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Bella Italia: Rome, Florence & Venice With Your Family
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

Highlights

  • Go deep underground to explore awesome Roman ruins.
  • Discover some of the world’s most famous art from Michelangelo, da Vinci, and more at the Uffizi Gallery.
  • Bring a piece of Italy home with you during a fun art project and mosaic workshop.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Italian Classics: Rome, Florence & Venice With Your Grandchild
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bern, Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

Highlights

  • Go on an exclusive underground exploration of Roman ruins
  • Spend an afternoon at the Uffizi Gallery and delight in the masterpieces of Titian, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci
  • Create your own Venetian memento with authentic materials

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Roaming Rome: The City of the Seven Hills
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bern, Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

Highlights

  • Explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum with a local expert
  • On an expert-led visit, take in the Vatican Museums including the Raphael Stanze, Sistine Chapel and St
  • Peter's Basilica
  • Over a cappuccino at a historic café, learn about the English and American writers who lived in and wrote about the Eternal City

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Colosseum

Italy Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
7,071  Reviews
See all Italy tour reviews
Excellent
2,988
Great
938
Average
149
Disappointing
32
Terrible
19
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fantastic!

Exodus holidays are only as good as their leaders and Sara is fantastic, super knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm. The area and accommodation ensure you feel fu...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Excellent trip

It was a fantastic trip with some relay amazing walks and views. The mountains the open space and the views are breath taking. The views the open space I would r...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Great Holiday and Superb Walking

A great holiday with excellent walks which were enjoyable as well as being physically quite demanding. Liz, our guide for the week, made the holiday extra special ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking in Tuscany

This was one of the best trip I ever had! Beautiful scenery, friendly people, great home cooking, but most importantly - our incredible guide Sara. She was taking ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A Truly Fabulous Walking Holiday

This was a fabulous trip from start to finish. Beautiful and diverse scenery, great walking, great weather, and a great guide (Sara Bull). The grounds and views fr...

Write a Review

Italy Tour Selection Trips

Prepare for your Italian adventure with these essential travel tips:
  • Learn basic Italian phrases to facilitate communication.
  • Validate train tickets before boarding to avoid fines.
  • Be wary of pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist areas.
  • Respect dress codes when visiting churches and religious sites.
  • Use caution when crossing streets, as traffic can be chaotic.
  • Stay hydrated and carry a refillable water bottle to save on costs.
  • Check for local holidays and events that may affect your travel plans.
  • Familiarize yourself with Italian dining etiquette, such as not asking for substitutions.
  • Purchase tickets in advance for popular attractions to skip the lines.
  • Be mindful of siesta hours when planning activities, as many shops close in the afternoon.

Additional details

Tours to Italy very often visit the “Big Three” that is Florence, Venice, and Rome. These are classic must sees for first timers but also always reveal something new for second and third time travelers to Italy.

Choosing an Italy Tour

When choosing your tour to Italy, consider how you want to spend your time. Many Italy tours have a heavy focus on art, history, and archaeological sites. If this doesn’t interest you as much, look into tours that have more of a cultural bent, and perhaps spend more time in the countryside or visiting local towns.

Traveling to Italy, an FAQ: 

  1. Are there Italy tour packages that include airfare? The short answer to this is: not many. Because of how widely airfare can vary depending on your departure dates and where you leave from, it is unlikely that your airfare will be included (unless you are requesting a custom tour). However, one of the benefits of Stride is that you can compare the trips that do! Our search feature allows you to easily view the Italian Tours & Trips that include airfare.

  2. What kinds of accommodation exist in Italy? This largely depends on the style of tour you are taking, and what level of luxury it is. If you are taking an active, budget-friendly tour, you may be staying in low end hotels, or some of the country’s hostels (hostels in Italy -- as in much of Europe-- are a safe and popular way to travel). Higher-end tours may stay in cute, local inns or various hotels. 

  3. Is food included on Italy group tours? Food is one of the best aspects of traveling to Italy, so it makes sense to wonder if you will have a say in what you eat! The answer to this question depend on the tour, though the majority of tours will have a couple scheduled meals, like maybe having a group breakfast at the hotel on the first day of your trip, and let you decide on others. If food is your main concern, perhaps consider going on a culinary tour of Italy

  4. Where should I exchange money in Italy? We recommend that you exchange money ahead of time if you can at all. However, there will be multiple opportunities to use your credit or debit cards within the country, just make sure you are using a card with low or no international fees! Also, as you should contact you bank before you travel abroad, so they don’t see your international spending as suspicious activity and cancel your account. 

  5. What is the weather like in Northern Italy? The climate in Northern Italy varies depending on where you travel precisely, and what time of year. In the Alps, the wintertime can be very cold with a lot of snow. Summer in the mountains is mild, reaching a maximum of 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and but getting a little chilly at night. It also can be quite rainy during the summer, so pack a rain jacket! The coast of Northern Italy is quite a bit warmer than the Alps, and has mild winters and its known for its hot, dry summers. 

  6. What is the weather like in Southern Italy? The climate in Southern Italy is known for its mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. In the summer, temperatures are on average around 80 degrees. In the winter, make sure to pack a rain jacket, but don’t worry about the snow -- in Southern Italy, this only rarely accumulates on the tops of the Apennine Mountains. 

  7. How do I prevent thieves and pickpockets in Italy? Boasting some of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in the world, it makes sense that Italy is also known for its pickpockets. While these do not present any real safety issues, it can be extremely frustrating and upsetting to lose your passport, money, or any jewelry that you have. The best defense you have against pickpockets is to be aware, especially when you are in a major tourist area, whether that be an attraction or the airport. Try to carry only a day’s worth of money on you at a time, and keep it in fanny pack (or money belt), or in the inside pocket of a jacket. If you do carry a bag, do not leave it on the back of your chair or put it on the ground when eating at a restaurant. Do not discount anyone of being a thief -- pickpockets can be children, well dressed individuals, or even a woman holding a crying baby. Be especially on alert if you are approached by a group of people, or someone carrying a sign at chest level. 

  8. Is public transportation safe? Yes, using the bus and train systems in Italy is safe for tourists to use. Just exercise caution as you would in any other context -- be careful when traveling alone at night, for example.

Visiting Archaeological Sites on your Italy Tour

Italy is home to some of the most popular archaeological sites in the world, and your Italy tour is sure to hit up one if not more of these wonders.

However, when visiting archaeological sites, it’s important to be flexible. At certain times, large portions may be under construction for conservation, or under excavation by real archaeologists. These specific areas will be off limits to tourists, but it does demonstrate a wonderful collective respect for our past and preserving these sites to the best of our ability.

Food, Coffee, and Wine on your Tour of Italy

Food - Even if your Italy tour is not an official “culinary tour” enjoying long meals is a quintessential part of Italian culture. Meals in Italy tend to be homey, simple yet delicious, utilizing local ingredients and making everything from scratch, often utilizing old tried and true methods from centuries before. Food is incredibly regional and diverse in Italy, with seafood dominating in the south and more earthy fare dominating the northern regions.

Coffee - If your tour director knows their stuff, they should properly instruct you on how to order coffee in Italy. American travelers in particular may miss sugary concoctions with syrup - coffee in Italy sticks to the standards. And the idea of lingering over coffee is foreign to them - espresso bars are set up for busy commuters or those who need a 5 minute pick-me-up in the middle of their work day. Learning this system is part of visiting Italy, so go with it and “be Italian” on your tour!

Wine - Both red and white wine are common and regularly consumed with meals. Italy tours will often visit a wine region or two, particularly the micro regions in Tuscany and perhaps Piedmont, for some sweeter wines. Be sure to exercise proper wine tasting etiquette when visiting vineyards: don’t feel the need to complete each taste, ask questions, and be open to learning about the region!

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 1612 trips to Italy and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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