Historical Tours & Trips in Italy
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10 best Historical Italy tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaItaly travel expert at TourRadar
- Siena & History
- 8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
- Iconic Italian Cities
- Mamma Mia! - 13 Days/12 Nights
- Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 6 days
- Sicilian Secrets - Mini Tour of Sicily 5 days
- Sicilian Secrets – Tour of Sicily & Aeolian Islands
- Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 10 days from Catania
- Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
- Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome: essential (3* hotels) low carbon tour by train
The rich past of Tuscany unfolds from Etruscan Volterra to Renaissance Pienza. Siena's Gothic Duomo, medieval Monteriggioni fortress, and ancient pilgrim routes along Via Francigena through San Gimignano's historic center showcase the region's heritage.
Duration 4 days Destinations Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Volterra Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operator Tuscan Escapes From
- NZ$1,187
8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I absolutely loved how informative and helpful the tour was.”
Sarah, traveled in April
Italy's storied past comes alive at Rome's Vatican Museums, Siena's medieval center, and Florence's Santa Croce Basilica. Expert guides illuminate the history behind Venice's Bridge of Sighs and Assisi's St. Francis Basilica across 8 UNESCO-rich cities.
Duration 8 days Destinations Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Padua, Venice, Montepulciano Age Range 18 to 80 year olds Operator Carrani Tours From
- NZ$3,211
Iconic Italian Cities
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was good with some good selections of places to visit.”
Patrick, traveled in May
Italy's historical treasures range from Milan's Gothic cathedral to Rome's Imperial Forum. Venice's 16th-century Rialto Bridge, Florence's Renaissance Basilica of Santa Maria, and Siena's medieval Piazza del Campo tell stories of the past.
Duration 9 days Destinations Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $3,566
7% Off- NZ$3,317You save $249
Mamma Mia! - 13 Days/12 Nights
36 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This sentiment was shared by the entire group. Anastasia was devoted to ensuring the group felt taken care of.”
Matt, traveled in September
Rome's Colosseum and Pompeii's preserved ruins stand as testaments to Italy's past. Expert guides bring 2,000 years of history to life at UNESCO sites including Florence's Uffizi Gallery and Venice's St. Mark's Basilica.
Duration 13 days Destinations Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, Positano, Naples, Florence, Tuscany, San Gimignano, PisaSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator Italy on a Budget Tours From $4,757
25% Off- NZ$3,568You save $1,189
Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 6 days
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The staff were your backbone in keeping the tour going & making it memorable.”
Garry, traveled in September
Ancient treasures of Italy await at Syracuse's Greek Theatre, Agrigento's Valley of Temples, and Palermo's Arab-Norman cathedral. Expert guides share insights at each UNESCO site, from Noto's Baroque architecture to Monreale's golden mosaics.
Duration 6 days Destinations Catania, Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Marsala, Monreale, Palermo Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From $2,397
20% Off- NZ$1,918You save $479
Sicilian Secrets - Mini Tour of Sicily 5 days
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It's the perfect itinerary to discover the beauties of Western Sicily. All the facilities were great.”
Ylenia, traveled in April
Sicily's architectural legacy spans from Arab-Norman Palermo to baroque Catania. Expert guides reveal the history behind Monreale's Cathedral, Cefalù's medieval charm, and Taormina's Greek theatre. Includes visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites with 4.8/5 rated itineraries.
Duration 5 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From $2,003
20% Off- NZ$1,603You save $400
Sicilian Secrets – Tour of Sicily & Aeolian Islands
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent hotels and trip. Times kept to by everyone. Bit of confusion over one tour on Lipari but it was all cleared up quickly.”
Laura, traveled in September
Sicily's past comes alive at Palermo's multicultural monuments and Monreale's Norman Cathedral. The baroque UNESCO center of Catania, Cefalù's medieval town, and Panarea's prehistoric village of Cape Milazzese showcase the island's diversity.
Duration 9 days Destinations Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina, Lipari, Salina, Panarea Island, Stromboli Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From $4,057
20% Off- NZ$3,246You save $811
Sicily's UNESCO sites, including Syracuse's Archaeological Park and Palatine Chapel, reveal ancient stories. Historical marvels like Monreale's Norman Cathedral and Noto's Baroque architecture complement stays at premium hotels such as Hotel Villa Diodoro in Taormina.
Duration 10 days Destinations Catania, Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Marsala, Monreale, PalermoSee all destinations Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Operator Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl From $4,662
20% Off- NZ$3,730You save $932
Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The semi-independent tour format worked really well for me. Quality of hotels was as stated - 4 Star and all were in great locations.”
marci, traveled in April
Rail travel connects Rome's Colosseum to Florence's Uffizi Gallery in this historical journey. Luxurious stays at 4* hotels including Welcome Piram Rome and Hotel Home Florence enhance the experience. Expert guides lead small groups through UNESCO sites with skip-the-line access.
Duration 9 days Destinations Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Meet and Greet Italy From
20% Off- NZ$3,095
Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome: essential (3* hotels) low carbon tour by train
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The plan was perfect for each city that we visited on the list. The hotels were very good and the package offered the right attractions at each city.”
Anuradha, traveled in December
Milan's La Scala opens a journey through Italy's rich heritage to Rome's ancient ruins. UNESCO sites and historic centers come alive with expert guides from carefully selected 3* hotels. Optional tours include Florence's Accademia Gallery and Venice's Doge's Palace.
Duration 9 days Destinations Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Meet and Greet Italy From $3,177
15% Off- NZ$2,701You save $476
What people love about Historical Tours in Italy
Excellent tour of the most famous places in Northern Italy. Patricia our guide and our driver Antonio were excellent. Patricia was thorough in her explanations and very helpful. The meals were a little disappointing for the price and the accommodations were average. We did have a great lunch at the end, best lasagna I've had ever!
8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
- Iconic Italian Cities
It was our first time visiting Italy and we didn't want to spend time planning things out for ourselves so we chose to go with the Iconic Italian Cities tour. The tour was good with some good selections of places to visit.
- Mamma Mia! - 13 Days/12 Nights
Italy on a budget has been the most amazing experience ever. I've never been to Europe before and am travelling alone. After booking the Mama Mia tour with them I can safely say I will be back and use there services again. All the guides have perfect English, a vast knowledge of all the areas in which I travelled to (the arts, history, activities, food and wine). Professional, friendly on time, over and above helpful. I would highly recommend this company and a huge thank you my wonderful tour guides Sasa, Alessandro, Alice and Mariana I am so grateful to all of you for making my holiday so incredible. I would highly recommend italy in a budget to anyone travelling for your tour company. Forever thankful
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in Italy
What are the must-see historical highlights on a tour of Italy?
From north to south Italy's historical treasures span millennia. The Valley of Temples in Agrigento stands as one of the world's best-preserved ancient Greek sites while Pompeii offers an unparalleled glimpse into Roman daily life. In Rome the Colosseum and Roman Forum transport visitors to the height of empire. Florence serves as an open-air museum of Renaissance art with the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia at its heart. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The historical sites were and customs was excellent." The journey through time continues in Medieval hill towns like San Gimignano and Baroque cities such as Noto and Ragusa where architecture tells the story of Sicily's rich past.
When is the best time to visit Italy's historical sites and avoid large crowds?
The sweet spot for exploring Italy's historic treasures falls in the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October. During these months the weather is pleasant and crowds thin considerably at major sites. Travelers report wait times at Rome's Colosseum and Florence's Uffizi Gallery can be cut in half compared to peak summer months. Hotels like Il Principe in Catania and Romano House in Sicily offer ideal bases for exploring nearby historical sites during these quieter periods.
How much walking is typically involved at Italy's historical sites?
Daily walking distances range from 4 to 7 miles across uneven terrain cobblestone streets and numerous steps. Major sites like the Roman Forum and Pompeii require 2 to 3 hours on foot to properly explore. Hotels such as the Mediterraneo Palace in Ragusa and Mercure in Palermo help minimize walking distances with their central locations. As one TourRadar reviewer mentioned: "Be prepared for extensive walking especially in places like Syracuse's archaeological park and Taormina's ancient theater."
What type of accommodations can I expect on historical tours in Italy?
Four-star hotels near city centers and major sites form the backbone of historical tours. Florence's Hotel Home puts Renaissance attractions at your doorstep while Rome's Welcome Piram positions guests close to ancient landmarks. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The hotels were well-located for historical sightseeing - we stayed at Hotel Continental in Venice which was perfect for exploring the city's Medieval streets." Many properties blend modern comforts with historical buildings. The Hotel Villa Diodoro in Taormina offers rooms with views of the ancient Greek theater.
What are the best regions in Italy for historical sightseeing?
Each region tells its own historical chapter. Sicily showcases Greek and Norman influences through Syracuse and Monreale Cathedral. Rome serves as the epicenter of ancient Roman civilization. Tuscany brings the Renaissance to life in Florence while preserving Medieval charm in towns like San Gimignano. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Sicily was incredible for ancient Greek ruins while Florence perfectly captured Renaissance history." The Amalfi Coast combines historical sites like Pompeii with coastal views and includes gems like Medieval Ravello.
What's included in Historical tour packages?
Tour packages typically cover the essentials: rooms at 4-star properties like the Grand Hotel Europa Palace transport between destinations guided tours at major historical sites skip-the-line access and daily breakfast. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "Having accommodation transport and expert historical guides arranged made exploring Italy's incredible past so much easier."