Cultural Tours & Holidays in Italy
Italy in-depth goes way beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice. Try Puglia trulli, explore Sicily Greek ruins, and try delicious street food and Piedmont wine. Cultural tours focus local artisans, cooking classes, and small producers. It’s a slower pace of travel through regions that tourists skip as they rush between cities. You’ll spot huge regional differences both culturally and culinarily, allowing you to experience every single thing.
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Anthony • traveled in July
We did the equivalent of the 7 day Treasures of North Italy & Food Tour as a 5 day private tour. The private tour included drivers who picked us up in Milan and drove us to the various towns on the tour. They were all good drivers and great to chat with during our drives. The tour guides at each town were well informed, very helpful and friendly. The tour itinerary was excellent with stops in Parma, Bologna, Modena and Verona.
The Essence of Italian Culture - 8 Days - R
Rathini • traveled in September
We booked a small group tour, advertised as 12 people in a minibus, we were actually 43 people on a standard large coach. We enjoyed the tour anyway, the coach was comfortable and radio transmitters and headsets made it possible to follow the commentary from the back of the group. Our guide Lucy, was very friendly and helpful and organised everything well, including wake up calls! There was however, some pressure to join optional activities, at extra cost. We went to Pisa and an excellent local guide made it an enjoyable experience. We were upgraded to be in Venice rather than Mestre, and the hotel there was especially lovely. The standard hotel in Florence was very pleasant but a bus ride away from the city centre. The set meals improved as the tour went on but only the final lunch in Montepulciano was above average. The included activities were mainly visits to cathedrals and basilicas with their incredible art. Some variety would have been good e.g. the Doge's palace in Venice. The 5 day tour didn't include any activities in Rome though we could have bought Vatican museum or sightseeing bus tickets by the same tour company, before we arrived. Overall it was a great way to see some of Italy's most picturesque towns / cities in a short time.
5-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice - M
MrMirkoWalsky • traveled in June
Incredible Tour and Clara the tour leader was amazing! hiper recommended
8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
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5-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & VeniceLSLisa
Mamma Mia! - 13 Day Italian Adventure (Age 21 To 41 )
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Mamma Mia! Best of Italy
8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
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The Essential of Italy
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Italian Triple Centre with A World Wonder
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Highlights of Italy
250+ cultural tours of Italy with 8,797 reviews
Compiled by

MelissaItaly travel expert at TourRadar
- The Essence of Italian Culture - 8 Days
- 5-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
- Best of Sicily Catania to Taormina - 10 Days
- 8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
- Mamma Mia! - 13 Day Italian Adventure (Age 21 To 41 )
- 7-Day Sicily in Style from Palermo to Catania, Private Tour
- Milano, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Rome: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
- Mamma Mia! Best of Italy
- Classical Sicily
- Local Living Italy—Sorrento
The Essence of Italian Culture - 8 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour itinerary was excellent with stops in Parma, Bologna, Modena and Verona.”
Anthony, traveled in June
Duration 8 days Destinations Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vatican City Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Click Tours From $4,791
36% Off- NZ$3,066You save $1,725
5-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“we truly enjoyed the whole trip!!!”
ADORA, traveled in April
Eight historic Italian cities reveal their secrets. UNESCO sites include Assisi's St. Francis Basilica and Venice's Piazza San Marco. Local flavors emerge through cicchetti tastings, Tuscan lunches, and wine sampling in Montepulciano.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Montepulciano Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Carrani Tours From
36% Off- NZ$1,778
Best of Sicily Catania to Taormina - 10 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Well organised tour, Angela is a great guide.”
Andrea, traveled in November
Syracuse's Greek ruins and Noto's Baroque architecture tell Italy's story. Modica's Sabadì chocolate makers and Savoca's Godfather filming locations captivate visitors, while Mercure Palermo Centro and Il Principe Catania provide luxurious accommodations.
Duration 10 days Destinations Catania, Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo, CefaluSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Operator Click Tours From $7,411
36% Off- NZ$4,743You save $2,668
8-day Best of Italy: Rome, Florence & Venice
39 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was very well organized. The hotels were better than most and located in great areas.”
Theodore, traveled in February
Rome's Vatican Museums, Florence's Duomo, and Venice's Palazzo dei Dogi showcase Italy's UNESCO heritage. Regional cuisine shines through Bologna's street food and wine tasting in Montepulciano.
Duration 8 days Destinations Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Montepulciano Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Carrani Tours From
36% Off- NZ$2,696
Mamma Mia! - 13 Day Italian Adventure (Age 21 To 41 )
49 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Italy is magnificent! Grazia is fantastic.”
Gina, traveled in July
Pasta-making in Rome, family vineyard visits in Tuscany, and glassblowing in Murano highlight Italian craftsmanship. Local guides lead authentic experiences across 12 cities, from Naples' pizza traditions to Venice's mask-making workshops.
Duration 13 days Destinations Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, Positano, Naples, Florence, Tuscany, San Gimignano, PisaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 21-41 Operator Italy on a Budget Tours From $6,285
15% Off- NZ$5,342You save $943
Duration 7 days Destinations Palermo, Agrigento, Taormina, Mount Etna, Catania Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator TUI Italia From $3,751
10% Off- NZ$3,375You save $375
Milano, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Rome: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The company was great in communication and all information given prior to trip.”
Sheila, traveled in October
Milan's Gothic Duomo, Venice's Rialto Bridge, and Florence's Uffizi Gallery showcase Italian artistry. Tuscan cooking classes and Murano's glass-making workshops offer authentic experiences, complemented by 4-star accommodations.
Duration 11 days Destinations Milan, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Rome Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Meet and Greet Italy From $7,379
20% Off- NZ$5,904You save $1,476
Mamma Mia! Best of Italy
53 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I enjoyed the tour. It hit all major cities and the tour guides were amazing.”
Kahli, traveled in September
Vatican Museums tours, Pompeii excavations, and Florence's art galleries reveal Italy's rich heritage. Luxurious stays at Hotel St. Martin in Rome and Hotel Raffaello in Florence complement expert-guided UNESCO site visits.
Duration 10 days Destinations Rome, Pompei, Sorrento, Capri, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Venice Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Eskapas From $5,774
10% Off- NZ$5,196You save $577
Classical Sicily
52 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Mount Etna & Erice & last place by the beach. An extra day here would be great!”
Margaret, traveled in October
Syracuse's Neapolis Archaeological Park and Monreale's Norman Cathedral showcase Sicilian grandeur. Family restaurants in Piazza Amerina and medieval streets of Erice provide local charm. UNESCO site Villa Romana del Casale reveals ancient Roman splendor.
Duration 8 days Destinations Syracuse, Island of Ortigia, Casignana, Segesta, Palermo, Cefalu, Giardini Naxos, Mount Etna, Taormina Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
10% Off- NZ$4,900
Local Living Italy—Sorrento
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Carla was very kind and helpful on our tour.”
Denise, traveled in October
An Italian family opens their lemon farm to share traditional farming methods and cuisine. Highlights include pizza-making demonstrations, limoncello production, and five home-cooked dinners, plus Naples Migrantour insights.
Duration 7 days Destinations Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, Capri Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $3,099
30% Off- NZ$2,169You save $930
What our customers ask about Cultural Tours & Holidays in Italy
What are the most significant cultural highlights included in Italy In-depth Cultural tours?
The tours cover Italy's essential UNESCO sites with particular focus on three major cities. In Rome travelers get direct access to the Vatican Museums with its extensive art collection and the ancient Roman Forum. Florence offers deep dives into Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia while Venice provides tours of the Gothic-style Doge's Palace and gold-mosaicked St. Mark's Basilica. A TourRadar traveler noted "The Vatican was absolutely fascinating and I wish I had prepared more to take in all the details shared by the guides." Beyond monuments the tours include hands-on experiences like wine tasting sessions in Tuscan vineyards cooking workshops in Bologna and visits to local craftsmen's studios.
What type of accommodation can I expect on an Italian cultural tour?
The tours typically use 4-star hotels positioned near main attractions or city centers. Common choices include the Hotel St. Martin in Rome and Hotel Raffaello in Florence. According to a TourRadar review "The hotels were carefully selected just as the tour name suggested showcasing the highlights of Italy. We visited the most beautiful cities and enjoyed the best activities." Some itineraries feature specialty lodging such as family-run agriturismos in the Tuscan countryside or converted historic palazzos in Venice's canal district.
What's included in terms of meals on Italian cultural tours?
Daily breakfast comes standard with most tours along with several distinctive dining events throughout the journey. Typical experiences include welcome dinners in Roman trattorias hands-on pasta making classes in Bologna's food district and wine tastings at family estates in Tuscany. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The food experiences were incredible - from learning to make pasta in a traditional setting to wine tasting in family-run vineyards. Our guide made sure we experienced authentic local cuisine at every stop."
How are the cultural sites and museum visits organized?
Priority access and expert guides define the cultural site visits. Groups bypass regular entrance lines at major attractions and receive commentary through personal audio devices. One TourRadar participant shared: "Having skip-the-line access to major sites like the Vatican and Uffizi Gallery was invaluable. Our guides were incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history to life through their passionate storytelling."
How physically demanding are Italy's In-depth Cultural tours?
These tours require moderate fitness levels with daily walking on uneven ground cobblestones and stairs. Sites like Agrigento's Valley of Temples and hilltop views in Tuscany need good mobility. A TourRadar traveler noted "This trip involves lots of walking on uneven ground and stairs in places like the Vatican Museums and Florence's historic center. While staying at hotels like the Hotel Sorriso Thermae in Ischia you'll need to navigate the local terrain daily."
How much spending money should I budget for additional expenses?
Plan for 50-70 USD daily to cover independent meals local transport and entrance fees. Based on traveler feedback extras like Venice gondola rides cost around 80 USD while major museums range from 24-25 USD per entry. One reviewer suggested "While staying at places like the Hotel San Cassiano in Venice factor in extra costs for gondola rides (80 USD) and museum passes. Cultural sites like the Vatican Museums (25 USD) and Uffizi Gallery (24 USD) should be budgeted for if not included in your tour."
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