Small Group Guided Tours of Italy

Discover the Magic of Italy

Most travellers are drawn to Italy for its renowned history and celebrated cuisine. Yet even seasoned visitors are often astonished to discover how much lies beneath the surface of Italy’s familiar cultural landscape.

We’ve curated these tours of Italy to ensure they transcend the typical postcard experiences. While they certainly include iconic moments like wandering through Florence’s art-filled streets, exploring Rome’s ancient treasures, and sampling wines in the rolling hills of Veneto, they offer something far more valuable – genuine insight.

With expert guidance, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of how geography, history, and tradition have shaped Italy’s remarkable diversity, transforming your journey from simple sightseeing into a rich cultural immersion.

Testimonial

My dad and I were participants on the wonderful 8-day Sicily Carousel Tour. It’s a perfectly designed and programmed tour for those looking for an introduction to Sicily. The hotels were excellent (and some literal palaces). The food was delicious and plentiful. Plus there’s plenty of time, in each perfectly-selected site, to spend on your own. The tour guides and tour driver were all exceptional, knowledgeable, and charming. Highly recommend Andrew and his team. — Mark Clyburn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are in your small group tours ?

Our small group tours typically include 10-16 travellers, with a maximum of 20 for select itineraries. This intimate size ensures personal attention from your guide, easier access to authentic local experiences, and the flexibility to visit smaller venues that large tour groups cannot access.

What standard of accommodation can I expect on your tours?

The standard of accommodation varies between tours and cities – most of our tours feature comfortable 4-star hotels, centrally located for easy exploration of each destination. All accommodation is personally vetted by our team for quality, location, and authentic charm. Many properties are family-owned boutique hotels that offer a more genuine local experience than international chain hotels.

What’s included with each tour package?

Our comprehensive tour packages typically include:

• All accommodation with daily breakfast (unless otherwise specified)
• Expert English-speaking local guides
• Comfortable transportation between destinations
• Skip-the-line entry to major attractions and monuments
• Selected meals featuring regional specialties (typically 3-4 dinners and several lunches)
• Wine tastings and culinary experiences as specified in the itinerary
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• All tips for drivers, local guides, and included meals
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure days

Additional inclusions vary by specific tour, with premium tours offering enhanced experiences and more inclusive meals. Airfare to and from Italy is not included, allowing you flexibility in your travel arrangements.

Do I need to speak Italian to enjoy your tours? 

Not at all! All our tour guides are fluent English speakers, and we handle all the logistics and communication with local providers. While learning a few basic Italian phrases is appreciated by locals and can enhance your experience, it’s absolutely not required. Many Italians in tourist areas speak at least some English, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and major attractions.

Can I speak to someone about booking a tour or flights?

Certainly! You can contact our Melbourne-based team through our website here, or give us a call on 03 9824 0898 during business hours.

In addition to all your travel arrangements in Italy, our team can organise and book all your flights to and from Europe and any other destinations as part of your overall holiday.

What are your booking, deposit, and refund policies?

To secure your place on one of our small group tours, a deposit of $750 per person per tour is required within 7 days (unless otherwise stated) of us accepting your booking. The remaining balance must be received by the date(s) reflected on your invoice OR no less than 60 days before commencement of your trip from when you leave Australia.

Note: some trips or particular arrangements may require payment earlier or in additional instalments and this will be advised with the booking confirmation.

You may cancel your booking by giving written notice to us. Cancellation fees and charges will be levied as follows:

• any amounts we have paid or have contractually committed to pay to third parties to deliver your travel arrangements which we cannot reasonably recover or which the third party agrees we no longer need to pay (for example payments made or due to airlines or ground operators);
• where we or our related companies directly control any of the services included in your travel arrangements (for example, accommodation, vessels, transportation, guides), a reasonable amount attributable to such services which we reasonably determine we cannot resell or recoup;
• a fee equal to 20% of the booking value to compensate us for work performed and associated overheads up until the time of cancellation (including work performed in connection with your travel arrangements prior to your booking) and our loss of expected profit; and
• a fee which is the greater of $250 and 5% of the booking value to compensate us for processing the cancellation and any associated refund.

Cancellation fees and charges will not exceed payments received by us at the time of cancellation. If after the application of these fees and charges there is a surplus of payments you have made to us, we will refund this to you within a reasonable time.

You can find our full terms, conditions and cancellation policy here.

Additional Information on Planning Your Trip

When’s the best time of year to visit Italy?

Italy shines in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) when you’ll enjoy pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and better prices on flights and accommodation. These shoulder seasons offer the perfect balance of good weather and accessibility to attractions without the summer congestion.

Summer (mid-June until August) brings peak tourist season – with higher prices and crowded landmarks – though the vibrant atmosphere and extended daylight hours appeal to many travellers. Winter offers unique charm, especially in December when Christmas markets light up historic centres. For skiing enthusiasts, the Alpine regions typically offer excellent conditions from late November through April, with January and February providing the most reliable snowfall.

What currency is used in Italy?

Italy uses the Euro (€), with €1 being approximately $1.70 as of 2025.

What’s the time difference between Italy and Australia?

Italy is typically 8-10 hours behind Australia, with exact differences varying by time of year and which Australian state you’re comparing it to. Italy follows Central European Time, making it nine hours behind Sydney/Melbourne during European summer and eight hours during the winter.

What adaptor plugs do I need to take? Italy uses Type F (Schuko) and Type L electrical plugs with 230V/50Hz power supply, so Australians need a European adapter with two round pins. We recommend also packing a distinctive three-pin Italian adapter for older outlets.

What’s the best itinerary for seeing Italy in ten days?

Everybody has different preferences for the way they travel and what works for one person may not work for another. However, for a fulfilling 10-day itinerary, we recommend focusing on 2-3 regions rather than attempting to tick off all the items on your bucket list.

We often recommend that you make a list of the top regions, cities or attractions you’d like to see and going from there – these are some popular approaches:

1. The Classic Triangle: Rome (3 days), Florence (3 days), and Venice (2 days), with a day trip to either Tuscany from Florence or the Amalfi Coast from Rome
2. Northern Immersion: Milan, Lake Como, Venice, and the Dolomites
3. Southern Experience: Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Sicily

Joining an organised tour is a good option whether you’re a first time traveller or have been to Italy twenty times. These tours provide local insight  through major highlights, including landmarks and restaurants, to make your experience unforgettable – and all while handling the logistics! Many of our clients enjoy combining a 5-7 day escorted tour with several days of independent exploration, giving you both structure and freedom.

What food should I eat while I’m in Italy?

Italian cuisine is deeply regional, with each area proudly showcasing local specialties using ingredients from their immediate surroundings. For an authentic experience, eat what the locals eat where they eat it:

Northern Italy:

• Risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto) in Milan
• Prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in Emilia-Romagna
• Fresh seafood and pesto in Liguria
• Tiramisu in Veneto – its birthplace

Central Italy:

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak) in Florence
• Ribollita (hearty vegetable soup) throughout Tuscany
• Pasta such as Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe, and Amatriciana in Rome
• Porchetta (herb-stuffed roast pork) in Umbria

Southern Italy:

• Pizza Napoletana in Naples (where pizza was born)
• Fresh buffalo mozzarella in Campania
• Orecchiette pasta in Puglia
• Arancini and cannoli in Sicily
• Nduja (spicy spreadable sausage) in Calabria

Don’t be afraid to ask your water “Cosa mi consiglia?” (What do you recommend?) for local specialties that might not appear on translated menus. You can sample the best of Italian cuisine with one of our foodie tours.

How safe is Italy for tourists?

Italy, like most European countries, is  safe to travel to. Violent crime in Italy is very low, but some tourists may encounter petty crime, such as pickpocketing and scams. Pickpocketing is easily preventable – store your wallet and phone in a secure location and keep a close eye on your belongings. Scams can be a little trickier to avoid, but here are some tips to help:

1. Know what you’re paying for in advance. This means checking the menu before entering the restaurant and agreeing on a firm price for services. Don’t order any items that aren’t listed on a menu.
2. Be wary of people that approach you for seemingly no reason in touristy areas. These might be unofficial “guides” offering special access to attractions, or strangers offering “free” bracelets or flowers (which become demands for payment).