Top Italy Literary Tours

Many tours visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii but only a few include the first-hand expertise of an archaeologist guide. Explore the ancient Roman city and discover what life was like before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the company of a guide who brings history to life while leading you to important buildings and structures such as the Basilica, the Forum, and the thermal baths.

Climb to the top of the Duomo for panoramic views on this self-guided tour, complete with entrance tickets and skip-the-line access. You also have access to Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, so feel free to explore as much of the area as you like. Gain insights into your surroundings from a provided audio guide.

This family-friendly tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is perfect for groups with young children. With skip-the-line access, you can bypass long waits—ideal for restless kids. Limited to a small group of 10 or fewer, your art historian-guide engages with children through interactive games and puzzles, all while you take in artistic wonders.

Immediately access the splendid St Mark's Basilica and the majestic Doge's Palace, where history and art intertwine. Admire the basilica's golden mosaics and stroll through the palace's sumptuous halls. Don't miss the romantic Bridge of Sighs and the historic New Prisons, which tell the story of the city's past. With the ticket you will also have access to the Museums of St. Mark's Square, the Correr Museum, the Marciana Library and the Archaeological Museum, making your visit complete and memorable.

Avoid the rush of group tours and explore the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum at your own pace with this self-guided AI video tour. Simply download the app on your phone, plug in your own headphones, and explore. Wander the main floors of the ancient amphitheater before continuing to the nearby ancient sites. Upgrade for access to the restricted arena floor, or to add on a VR experience.

Explore the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel without spending hours waiting in line on this comprehensive tour that includes entry to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Navigate the vast halls, artwork, and history with a guide who gives special insights into the collections that you would likely miss if alone. Go beyond the guidebook and enjoy commentary that enlivens highlights such as the Gallery of the Maps and the Pineyard Courtyard.

See the best of Milan with a hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Enjoy views from the top level of an open-air double-decker bus, including the Milan Duomo and La Scala opera house. Choose from four routes covering all main attractions, with unlimited hop-on hop-off access. The 72-hour weekend ticket from June to September also includes a Milan night tour.

Break down the vast Vatican complex into manageable pieces and take in the highlights in just a few hours on this private tour. Save time with skip-the-line admission and head straight to the Vatican Museums to the most important masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, and others, including the stunning Sistine Chapel.

The Vatican is enormous and extremely popular, which can make exploring overwhelming. Save time, make sure you see all the highlights from its collections and gain a greater understanding of the history and significance of the art on this private guided tour, which includes skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Enjoy an up-close way to experience one of Italy's top attractions—and see a perspective on Rome and Vatican City that few other visitors get to experience—on this private tour of St. Peter's Basilica. With just your guide for company, head into the storied church—a major pilgrimage destination for Catholic worshipers—and learn all about its rich history. Then, have the special chance to ascend to the Dome via 281 steps for sweeping, postcard-worthy views.

See Rome’s top sights in one well-planned day on this private guided tour—ideal if you want to cover a lot without the stress of navigating on your own. Travel comfortably between highlights such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, with personalized commentary that brings each stop into context. Finish with a guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, rounding out a seamless introduction to Rome’s history and art.

Make the most of a visit to one of the world's greatest art collections on this priority access, wheelchair-accessible tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Head right inside the complex with a private guide and a provided headset so you can clearly hear the commentary. Together, navigate highlights like the Pigna Courtyard and Raphael Rooms, and finish inside the magnificent Sistine Chapel adorned with Michelangelo’s frescoes.

Immerse yourself in Florence’s rich history, art, and architecture on this comprehensive small-group walking tour. Gain access to the Uffizi Gallery and skip-the-line tickets to the Accademia Gallery to marvel at masterpieces like Michelangelo’s "David" and Renaissance paintings. Stroll through Florence’s historic streets with your guide, visiting landmarks like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazza della Signoria, while uncovering the stories that make the city unforgettable.

Avoid wasting time waiting for a taxi or navigating unfamiliar public transportation with this hassle-free private transfer service. Meet your driver as you exit the arrival terminal at Fiumicino airport, and relax on the journey to your city hotel while you leave the tricky traffic to an expert. Enjoy the ease of drop-off directly at your hotel or other accommodation in Rome's city center.

Experience the Tuscan capital's top attractions on this walking tour through Florence. Begin with skip-the-line access to view Michelangelo's 'David' in the Accademia Gallery, and learn how the House of Medici shaped Florence into a helm of arts and humanities. You'll also skip the lines at the Duomo, the city's iconic, Gothic-style cathedral. Afterward, stroll the local streets, taking in landmarks like the Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio bridge.

Cut the vast Vatican complex down to size and cover the highlights in just a few hours with this private guided tour. Save time with skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums. Take in Renaissance masterpieces and religious artefacts. Then enjoy Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel as you listen to insights from your guide.

Explore the Vatican's noteworthy sights on this half-day private tour. An expert guide points out and explains the history of the pieces while you avoid lengthy queues with pre-reserved tickets. Marvel at wonders including Ancient Roman and Greek statues, Raphael’s Rooms, the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square. Take photos and enjoy your time at the Vatican.

The sprawling Vatican Museums can be challenging to visit for families. With this kid-friendly private tour, explore with a specialized guide who knows how to keep the entire family engaged while covering the massive galleries and the Sistine Chapel in just a few hours. Avoid a long line with fast-track admission and engage with top artworks through trivia questions and scavenger hunts.

Save valuable vacation time by skipping the long lines for entry into the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese Gardens on this private tour. Explore the gallery and gardens with an art historian guide to see works by Titian, Bernini and Caravaggio across two floors and a stroll through the peaceful gardens with views of the city.

The dome atop Florence's Duomo offers unique views of the city, but tickets sell out long in advance. Secure your spot with pre-booked entry on this guided tour. Head straight into the church with skip-the-line access, bypassing the long wait. After touring the cathedral, make your way up the staircase and along corridors that have been closed to the public for centuries. Then continue to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome, if you wish.

Getting to Civitavecchia Port from Rome usually involves a long ride on a regional train—plus a taxi ride from your hotel to the station. Skip the hassle of getting around by public transportation with this deluxe one-way transfer service. Ride in your own private, chauffeured vehicle door-to-door. Transfers can be booked all week long, with departures timed to your cruise schedule.

Like many of Rome’s historic sites, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel can be difficult to visit in a wheelchair. This private, wheelchair-friendly tour offers priority access and a personalized pace. Wheelchair rental is available at the Vatican, and a physical disability certificate or disabled parking card is required for entry. Enjoy highlights of these famous galleries with insights from your own guide.

As one of Florence's top attractions, the Accademia Gallery draws huge crowds of people wanting to see Michelangelo's "David" sculpture. This skip-the-line tour helps you get inside the museum fast, so you can spend less time waiting and more time admiring world-class artwork. Plus, you can upgrade to include a walking tour after your museum visit for more context.