Top Italy Literary Tours in 2026

Discover Florence at your own pace with this hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Choose from 1-, 2-, or 3-day passes to suit your vacation schedule and budget. Then enjoy the flexibility to decide which stops to get off at. Explore landmarks including Teatro Verdi, Piazzale Michelangelo, Santa Croce, and more as you go. With frequent departures and panoramic views, this tour offers the perfect overview of what Florence has to offer.

Sample food from spots that locals love, and few tourists know about, on this small-group food tour. Head off the tourist trail to visit eateries in Campo de Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere—including hidden locations you'd otherwise miss out on. As you explore, learn how food shapes Roman culture and sample food and wine from vendors across the city.

See what Tuscany has to offer without breaking the bank on this budget-friendly day trip to the region's highlights from Florence. Save hours with coach transportation and enjoy free time to explore the medieval old towns of Siena and San Gimignano, plus the sights of Pisa. Upgrade to a guided tour of Siena, or add-on a 2-course lunch with wine pairing for a hassle-free, all-inclusive day.

The Catacombs of Rome are a popular attraction, but this tour lets you bypass the long lines outside and also gives you skip-the-line access to the Capuchin Crypt and Basilica San Martino ai Monti, making it a great pick for travelers short on time. See Rome's mysterious side with a guide filling in the details so you can get more out of your visit.

Reaching Pompeii from Rome on your own means sorting trains and connections, and the ruins are vast enough to lose your bearings once you arrive. Join a guided tour to handle both, with transportation from Rome and a route straight to the site's highlights. From there, you can shape the day: add a crater hike, a walk at Mt. Vesuvius, extend your time in Pompeii, or upgrade to include lunch.

Avoid the hassle of waiting in long lines at the Vatican City by prebooking a tour that includes skip-the-line access. Your art historian guide shows you highlights such as the Gallery of Maps and Raphael’s Rooms. Learn about art and sculpture during a visit to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, and see artwork that can be overlooked in basic tours, and explore the Borgia Apartments.

Skip the hassle of renting a car and explore Tuscany on a day trip from Florence. Explore the medieval city of Siena and its cathedral before heading to the hills of Chianti for a Tuscan lunch and wine tasting (optional). Roam the streets of San Gimignano and travel to Pisa to admire the architectural drama of Cathedral Square—home to the UNESCO-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa. Upgrade to include admission to climb the tower.

Escape to the Italian Riviera without hiring a car with this excursion to Cinque Terre. Perfect for travelers staying in Florence, leave navigating unfamiliar roads to your coach driver as you travel to this region. Visit the villages of Vernazza, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore, with guided experiences and free time to explore. Customize your day with different itinerary choices; opt for transportation only, choose a hike-focused tour, or finish with a visit to Pisa.

Discover the secrets of Florence's Duomo on a private tour with a certified guide. In addition to providing pick-up from your accommodation, your guide shares facts and stories often unheard of by visitors. Head inside the Baptistery to admire the Byzantine mosaics and the "Gate of Paradise." Visit the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, which now offers free admission, and the Opera del Duomo museum.

Explore Florence's Duomo in greater depth on this guided tour, with options to suit your budget and interests. If chosen, learn about Brunelleschi’s dome as you climb to the top, stopping along the way to visit the North Terrace, usually off-limits to the general public. Depending on your tour, use your passes to explore the rest of the cathedral complex at your own pace.

Immerse yourself in the art and architecture of 16th-century Rome on a private tour of Villa Farnesina, a beautiful Italian Renaissance residence and museum. With a guide, walk through rooms decorated with original paintings by Raphael and his artistic disciples, learning the symbolism and history behind each work from a dedicated guide. Modern multimedia from an electronic tablet and other aids help enhance the rich viewing experience.

With so much to see, and so much history to unravel, trying to cover all of Florence's cultural highlights is challenging to manage on your own. This guided tour streamlines the experience by combining a walking tour of the city's historic center with prebooked tickets to the Accademia Gallery—home of Michelangelo's “David”—and a visit to the Duomo.

With a vast collection of religious artefacts, masterworks, and frescoes around every corner, the sheer amount that's on display at the Vatican can make visiting a challenge for youngsters. On this fully interactive, child-friendly private tour, explore the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with your guide, and hear stories about the Vatican that the whole family can enjoy.

Visit the historic vacation homes of Rome's elite on a Rome-to-Tivoli day trip—no need to navigate buses or trains. Tours Tivoli’s two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hear Renaissance and Ancient Roman history and scandal, admire archaeological ruins, and explore some of Italy’s most extravagant private gardens.

Explore the Vatican and its vast collections of religious artifacts and Renaissance artworks, without missing any of the highlights, on this guided tour. Don't worry about navigating the large complex yourself; your guide leads you through the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, offering insider commentary along the way.

Instead of juggling multiple bookings, make your visit to Rome easier with a combination tour that checks off three historic sites in one seamless experience. Begin with a guided tour of the Colosseum—once the stage for epic gladiator battles—before heading to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to learn about ancient politics and daily Roman life.

Rome’s ancient ruins can be overwhelming and hard to interpret on your own. This guided tour brings them to life, giving historical context and fascinating stories behind each site. In just a few hours, explore the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with insights that make history vivid and easy to understand.

Skip the long general-admission lines at Florence’s Accademia Gallery with this timed-entry admission ticket. A dedicated multilingual assistant helps you redeem your ticket smoothly at the meeting point, allowing quick access. Explore Michelangelo’s original "David," unfinished sculptures, plaster casts, and historical musical instruments at your own pace.

The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica are among Rome's busiest sites, and navigating all three with children takes a particular approach that standard tours don't offer. This private family tour includes guaranteed skip-the-line access, with a guide who uses games and stories to keep younger travelers engaged throughout.

Rome is full of historical landmarks and monuments, meaning knowing what to prioritize when sightseeing is a little daunting. Ideal for first-time visitors, this private tour covers the highlights from ancient times through the Renaissance. Visit the interior of the gladiatorial ring and Rome’s ancient forum, toss a coin into the Trevi, and step inside the Pantheon. Along the way, listen to your guide explain Rome’s expansive history.

Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is considered one of the best museums in the world, and can be overwhelming to navigate on your own. Make the most of your visit with a private gallery tour that showcases highlights including Botticelli's “Birth of Venus” and Leonardo's “Annunciation,” plus other rare Renaissance works that you might overlook on your own. This intimate private tour can be customized based on your party’s personal interests.

Explore Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral inside and out on this group tour. The crowds and scale of the Duomo complex can be overwhelming, but a guide shows you highlights. Enjoy expert storytelling at the Opera del Duomo Museum and Baptistery, then use a 72-hour pass to visit the Crypt of Santa Reparata and climb Giotto’s Bell Tower (if option selected) at your own pace.

Explore the fascinating ancient city of Pompeii with an expert guide on this group tour. Walk through the cobblestone streets to see the ruins of the forum, bathhouse, individual homes, and even a brothel. Gain fascinating insights into the tragedy of the city from the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius with your knowledgeable guide.

Keeping children engaged while exploring historic landmarks can be challenging, but this kid-friendly private tour of the Vatican is designed specifically for families. Enjoy scavenger hunts, quizzes, and other games that keep kids engaged, as your guide leads you to the vast collection's highlights. See artwork by famous artists like Michelangelo and visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica.