Top Italy Literary Tours - page 3

Visiting the Colosseum on your own can mean you miss out on fascinating insights. On this guided tour, learn about gladiator contests, powerful emperors, and the engineering behind the ancient structure as your guide adds clear context to what you see. Afterward, continue exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill at your own pace, with the freedom to spend more time where you’re most interested.

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.

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.

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 plays a part in Roman culture, and enjoy sampling food and wine at various vendors in 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.

As one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Vatican City and Rome, the Vatican Museums can draw large crowds—and long waits. Save precious vacation time with skip-the-line entry, and head straight inside to explore the Belvedere Courtyard, Gallery of Tapestries, Gallery of Maps, and Raphael’s Rooms. End your experience in the Sistine Chapel, where your guide shares insights on Michelangelo’s frescoes.

Tour the iconic Colosseum and other sites of ancient Rome at its most atmospheric, and when the crowds thin out, on this evening tour. Learn about the ruins of the Roman Forum seen from the Piazza del Campidoglio, before entering the amphitheater after closing hours. Gain deeper insight into the arena from your guide, and if you've upgraded, enjoy access to the often-restricted arena floor so you can feel the energy of the space where gladiator battles were fought.

The Vatican is a must-see for visitors to Rome, and the best way to explore it is with a guide who reveals its secrets. Hear stories about the Vatican City that you'd miss on your own as you make your visiting the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's incredible frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, and ending at St. Peter's Basilica.

Enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the magnificent Barberini Palace on this private 2.5-hour tour. Explore the grand 17th-century palace, marvel at its architectural wonders, and visit the gallery to admire paintings by masters such as Raphael, Caravaggio, and Holbein.

Get personalized insight into the world's most important collection of Etruscan art on a private tour of the National Etruscan Museum in Rome. Skip the entrance lines and head inside to see relics of the ancient civilization that predates the Roman Empire. Learn the background behind well-preserved pieces like the Pyrgi Tablets and the Veius Apollo statue with the help of your guide’s expertise and multimedia tools.

Delve into Venetian history on this tour that showcases two of the city's most iconic structures and sheds light on the stories behind them both. Your first stop is legendary St. Mark's Basilica. Wander around the mosaic-covered interior and Byzantine treasures while a local guide fills you in on how this collection came to be. Then continue to the Doge’s Palace to explore the former political heart of Venice.

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.

The Colosseum is one of Rome's top attractions, so make the most of your visit on a guided tour that gives you special access to enter the amphitheater's arena via the same entrance that gladiators once used for their battles. Once inside, explore the ancient landmark with a guide, and then head outside to tour the archaeological area of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Walk in the footsteps of ancient gladiators with a group or private tour. Stand where gladiators once fought and hear stories of Rome's ruthless games and battles, then explore the Colosseum's first and second levels with your guide. Finish with a visit to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum to complete your journey through ancient Rome.

Take in Rome’s most famous ancient sites with a custom itinerary and at a more relaxed pace with this private tour. Start off with a tour of the iconic Colosseum, where gladiators fought to the death in front of thousands of spectators. Then, see what daily life was like for ancient Romans as you explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with your dedicated guide.

Make the most of your time in Florence, and avoid missing key highlights, with a guided tour that includes convenient timed entry to the Accademia Gallery. Also visit the highlights of the historic center on a walking tour that goes beyond the guidebook with local history and insider tips. For the ultimate cultural experience, upgrade to include a tour of the Uffizi Gallery (admission included)

This private tour of Rome's historic highlights offers an in-depth alternative to shared sightseeing trips. Instead of rushing along, explore at an unhurried pace as your guide unpacks the history of a variety of ancient Roman sites, including the Arch of Constantine, the Senate House, the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Triumphal Arches, and more. At the Colosseum, head inside to gain an additional perspective of the ancient amphitheater and learn of its bloody gladiator battles.

If you're tired of boring tours where kids lose interest and crowds dampen your precious vacation time, this private family Colosseum tour saves the day. Inside the Colosseum, your expert guide captivates children with fascinating stories of gladiators. You'll then descend into St. Clement's Basilica's underground chambers to discover hidden Roman houses, ancient temples, and medieval artwork, discovering one of Rome's many secret worlds.

Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is considered one of the best museums in the world, so make the most of your visit with a private gallery tour that showcases highlights like 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 includes admission tickets and hotel pickup, and can be customized based on your party’s personal interests.

First-time visitors to Rome will love exploring the city’s highlights on a half-day walking tour. Enjoy the personal attention of your art historian guide as you visit the Trevi Fountain, Column of Marcus Aurelius, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and many other landmarks. See top attractions as well as some hidden gems and get insider tips from your guide. It’s a great way to get oriented in Rome.

Engross yourself in all things Dan Brown and Dante in this private Inferno-themed tour of Florence. Follow the tracks of the fictional protagonist, Robert Langton, to the secret passages and the Salone dei Cinquecento, to see masterpieces by Michelangelo and other artists. Visit the apartments of Cosimo, see Dante Alighieri's death mask, step inside the Palazzo Vecchio, get a look at Dante's former home, and more.

Discover the world’s best-preserved Roman harbour city on this 2.5-hour walking tour of Ostia and admire the striking ruins, including the amphitheatre, thermal baths, and the Capitolium.

Enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the magnificent Doria Pamphilj Palace on this private tour. Explore the grand 17th-century palace, marvel at the antique furnishings, peek into the Throne Room, then visit the gallery to admire paintings by masters including Bernini, Brueghel, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

Get deeper insights into what is on display at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on this guided tour. Ideal for travelers who are overwhelmed by the idea of knowing what to priortize in Vatican's vast collection of artworks and artefacts. Let your guide lead the way and take you to the highlights. Explore galleries full of Renaissance masterworks, before moving on to the Sistine Chapel and its frescoes.