Top Italy Unique Experiences

Take a course on mask-making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. See the traditional art of decorating a mask and see what goes into the preparation for the Venetian Carnival. Then create your own masterpiece to create a special memory from your time in Venice.

Brush up on your cookery skills with this pizza-making class in Naples. Learn how to make this dish in the city where it was created. In just a couple of hours, make pizza dough from scratch and discover what ingredients make an authentic margarita pizza. When it's time to eat, indulge in Italian appetizers before trying out your own, handmade pizza.

Discover a different side of the Eternal City with this haunted walking tour through Rome. Follow your guide and a small group as evening falls across shadowy streets, empty squares, and cursed bridges while you listen to tales of executions and murders over the centuries. Use your dowsing rods to pick up ghostly evidence of past emperors, heretics, and witches who are said to still wander the city.

Explore Palermo’s key sights on foot on this walking tour of the Sicilian capital. Meet your guide in a convenient location in central Palermo, and set off. Visit popular landmarks ranging from the Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo Pretorio to the Massimo Theater. Learn about the city’s long entanglement with the mafia, and meet the shopkeepers and other individuals who have pioneered a local anti-mafia movement.

Immerse yourself in the ancient art of Roman mosaics in a hands-on workshop. Learn traditional techniques, use natural marble, and create your own mosaic masterpiece to take home from an authentic mosaic studio.

Skip the set itinerary and script of an organized tour and explore Bologna with a local host for a fully customized visit tailored to your pace and interests. Take in blockbuster attractions like Piazza Maggiore and the Due Torri plus delve into the parts of the city known only to locals to discover unique sights, favorite eateries, and little-known gems.

Discover the many delights of Tuscany’s wine country on this small-group tasting tour from Florence. Travel along beautiful hillside roads through vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. Visit 2 top-rated wineries in the famed Chianti Classico region, tour the cellars and learn how wine is produced using traditional methods. Taste different wines, along with olive oil and Tuscan specialties like fresh cheeses and bruschetta. Group size is limited to twenty-five participants for a more personalized experience.

Become immersed in Italian culture as you learn to make traditional dishes during this cooking class in Varenna. This private class takes you to a local home where you can learn all about Italian cooking while making a number of dishes. Learn tricks and tips so you can recreate the dishes at home and sit down to the fruits of your labor paired with local wine.

Avoid the hassle of organizing transport and winery visits in Tuscany on your own. This small-group experience simplifies a day in Chianti, combining scenic travel with curated tastings at local wineries and time to explore Monteriggioni’s medieval charm. Enjoy a relaxed, well-paced outing that lets you focus on the region’s flavors and landscapes rather than the logistics.

There's no better souvenir to bring home from your travels than the gift of authentic Italian cuisine. Learn how to make fresh egg pasta the Italian way with a local chef in his home in a historic palazzo and master the art of fresh pesto, too. Numbers are capped at just six travelers, ensuring an intimate experience and likely the chance to make friends over lunch.

Immerse yourself in the flavors of Ossola Valley, a hidden wine region in northern Piedmont. Enjoy a tasting of three Ossola DOC wines, expertly paired with local specialties like artisan bread, regional cheeses, and cured meats. Relax in a charming family-run winery with breathtaking Alpine views. While there’s no guided tour, you’re free to explore the vineyards and cellar at your own pace.

Discover the secrets of Tuscan cooking during this full-day experience, including a market visit and cooking class, topped off with a 4-course lunch. Shop for fresh ingredients at a Florentine market before venturing to a Tuscan farmhouse in the countryside. Take your cue from an expert chef as you create Italian dishes from scratch including bruschetta, pasta, roast pork, and tiramisù. Then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor, complemented by Tuscan wine.

Discover what it takes to be an ancient Roman gladiator in Rome. During a hands-on lesson, learn how to fight with authentic weapons of the time while wearing a traditional gladiator tunic and belt (available for rent). Located on the Appian Way, not far from the Colosseum, this class is a unique and interactive way to learn about ancient Roman history and culture.

Learn to create classic dishes of the Lombardy region with a small-group cooking class in Lake Como. A member of the acclaimed Cesarine network of chefs will welcome you into their home for a lesson in Milanese-style cuisine as you help prepare a 3-course menu featuring northern Italian favorites such as a seasonal starter, various kinds of fresh pasta, and a local dessert such as a *torta miascia*, *cutizza* pancake, or tiramisu. When the cooking’s done, sit down with your host and small group to enjoy the homemade meal with wine.

Experience more than 2,500 years of history—and see the best of Rome's attractions—on this private tour. Roam the streets of this city in a comfortable, covered, street-legal golf cart. This family-friendly sightseeing tour offers a narrated journey of the palaces, monuments, churches, fountains, and statues that define the rich heritage of Italy's capital. Plus, the itinerary is customized to your preferences, so you can see the sights that interest you most.

Get an inside look into the centuries-old art of glassblowing with a factory tour on Murano Island, home to the world’s finest artisan glass. Tour the facilities at Colleoni Glass Factory and watch a master craftsman shape molten glass through a combination of heat, blowing and sculptural techniques. Visit the factory showroom to see beautiful finished works of art, and receive a special Murano glass souvenir to take home.

Discover the history and flavors of Italy’s Piedmont region as you embark on a tasting tour of Alba. Join a small group and walk around town learning about the traditional recipes from the region. Stop at several eateries including a bakery, deli, a gourmet truffle producer, and a historic coffee bar to sample everything from cheese to desserts to pasta and even truffle products.

Expand your knowledge of Arzachena’s local culinary delicacies with this intimate private cooking class in a local’s home. Learn special techniques and family recipes that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and benefit from having your teacher’s full, undivided attention. During the class, prepare three recipes, and then at the end, savor the taste of the dishes you’ve created.

Vatican Museum crowds peak at midday, making it a chore to visit this vast collection. On this morning tour, beat the crowds with early access to the galleries, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Kick off with a buffet breakfast in the Vatican Courtyard, then head into the Vatican Museums before the crowds arrive. Take in renowned sights like the Sistine Chapel in a peaceful environment before ending in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Learn to cook traditional Italian dishes during this Tuscan cooking class in Siena. From homemade pastas to juicy cuts of meat, a professional chef leads you through a combination of family-favorite recipes and time-tested dishes, culminating with a shared meal and excellent wine. This class is held in a professional kitchen and limited to a small group of 15 people or fewer for a more intimate experience.

On your visit to Italy, you’ll want to try authentic Italian pizza. Learn the secrets of Sicilian Pizzaioli when you prepare pizza from scratch with a professional chef. Enjoy your lesson in a famous pizzeria in downtown Taormina, where you’ll start with kneading dough and end with a delicious bite. Get a glimpse into the life of a local chef, and immerse yourself in Italian cuisine and culture.

The Catacombs of Rome are a popular attraction and you can bypass the long lines outside with this exciting excursion. This tour 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 who knows the history well, so you can get more out of your visit.

Take a break from Rome's culture and learn how to make two classic Italian dishes—pizza and tiramisu—during this short workshop with a local Italian chef. Assemble a creamy tiramisu and shape and bake your personal pizza with all ingredients and equipment provided, then relax over a meal with your small group featuring the dishes you've prepared served with wine and limoncello.