The 10 Best Cultural Tours in Italy, Italy

June 6, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

Coordinates: 43°N 12°E / 43°N 12°E / 43; 12
Restaurants in Italy

1. E-bike Experience in small group from Orvieto to Civita and beyond, with lunch

05018 Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy OrvietoBikeTour
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

The e-bike experience in Civita called "Castello nel Cielo" is unique. Just outside Orvieto you pass through the ancient Badia and then go up the plateau which from the ancient Dimora di Collevento through Canale and then Boccetta leads to Bagnoregio, accompanied only by the rustle of a breeze that keeps the air clear here in all seasons , clean and fresh. The images that can be fixed in these places of great beauty, where the panoramas offer views of vineyards, olive trees, pastures and woods are a joy for the eyes. Farmhouses and cellars meet along the path where you can buy the real typical products of the place. Then the arrival at the Civita belvedere is indescribable, a glance that leaves you breathless. The visit to the village, a set of famous films, is a continuous emotion, with its premises, artisan shops, perfumes, essences ... We return by stopping at the Belvedere of the Terrazza Farnese, from where the Orvieto cliff can be admired in all its majesty and elegance

Inclusions: It is offered in a typical tavern in the village of Civita, a basic snack of typical local products, cheeses, cured meats, bruschetta and local wines, Use of bicycle, Entrance ticket to the village of Civita., We supply the masks, gloves and gel, the bikes are sanitized before and after each use

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Reviewed By Julia7UK969

This was our first time on E bikes and we thoroughly enjoyed our morning tour of Orvieto. The bikes were great - easy to use and they whizzed us around the city effortlessly. But it was Elena's tour, which was informative, fun and comprehensive which made it such a memorable experience. We stopped at various viewpoints and places around the city and Elena gave us a wonderful insight into the history of this amazing place, as well as her personal recommendations of restaurants and things to do after the tour. Our tour included a visit to 'Orvieto Underground' which was also very interesting. We really didn't want the tour to end! We will definitely take another tour with Orvieto Bike Tours when we are back in Orvieto. I say 'when' and not 'if'; the bike tour alone is the only reason you need to visit Orvieto!

2. Rome City Center Walking Tour and Gelato-Tasting

Via del Cardello, 31, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Italy In Love Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Traveling in small groups will make your historic Rome walking tour relaxed and intimate. During the tour, our guides will forget about dates and figures, focusing instead on the stories and anecdotes behind the sites you visit – because we know that it's these funny (and often shocking) tales that make Rome so special. Our evening stroll isn’t just about the sights though – it’s about giving you everything you need to enjoy a perfect vacation in Rome. We will explore together Galleria Sciarra, a hidden treasure in Rome. The passage is not only difficult to see from the outside, but it is also one of the few places where you can see Art Nouveau in Rome! This is an absolutely beautiful piece of architecture. This hidden gem is located in a building near Via del Corso, constructed just after the unification of Italy in the late 1880s. In the evening, the galleria is illuminated with a warm and magical glow, making you feel like you have been transported into a different era.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Private transportation, Tip o gratuity

Reviewed By Emiliano C

Beatiful experience Marco is very available !!! Rome is fantastic place!!!! My family is very happy!

3. The Real Hidden Venice

Santa Croce, 687, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy Shome Venice
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5.0 based on 106 reviews

Discover the real Secret Venice with a native Venetian guide! The experience to live the uniqueness of the most authentic local districts. From Cannaregio, admiring its small canals and millenary legends, the tour will take you back in 1400s, learning the stories of the Venetian Republic, full of secrets and mysteries. During this exciting walk you will breathe a 100% local atmosphere, out of the beaten tracks, to admire the real life of Venice with its locals and crafts. The experience will arrive up to Rialto bridge where your guide will show the old trade center from completely a different perspective! Last but not least, an insightful exploration of San Polo where the oldest "mascareri" (creators of Carnival masks) are still working following the tradition of centuries ago. Histories, Legends and Secrets.. from the Venetian eyes!

Inclusions: Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, 1 City Map per person, Local guide, Local taxes

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By julieefenske

Thank you Luca for the amazing experience, service, and recommendations! So kind and helpful! :) The glassblowing and creations were breathtakingly beautiful and the exhibition of the pieces was something I’ll never forget. If you are in Venice you must do this tour! It will be an unforgettable experience, and we had an amazing time!

4. Private Early Bird Vatican and St Peter's Basilica Tour: Hotel Pick-up Drop-off

Eyes of Rome
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5.0 based on 316 reviews

In a nutshell: The Earliest Vatican Tour with Special Priority Access to beat the early bird crowd! Are you planning your once in a life time Vatican experience? This is hands down the best Vatican Tour! Don’t miss your opportunity to enter the Vatican Museums with no waiting time at all. Secure your access almost one and a half hours prior to the official Vatican opening, skipping any possible line with our Prime entrance, available only through 7 tour operators in the world and the only true skip the line ticket for your early morning Vatican Experience. With our Prime Tour, we get you inside the Museums before the regular Early Morning crowds, bypassing those already waiting in line for the Vatican doors to open.  

Inclusions: Meet and greet service at your hotel/accommodation, Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide, Hotel pickup with Sanitized Vehicle (centrally located hotels. Within Aurelian Walls), Priority Access (before the regular Early Morning Crowd - if Prime Option selected), Raphael Rooms , Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica with direct access, Hotel Drop Off Service (if Prime Option selected)

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By EugeniaGio90

My boyfriend and I had an amazing time in Rome, in the fun and expert company of Serena. She took us on a discovery of Rome that was tailored to our interests and left us filled with wonder. Lot's of interesting information, delivered in an engaging and pleasant way. Serena was super helpful when we were planning the trip: she gave us lot's of great tips for places to eat and for other museums or sights to visit on our own time. We highly recommend her

5. Exclusive Early Access Vatican Semi Private Tour | with Private Option

Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM, Italy LivItaly Tours
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4.9 based on 345 reviews

Get Exclusive Early access into the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo's amazing frescoes one whole hour before the general public! Together with a truly small group of only 6 participants max, or in your very own private group, you will be able to avoid the big crowds and quietly enjoy this wonderful masterpiece. The Vatican Museums is on everyone’s Rome itinerary so you can imagine it gets quite full, quite quickly. This tour guarantees not only early entrance but also the personalized and intimate feel that is only possible with our truly small group size, or in your very own private group. We believe that having an intimate experience makes ALL the difference! After the Sistine Chapel, your tour continues through the vastness of the Museums, with the greatest highlights of the Papal art collection, the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Pinecone Courtyard, and many more, ending with the incredible Saint Peter's Basilica.

Inclusions: Tour in a Safe and Semi Private Group of MAX 6 PEOPLE GUARANTEED, Enjoy Early Entrance to the Vatican Museums before the general public, Skip the long ticket lines, Learn from a Professional Local Expert Guide, Private Option of this tour is Available!

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By 844dallasw

Davide was an excellent tour guide for my group of friends on an early Saturday morning. It was obvious that he loved his job and it showed through the history he walked us through during the entire tour. I would highly recommend any tour with Davide and if the Vatican is on your bucket list, then early morning access is the tour you want. Happy travels!

6. Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Via Plauto, 17, 00193 Roma RM, Italy Made in Rome Tours
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4.9 based on 570 reviews

A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece. . This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travellers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you'll want it!) . Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)

Inclusions: An expert tour guide with over 10 years of experience. Excellent story teller., Guaranteed skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, Admission tickets to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

Exclusions: Private transportation, Gratuities

Reviewed By vincel890

Great tour. We had Marco as our tour guide and it was amazing. Of course during this covid time there are less people which makes taking a tour even better. Highly recommend using Vatican tours as your tour guide and going to Rome now. We have 4 kids and had a private tour. Marco was really good with our kids (8, 9, 12 & 16). He had the kids finding things and made it very engaging for them. They found the gold and silver keys. And the bees from a certain family. Do the tour to learn the meaning. :) They also do tours of Rome city, Rome underground, coliseum and other things. My only regret is not finding them sooner. Marco suggests when coming to Rome to do the Rome city tour first and then do the others after that. For kids he does a treasure hunt during the Rome city tour so the kids have so much fun finding things and learn a lot too. A good tour guide makes learning fun for every age. Vatican tours did this. I highly recommend them.

7. Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour from Florence

Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Walkabout Florence Tours
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4.8 based on 8,621 reviews

Famous for a wealth of art, history, striking landscapes and outstanding produce, Tuscany really does have the best of all worlds! With only a day to spare, see the best Tuscany has to offer on this full-day guided coach trip from Florence.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Professional guide, Detailed maps of all destinations visited, 3-course lunch at a wine estate (not included in the tour option without lunch), Wine tasting (not included in the tour option without lunch), Free time to explore the towns at your own pace

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By katiegN3709NB

Christian helped make our Florence experience memorable! My husband and I traveled throughout Italy with our two young children ( 8 and 5 years old) and they were so excited for their Fiat tour. They were the only kids on the tour but Christian made sure it fun and educational for them. The whole group was inviting and it was great to get to meet people from all around the world! My kids can not wait to travel more and still talk about how awesome the tour was. I highly recommend this tour with or without kids. We were taken to scenic views throughout Tuscany and even had to maneuver through the streets of Florence in a super fun classic Fiat. Everywhere we drove people would stop and wave because of the group of Fiats brought joy to everyone! This was the best tour we took in Italy and when we come back for a visit we are definitely doing it again! (Our tour was pre-covid)

8. Early Entry Vatican Museums: The Best of the Sistine Chapel

Bar L'Ottagona, Piazza del Risorgimento, 52, 00193 Roma RM, Italy Walks of Italy
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4.8 based on 260 reviews

Due to Covid19, until the end of 2020, this tour will be amended to ensure your safety: Please note that the opening time of the Vatican Museums may vary, we will vary the tour start time accordingly and St.Peter's may not be accessible. If this occurs during your tour we will spend more time inside the Museums & Chapel and your guide will give you a tour of the church from the outside. Enter the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the general public and enjoys Michelangelo’s masterpieces in peace before embarking on a thorough guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. There is simply no better way to see the highlights of the Vatican without the crowds that can overrun the galleries later in the day. NOTE: This tour costs less on Wednesdays because it does not enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, we spend more time in the Vatican Museums and our guide will give you an introduction to the Basilica so you know what to look for if you want to visit later on your own.

Inclusions: Skip the line access to St Peter’s Basilica, Headsets, Expert English-speaking guide, Small group of 15 or less, Skip the line tickets for Vatican Museums

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Reviewed By davidtT2026ZZ

This is my second review on this issue, as I've sent "Walks" another email in regards to their "refund policy".This really deserves to be in quotations, as many can attest they don't really have a "refund policy", only the faint promise of one, that will eventually end in a gift voucher. My query is will they continue to honor this voucher past the initial offer? Currently, and into the foreseeable future, the possibilities to book and travel for a vacation in Italy is questionable at best, with the ongoing COVID restrictions. Walks offered vouchers to 150% for the booked tours cost, or something to that tune. Though I'll bet my $400+ CAD tour that all the tours will have increased by at least 150% to cover costs associated with loss of business, and requisite costs for COVID related restrictions and cleaning measures, for your "safety". I'm still requesting that WALKS do the right thing and refund, in full, everyone's booked tours monies, as promised, and as per they're own refund policy...I'm not holding my breath. It will likely require a class action lawsuit against these turkeys. Of all our bookings to Italy, everyone of them EXCEPT Walks, honored and refunded all monies.

9. St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Group or Private Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

Museo Correr, P.za San Marco, 52, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Walks
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4.8 based on 473 reviews

Due to Covid19, until the end of 2020, this tour will be amended to ensure your safety: -If you book a private tour you will have a private tour guide, but you may have another Walks group inside the Basilica at the same time. Explore St Mark’s Basilica without the crowds on an after-hours tour, and enjoy an optional visit to Doge's Palace, if you wish. Inside St Mark’s Basilica, admire treasured mosaics and a Byzantine altarpiece, and then follow your guide into the crypt where St Mark himself is believed to rest. Upgrade for late access to the Doge’s Palace and learn about the Higher Council Hall, the Doge's apartments and the Bridge of Sighs as you explore. Numbers are limited to 15 for a small-group experience. Upgrade your tour to include a 2 hour late entry tour of the Doge’s Palace, including the armory, New Prisons and incredible council rooms and frescos of Palazzo Ducale.

Inclusions: Professional guide, After-hours St. Mark’s Basilica tickets, Doge’s Palace tickets (if option with Doge Palace selected), Small groups of 20 people or fewer

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Christopher D

Great tour and tour guide! It was very informative and great package. Had plenty of time to explore.

10. Gladiator Gate and Arena Floor Special Access Colosseum Tour

Via delle Terme di Tito, 73, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Walks of Italy
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4.7 based on 816 reviews

Important Note: Due to Covid19, until the end of 2020, this tour will be amended to ensure your safety: Group size and tour duration may be reduced. This will be amended as Covid restrictions relax in accordance with local regulations. See the Colosseum like the gladiators did with skip the line group entrance through the side gate, once used by warriors entering the ring. From there you’ll have special access to the arena floor, where you’ll learn the blood-drenched stories of horror and heroism that took place right where you’re standing. Afterwards you’ll head out for a comprehensive tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill that will bring Ancient Rome to life.

Inclusions: Skip the line access at the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Expert licensed tour guides, Headsets for every guest, Groups of 19 people or fewer, No-wait entrance to the Colosseum via the Gladiator’s Gate

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Reviewed By davidtT2026ZZ

This is my second review on this issue, as I've sent "Walks" another email in regards to their "refund policy".This really deserves to be in quotations, as many can attest they don't really have a "refund policy", only the faint promise of one, that will eventually end in a gift voucher. My query is will they continue to honor this voucher past the initial offer? Currently, and into the foreseeable future, the possibilities to book and travel for a vacation in Italy is questionable at best, with the ongoing COVID restrictions. Walks offered vouchers to 150% for the booked tours cost, or something to that tune. Though I'll bet my $400+ CAD tour that all the tours will have increased by at least 150% to cover costs associated with loss of business, and requisite costs for COVID related restrictions and cleaning measures, for your "safety". I'm still requesting that WALKS do the right thing and refund, in full, everyone's booked tours monies, as promised, and as per they're own refund policy...I'm not holding my breath. It will likely require a class action lawsuit against these turkeys. Of all our bookings to Italy, everyone of them EXCEPT Walks, honored and refunded all monies.

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