Four of the best tours in Italy, and why I think you should try them

Thinking about a holiday in Italy? Offering value for money, immersive experiences, and an expert guide who speaks the language, as well as a bunch of ready-made travel companions who like the same stuff that you do, escorted touring is one of the best ways to experience this scenic, cultural and historic destination. Here are my top 4 escorted tours and what is so great about them. Secret Lakes of Italy Arguably one of the most picturesque parts of Italy, this tour gets you off the beaten track and away from the popular (and sometimes crowded) lakes of Garda, Como and Maggiore, visiting no fewer than 5 of the region’s smaller lakes, along with Bergamo, the Italian Capital of culture for 2023 and the spa town of Levico Terme. Sounds exhausting but on this 7-night trip you’ll stay in just 2 hotels, and have 2 entire days of free time, plus extra bits here and there. The perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. It’s difficult to choose a highlight from this trip, but as a devout ice-cream lover, for me it has to be visiting the medieval city of Bergamo, a hillside Venetian walled city, and visiting a gelaterie famous for creating the Stracciatella flavour (a milk-based ice cream with chocolate shavings swirled through it). Creamy and crunchy in one go it’s a delightful contrast. Treat yourself to a scoop (or two, or three!) Christmas with the Countess Luppis We have a great selection of tours exclusively for solo travellers. On these trips you will never be charged a single supplement, and you will always get your own double or twin room (no pokey little single rooms here). Christmas is a perfect time to travel solo, but not alone. There are several Christmas breaks on offer to destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Riviera, Verona and Rome (including witnessing the Papal blessing on Christmas morning) but my favourite has to be this short break staying in Villa Luppis, originally a monastery, and now the home of the Countess Luppis. Christmas Eve is spent exploring Venice which needs no introduction, and on Boxing Day you’ll visit Padua, thought to be the oldest city in Northern Italy, but the highlight of course is Christmas Day where you’ll enjoy a traditional Italian Feast with your travel companions, followed by festive games, and the chance to meet the Countess and learn about her family history. Grand Tour of Italy One of the great things about escorted touring is how much you can fit in. And wow, this 14-night tour delivers! Visiting Venice, Treviso, Bologna, Pisa, Florence, Orvieto, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, then Taormina and Catania in Sicily, along with a few other lesser-known towns, this tour ticks off ALL of the highlights, yet still leaves 4 days at leisure. It is perfect for a first-time visitor. My favourite experience on this trip is one of the optional excursions, a night at the Montecatini Opera festival. Not everyone loves Opera, but we should all experience it once in our lifetime and this is your chance. Imagine yourself sitting in the open air, surrounded on all sides by 19th century buildings where greats like Rossini, Verdi and Puccini studied their craft as their timeless compositions fill the air……this is the way to experience Opera! Sun-kissed Sardinia As one of my favourite destinations I’ve ever visited (and I’ve visited a lot), this solo tour had to be on the list! Sardinia has some of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen, coupled with phenomenal food, what is not to love? But it can be easy to overlook some of the cultural gems the island has to offer so whilst the pace of this tour is very relaxed, there are a few excursions just to make sure that you see all that the north-eastern corner has to offer. My tour highlight? It’s food and wine related of course! A visit to a local vineyard, complete with wine tasting paired with local delicacies. Yum! I hope that I’ve sparked your interest just a little bit as to the great ways you can see the world on an escorted tour. If you have any questions or would like to talk to me more about touring in Italy or anywhere else in the world, please get in touch.