Italy is one of the most popular destinations in the world and for a good reason. It’s extremely rich with art, architecture, archaeology, and, of course, great food and wine. 

Booking tours is certainly a great way of making the best out of your vacation, learning a lot, and comfortably seeing many sights. 

Here, you can find some tips that will help you plan your Italy tours in the best way, and choose the right tour company for you. 

1. Try to spend at least two days in each city

There are many things to see in Italy. Even just exploring the highlights of a single city will probably take you most likely more than one day. 

Our suggestion is to spend at least a couple of days in each city rather than rush from one place to another to see as many things as possible. 

You can’t see it all, no matter how long you’ll stay. Therefore, choose a few places, and take your time in each one of them. 

Plus, this way you will get to immerse yourself in the Italian culture: go to a local restaurant, have a spritz, or just take a “passeggiata” (walk) through the fascinating streets of Italy. 

You won’t be able to do that if you stay for just a few hours or one day. 

2. Avoid the high season and the really hot months. 

Tourism peak is in May, June, July, and September. 

In August, the big cities are much less crowded but instead really hot.  

Book your Italy tours in March, April, October, and November, and you’ll have much more personal space when you visit the sites!

Avoid June, July, and August for the high temperatures and the crowds. 

3. Book private tours or, even better, tailored itineraries.

There is a big difference between a group tour and a private tour. If you want to make the most out of your limited time in Italy, then you should book a private tour. 

They’re more expensive, but you’ll have someone tailor an itinerary just for you, listen to your needs as you plan AND as you’re touring, and give you his/her undivided attention. 

If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends, the price difference between a group and a private tour isn’t going to be very big, while the gain is going to be huge. 

4. Choose a tour company that offers pick-up at your hotel

Many Italian cities are big and chaotic, and it can be difficult to go around. Public transportation can be complicated, and it’s often hard to find a cab. 

When you book a tour in Italy, make sure that your guide will pick you up at your hotel: it’ll make everything easier. 

5. Choose a tour company that provides skip-the-line tickets

Almost 14 million travelers visited Italy in 2023. That’s why it is recommended to book your Italy tours in advance and ask for skip-the-line tickets. 

It’s extremely likely that, if you don’t get your tickets in advance, you won’t be able to visit the most popular sights, or you’ll have to pay a lot of money to illegal street vendors or wait for a long time. 

Keep in mind that, even if you have skip-the-line tickets, the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the other major sights will probably be very crowded, and you’ll have to wait in line for the security checks. 

6. Make sure you have professional, licensed guides

In Italy, the tour guide profession is highly regulated. 

To become a guide, it’s necessary to pass a very difficult exam. 

Make sure that your guide is a licensed professional and not some improvised person. 

7. Ask for private transportation with a professional driver

If you’re doing a half-day tour in Italy (like a 3-4 hour tour of the Colosseum or the Vatican), you will probably not need a car. 

But, if you choose a full-day tour that includes multiple sights (such as a Rome in a day tour) you should definitely pick a tour company that offers a private driver and a car for the whole time. 

Public transportation in Rome is complicated, and it can be very challenging to find a cab. 

You might save money by not booking a full-day tour with a private driver, but you’ll waste a lot of time, and possibly have some unpleasant experiences. 

 8. Explain your needs in advance. 

Is a member of your party in a wheelchair? Tell your tour designer! The same goes for every other need you might have. 

That’s another great advantage of booking a private tour: you will have someone create an itinerary just for you. Being on a group tour can be very unpleasant if you have some special needs. 

9. Ask for recommendations about hotels and restaurants

To have a nice vacation, it’s crucial to pick your hotel in the “right” areas and to go to the “right” restaurants. 

Ask your tour designer to give you advice about hotels, restaurants, and areas to stay and explore. They are the experts.

10. Do your research before you choose a tour company. 

As you’re looking for your Italy tours, spend some time on the Internet looking at different tour companies. 

Read the reviews, see what they include in detail, and send them an email. 

If you spend enough time doing research, you will certainly save time later and have fewer things to worry about when you’re enjoying your vacation. 

If you need more info, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Italy is waiting for you, and so are we.