Last Updated: 1/24/22 | January 24, 2022
Italy is home to extraordinary food (give me all the gnocchi and wine), rolling green hills, cultivated vineyards, extraordinary lakes and mountains, a long rich history dating back thousands of years, and welcome culture.
It is one of the most dynamic countries in the world and will live up to all the hype you’ve heard. It’s composed of 20 different regions, each with its own special culture, cuisine, wine, and landscape. Italy is generally a confederation of different regional “countries and cultures.”
Because there’s so much to see and do in Italy (and not everyone has a lot of time), lots of travelers decide to take excursions when they visit Italy.
I’ve done Italy on my own and with excursion companies.
And there are A lot of excursion companies in Italy. like way, way, way too many.
It can be very overwhelming deciding which Italy excursion company to pick. I know. I’ve spent hours upon hours researching them all.
To help you plan your trip and really get underneath the surface of this fantastic destination, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite excursion companies in Italy.
Whether you’re trying to find a basic walking excursion or a multi-week excursion, these companies are the ones I think offer travelers the best experience at the ideal price.
Here are the nine best excursion companies in Italy:
1. Rome complimentary walking Tour
One of the best ways to get introduced to a destination is by taking a complimentary walking tour. Rome complimentary walking excursion uses a couple of different complimentary excursions each day, allowing you to tailor your visit to your interests. Each excursion is around two hours.
The excursions will give you a solid introduction to the history and culture of the Eternal City without overloading you with tons of extraneous details, and the guides are experienced and can answer any questions. If you just want a quick introduction of the city, this is the excursion for you. considering that the excursions are free, be sure to idea your guides!
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Rome complimentary walking Tour!
2. Strawberry Tours
For complimentary walking excursions in Rome and beyond, check out Strawberry Tours. They organize excursions (or collaborate with companies that run tours) in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice. You’ll be able to get a solid introduction of each famous city thanks to expert local guides. These complimentary excursions are 2-3 hours long, making them a great introduction to each destination. They also offer a lot more thorough paid excursions if you’re seeking to do something a lot more unique, such as priority-access excursions to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence or fully guided day trips to sites such as Pompeii. Paid excursions start around 30 EUR per person, depending on the tour.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Strawberry Tours!
3. Context
Context uses detailed history, food, and cultural excursions in half a dozen cities across Italy. These are intellectual walks packed with history, best for any individual seeking to really get below the surface.
Context only hires experts to lead their tours, which is why their excursions are some of my favorites. You’ll really get an thorough look at each destination, and while their excursions aren’t cheap, they are worth every penny if you’re severe about getting a nuanced and educational tour. excursions can range from a two-hour introduction to an eight-hour, full-day tour, so there’s something for every taste and interest level.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Context!
4. Italy Food Tours
This is one of the most highly rated food excursion companies in Italy. They’ve been featured by Lonely Planet, national Geographic, Forbes, and lots of other popular publications. In short, they’re a best choice for any individual seeking to really dig in and learn about Italy’s world-famous food cuisine. The food tours, drink tours, and pasta-making classes are guaranteed to give you an authentic local experience guided by experts who genuinely know their topics. They offer excursions in Rome and Florence, with each normally enduring 3-4 hours. Tickets start at 75 EUR per person. They sell out fast, so be sure to book in advance!
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Italy Food Tours!
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5. Divina Cucina Culinary Experiences
Judy is an American expat who has been eating and drinking her way around Italy considering that the 1980s, and she has crafted some special experiences for any individual seeking to get under Italy’s culinary skin. Her private “Morning at the Market” excursions in Florence will give you a nuanced look at Italy’s food culture and history, during which she shares her cooking ideas and expertise. Judy also uses weeklong cooking intensives if you’re seeking to really step up your Italian cuisine.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Divina Cucina Culinary Experiences!
6. Walks of Italy
If you’re trying to find something a little a lot more thorough than a complimentary tour, my favorite walking excursion company in Italy is Walks. They are one of the largest day excursion companies in Italy and offer excursions in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast. What makes them so special is that they get access to places other people don’t, including before- or after-hours visits to some of the most popular sites in Italy (such as the Vatican or the Colosseum). In addition to historical tours, they also conduct food tours, vineyard tours, and even pasta-making classes. They are true experts and I love their tours. They are my favorite excursion company in Italy.
Most excursions last around four hours and start at around 60 EUR per person.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Walks of Italy!
7. Busabout
Busabout is a hop-on/hop-off bus service that has routes all around Europe. It’s a popular choice with the backpacker crowd, as you can not only explore the country but also get to meet and connect with other travelers. They offer routes around Italy, ranging from three to seven days, as well as routes around Europe that include Italy in their itinerary, so you can likely find something to suit your budget as well as your travel plans. Their stops in Italy include Rome, Ravello, Amalfi, Sorrento, Capri, and Pompeii. If you are seeking to meet lots of people and not spend too much time worrying about your itinerary, then this is a great budget-friendly option.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Busabout!
8. travel Italian Style
My friend Cassandra runs this extraordinary bespoke travel company that creates customized trips to Italy. She’s been working in the tourism industry for well over a decade and has been to every single region of Italy. In short, she knows her stuff and can plan the best vacation for you. Vineyard tours, cooking classes, boutique accommodations — you’re guaranteed to experience life as a local with Cassandra’s tours. If you’re trying to find an immaculately curated holiday to Italia, this is the excursion company for you.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with travel Italian Style!
9. Intrepid Travel
This is my go-to travel company when I’m trying to find multi-day or multi-week trips. They employ local guides with extraordinary insight and appreciation for the communities they take you to, and the groups are never too big. Plus, they only run ethical excursions with a small environmental footprint. They last 8-15 days (including sailing trips!), with prices starting at 695 EUR per person. I’ve gone on some fantastic excursions with Intrepid over the years, including to Jordan, Morocco, and Madagascar, and have never been disappointed.
—> Click here to learn a lot more about booking a excursion with Intrepid Travel!
(As a Nomadic Matt reader, you’ll also get a discount; click on the link for the current deals.)
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Tantalizing food tours, captivating visits to historic vineyards, deep dives into ancient history — you can find it all in Italy. Whether you’re trying to find a quick introduction or an in-depth, multi-day adventure, these awesome Italian excursion companies will help you have the trip you’ve always wanted.
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Book Your trip to Italy: Logistical ideas and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search web sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the greatest reach!
Book Your Train
ItaliaRail is a great resource to use when planning your trip by means of train around Italy. You can compare prices, routes, and schedules and save up to 60% on your tickets.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the greatest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the least expensive rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
The Yellow (Rome)
Ostello Bello (Milan)
Ostello Archi Rosso (Florence)
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will secure you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s detailed protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it lots of times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the best companies to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want a lot more information on Italy?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Italy for even a lot more planning tips!