Best Italy tours for first-time visitors

A private water taxi from Venice International Airport brings you directly to your hotel for a seamless check-in and time to unwind. Venice is the ideal place to begin a first-time Italy travel experience: its walkable layout, iconic landmarks, and gentle pace offer an inviting introduction to the country’s art, history, and everyday beauty.

Explore St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, then enjoy a gondola ride beneath the Rialto Bridge. With tailor-made recommendations from local guides, you’ll discover hidden calli, artisan workshops, and authentic dining that set the tone for the rest of your journey through Italy.

Explore Venice on a private guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Venetian prison. Your expert local guide reveals art, history, and hidden corners in a way that reflects the care and insight behind the best Italy tours for first-time visitors.

End with a private 30-minute gondola ride through romantic canals, a peaceful way to experience the city from its waterways, and create lasting memories.

Enjoy a private water taxi to Murano for an intimate visit to a traditional glassworks. Watch a master glassblower transform molten glass into exquisite pieces as your guide shares the centuries-old craft behind Murano glassmaking. After the demonstration, browse the showroom for vases, figurines, jewelry, and unique home décor crafted on-site.

In the early afternoon, your local assistant escorts you by private water taxi to Venice train station for concierge rail service to Florence. This city is an ideal next stop for first-time visitors, thanks to its walkable historic center and unrivaled Renaissance art. Upon arrival, a private transfer brings you to your hotel to check in and relax.

Delve into Florence on a private, tailor-made walking tour. Explore Piazza della Signoria, the Cathedral and Baptistery, and the shops of Ponte Vecchio with local insights into architecture, history, and artisans, hallmarks of the best Italy tours for first-time visitors.

Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David, then immerse yourself in the Uffizi’s Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio masterpieces for a deep dive into Renaissance art.

After checking out of your hotel, meet your local assistant for a private transfer to Florence train station and board the concierge rail to Rome. Sit back and enjoy the scenic ride. Upon arrival, our assistant will escort you to your hotel for check-in and time to relax.

Rome is a logical continuation of any first-time trip to Italy: its ancient ruins, grand piazzas, and world-famous landmarks offer the essential finale to a classic Italian itinerary. This day invites you to roam Rome at your own pace and settle into the rhythm of the city.

Experience a private guided tour of Ancient Rome and the Colosseum, walking through towering arches and into the arena where gladiators fought. Your expert guide brings vivid stories of combat, public spectacle, and daily life, giving insider access and priority entry.

Explore Palatine Hill's imperial ruins with panoramic views over the Roman Forum, then descend into the Forum to stroll through temples, basilicas, and streets that shaped the empire.

Begin your private guided tour of Vatican City, tailored to your interests and reflecting the thoughtful approach behind the best Italy tours for first-time visitors. Explore the Vatican Museums, home to priceless masterpieces, including the Raphael Rooms and the Vatican Painting Gallery with works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Stand beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes in the Sistine Chapel: the Creation of Adam, the Last Judgment, and the ceiling that witnesses the Papal Conclave. Then step into St. Peter’s Basilica to admire Michelangelo’s Pietà, intricate mosaics, and the soaring nave.

After checking out from your hotel, meet your personal driver for a private transfer to Fiumicino International Airport in time for your outbound flight. Enjoy a relaxed final glimpse of Italy with smooth luggage assistance and an easy arrival at the terminal.

This final transfer completes a classic introduction to Italy, thoughtfully designed for first-time visitors with iconic highlights, seamless logistics, and authentic moments that leave you with lasting memories and a true sense of the country.