Best tours of Italy in 10 days or less

When asked to envision the perfect vacation – history, culture, exquisite food, stunning scenery and serene relaxation – it’s fair to assume that Italy would feature in most people’s lists. The boot-shaped nation of the glittering Mediterranean is bursting with tourist draws; spectacular panoramas, iconic cities steeped in ancient history, art and style, and an incomparable culinary scene of worldwide acclaim. 

One could easily spend a year in Italy and still have more to see, so it can be overwhelming deciding where you should focus for a short trip. If you don’t have the luxury of time (and that applies to most of us!), our locally-based travel experts can offer the following tours, which promise the best of Italy’s diverse regions in 10 days or less. 

Lake Como and the Dolomites

An unmissable 10-day tour of Northern Italy actually begins at the border in Switzerland. Take a trip to the ‘Top of Europe’ with a train to Jungfraujoch, where the panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks are unforgettable. After this Swiss sojourn, you’ll head across to Italy to begin your exploration of Lake Como. 

The huge, forked form of Lake Como covers 146 sq km, with a perimeter dotted with lakeside towns and villages that are a big draw for visitors due to the upmarket ambience and dazzling scenery. Floating along the lake is another way to experience its charms, and on this trip you’ll traverse its pristine waters by private boat. Back on land there’s the chance to trek the forests that surround Como and enjoy mountain-backed views while breathing in the freshness of the chestnut trees. 

Over the next few days’ journey to the Dolomites, stop at the quintessential rural towns of Bormio, Bolzano and Cortina to enjoy hot springs, peaceful solitude and the presence of storybook castles nestled in the hills. The intention is to explore and take things easy, with plenty of time to absorb this underrated region of Italy at your own pace.

Finally, the splendid Dolomites invites you into nature. Home to 18 peaks of over 3,000 m each that visually coalesce with alpine meadows and rivers, the area covers three Italian regions: Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.  Renowned for its skiing and snow sports, in the summer there are ample opportunities to bike and hike through this wonderland of lush flower fields and jagged mountains, and experience a dramatic side of Italy that’s a world away from pasta and the Pantheon.

Spectacular Sicily

On a 10-day tour of Sicily, experience the largest island in the Mediterranean – spectacular Sicily. Though indefinitely part of Italy, residents here consider themselves Sicilians first; and visitors more familiar with the mainland will enjoy discovering the distinctions of Sicily’s cultures, history and cuisine. 

Beginning in the romantic capital, Palermo, spend a day acclimatizing to the vibrant street life, souk-like markets and balmy temperatures. This city is bursting with architectural fusion, where the likes of Gothic churches, Greek temples and Arabesque structures are all passed by in one sensory stroll. 

Next up, the striking coastal town of Cefalu – where film fans may recognize the scenery from cult motion picture Cinema Paradiso. Here, feel spoilt between reclining on the alluring stretch of coastline, admiring the distinctive Arab-Norman architecture of the main squares, or settling down at an outdoor terrace to tuck into some of the freshest seafood imaginable. 

Of course, one can’t visit Sicily without acknowledging the marvel of Mount Etna, which at 3,350 m tall, is the largest active volcano in Europe. Take a jeep tour to its spectacular viewpoints to see rugged craters and recent lava flows amidst a backdrop of the stunning Ionian coast.

Sicily’s enthralling diversity is perfectly encapsulated in this tour; as well as the above, you could visit a winery in Marsala, witness the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, take a Sicilian cooking class in Catania, and swim in the sparkling Bay of Mermaids during a boat trip in Taormina. 

Tuscany and Florence

The gastronomic wonders of the Tuscan hills – wine, beef, olives, bread – are almost as synonymous with Italy as its pizza and pasta. This central region of the country offers rolling green hills, the sublime beauty of Florence, and of course, chances to acquaint yourself with incomparable food and wine at every vineyard, village and street corner.

On a 10-day tour of Tuscany, you’ll start in stunning Firenze, or Florence, the region’s jewel of art and architecture. Meander this glorious city on foot, sampling foods from the many delis, shopping for artisanal leather goods, or taking a gelato pit stop as you gaze up at the truly magnificent Duomo that dominates the center. Explore the Uffizi Gallery to encounter the Botticelli masterpiece, The Birth of Venus, alongside a glut of Renaissance paintings and statues. Michelangelo’s David is also nearby.

Next, Cortona, a village in rural Tuscany, offers an authentic countryside escape. Perched on a hill before the beautiful Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno, the town offers dreamlike views of the surrounding vineyards and olive groves. Spend your days absorbing the rural Tuscan lifestyle, partake in a cooking class, and sip on authentic Montalcino wine. 

Finish your tour with a trip to Siena, another quintessential Tuscan town. Siena’s historic medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while its shell-shaped main square is renowned for being one of the most picturesque in Europe. In one of the local bistros, try a local dish such as pici with breadcrumbs complemented by a locally-sourced wine, and clink your glasses to a trip well spent. 

Classic Italy: Rome, Florence and Venice

If you’re going to Italy for the first time, you can’t go wrong with a classic nine-day tour of Italy’s highlights, comprising the iconic cities of Rome and the Vatican, coastal Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice.

You’ll start in the Vatican, the smallest city in the world – but prepare yourself to be awestruck by the enormity of St. Paul’s Basilica, whose ornate carvings and awe-inspiring marble figures peer down at you from majestic heights. Later, the Sistine Chapel is a bucket list experience for many – so take a moment to reflect as you gaze up at Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece. 

Moving into Italy’s regal capital, Rome is resplendent, important, ancient, stylish, progressive and so much more. It is, of course, a tourist magnet, but as you wander the winding streets – past the likes of designer fashion houses, high-energy food markets and unbelievable sites of ancient mastery, such as the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain – it’s easy to get swept up in the magic and magnificence of it all. Not to mention the Colosseum: the most famous arena of ancient gladiatorial events and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World awaits your exploration just on the outskirts of town.

A pleasant journey north takes you through the stunning Tuscan countryside, where rolling emerald fields are dotted with wineries, villages and fruit trees. After a couple of days sipping wine in hillside towns and a day trip to the stunning coastal jewel of the Cinque Terre, move on to Florence. 

A stunning center of architecture and the arts, Florence enjoys a more serene atmosphere than Rome. Slowly wander along the riverside walkways, climb the steps to the top of the Duomo, and savor some Florentine cuisine in one of many al fresco eateries. If you’re interested in Renaissance art, the Uffizi is one of the world’s most impressive galleries.

Finally, you’ll come to Venice – a city on water. Made up of 118 small islands connected by canals and rivers, and featuring a history going back 1,500 years, you’ll need no introduction as to why it’s a captivating end to any classic tour of Italy. Yes, it’s busy, but well worth the scramble to witness its artisanal workshops, its palaces, its air of Shakespearean romance. Sit back in a gondola and take it all in, before a candlelit dinner on your balcony welcomes you in the evening. 

Southern Italy: Ischia and Apulia

On a week-long tour of Southern Italy you’ll travel south to the regions of Ischia and Apulia – and experience a whole other side to Italy that’s lesser-visited and arguably more authentic than the north. 

The culture of Southern Italy is shaped by its history as a hub for Greek, Roman, Arabic, Norman and Spanish civilizations, as well as its coastal heritage and emphasis on the traditional. From your arrival in Naples, you’ll get a sense of the raw, lively yet laid-back pace of life that permeates here. 

Hop on a ferry to Ischia, a stunning island in the Mediterranean, awash with pastel-colored buildings, magenta bougainvillea and clear, azure waters. The island is renowned for its thermal springs, Aragonese castle (a must-visit) and excellent seafood, and sees much less tourist footfall than its neighboring island, Capri. 

On the way back to the mainland, stop at the historic city of Matera, the jewel of this region, famed for its sassi dwellings carved into the rocky outcrops that were home to communities up to 7,000 years ago. From there, head to charming Locorotondo. This is often considered one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, where ivory-colored buildings overlook a patchwork panorama of olive groves and vineyards. 

After a local cooking class, wine and olive oil tasting in nearby foodie haven, Fasano, wind down the tour in Ostuni with your pick of stylish bars and decadent restaurants. Dive into the crystalline waters of the Polignano a Mare as the final flourish of your dream Southern Italy vacation. 

Make it happen 

Our local experts based in Italy know the country inside-out, and will happily plan a bespoke tour based on your preferences. Ask them about one of the tours above to start planning your dream trip to Italy today.