Matera is a small jewel carved out of the mountains. Time seems to have stood still in the city of Basilicata, where the surrounding landscape is not unlike a painting. Matera, which in past years has captivated photographers and filmmakers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Mel Gibson, has a unique charm. A complex beauty that can only be understood when walking around the narrow alleys of the historic center and the houses carved out of the tuff. The layers of history and the delicate relationship with the surrounding nature make it an amazing open-air museum.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Traverse from top to toe of Italy's 'boot' and explore ancient ruins and iconic sites. Eat your weight in pasta and tuck into giant piazzas as you get lost in Venice and find yourself in the Tuscan countryside. This 24-day trip will take you to all the best spots and teach you all the most important parts of Italian culture – like how to roll pasta like the pros! Visit Mount Etna, as you drive up the northern flank of the volcano and take a walk through the spectacular Valle del Bove. Visit a family-run winery, learn about ancient Pompeii, visit Rome’s famous sites and write home about your three amazing Feature Stays – all with a local leader by your side.
AdventureSightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Venice, Palermo, Bari, Nardò, Ma
Venice, Palermo, Bari, Nardò, Matera, Naples, Rome, San Gimignano, Florence, Marsala, Agrigento, Siracusa, Catania
Spend four nights on the island of Ischia during this seven-day trip beginning and ending in Naples. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the island of Ischia to see its most beautiful Thermal sites among which are the Negombo Thermal Bath and Poseidon Thermal Gardens with over 20 pools with curative thermal waters. The tour also includes other important highlights as the famous Vineyard at Casa D’Ambra where you will experience a wine tasting of the local production. Particularly picturesque is Forio where you will stop to admire this place perfectly framed in its setting between the colourful landscapes of Mount Epomeo and the crystalline sea.
Lose yourself in three of Europe's most enchanting countries on this 15-day adventure from Barcelona to Rome. Arrive in the vibrant streets of Barcelona, then travel into the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees. Discover Provencal food and world-class wines as you frolic with Europe’s high rollers in the French Riviera, then feast on breathtaking sights in the cliff-top towns of the Cinque Terre. See master works of art in Florence and get your iconic pic at the leaning Torre de Pisa. Call into beautiful Siena before ending it all in the ancient city of Rome.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Barcelona, Cinque Terre an
Rome, Barcelona, Cinque Terre and Liguria, Florence, Siena, Ribes De Freser, Toulouse, Provence, Nice
Follow old trails through ancient hamlets and past impressive castles on the Francigena Way, the Italian Camino, between Ivrea and Pavia. From Canterbury in England to Rome in Italy, the 1900km "Francigena Way" dates back to the 11th century when pilgrims travelled across Europe on foot to visit the site of Martyrdom of St Peter and St Paul in Rome. With the modernisation of Europe and the shifting of borders the route became obsolete, until a recent revival of the pilgrimage making it one of the most exciting pilgrimage trails in Europe today. This section travels through the plains of Piedmont. From March to May the rice fields are flooded and treat you to a wonderful view of the "chequered sea". At other times of the year you will spot herons and egrets. The trail continues into the Lombardy region before ending in Pavia. Here you can enjoy the artistic wealth of Pavia's old town, while reveling in the vivacity of the student quarters.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lombardy & the Lakes, Pavia, Ivr
Lombardy & the Lakes, Pavia, Ivrea, Viverone, Santhia, Vercelli, Mortara
Begin in Salerno, where a warm welcome awaits. Explore the coastal gems of Positano and Amalfi, savoring the scenic beauty and local charm. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Campanian cuisine with a visit to a cheese factory for a delightful tasting. Unearth the historical treasures of Paestum, followed by a royal experience at the majestic Royal Palace of Caserta. Conclude your adventure in the vibrant city of Naples, where the fusion of history and modernity awaits. Each day promises a tapestry of experiences, creating lasting memories in the heart of southern Italy
Head on the ultimate trip to discover one of the most beautiful regions in Italy with this 10-day self-drive tour of Tuscany! Your journey will begin in Catania, from where you will grab your car and set off to explore the Etna Area. Taste some local wines in a beautiful vineyard before you drive to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. From there you will explore Taormina, a gorgeous city known for its natural landscapes of the sea, city, and rocks. Your next stop will be in Syracuse, the largest and most powerful Greek colony in Sicily. Discover the ancient Greek ruins dating 2,700 years back in time, such as the Teatro Greco and the Temple of Apollo, as you bask in the beauty of the deep blue Ionian Sea. Travel to Noto, known for its beautiful churches, extravagant palaces, and iron-wrought balconies. Unwind on the beautiful beaches of Marzamemi, a mesmerizing Italian village known for its bright blue waters. Visit Ragusa, famous for its late-baroque Sicilian style architecture, and explore Agrigento, one of the oldest cities in Sicily home to the Valley of the Temples, an area that preserves 11 Doric temples from the 5th century BC. From there you will drive to Alcamo, an area where many fine Italian wines are produced.Travel down the Western Coast through Marsala, a famous destination known for its stunning beaches and wide range of wines, before you explore Palermo, the capital of Sicily and a city that magnificently blends Norman-Arab, baroque medieval, and gothic architectural styles. See the Arab-Norman Cathedral among many other famous monuments and get a taste of the local cuisine with an astronomic walk-through Palermo before your tour of Sicily comes to an end! This journey captures the essence of Exclusive Italy tours, where culture, cuisine, and history are seamlessly woven into a luxurious travel experience.
Food tours
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Sici
Palermo, Catania, Syracuse, Sicily, Mount Etna, Agrigento, Alcamo
Wonderful trip but too short. Martina was the best guide we ever had. She made even the long bus trips enjoyable. I would have liked a little more time in Pompeii but what we saw was interesting and our guide was very informative. The hotels were very nice and located well. I thought Sorrento was great. Only thing i would comment on is changing the hotels every two days was a bit much even though i realized we had a lot of real estate to cover.
In the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the Alta Badia region boasts some of the most spectacular alpine scenery as well as a reputation for excellent cuisine. The village of San Cassiano is no stranger to either and sits just 15km, as the crow flies, due West of Cortina d'Ampezzo (or 30km by road and the Falzarego Pass). Around 500m in altitude above the village lies a large area of beautiful alpine meadow, dotted with traditional wooden mountain huts and the most amazing panoramic views. At some points you have a 360-degree vista that spans from the Austrian Alps to the North to the Marmolada range to the South (the highest peaks in the Dolomites), with the Fanes Natural Park to the East and the Sella mountain range and Gardena Pass to the West - all stunning views in their own rights but when combined it's almost mind-blowing!
Discover the beauties of Sicily during this five days self-drive tour. Drive through several UNESCO Heritage Sites and unique towns, and admire splendid views and art masterpieces.
Experience the magic of Tuscany on this 7-day self-drive tour, exploring rolling hills, medieval villages, and charming towns steeped in history. Wander through Renaissance Florence, admire Pisa’s iconic Leaning Tower, and soak in Siena’s Gothic splendor. Discover the world-famous Chianti wine region with its scenic vineyards, olive groves, and hilltop villages, and wander the cobbled streets of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its towers and gelato. Enjoy a journey that blends culture, gastronomy, and breathtaking landscapes at your own pace.
