Experience Our Italy Tours

Expert‑Led Archaeology & History Journeys.

Explore Our Guided Tours in Italy

“A man has not fully lived until he experiences that gentle balmy climate of ancient empires, the land of lemon trees and the genius of Michelangelo.”

— E.A. Bucchianeri

Italy Tours at a Glance

  • 2 expert‑led Italy tours for history and archaeology lovers.​
  • Small‑group escorted tours to Italy, with options for custom private itineraries.​
  • Focus on archaeology, the sweep of Mediterranean trading and maritime history, and living Italian culture in villages and coastal towns.​
  • Hand‑picked boutique accommodations and memorable food and wine experiences on every itinerary.

Italy’s islands are some of the most revealing places to study the ancient Mediterranean world. Sicily and Sardinia sit at the meeting point of cultures, where trading ships, armies, and ideas have passed for millennia, leaving their marks in stone, language, and landscape.

Away from standard holiday circuits, our Italy tours focus on these islands as open-air archives of human history — temple-crowned ridges, Nuragic towers, Punic and Roman harbours, and historic towns where past and present still overlap.

To understand them fully, you need more than a quick visit; you need time with people who work with these sites and stories. On our Sicily and Sardinia tours, you travel with archaeologists and local experts who share how new discoveries, ongoing research, and oral histories continue to reshape what we know.

With Take Me To Europe Tours’ small-group Italy journeys, you explore in conversation with specialists and fellow travelers, treating the islands not as “beach escapes” but as intriguing Mediterranean regions of cultural contact, resilience, and change.

Our guided Italy tours are ideal for travellers who want structured, in-depth days on site along with the space to think, ask questions, and notice details, rather than skim from one landmark to the next.

On our expertly escorted tours to Sicily and Sardinia, you encounter prehistoric monuments, Greek and Phoenician foundations, Roman cities, medieval layers, and contemporary island life, seeing how each period builds on and reinterprets the last.

These Italy tours invite you to engage with the islands as living, evolving places — itineraries that balance archaeology, history, and present-day culture, with time to absorb the terrain that shaped them

If you’re interested in discovering more of the culture and history of the Mediterranean beyond our Italy tours, browse our Greece Tours, Malta Tours, and Cyprus Tours.

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Browse Our Italy Tour Packages

Sep 16-8 Oct 2027
Two old, decaying wooden boats rest on dry land with grass growing inside, overlooking the sea and distant mountains under a clear blue sky—an evocative scene on a Sicily tour.

Malta and Sicily Tour: Sea Roads of the Old World

Join our expert-led Take Me To Europe Malta and Sicily Tour – a unique combination of Malta’s prehistoric megalithic temples and fortified harbors with Sicily’s blockbuster archaeological sites and baroque splendor in its gorgeous towns and cities.
From€11,748
0
View Details
April 12-26 + Sep 24-8 Oct 2027
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Sicily Tour: From Ancient Temples to Baroque Towns

Join our expert-led Take Me To Europe incredible Sicily Tour - a unique combination of blockbuster archaeological sites strewn with wildflowers and the baroque splendor of Sicily's gorgeous towns and cities.
From€7,692
0
View Details

Highlights of Our Sicily Tour

  • Visit six of Sicily’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from temple complexes and Roman remains to historic city centres and baroque towns.
  • Trace Sicily’s story from Greek colonies and Punic conflicts through Roman, Byzantine, Arab‑Norman, and Baroque periods as you explore cities, countryside, and coastal towns.
  • Stay in carefully selected bases that make it easy to reach key archaeological parks, historic centers, and lesser‑known sites without constant hotel changes.
  • Travel in a small group with an expert archaeological leader who interprets ruins, inscriptions and landscapes in depth at each stop.
17 - 26 September 2026
Cagliari, Sardinia

Sardinia Tour: Guardians of the Nuragic Legacy, Historic Cities & Island Culture

Discover Sardinia’s ancient monuments, mysterious towers, and vibrant towns on a carefully curated small-group tour. Guided by local archaeological experts, journey chronologically from southern cities to spectacular Giants’ Tombs and sacred wells in the northeast. Enjoy relaxed travel, premium hotels, and shared discoveries—no prior expertise needed, just a curiosity for Sardinia’s extraordinary past.
From€4,398
0
View Details

Highlights of Our Sardinia Tour

  • Visit both of Sardinia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Nuragic complex of Su Nuraxi di Barumini and selected Domus de Janas rock‑cut tombs newly inscribed on the list.
  • Explore key Nuragic monuments across the island, including emblematic nuraghe towers, sacred wells, and Giants’ Tombs that frame Sardinia’s prehistoric and Bronze Age worlds.
  • Follow a south‑to‑north itinerary from Cagliari through Cabras and Oristano to Alghero, Olbia, and Arzachena, linking Bronze Age sites with Phoenician‑Punic ports, Roman remains, and medieval centers.
  • Stay in well‑placed coastal and town bases that minimise hotel changes while giving you access to dramatic rural landscapes, archaeological parks, and lively historic quarters.
  • Travel with a dedicated local archaeologist‑guide who is with the group throughout, providing continuity, context, and on‑the‑spot insights as questions and connections emerge day by day.

What You'll Experience On Our Italy Tours

Each day on our Italy island tours opens a different window onto the Mediterranean. Walk through temple precincts, Roman villas, Nuragic towers, and rock‑cut tombs with an archaeologist who reads the ground like a text and shares the stories behind every column and carved stone. Visit coastal towns, hilltop citadels, small museums, and family‑run workshops where the past is still woven into daily routines.

Between sites, there is time to pause by the sea, follow lanes through old quarters, or simply sit with a view and let what you’ve seen settle.

Food and wine are part of the learning, not an afterthought. In Sicily and Sardinia, you’ll taste regional cuisines shaped by centuries of contact – Greek, Arab, Spanish, and more – in trattorie, agriturismi, and village restaurants that still cook from local fields and waters.

Along the way, shared meals with your group and hosts become another place where questions, insights, and stories continue long after you’ve left the sites for the day.

If you’re ready to embark on your Italy sightseeing tour or one of our small-group tours, get in touch with our team.

Is an Italy Tour With Us Right For You?

  • Journey through thousands of years of Mediterranean history by focusing on Italy’s islands, where Sicily and Sardinia sit at the crossing point of trade routes, empires, and belief systems
  • Explore major archaeological and historic sites such as Sicily’s UNESCO‑listed temples, baroque towns, and classical cities, alongside Sardinia’s Nuragic complexes, sacred wells, and coastal strongholds.
  • See how control of sea‑lanes shaped these islands by visiting harbors, citadels, and port towns that reveal their roles in ancient, medieval, and early modern Mediterranean networks.
  • Travel in a small group (maximum 12 guests) with expert archaeologists and local specialists, staying in carefully chosen accommodation that reflects each region’s character, food traditions, and rhythms of daily life.

Why Choose Take Me To Europe Tours

Choosing who you travel with matters just as much as where you go, especially for in‑depth Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia tours.​

  • Local archaeologists, not flown‑in experts: In Italy’s islands you’re led by archaeologists who live and work there, collaborating on excavations, research, and heritage projects across sites such as Nuragic complexes and major Sicilian archaeological parks, and remain part of the active archaeological community.​
  • Expert‑led journeys, not generic sightseeing: Every Italy tour is led by working archaeologists and specialist guides who connect historical sites to modern Italian life, culture and ongoing research, so ruins become stories rather than backdrops.​
  • Small groups, big connection: Our Italy tours are capped at a maximum of 12 guests, creating space for genuine discussion, questions and spontaneous moments with locals.​
  • Thoughtfully paced, in‑depth itineraries: We prioritise fewer hotel changes, longer stays and layered storytelling over rushed “tick‑the‑box” coach touring, so you can really inhabit each place.​
  • Boutique stays and memorable meals: Hand‑picked small hotels and local restaurants reflect each area’s character, from Sicilian hill towns to Sardinian port cities, with food and wine woven into the experience.
  • Custom Italian experiences when you want them: Alongside scheduled departures, we regularly design customized escorted tours to Italy for private groups, tailored to your dates, interests and preferred pace.
A teal banner with white text reads, "We're proud to be ATIA Accredited. Australian Travel Industry Association," with a checkmark symbol.

Best Time of Year For Our Italy Tours

Italy is a year‑round destination, but our Italy tours are timed for the seasons that best suit archaeology, walking, and cultural exploration.​

Spring (April-May)

  • Mild temperatures, long daylight hours, and wildflowers on coastal and inland routes make spring ideal for exploring archaeological parks and historic towns on foot.

Early Summer and Fall (Autumn)

  • Warm seas and soft light at sites and along the coast, with fewer crowds than peak summer and comfortable evenings for strolls and outdoor dining in town squares and harbor promenades.

Avoiding Peak Heat

  • Our escorted tours to Italy are scheduled to minimize time in extreme summer heat, so you can enjoy site visits and walks in greater comfort.

Planning Your Italy Tour

In this section, we point you to official EU and government sources to check the latest travel advice and requirements for travel to Italy.

Travel Documents

  • A valid passport is required for almost all international visitors to Italy; see Italy’s official Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance on entry conditions: https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/ingressosoggiornoinitalia/.
  • Many governments recommend at least six months’ validity on your passport beyond your return date; check your own government’s advice, for example the UK: https://www.gov.uk/world/travelling-to-italy, Australia: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy, and the U.S.: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/italy.html.
  • Visa requirements depend on your nationality and length/purpose of stay; always check with the nearest Italian Embassy/Consulate and your government’s Italy travel advice (e.g. UK: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy, Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy, USA: https://travel.state.gov, Australia: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy).
  • Italy is part of the Schengen Area; non‑EU/EEA nationals may be limited to 90 days in any 180‑day period in the Schengen zone and may require a Schengen visa depending on nationality.
  • Upcoming EU systems such as ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System may affect visa‑exempt visitors; check the European Commission pages via your national government’s Italy advice before booking flights.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance (medical, cancellation, and cover for planned activities) is strongly recommended for all Italy tours; use your own government’s travel advice as a guide to minimum recommended cover.

Health and Safety

  • No special vaccinations are usually required for short tourist visits to Italy, but routine immunizations should be up to date; always seek personalized medical advice from your doctor and consult your country’s health/travel‑medicine sites.
  • EU citizens can use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or its replacement (such as the GHIC for UK‑issued cards) for medically necessary public healthcare during temporary stays, but this is not a substitute for private travel insurance; see the European Commission EHIC information at https://health.ec.europa.eu/ehealth-digital-health-and-care/european-health-insurance-card-ehic_en and your home country’s EHIC/GHIC page.
  • Tap water is generally safe to drink in most of Italy; local advice or your accommodation can confirm any exceptions in specific areas.
  • The general EU emergency number 112 works throughout Italy for ambulance, police, and fire services.

What to Pack for Our Italy Tours

In this section, we suggest general items to consider and encourage you to check your government’s Italy travel advice for any updates.

  • Comfortable closed‑toe walking shoes for uneven ground at archaeological sites and historic centers in Sicily and Sardinia.
  • Sun protection: hat, high‑SPF sunscreen, and sunglasses, especially for exposed coastal sites and open archaeological parks.
  • Light, breathable clothing for warm days, plus a light jacket or extra layer for evenings, higher elevations, and for when out on the water.
  • Modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) for visits to churches, monasteries, and other religious sites
  • A reusable water bottle, small daypack and camera or smartphone for photos.​

Money Matters

  • Currency: Italy uses the Euro (€) across all regions, including Sicily and Sardinia.
  • ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns; cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.​
  • Tipping around 10% in restaurants is customary when service is not already included; check the bill for any service charge.
  • Plan a personal budget for free‑time meals, drinks, optional activities and souvenirs, as these are not fully included in our Italy tours.​

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Italy Tours

How many people are on your Italy tours?

Our Italy tours are capped at a maximum of 12 guests, keeping the group small enough for in‑depth guiding, questions, and a genuinely personal experience.​

Are your Italy tours suitable for solo travelers?

Yes. Solo travelers are very welcome on our escorted tours to Italy (and we always have some along!), and the small group size plus shared meals make it easy to connect with like‑minded guests.​


 

What is the activity level on your guided tours in Italy?

Expect relaxed to moderate walking, often on uneven ground at archaeological sites and in villages. There are no technical hikes, and your guide will pace each day to suit the group.​

Can you create a private or customized Italy tour for my group?

Yes. As well as our scheduled small‑group Italy tours, we regularly design customised private trips to Cyprus tailored to your dates, interests, and preferred pace.

What is included in the price of your Italy tours?

Our tours typically include accommodation, most meals, transport during the tour, entrance fees to sites on the itinerary, and services of an expert tour leader; international flights are usually not included.

Discover Our Guides

Looking to learn more about Malta, Cyprus, Italy, or Greece? Check out our guides below.

Don’t miss our advance deals & subscriber-only offers

Receive exclusive discounts and offers, and learn about upcoming new experiences as we launch our lists of new tours.