Planning a trip to Italy without losing your mind

If you are planning a trip to Italy in 2023, you are not alone. Italy is currently the #1 most Googled vacation destination in the world. Wondering why it’s on the top of the bucket list for so many travelers? Because Italy has something for everyone. You can visit large and bustling cities such as Rome, Milan, and Naples, or the serene countryside of Tuscany or Umbria, relax on beautiful beaches from coast to coast, wander to new heights in the Italian Alps, or trace your heritage. Oh, and we can’t forget to mention the delicious food and wine, and gracious Italian hospitality that keeps visitors coming back for more!

Planning the perfect trip to Italy should be something to look forward to, not a trigger for anxiety. There are plenty of pre-planned, pack-and-go itineraries out there to suit every travel style and budget, but there’s also the option of customizing a trip that’s uniquely tailored to you. So where do you start? How do you choose?

Planning your trip can be a breeze if you follow the practical tips and step-by-step process we’ve outlined in our Guide to Planning the Perfect Trip to Italy. The best advice we can give you is to reach out to us for help. With first-hand experience and libraries of itineraries from past travelers we can share with you, we can help simplify the process and turn your vacation dreams into reality, saving you time and aggravation.

If you’re ready to take a leap and are planning a trip to Italy, the first step is to decide what kind of trip you want and set realistic a travel date and budget. Itineraries fall into three categories, and each has its pros and cons. If you want to enjoy your journey to its fullest, it’s important to be mindful of the way you like to travel before you book your trip.

1. Fully escorted group tours
2. Small group explorations
3. Custom itineraries

If you know you are planning to go to Italy one time, want something affordable, and absolutely must see everything, consider a fully escorted tour:

Truth be told, trying to see Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi Coast, and the Lakes in 14-days or less is ambitious. That’s a very fast-paced trip with only 1-2 days in each location, so you’re really only seeing the highlights. But it can still be enjoyable and it’s also the most affordable way to see Italy. The best way to see it all in less time is to take a fully escorted group tour. That means you travel as part of a group led by an expert guide who’s with you every step of the way. The group of up to 44 passengers follows a structured itinerary and travels via luxury coach. As with most things in travel, the cost is seasonal so be prepared to pay more if you go during peak travel times. There are dozens of examples of group tours out there but this 13-Day Italian Vistas tour is one of the industry’s top-selling tours. It’s convenient, affordable, and fun. Collette runs this tour weekly from March through November, so there are plenty of dates to choose from. If you aren’t sure where you want to go in Italy or what you want to do, this is the perfect introduction.

If you want to slow down the pace and experience and do more, and you aren’t pressured to see everything in one trip, choose a small group exploration:

Small group tours are perfect for travelers who want to take a closer look and experience more. These itineraries focus on specific regions rather than the entire country, and they venture into off-the-beaten-path places in addition to the major tourist attractions. Groups are limited to less than 24 travelers, they are incredibly convenient and comfortable and include a lot of value. Cost ranges from moderately priced to ultra-luxurious. An expert guide is available as much or as little as you want. Some free time is included in the itinerary, but you can also choose to skip the scheduled group tours and spend that time wandering on your own. Small group tours are more immersive, so you’ll spend more time in fewer places. You’ll have opportunities to do things like attend cooking classes, observe artisans, take part in wine tastings, sit in a piazza and enjoy aperitivo, take a sunset cruise, hike Italy’s scenic trails and vistas, ride a Vespa, and live like a local. Even though you’re part of a group, you’ll still have choices and ways to personalize the trip. Small group tours are addictive. You might not see it all the first time, but the experience is so satisfying that it will leave you coming back for more! If this sounds like the perfect way to travel, it is. Tour operators have gone to great lengths to learn what their guests like and these itineraries reflect that. If you want a very versatile tour including Italy’s classics – Venice, Florence, and Rome with a few off-the-beaten-path extras, join our Best of Italy small group exploration on September 24. Or read about our top six small group tours of Italy here.

If you want to completely personalize your trip to Italy and prefer traveling alone, or with a close group of family or friends, a custom trip is for you:

Custom trips are really the best way to get everything you’ve ever dreamed of, without being bound to a rigid schedule. This is perfect for people who want to travel at their own pace and have complete control over what they see and do. You have to be realistic about budgeting both your time and money. Generally speaking, the more immersive an itinerary, the greater your investment in time and money will be. The best advice I can offer is to give yourself time to plan, don’t try to see and do too much in one trip, and be honest with yourself about how much you want to spend. If you aren’t able to vacation for 12-14 days, you can always scale it back and visit one or two towns. Custom trips can range anywhere from $4000 per person to tens of thousands per person. A professional travel advisor can help sort through the options and manage logistics so you make the most of your time and investment. View some samples from our portfolio of jaw-dropping, custom itineraries below.

Sample Custom Itineraries In Our Portfolio

• Live Like a Local
• Ultimate Tour of Italy
• Dolce Vita Tour
• Northern Italy & Lakes
• The Perfect First Trip to Italy
• Untouched Tuscany

If traveling to Italy is on your list, there’s no reason to keep putting it off. There are options for everyone even if you are short on time or have a limited budget. Remember, Italy is more than just a destination. You aren’t just traveling TO Italy, you are living in it for the duration of your stay. There’s a special feeling you get when you’re there. Take your time and savor every moment. You might arrive feeling like a tourist but you’ll leave feeling like a local.