10 Best Experiences in Italy (Food, Tours & Hidden Gems)
Hey travelers! 👋
If you’re planning a trip to Italy — especially Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, or Turin — this guide is for you. I’ve been lucky enough to explore Italy a few times, and every visit feels like a brand-new adventure. The history, the food, the hidden corners… it never gets old.
As a full-time traveler, I’ve learned that booking tours and experiences is one of the best ways to get the most out of a city, especially if you’re short on time. But not every activity is worth it — so I’ve rounded up my absolute favorite experiences that were 100% worth it. These are tours and activities I’ve done myself, and I’d recommend them to anyone visiting Italy.
Let’s dive in city by city! 🇮🇹
🍝 Rome Experiences
- Take a Cooking Class
Whether you’re a foodie or not, a pasta or pizza-making class is one of the most fun ways to spend an evening in Rome. It’s social (great for groups and solo travelers), hands-on, and you’ll walk away with new Italian cooking skills, plus plenty of food and wine.
👉 Book a Rome pasta-making class here. - Skip-the-Line Colosseum & Forum Tour
I’ve done this tour and highly recommend it. Not only do you avoid the long, stressful lines, but you also get to explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum with a knowledgeable local guide who brings the history to life. It’s the perfect way to see two of Rome’s most iconic sites in one experience.
👉 Book the Colosseum & Roman Forum skip-the-line tour.
🏔 Milan & Beyond
- Day Trip to Lake Como or St. Moritz
From Milan, winter travelers have the perfect opportunity for magical day trips. Lake Como is stunning year-round, while the Bernina Express train to St. Moritz is truly unforgettable. The snowy landscapes and panoramic train views are something you’ll never forget.
👉 Browse Milan day trips
👉 Book the Bernina Train tour here
🍷 Florence Experiences
- Pisa, San Gimignano & Chianti Tour
This day trip packs in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a Tuscan countryside escape, and a wine-tasting lunch in Chianti. It’s a full-day adventure that hits all the highlights.
👉 Book the Florence to Pisa & Chianti tour - Private Cooking Class in a Local Home
For something extra special, I loved booking a private cooking class through Context Travel. You’ll shop a local market, cook in someone’s home, and hear their personal stories. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that makes Florence unforgettable.
👉 Book here via Context Travel and use code FANCYNANCISTA for 15% off.
🚤 Venice Experiences
- Classic Gondola Ride
Yes, it’s touristy — but it’s also magical. Floating down Venice’s canals is an experience you just can’t skip.
👉 Book a Venice Gondola experience here - Islands Tour: Murano, Burano & Torcello
A half-day boat tour gives you a taste of Venice’s famous lagoon islands. Murano is known for glass-making, Burano for its colorful houses, and Torcello for its history. My favorite was Burano — I’d go back in a heartbeat.
👉 Book a Venice lagoon islands tour here
🍫 Turin Experiences
- Chocolate Tasting Tour
Turin is famous for its chocolate and the local drink Bicerin (espresso, chocolate, and cream). If you have a sweet tooth, this experience is heaven.
👉 Book Turin chocolate tasting here - Food Tour
I always recommend food tours in every city, and Turin is no exception. You’ll discover local specialties you probably wouldn’t order on your own — all while learning the history behind them.
👉 Try a gourmet food tour in Turin
🦑 Trieste Experiences
- Food Tour in Trieste
Trieste often gets overlooked, but it’s such a unique city with a mix of Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian influences — especially when it comes to food. I did a food tour here and it was the best way to understand the city’s culture while tasting local specialties (hello, fresh seafood and coffee culture). If you love discovering new dishes while learning history, this tour is a must.
👉 Book a Trieste food tour here
These are my absolute favorite tours and activities I’ve done while traveling around Italy. They’re the kind of experiences that made each city unforgettable, and ones I’d happily do again.
If you’re planning a trip to the capital, check out my full Italy Travel Guide for more tips on what to see, eat, and do in the Eternal City.
Until next time,
Nancy
