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.
🎻 Bologna Experiences
- Private Tour with Context Travel
One of my favorite experiences in Bologna was exploring the city with Context Travel’s Sound of Bologna Music Tour. This unique tour dives into Bologna’s rich musical heritage, from its connection to famous composers to the city’s deep-rooted instrument-making traditions. One of the highlights was visiting a violin artisan workshop and learning about the craftsmanship behind these beautiful instruments. It’s a newer tour and a fantastic way to experience a side of Bologna many visitors miss.
Use my CODE: FANCYNANCISTA for 15% off
You can see my experience here: Bologna Tour Reel
Other Things to Do in Bologna
- Climb the Asinelli Tower for panoramic city views.
- Wander beneath Bologna’s famous porticoes (UNESCO-listed).
- Visit Piazza Maggiore and the Basilica di San Petronio.
- Explore the Quadrilatero food district.
- Take a day trip to Modena or Parma for food lovers.
📖 Verona
- Shakespeare’s Verona Literary Tour
If you’re a fan of literature, history, or simply want a different perspective on Verona, I highly recommend the Shakespeare’s Verona Literary Tour with Context Travel. This private walking tour explores the city through the lens of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet while also diving into the real history of Verona. I loved learning how the city inspired one of the world’s most famous love stories while discovering beautiful streets and landmarks along the way.
Use my CODE: FANCYNANCISTA for 15% off
You can watch my experience here: Verona Tour Reel
Other Things to Do in Verona
- Visit Juliet’s House and its famous balcony.
- Explore Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori.
- Walk across Ponte Pietra for beautiful river views.
- Visit the Verona Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in Italy.
- Climb Castel San Pietro for one of the best viewpoints in the city.
- Enjoy an aperitivo along the Adige River at sunset.
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
Comments (2)
Daniel Park
at
The idea that “not every activity is worth it” really resonated with me, especially when it comes to planning trips to popular destinations like Italy. As someone who’s always on the lookout for ways to optimize my travel experiences, I’ve found that considering the shoulder season can make a huge difference – not only can you avoid the crowds, but you can also save money on accommodations and tours. I’ve had some amazing experiences in Italy during the spring and autumn months, and I think it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking to make the most of your trip. The parallel between the cost of living in Italy and the cost of traveling there is something I have been thinking about because it seems like the prices of food and tours can fluctuate pretty significantly depending on the time of year – I wonder if the author has noticed this as well, and whether it’s something that factors into their planning process.
admin
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Yes, I agree you should def visit off-season! I never understood why it was even feasible to come in the summer as it’s VERY hot. I live in Spain, and the summer months are the worse tbh…