Italy and Rome tour packages

Your questions about Rome tour packages, answered

Planning your Italy and Rome tour package is exciting – and we want it to feel that way from the very first click. We’ve put together answers to the questions we hear most often below. You can also check out our Italy travel guide for more local tips and practical advice.

And here’s some peace of mind upfront: when you choose us, you can Book With Confidence, knowing your payments are protected. Curious about the details? You’ll find them in our booking terms and FAQs.

1. What’s the best way to explore Rome and beyond with Nordic Visitor?

We offer two ways to experience Italy: self-drive and small group tours.

On a self-drive tour, we hand you the keys to a rental car from a trusted partner, and you set the pace. Take the wheel with confidence, knowing that our experts in Rome are available 24/7 during your trip, should you need them. You’ll also get a personalised itinerary, hand-marked route map, and our detailed Italy travel guide.

You can linger where you like, stop when something catches your eye, and take the scenic road when the mood strikes. Our travel consultants book all your accommodation and any planned activities in advance, so the trip is ready when you are.

On our small group tours, join a group of up to just 16 like-minded people. Led by an English-speaking guide, you’ll explore Italy in a comfortable minibus, getting insider knowledge from a local as you go.

Group trips also include activities, such as city walking tours, gondola rides, entry to attractions like the private balcony of Florence Cathedral, and lunch at a Tuscan winery.

However you decide to travel, you’ll get the same quality of accommodation and benefit from our Italy-based team. It’s really about how you’d prefer to experience Italy.

2. What are the best places to visit in Rome?

Rome is one of those cities that genuinely delivers. No matter how many times you’ve seen the photos, the real thing still stops you in your tracks.

Here are the highlights worth building your days around:

• The Colosseum – the ancient world’s greatest arena, built in 70 AD
• The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill – where emperors once lived (it’s quieter than the Colosseum and worth taking your time)
• The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel – home to Michelangelo’s famous ceiling and a labyrinth of galleries that takes longer than most people expect
• St. Peter’s Basilica – free to enter and genuinely awe-inspiring
• The Pantheon – nearly 2,000 years old and still standing (arrive early for the best experience)
• The Trevi Fountain – smaller than you might expect, and all the more striking for it (go early morning to beat the daytime crowds)
• Piazza Navona – a good spot for an evening passeggiata (stroll)
• Trastevere – Rome’s most characterful neighbourhood

Good to know: The big-ticket sites – the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel – all have timed entry slots that sell out quickly in peak season. Booking a guided tour in advance sorts your entry and skips the queues. Your travel consultant can help with this.

3. What’s the best time of year for a trip to Italy?

April to October is a great time to visit Italy, with warm days, long evenings, and most attractions fully open.

April, May, and September are particularly good: the Tuscan countryside is green and lush, the heat is manageable, and the famous hilltop towns are quieter than during peak season. October brings cooler temperatures and a more peaceful feel, especially in the countryside.

July and August are the warmest months and can be busy in the major cities, though the Amalfi Coast and the lakes are at their best at this time of year.

Read our weather and climate guide to learn more. Or check out this blog on the best time to visit Italy if you’d like to plan around a specific season.

4. How long should I spend in Italy?

That depends on how much you want to see – and how you want to pace your trip.

Our shortest packages are around 7 days, which is enough for Rome, Tuscany, and either the Amalfi Coast or Florence and Venice. With 10 days, you can take things at a more comfortable pace and weave in Umbria, Pisa, or a deeper dive into wine country. Meanwhile, with 2 weeks or more, you could add the northern lakes – Como and Garda – on top of the classics.

We can also extend your tour at key overnight stops. Just add extra nights when you book online, or mention it to your travel consultant.

5. Can I customise my Italy and Rome tour package?

Yes – and most people do.

The most popular changes are adding extra nights at a stop you love: more time in Rome before heading north, an extra day in Florence, or a longer stay on Lake Como.

You can also add optional experiences at the booking stage, from a guided Colosseum tour and a Vatican Museums visit to a gondola ride in Venice and a Tuscany winery experience.

Want extra nights in Milan? Or a later departure from a different city? Just let your travel consultant know. We build tours around people.

6. Can I take a cooking class as part of my Italy tour package?

Yes – and it’s one of the most popular optional additions.

Choose from Italian cooking classes in Rome and Florence. Add them to any self-drive tour at the booking stage. The Rome class covers pizza and gelato-making. Meanwhile, the Florence class focuses on making fresh pasta. Both classes take around 3 hours.

Some tours already include cooking classes and wine tastings. Check the “What’s included” tab on the tour you’re interested in to see what’s already built into the itinerary.

7. What are the must-try foods in Italy?

A great question, and one we take seriously. Here are some tips to get you started:

• In Rome: carbonara (egg and guanciale – never cream), cacio e pepe, and supplì (crispy fried rice balls)
• In Naples: pizza margherita, eaten standing up at a counter if you can manage it
• In Tuscany: pici pasta, Pecorino cheese from Pienza, Fiorentina steak, and Vino Nobile from Montepulciano
• In Florence: a glass of Chianti at a pavement table, and a scoop of gelato from the place locals go
• In Venice: cicchetti (small plates of bruschetta, seafood, and cheese) in the canal-side bàcari wine bars

A good rule of thumb? Follow your nose, trust the handwritten daily specials, and say yes to the local wine. Find out more in this guide to food in Italy.

8. What should I do to prepare for my trip?

Your personalised travel documents will be waiting for you at your first hotel – your day-by-day itinerary, hotel vouchers, and your Italy travel guide packed with insider tips on what to see and eat at each stop. You’ll also have access to your trip information online via your guest portal before you travel.

Here are a few practical things worth sorting in advance:

• If you’re going on a self-drive trip and are a non-EU licence holder, you’ll need to arrange your International Driving Permit
• Pre-book attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Accademia Gallery if visiting in peak season
• Notify your bank of your travel dates
• Check visa requirements for Italy/the Schengen Area

For more practical information, check out our Italy travel guide.

9. How do I book an Italy tour package with Nordic Visitor?

Start by browsing our Italy tour packages and choosing the one that appeals most. Select your travel dates and party size to get your personalised price. Or, get in touch with the Rome team – they love talking all things Italy and would love to hear from you.

Your travel consultant will confirm availability, answer any questions, and discuss any changes you’d like to make. Once you’re happy, we’ll send your confirmation email with your full itinerary, next steps, and everything you need.

We recommend waiting to book your flights until after we confirm your itinerary and tour dates.