Self-guided tours of Italy

Your questions about self-guided Italy tours, answered

Scroll on for answers to the questions we hear most often about planning a trip to Italy. For more practical advice and local tips, check out our Italy travel guide.

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 is a self-guided tour of Italy?

A self-guided tour gives you the freedom of independent travel without the stress of planning everything yourself.

Travel with us, and you can choose from self-drive road trips and rail tours. We arrange the rental car or rail tickets, book the hotels, map the route and send you a personalised itinerary packed with local recommendations. You set the pace, decide where to stop for lunch, and choose how long to linger at the Colloseum.

Plus, you can relax, knowing we’re in the background the entire time – available 24/7 if you need us.

2. What parts of Italy can I visit on a self-guided tour?

Quite a lot of it, as it happens.

Our self-drive tours of Italy cover a wide range of the country. Depending on the itinerary, you could explore these top spots across the country:

• Central Italy – Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Venice
• The south – Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Capri
• The north – Milan, Lake Como, Lake Garda

Meanwhile, our multi-country train tours weave their way from Northern Italy into Switzerland and Austria. Learn more about why train is a great way to explore Italy and beyond in this round-up of Europe's most hyped rail journeys

3. What are the best things to do in Italy?

A trip to Italy will be memorable no matter how you fill your days. Set your clock by the smell of espresso at 8 AM, fresh pasta at lunch, and wood-fired pizza at midnight.

Here are some things to do and places to go on an independent tour of Italy:

1. Visit the Colosseum and walk the ancient floors of the Roman Forum
2. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, then lose yourself in Piazza Navona’s baroque surroundings
3. Explore the Vatican City – the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and world-class museums
4. Drive Tuscany’s cypress-lined roads and visit sun-soaked Chianti vineyards
5. Wander Siena’s shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s most beautiful squares
6. Marvel at Florence Cathedral’s floating dome, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Uffizi
7. Stand before Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia – photos simply don’t prepare you
8. Glide along Venice's  Grand Canal and follow the Bridge of Sighs into another century
9. Take the ferry between Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como
10. Drive the Amalfi Coast – cliffside villages, turquoise water and the ruins of Pompeii await

For more inspiration, check out this article on the top cities to visit in Italy.

4. What is the best time of year to visit Italy?

Between April and October is the best time to visit Italy, with warm days, long evenings, and most attractions fully open.

Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are particularly good: comfortable temperatures, a quieter atmosphere, and in autumn, Tuscany’s harvest season is in full swing. Summer (June to August) is busier, but there’s something special about a summer evening in Rome or an aperitivo by Lake Como at dusk.

To learn more, read this blog on the best time to visit or dive into our guide to the weather in Italy.

5. How long should I spend on a self-guided tour of Italy?

7 days gives you enough time to get a genuine flavour of Italy – Rome, Florence and Venice are all doable in a week. But 10 to 14 days or more gives you breathing space. You’ll have time for overnights in Tuscany, or a day or two by the likes of Lake Garda and Garda.

If you’re not sure which length is right for you, just get in touch – our travel consultants will help you choose the trip that’s right for you.

6. What’s the difference between a self-drive tour and a train tour?

On a self-drive tour, you pick up a rental car on arrival and follow a route at your own pace – stopping whenever something catches your eye. It’s the ideal way to discover Tuscany’s back roads, the Amalfi Coast and smaller towns that trains can’t reach.

Meanwhile, independent train tours are built around Italy’s scenic rail network. Combine time in Italy with world-famous Swiss train routes, such as the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. You don’t need to worry about driving – just board, settle in, and watch the Alps slide past the window.

Both styles include the same personalised planning, handpicked hotels, and 24/7 support.

7. Can I customise my self-guided Italy tour?

Yes. Every self-guided tour is a starting point, not a fixed itinerary.

You can add extra nights at any destinations along the way, and weave in optional experiences. For instance, tailor your tour by adding a cooking class in Rome, a wine tasting in the Chianti hills, or a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace in Venice with skip-the-line access.

Your travel consultant will shape the itinerary around what matters to you.

8. What’s included in a Nordic Visitor self-guided Italy tour?

Every tour includes:

• A personalised day-by-day itinerary designed by your travel consultant
• Handpicked accommodation with daily breakfast
• Italy travel guide packed with local recommendations and practical tips
• Support throughout your trip via our 24/7 helpline

On a self-drive trip, you’ll also get:

• Rental car with unlimited mileage, CDW insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and coverage for 2 drivers

Or choose a train tour, and expect:

• Pre-arranged rail tickets, with first-class seats whenever possible

Some trips also include food tours or wine tastings. Check the individual tour pages for what’s included in each package.

9. What happens if something goes wrong during my trip?

Call our 24/7 helpline to speak to a Rome-based travel expert, day or night.

If something unexpected comes up. For instance, if an activity needs rebooking, a route needs adjusting, or you just need local advice on the spot – someone who knows Italy is always at the end of the line. You’ll never be left to sort things out alone.