We couldn’t be happier with the tours we selected for our 12-day trip to Italy. By choosing some of the best tours in Venice, Florence, and Rome, we were able to experience the highlights of each city without wasting time in long lines or wondering what to see next. In fact, I actually planned our entire itinerary with the help of ChatGPT—something I wrote about in my last post, How I Planned My 12-Day Italy Itinerary with ChatGPT. From skip-the-line palace tours in Venice to unforgettable day trips through Tuscany and early entrance to the Vatican, these experiences helped us make the most of our adventure. If you’re planning your own Italy itinerary, here’s a look at the tours we booked (and loved!).
Venice
Skip-the-Line St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Tour in Venice
This tour was fantastic, and we were lucky to start early in the morning before the heat set in. In my opinion, Doge’s Palace is a must-see in Venice. The tour isn’t short (and there are several staircases), but it’s worth every step. The palace is filled with incredible artwork—room after room of paintings, sculptures, and grand halls. By the end of the tour, I could easily spot a Doge in any painting thanks to their distinctive hat! One highlight was crossing the Bridge of Sighs into the old prison, imagining the many who had crossed before us.
👉 We booked this Skip-the-Line Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica guided tour and highly recommend it if you want to make the most of your time in Venice.
➡️ Looking for other ideas? Browse more Venice tours here.
Murano and Burano Tours from Venice
What a special experience—exploring more of the Venetian lagoon! (Fun fact: Venice actually has 118 islands.) On this tour, we visited Murano, famous for its glassmaking, and Burano, with its colorful houses and lace-making tradition.
Unfortunately, the weather was brutal (98–100°F most days), so wandering in the open sun wasn’t exactly comfortable. We did our best but mostly found shade and enjoyed the slower pace.
👉 We took this half-day Murano glassblowing and Burano guided boat tour. Even though the heat slowed us down, exploring these colorful islands was unforgettable.
➡️ If you’d like more island experiences, see other Venice island tours here.
Florence
Best Tuscany Day Trip from Florence (Siena, Winery, San Gimignano & Pisa)
I almost didn’t book this tour after reading mixed reviews—but in the end, I’m glad we did! That said, it’s a long day (closer to 13+ hours for us). The heat didn’t help either, especially in one sun-drenched town with no shade or air conditioning. But despite that, we still loved the variety of experiences packed into one day.
- Siena: We happened to visit just before the Palio di Siena (the famous horse race), so we got to walk across the track where the horses run—such a unique experience. Siena’s history and charm definitely left us wanting to return.
- Tuscany winery lunch: A highlight! We rode through rolling hills, enjoyed a delicious multi-course meal, and sampled 3–4 wines. Since it was “Big Mama’s place,” you can bet it was authentic and delicious.
- San Gimignano: Known for its medieval towers, but on this 100° day we chose a shady tree, cold drinks, and people-watching instead. Sometimes that’s the best way to experience a place.
- Pisa: Despite our exhaustion, this stop amazed us. We climbed the Leaning Tower (yes, it really leans—you feel it with every step of the spiral staircase!). It was an unforgettable moment and well worth including.
👉 We joined this full-day Tuscany highlights tour from Florence. It’s long, but worth it for the variety: Siena, a winery lunch, San Gimignano, and Pisa all in one.
➡️ Want to explore other day trips? Browse top Tuscany tours here.
Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery
A trip to Florence isn’t complete without seeing Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery. No photo can capture the awe of standing before this masterpiece.
We booked timed-entry tickets with a digital audio guide, which was perfect. It allowed us to move at our own pace, linger on what we liked, and skip what didn’t grab us. It was very crowded (a downside of summer travel), but still an absolute highlight.
And while a photo is nice, it is simply an entirely different experience in person.
👉 We booked a timed-entry ticket to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. Having the audio guide made it easy to go at our own pace.
➡️ For more art and culture, see additional Florence museum tours here.
Florence Duomo After-Hours Tour (VIP Dome Climb)
This tour was truly special. We started at 6pm, giving us the rare chance to explore the Florence Cathedral and climb Brunelleschi’s Dome at closing time.
- Private access: We climbed up to the dome, paced by our guide, and stepped onto special terraces with jaw-dropping views over Florence.
- Insider insight: Our expert guide shared stories of Florentine art and architecture, including how Michelangelo’s David was originally intended for the cathedral’s roof (thankfully, that plan was reconsidered!).
- Unforgettable ending: We were the very last people to leave the cathedral—literally locking the doors behind us.
👉 We did this after-hours Duomo climb and dome experience. Ending the night as the very last people in the cathedral was something we’ll never forget.
➡️ Curious about other Florence highlights? Browse Florence tours here.
Rome
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour in Rome
You can’t go to Rome and not see the Colosseum. Even in the sweltering heat (9:30am and already blazing), it was incredible to stand inside this monumental amphitheater. Our guide brought it to life with stories of gladiator battles, wild animal hunts, and even staged sea battles—events that could last up to 100 days!
The tour also included Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, often considered the best part. Walking through the ancient ruins where Rome’s political and religious life once thrived felt like stepping back in time. Despite centuries of disasters and looting, these sites remain iconic symbols of Rome’s enduring history.
👉 We joined this Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill guided tour. Standing inside the Colosseum while hearing stories of gladiators and sea battles was unforgettable.
➡️ Check out other Rome ancient history tours here.
Early Entrance Vatican Tour (Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica)
We thought we were beating the crowds with this “early entrance” tour… but apparently hundreds of others had the same idea! Still, it’s a must-do in Rome.
The Vatican is packed with art and history—honestly, an art lover’s dream. For me, it felt a bit long, especially in the heat, but the highlights made it all worthwhile:
- Visiting the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.
- Entering St. Peter’s Basilica just as a service with many cardinals was taking place (no Pope sighting, though we were looking!).
👉 We booked this early-access Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tour. Even with the crowds, it was incredible to see these masterpieces in relative peace.
➡️ Find more Vatican and Rome tours here.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade a single experience. Each of these tours in Venice, Florence, and Rome gave us incredible memories—from standing beneath Michelangelo’s David to climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa and locking the doors of the Florence Duomo after hours.
Traveling by high-speed train made it all even easier (pro tip: book in advance for the best prices!). And for anyone planning a similar trip, I hope this roundup helps you choose the best tours for your own Italy adventure.
I actually planned our entire 12-day itinerary with the help of ChatGPT, and you can read about that here: How I Planned My 12-Day Italy Itinerary with ChatGPT.
Stay tuned—my next post will share the travel gear that made all the difference along the way.