...because we want to share “our” Italy with you instead: the less-known places that intrigue us, the people who make up our incredibly diverse country, the delicious foods that trace their roots to our Greek, Roman, Arabic, Spanish, French, and barbarian ancestors, and to the foreign cultures who made their home in the Bel Paese throughout the centuries. Because Italy is not one country but many, and each region — each village! — has its own unique culture, foods and traditions to discover and enjoy.
So, by all means, visit the Colosseum, marvel at Michelangelo’s David, and take a gondola tour on the Canal Grande.
Then come with us to see “our” Italy. We’ll be here, ready to surprise you.
Living over three decades abroad — first in Germany, then in the United States — has gifted me with new eyes through which I can see Italy both as a native Italian, and as an admiring foreigner. We Italians are used to the beauty surrounding us, to the point that we often don’t see it anymore. The first tour I created for my American guests has made me keenly aware of the richness of my home country, sparking the unquenchable curiosity and awe behind each and every one of my tours.
We are happy to offer these trips again and personalize them to your interests
Sicily: Crossroads of the Mediterranean
May 2026
Vicenza & Palladian Villas
October 2025
Piemonte & Aosta Valley
June 2025
Sardinia
May/June 2024
Marche
May 2023
Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast
May 2016
Hear what our guests have to say
Our small tour sizes allow a level of attention to our guests’ needs and desires that is just not possible with a larger group. Our groups are limited to 14 travelers so we can listen to every one of our guests before and during each trip, creating the best possible experience. This allows us to find unexpected little gems, organize customized events based on your interests and passions, and choose boutique hotels and delicious gourmet restaurants that don’t accept larger groups.
That is really where our passion lies: surprising and delighting our guests with events and experiences carefully created just for them, and to help them discover the true heart of Italy.
Delizioso! IHG trips are full of experiences that bring you close to the people of the region who are proud to share their traditions. It’s a great way to travel, learn, and get acquainted with Italy and its people. I highly recommend it.
Carol F
A wonderful vacation [...] excellent planning, no rush, no need of constant packing to move on to the next destination, so typical of many tours, excellent food, great wine, very friendly and helpful guides and drivers. I highly recommend Laura's tours.
Robert & Gertrude
One of the best vacations I’ve ever had! Laura was so kind and accommodating, going way beyond her tour guide "duties" [...] I was constantly in awe. I can’t recommend her tours enough and can’t wait for my next adventures through Italy with her! Highly recommended!!!
Veronica B
Your Tour Manager
Laura Vinti was born and raised in Italy. After spending 17 years in
Heidelberg, Germany, and 15 years in Fairfax, VA, she now lives in Florence, where she organizes tours
to Italy and teaches Italian Language and Culture to American students studying abroad. In the past, she
taught at the universities of Heidelberg and Mannheim in Germany, at George Mason University in Fairfax,
VA, and at the Florence campuses of Gonzaga University and Syracuse University. Laura’s passions include
history, art, and writing; discovering hidden treasures in Italy; and sharing her love of her home
country and its history with anyone who will listen.
Laura holds an MA in Foreign Languages and Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing.
Contact Us
What part of Italy do you want to explore next?
Sicily: Crossroads of the Mediterranean
Duration:
13 days
Date:
May 2026
Group size:
12-14 travelers
A trip through Sicily’s cultural, natural, and culinary heritage. This tour is designed to provide a deeper understanding of Sicily, its history and culture, as well as the chance to learn about local skills and traditions.
Trip highlights:
The ancient Phoenician and Greek cities of Palermo and Syracuse, including visits to noble palaces and architectural landmarks
Experience authentic Sicilian street food and dishes like cannoli, cassata, and arancine
A Pupi performance, a puppet theater featuring Sicily’s traditional marionnettes
Taste and make your own Modica chocolate based on an ancient Arabic method
A private boat trip along one of the most picturesque coastlines of Italy
A day at a countryside villa immersed in Sicilian traditions accompanied by live music and food
Farewell dinner with live music
Vicenza & Palladian Villas
Duration:
3 days
Date:
October 2025
Group size:
2 travelers (custom trip)
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto”, whose immense cultural influence can be seen even across the Atlantic Ocean in the architecture of the early United States, such as Thomas Jefferson's iconic home of Monticello.
Trip highlights:
Private walking tour of Vicenza, including Palladio’s Teatro Olimpico
Visits to the most beautiful Palladian villas, including two villas not usually open to the public
Piemonte & Aosta Valley
Duration:
13 days
Date:
June 2025
Group size:
8-12 travelers
Nestled at the foot of the Alps, Piemonte is full of a rich culinary and cultural heritage, in part due to the presence of Turin, unified Italy's first capital and royal seat. The surrounding area of rolling hills is a wine- and hazelnut-lover's paradise, while the mountaineers among us will feel right at home in the neighboring Aosta Valley's alpine landscapes.
Trip highlights:
Hands-on experience at the Lavazza coffee museum
Cooking class during which we’ll create (and enjoy!) a 3-course dinner
Visit to the Langhe wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional expedition on the panoramic SkyWay to a summit near Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe
Private cruise of Lake Maggiore with visit to the islets of Isola Bella and Isola Madre
Sardinia is a world in itself, with its own language, culture, food, and traditions. Home to a variety of ecosystems, languages and landscapes ranging from pristine beaches to rolling hills and towering mountains, Sardinia has been dubbed a micro-continent. Slow down and appreciate beauty, nature, good company, and the delights of a rich culinary tradition: toasting with a hearty glass of Cannonau red wine, you’ll find it easy to understand why Sardinians have the healthiest, longest lifespan of any country on Earth!
Trip highlights:
Visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Barumini, the most complex nuraghe in Sardinia
Visit to the Phoenician city of Nora
Sardinian honey presentation and tasting
Option to attend an evening performance at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari
Private boat trip along the stunning coastline around Alghero
Marche
Duration:
15 days
Date:
May 2023
Group size:
10 travelers
The Marche is still a largely unknown region, even within Italy, and yet it is connected to a wealth of its cultural and artistic heritage. The birthplace of emperors and composers, it hosts not only artistic marvels but also natural preserves and seaside attractions.
Trip highlights:
Guided tours of the main cities and towns, meals of finely prepared regional dishes, and tastings of local products
Nature walking tour in the Conero Regional Park with a certified naturalist guide
Sensorial experience with an artisan shoemaker
“Aperitivo in musica”: half-day event with live traditional music, dances, and a local meal
Farewell party with in a medieval hamlet nestled in the woods around an 11th century watchtower
Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast
Duration:
14 days
Date:
May 2016
Group size:
8 travelers
When we organized this tour in 2016, Naples was still a city most travel companies avoided, mainly considered a place to fly to and to leave as soon as possible in order to visit Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento. Together we explored the hidden beauty of Naples and its surroundings that the world had mostly overlooked. Today, Naples has become a major tourist attraction, visited yearly by 12 million Italian and foreign tourists.
Trip highlights:
Sightseeing tour of Naples and dinner at a local home
Cruise to Capri and overnight stay on our own galleon
Tour of lemon grove and making of limoncello
Visit to a shipyard with introduction to the traditional boatbuilding techniques of Sorrento
Trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paestum, with excavations and Archeological Museum
A journey through the heart of Southern Tuscany and Umbria, designed for travelers who appreciate authentic stays, gentle cultural visits, food & wine experiences, and time to relax in the countryside.
Trip highlights:
Discover Pienza, UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 1500s on the principles of Renaissance urban planning
Taste local specialties, including Pecorino cheese, Brunello wine, Umbrian olive oil, and artisanal chocolate
Sail on Lake Trasimeno and enjoy lunch on Isola Maggiore
Visit iconic Tuscan and Umbrian towns including Montepulciano, Siena, Arezzo, and Perugia, and discover some of their less-known corners
Farewell dinner with live music
All of our tours include stays in 4-plus-star hotels or equivalent, visits led by certified tour guides, and the 24/7 services of your tour manager Laura to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.
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Ancient Italy: Etruscans, Romans, and Medieval Splendor
Duration:
13 days
Date:
April 7-19, 2027
Group size:
10-14 travelers
A journey through the soul of Central Italy, exploring the legacy of the Etruscans, the grandeur of ancient Rome, and the artistic and spiritual heritage of the Middle Ages. Designed at a balanced pace, this tour combines history, art, authentic traditions, and some of Italy’s most enchanting landscapes.
Trip highlights:
Explore the extraordinary Etruscan necropolises of Tarquinia and Cerveteri, UNESCO World Heritage Sites offering a unique glimpse into one of Italy’s earliest civilizations
Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este in Tivoli, masterpieces of Roman architecture and Renaissance garden design
Discover the medieval beauty of Viterbo, Orvieto, Perugia, and Siena, with their cathedrals, historic centers, and artistic treasures
Experience the spiritual atmosphere of Assisi, home of St. Francis and some of Italy’s finest medieval frescoes
Enjoy the rolling hills, vineyards, and timeless villages of the Val d’Orcia and Renaissance Pienza
Visit the fascinating Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo, one of the most imaginative and unusual gardens of the Italian Renaissance
Enjoy authentic regional cuisine, local wines, chocolate tasting in Perugia, and traditional Tuscan and Umbrian hospitality
Farewell dinner celebrating the history, beauty, and flavors of Central Italy
All of our tours include stays in 4-plus-star hotels or equivalent, visits led by certified tour guides, and the 24/7 services of your tour manager Laura to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip.
Save your spot now with a deposit! We are offering an early bird rate until Sep 30, 2026!