Tour guides Italy

5 ideas for guided tours in Italy

• Cinque Terre

  

  Along the Ligurian coast, the Cinque Terre stretch out like a mosaic of villages clinging to the cliffs. Each one keeps its own character, with bright colors and narrow lanes. What stays with you is the blend of human touch and raw landscape, where sea and stone seem to speak to each other.

  In Monterosso, the largest of the five, you’ll find a lively beach, ochre-colored houses, and the scent of local cooking drifting through the air by late afternoon. A bit further along, Vernazza charms with its tiny amphitheater-shaped harbor, where boats sway gently at the foot of tightly packed houses.

  The trails linking Corniglia and Manarola offer views that shift with every step — terraced vineyards, olive trees, sheer cliffs blending into the horizon. Arriving in Manarola, whether by sea or by foot, is always striking, as if the village were perched right on the edge of the void.

  Finally, Riomaggiore brings the journey to a close with its maze of alleys and endless staircases. Here, you really feel the ruggedness of the land and the deep bond between the locals and their home. The Cinque Terre are meant to be explored slowly, like notes that come together to form a single melody.

• Thermal Springs of Saturnia

  

  In southern Tuscany, the thermal waters of Saturnia have been flowing since ancient times, shaping a truly unique landscape. The warm, slightly sulfurous water cascades naturally into pools carved into the rock, inviting visitors to sit and soak as if time itself had hollowed them out.

  These springs, with a temperature that stays constant year-round, are an invitation to slow down. You’ll meet travelers from afar alongside locals who have been coming here forever. The rising steam against the stillness of the surrounding countryside leaves a lasting impression.

  The area around Saturnia is also worth exploring. The medieval village of Saturnia, perched nearby, offers quiet stone streets and a timeless atmosphere. A few kilometers away, Montemerano reveals its well-preserved architecture and a central square where time seems to stand still.

  Further south, the town of Pitigliano, perched on a volcanic tuff spur, amazes with its dramatic silhouette carved into the rock. Linking these stops with a visit to Saturnia’s thermal waters is a way of combining nature, history, and slowness — as though each stop completes the others.

• Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands

  

  Nestled at the foot of the Alps, straddling Switzerland and the regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, Lake Maggiore stretches for 65 km from Sesto Calende to Magadino, with a width of up to 5 km. Its shores are lined with wooded hills, mountains, lush gardens, and charming villages. In the middle of the lake lie the five Borromean Islands.

  Three of them can be visited by ferry from the town of Stresa: Isola Madre, Isola Pescatori, and Isola Bella. Each one boasts stunning palaces and gardens. From Stresa, you can also take a cable car up to Mount Mottarone at 1,491 meters for one of the most spectacular views of the Po Valley. The area is also perfect for beautiful hikes along well-maintained trails.

• Lake Como

  

  Lake Como, just an hour’s drive from Milan, is a renowned destination where much of the jet set comes to spend their holidays. But this place has long been beloved by artists of all kinds. Composers like Giuseppe Verdi and Gioachino Rossini, as well as writer Gustave Flaubert, were frequent visitors.

  Its natural beauty is well preserved, with stunning gardens and villages full of charm. The main starting point for exploring the lake is the town of Como, where a cable car takes you up to Brunate.

  From there, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and scenic walks along well-marked trails. One of the most enjoyable routes is the “Greenway Lago di Como,” a 10 km path that follows the lakeshore between the villages of Colonno and Cadenabbia, passing through some of the most picturesque little towns along the way.

• The Dolomites

  

  This mountain range, located in the far north of Italy near the Austrian border, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  Its dramatic peaks and towering spires create an extraordinary sight, and its mountain landscapes are considered among the most beautiful in the world. The Dolomites offer travelers endless opportunities for hiking and cycling adventures.

  In winter, it becomes a skier’s paradise. One of the most famous routes starts from the Tre Croci Pass and leads to Lago di Sorapis, winding through forests and skirting sheer cliffs along the way.