Tours

Tours we'd book again


Small-group and private tours only, from our own trips, each one highly rated (4.7 or more). Read the story first, or go straight to the tour.

Italy

The tiers and underground passages inside the Colosseum under white clouds
Rome · Our favourite

Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome by LivTours

Semi-private, max 6 · about 3 hours · rated 4.9 on Viator

In through the Gladiator's Gate and out onto the arena floor, then the Forum and the Palatine. The Colosseum tour we'd book again first.

Looking down into the Colosseum's underground passages from the arena level
Rome · The tour we took

Colosseum Underground & Roman Forum

Small group, max 6 · about 3 hours · rated 4.9 on Viator

Down into the passages beneath the arena. The one for history lovers, or for a second visit.

A frescoed and gilded ceiling arch in the Vatican Museums
Vatican City · The tour we took

Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's

Small group · about 3 hours · headsets included · rated 4.9 on Viator

Busy, yes, but go early: sculpture courtyards, golden ceilings, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's, with a guide you can actually hear.

Tables under a wisteria-covered pergola on a Chianti winery terrace
Florence · The private day we took

Private Chianti wine day by Tuscany Excursions

Private, only the two of you · a full day from Florence · fully tailor-made

Tastings, scenery and a very long lunch, at your own pace.

A glass of red wine at a Chianti Classico tasting
Florence · The tour we took

Small-Group Chianti Wine Tasting

Small group · about 4 hours 45 minutes · two Chianti Classico wineries · rated 4.9 on Viator

A lovely, good-value afternoon in the Chianti hills with the logistics handled.

Greece

Hadrian's Arch in Athens under a blue sky
Athens · The tour we took

Athens Highlights: a Mythological Tour by Alternative Athens

Small group · about 4 hours · meets at Hadrian's Arch · rated 4.8 on Viator

The Acropolis early, before the heat, with the stories that make the temples come alive.

Turquoise water at a quiet anchorage off Antiparos
Paros · A boat day like ours

Small-Group Cruise Around Antiparos & Despotiko

Small group on a traditional wooden kaiki (about 14 guests) · about 6¾ hours · lunch included · rated 4.9 on Viator

Our best day in Greece was a private boat day around Antiparos. If you can't book one, this is the small-group version we'd choose.

Spain

Tree-like columns and coloured light inside the Sagrada Família
Barcelona · A tour like ours

Sagrada Família Small-Group Tour, Skip the Line

Small group, max 15 · about 1¾ hours · skip-the-line entry · rated 4.8 on Viator

The way to see Gaudí's basilica inside, with the light pouring through the stained glass.

Two glasses raised on the deck of a sailing yacht off Mallorca
Mallorca · A sail like ours

Midday or Sunset Sailing from Palma

Small group, max 10, or the whole yacht privately · about 4 hours · rated 4.7 on Viator

A day out on the water from Palma, with light snacks and an open bar.

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