Explore Italy With Collette

The Sistine Chapel is included in all tours of the Vatican Museums. Please note that it is not possible to visit the Sistine Chapel independently; you can only visit as part of a Vatican Museums tour.

Traveling to Italy with dietary restrictions is manageable and enjoyable! Many restaurants are accommodating and offer a variety of naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options. Please communicate any dietary needs when you book your tour. You should also share dietary restrictions with your Tour Manager once they contact you before the trip.

Italy, being one of the world's top travel destinations, often has busy tourist sites, so travelers should be ready to navigate through crowds. In many historical centers, coaches are prohibited, necessitating significant walking over uneven cobblestone paths and navigating stairs without railings.

Italy is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences. April – May is one of the best times to visit, with mild weather, blooming flowers, and fewer tourists. June – August is peak tourist season, with warm to hot weather; major cities can be crowded and hot. September – October is another excellent time to visit, with pleasant temperatures, harvest festivals, and fewer crowds. November – March is considered off-season, with cooler temperatures, fewer tourists, and often offer lower tour prices.

Tourism in Italy is booming, making many museums such as the Academy Museum extremely popular. As a result, securing entrance for a group at a specific time can be challenging. On tours when we have limited time in Florence, we will provide free time for travelers to arrange their own entrance to the attractions. This allows you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and make the most of your visit.

Unless otherwise specified, Collette tours include a standard ticket to the Colosseum, which grants access to the ground and first level, featuring exhibitions and views of the arena floor. The ticket also includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, allowing you to explore ancient Rome's historical sites. Even with timed ticket entrance, the group may need to line up and wait for entrance to the site.

The Venice Access fee is designed for day visitors who do not stay overnight, helping to manage tourist flow and preserve the city's infrastructure. For Collette tours that include a day trip to Venice, Collette will handle the payment of any applicable fees.

Hotel rooms in Italy, particularly in historic areas where space is limited, are often smaller than standard hotel rooms. And single rooms are even more compact. Bathrooms typically feature high bathtubs with handheld shower attachments. Washcloths are often not provided, so pack some if you prefer to use them. Air conditioning is not available in all hotels. In general, air conditioning may only be operational during the summer months.

In addition to your Tour Manager, you will also meet up with Local Guides. Having a Local Guide by your side means that you get all the benefits of having an insider show you around. Since they call the destination home, they can provide you with an insider’s scoop on everything from the best place to find authentic cuisine to how to spot a rare and exotic bird high up in the treetops.