10 Memorable Experiences in Italy to Add to Your Bucket List

1. Book a Food Tour

A food tour is one of the experiences in Italy that is always on our list. We took a food tour in Florence during our first visit there, and ten years later, we are still talking about it.

We recommend taking a food tour in any of your travel destinations, but it is a must in Italy. Italy has some of the best food in the world!

Think about taking more than one food tour. Just because you plan to take a food tour in Rome doesn’t mean you can’t then do one in Florence. After all, the food differs from region to region and even city to city.

It’s a great way to learn about the local cuisine and culture while getting to know the city, especially if it’s your first visit. Guides usually include a walking tour as you stop at local markets, cafes, and restaurants.

The cost of a food tour is well worth it. You can substitute lunch or dinner with a food tour. You get fed plenty of delicious food and drinks during the tour, and you will be more than satisfied when it’s over.

Tour Options:
Experience food tours with local Italian guides: WithLocals
Italy Food Tours with Devour

– Don’t Miss: 10 Tantalizing Florence Foods to Eat –

2. Plan to do a Gondola Ride in Venice

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How many have dreamed of visiting Venice and taking a gondola ride?

A gondola ride in Venice is a unique experience in Italy. How many places can you take a gondola ride surrounded by the history and architecture that only the city of Venice can provide?

It may come off as touristy, but it’s pretty magical. While a gondola ride may not be cheap, it is worth it at least once.

It can also be an incredibly romantic experience as you glide through the canals with your partner.

Tip: See about taking a gondola ride during sunset for an even more magical experience; it may cost slightly more.

You’ll feel transported back in time as you ride through the canals. The buildings and bridges that line the waterways are truly a sight to behold. And, of course, there’s the bonus of being able to experience Venice from a unique perspective.

And gondola rides have been part of Venice’s history since the 11th century. While it has changed slightly throughout the years, it remains a significant part of the city’s culture.

Just be sure to choose your gondolier and take-off location with some thought. The best gondoliers are those who know how to weave a tale and make the experience even more magical.

3. Take a Cooking Class

Italy is home to some of the most iconic and delicious dishes globally. If you want to learn how to cook like a true Italian, taking a cooking class is a great way to start.

One of the great things about taking a cooking class in Italy is that it allows you to learn how to prepare a signature dish you love to eat. So when you start researching cooking classes, think about the dishes you enjoy. See if you can find a class that teaches you how to make it.

If you’re a beginner, consider taking a basic Italian cooking class. These classes teach you the fundamentals of Italian cuisine. You’ll learn about common ingredients, how to make classic dishes and the food’s history. 

Many classes will take you through the marketplaces where you can learn about the different ingredients used in Italian cooking. You’ll then return to the kitchen to learn how to use those ingredients and create the perfect dish you’ll later enjoy with a glass of wine.

This can be a fun experience for couples and families to share. You can also meet other travelers from all over the world that share the same love for food and cooking as you do.

Then take what you’ve learned and recreate it back at home. It’s one of those experiences that pays for itself repeatedly because every time you eat what you learned to make, you’ll always remember your time in Italy.

Tour Options:
Find an authentic cooking class or a dinner experience with locals in Italy at EatWith.

4. Winery Tour and Tastings

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A trip to Italy isn’t complete without a winery tour. After all, Italy is one of the world’s top wine producers.

You’ll enjoy visiting some of Italy’s best wineries as a beginner or a seasoned wine drinker. Many offer tours that take you through the vineyards and cellars. You’ll learn about how the grapes are grown, what makes the soil unique and how the wine is produced.

Of course, no winery tour is complete without a wine tasting. And depending on the winery, you may even try some rare or exclusive wines special to the vineyard.

Every region has its type of wines that they’re known for. So depending on where you are in Italy, you’ll be able to try something different. Consider taking a tour of the Tuscan wineries.

Tuscany is one of the most popular regions to visit in Italy. You’ll visit some of the most picturesque vineyards in Italy and enjoy some of the best Chianti.

Fun Fact: Did you know that in Tuscany there are 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Even if you don’t drink, you’ll find the wine-making process fascinating. And the wineries are absolutely stunning to walk through and spend some time in.

Read more: 3 Days in Tuscany Itinerary: Explore Val D’Orcia & Beyond

5. Private Boat Tour of the Almalfi Coast

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When we visited Capri for a day, we took a group boat tour of the island. It was a fantastic experience, but when we return, we’d like to do a private boat tour of the islands of the Almalfi Coast: Capri, Ischia, and Procida.

You can customize the itinerary on a private boat tour of the Amalfi coast. You can choose how long you want to spend at each stop, what type of tour you want, and sometimes what you want to eat or drink onboard.

We’ve heard that some of the best private boat tours include stops at the Blue Grotto, Green Grotto, White Grotto in Capri, and other nooks and caves. And during the summer months, you can stop for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

On a private boat tour, you can plan it at your own pace without sticking to someone else’s schedule. It’s intimate and perfect for couples or small groups of friends.

It’s a special way to get to know the Almalfi Coast from a different perspective. And it’s an experience in Italy that you’ll remember for years.

Do some research to find a reputable company that offers private boat tours in Capri. Read reviews and compare prices to find the right tour for you.

6. Eat Pizza in Naples

You’re going to find delicious pizza everywhere you go in Italy. You can find a different style of pizza in just about every city and town. But there’s something special about eating pizza in Naples, the birthplace of pizza.

The Neapolitan pizza is world-renowned for its thin, fluffy, and chewy crust with San Marzano tomatoes and Mozzarella di Bufala cheese. It’s a simple pizza that cooks in their wood-fired ovens in seconds.

Pizzaiolos (pizza makers) in Naples are true artists. They take great pride in their craft.

There are plenty of great pizzerias to choose from in Naples. But one of the most popular is L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, one of the oldest pizzerias in Naples. Make sure you get there early because the line starts forming well before opening.

Eating pizza in Naples is one of those experiences in Italy you don’t want to miss when you visit Naples.

In Naples, also look out for their fried pizza, pizza fritta. It reminds me of a fried calzone. This popular street food that locals love is worth trying.

7. Night Tour of the Colosseum

Upon our visit to Rome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Colosseum was the one site that truly left us in awe. It’s hard to believe that something enormous and well-preserved could be almost 2000 years old.

It’s an incredible feat of engineering and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome for a reason. While the tour of the Colosseum during the day was an incredible experience, one experience we have on our list is a night tour of the Colosseum.

A night tour of the Colosseum includes a guided tour of the interior and exterior of the amphitheater and access to areas usually off-limits to the public. It’s a small group tour, so you’ll get personal attention from your guide.

You’ll experience the Colosseum in a whole new light, literally. Seeing the Colosseum lit up at night from outside is already a cool experience. From inside, we can imagine it’s even more incredible. And possibly somewhat eerie.

The night tour of the Colosseum is one of those experiences in Italy that you may want to add to your Italy bucket list. You must book these special tours in advance.

Tour Option:
Colosseum Underground by Night: Semi-Private Tour with Arena Floor
[book here]

8. Christmas in Italy

Visiting Italy during Christmastime is high on our list. It looks magical with all the twinkling lights, festive decorations, local traditions, and Christmas markets.

Christmas in Italy is a special time, and locals know how to celebrate. They take the holidays seriously, and you’ll find that many businesses close down on the days. So if you’re in Italy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we recommend staying in accommodations where you can plan to cook dinner as restaurants are closed.

One of the best ways to experience Christmas in Italy is to attend Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Christmas Eve. It’s a special mass that includes a live orchestra and choir. After the mass, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and greet Pope Francis as he greets the attendees in St. Peter’s Square.

Of course, if you’re not staying in Rome, you can find the local cathedral in any town or city and attend their Christmas Eve mass.

Every city in Italy celebrates Christmas a little differently, so it’s an experience in Italy that you’ll want to add to your list, no matter what city you’re visiting. Without a doubt, it will be a Christmas to remember.

9. Early Morning Walks

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Early morning walks in any city in Italy are truly a unique and special experience. In these quiet and peaceful moments, you can take in the city without the crowds and commotion of daytime hours. It’s mostly just the city and you.

You’ll see locals going about their normal routines, chatting at the local cafes, and heading off to work or school. And as you stroll past some of the most famous tourist attractions, you’ll get to admire them without battling other tourists for space. Giving you a chance to take those photos you always dreamed of taking.

Whether exploring ancient ruins or simply enjoying a stroll through town, there’s something wonderful about getting up early to experience it. We love to do this when we are in Florence and Rome.

So if you’re looking for a unique way to experience Italy, set your alarm clock early and take an early morning walk where you’re staying in Italy. We highly recommend getting up early to enjoy a few hours exploring on your own before the city wakes up.

You’ll always think back to that special time between you in the city.

10. Experience an Italian Farm Stay

One of the experiences in Italy on our bucket list is staying on a working farm or vineyard. Few people know they can book and plan an Agriturismo farm stay in Italy.

And it’s a great way to experience the country while tasting the local lifestyle.

Farm stays can vary. Some are just B&Bs on a working farm. Others may let you help with the animals or crops. You may have activities like learning how to cook a traditional Italian meal. Some of them just let you relax.

The experience can vary greatly depending on what you’re looking for and what farm stay you book. Make sure you research and book something that closely matches what you’re looking for.

But one thing is for sure; it will be a memorable experience.