Why I Chose a Small Group Tour for Italy (And Why You Might Want To, Too)
In just a few days, Brian, Isabella, and I are heading to Italy and I’m so excited about this trip.
But this one feels a little extra special.
This is Isabella’s college graduation trip, and I really wanted it to be meaningful to her. As a forensic anthropologist, she’s always been fascinated by history, human remains, and how people lived centuries ago… so yes, some of what we’re doing in Rome was very intentionally picked with her in mind.
Of course, we’re doing all the iconic things, like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon, but I think she might actually be the most excited about the Capuchin Crypts and the Roman Catacombs.
Roman Catacombs
After Rome, we’re hopping on the high speed train to Florence and then heading to Montecatini for a week in Tuscany on a small group tour… and this is the part I really want to talk about.
Italo Train
What This Tuscany Tour Actually Looks Like
We’ll be based in one place—Montecatini—which I love because we’re not constantly packing and unpacking.
From there, each day is a different experience, and honestly… it’s the kind of itinerary I would want if I were planning this myself (but way easier because someone else is handling it).
Here are a few of the things we’ll be doing:
Visiting Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, with time in the museum dedicated to his life
Stopping at a local bakery to see how traditional bread is made and of course sampling everything
Exploring the Chianti region, including lunch at a wine shop and visiting a historic wine estate
Spending a day in Lucca with a guided walk through its medieval streets, plus what they call a “café crawl” (yes please)
Heading to Bolgheri and the Etruscan Coast for wine tasting, including those famous Super Tuscan wines
And even having a more relaxed day built in to enjoy Montecatini at our own pace
Everything is set up so you’re experiencing Tuscany from different angles—food, wine, history, and scenery—all without having to figure it out yourself.
And Let’s Be Honest… This Is Really About the Food
One of the biggest reasons I travel is for the food.
And this tour? This is exactly my kind of trip.
We’re not just eating—we’re experiencing food the way it’s meant to be experienced in Tuscany.
Wine tastings right where the wine is produced
Meals in local restaurants and wine shops
A hands-on cooking class in a Tuscan farmhouse (where we actually make our own meal)
Even a dessert-making class at the hotel
At one point, we’ll literally be picking fresh ingredients from a farm and then cooking with them.
Why I Personally Chose This Type of Tour
For this part of the trip, I really wanted a different kind of experience. I wanted Tuscany and I wanted it to be experiencing all the local cuisine!
Tuscany is everything you picture—beautiful, charming, unforgettable—but getting around isn’t always simple. Between the small towns, winding roads, and figuring out what’s actually worth your time, it can be a lot to manage.
What I Love About Tours Like This
Here’s what really made this an easy decision for me:
We stay in one place
Montecatini becomes our home base, and we explore from there.
The experiences are curated
From wine estates to local bakeries to hands-on cooking—it’s all thoughtfully planned.
There’s still free time
This isn’t a packed, exhausting schedule. There’s time to wander, shop, or just sit and take it all in.
It’s a smaller group
More personal, less chaotic, and just a better overall experience (this tour caps around 28 people).
Why This Matters (Especially for Italy)
Italy is one of those destinations that people dream about… and then get overwhelmed trying to plan.
There are just so many moving parts.
And this is exactly why I love recommending options like this to my clients.
You still get an incredible, immersive experience—but without the stress of trying to coordinate every detail yourself.
I’ll Be Sharing Everything
I’m planning to share along the way. What this actually looks like in real life.
The food (definitely the food), the flow of the days, the hotels, what works, what surprises me… all of it.
So if Italy is on your list—or if you’ve ever wondered if a group tour could actually be a great option—you’ll want to follow along.
Thinking About Italy?
If you’ve been wanting to plan something like Italy but don’t even know where to start… you’re not alone.
And honestly? This is exactly where I come in.
There are so many ways to do a trip like this—and sometimes the best option isn’t the one you originally had in mind.
I’ll be sharing soon… 🇮🇹
Melissa@wandersbymelissa.com | WANDERSBYMELISSA.COM | 601-540-7336
