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Expert-led small-group tours

This video was filmed on our Footpaths of Umbria tour in June 2023 and gives a flavour of what to expect on one of our holidays.

Exploring Italy on a cultural tour

We also offer fresh perspectives on old friends, using art historians, not musicologists, on our opera tours of Verona and seeing Florence, Padua and Bologna through the prism of science and medicine as well as art. We bring you Puccini at the maestro’s lakeside villa, the mosaics of Ravenna and the frozen worlds of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

We dine finely in Piedmont, throw light on the Dark Ages in the northern Adriatic and stand at the crossroads of European civilisations in Sicily. We gaze up at Michelangelo’s David and down at Etruscan tombs. We give you Italy, packaged in a gilt-edged portfolio.

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Cultural tours in Sicily

Whether it’s on a private tour of Palermo’s Palatine Chapel or a guided walk on Etna with an expert vulcanologist, you will be fully immersed in dazzling cultural inheritance.

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Cultural tours in Venice

With special, out-of-hours access to the Basilica di San Marco - as well as on-the-spot insights by our expert lecturers - we give you an unrivalled view of La Serenissima.

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Cultural tours in Florence

Special access is a feature of our Florence tours: visit the vast baroque Palazzo Corsini al Parione, dine at the Palazzo Corsini al Prato, and gaze across the city and Appenines beyond from Palazzo Gondi.

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Cultural tours in Rome

From the underground chambers of the Colosseum to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes viewed in tranquil solitude, we uncover both Rome's cultural triumphs and lesser-known masterpieces.

Browse Italy tours by theme

Why travel with us?

Leading expertise

Since 1988 we have been the most influential organisation in the field of cultural travel, offering an unequalled range of tours and events. Pioneering and innovative, we have led the way with ideas and itineraries and by setting the benchmarks for customer service and administration.

Privileged access

Special arrangements are a feature of our tours – for admission to places not generally open to travellers, for access outside public hours, for private concerts and extraordinary events. In innumerable ways, we lift our clients’ experience far above standards which are regarded as normal for tourists.

First-rate speakers

Expert speakers are a key ingredient in our tours. Academics, curators, writers, broadcasters and researchers, they are selected not only for their knowledge but also for their ability to communicate clearly and engagingly to a lay audience. Their brief is to enlighten and stimulate, not merely to inform.

Holiday protection

We provide full financial protection for our package holidays which include international flights, by way of our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL); and for those that do not include a flight, by way of a bond held by ABTOT – The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited.

Personal service

We aim for faultless administration from your first encounter with us to the end of the holiday, and beyond. We want you to come back again and again – as most of our clients do. We can provide options without international travel if you prefer to make your own arrangements.

Award-winning

Five consecutive years as Best Special Interest Holiday Company at the British Travel Awards (2015–19) reflects our commitment to excellence. With a remarkable 99% satisfaction rating from more than 1,100 independent reviews, our attention to detail and client care is unmatched.

Most of our tours run with between 10 and 20 participants. Our travellers are self-selected by common interests and an endorsement of our ethos. You are highly likely to find yourself among like-minded companions, whether travelling solo (as 50% of our clients do) or with a travel partner.

Value for money

The price includes nearly everything, not only the major ingredients such as hotel, transport and the costs of the lecturer and manager but also tips and drinks with meals. The price published is the price you pay. You can secure your booking today with a 15% deposit.

What do others say about Martin Randall Travel?

Showing 2184 reviews
Classical Greece in Glorious Spring
Martin Randall - see comments above.
*****
Philhellenist
18 May 2015
Crecy, Agincourt & Waterloo
Martin Randall organised everything.
*****
Mr J T 17
20 Sep 2017
Art in Madrid
A well chosen tour of the major galleries in Madrid.
*****
Mr J T 16
27 Oct 2016
Palladian Villas
Martin Randall were very well organised and entry to many villas in private and public ownership was arranged, the coach service was punctual clean and with a good driver who did not sway the coach and cause any sickness . The tour guide was very knowledgeable and the administrator was both very ple...
*****
archifan
10 Oct 2017
Connoisseur's Vienna
Once again Martin Randall Travel has not only proved to be extremely efficientbut has arranged a perfect holiday. Every little detail is taken care of.
*****
R
08 Jul 2016
Civilsations of Sicily
Trip of a lifetime with fantastic tour manager and very well-informed cultural guide. We gained a great understanding of the history of Sicily and what produced its most important cultural icons.
*****
ECos
25 Sep 2022
Courts of Northern Italy
Always very helpful and efficient
*****
D
25 May 2017
Opera in Berlin
Very professional and efficient, friendly and confidence-inspiring sd well as paying great attention to details of presentation.
*****
ormis
28 Feb 2017
Mediaeval Saxony is a fascinating, under visited, area with great history and churches. Good food too.
Martin Randall Travel sweat the details and the tour guide/lecturer was superb, the hotels excellent and perfectly located and the Tour Manager was first class. Visiting numerous churches perhaps does not sound exciting, but all the participants on this tour thoroughly enjoyed the experience and rea...
*****
Roger
18 May 2018
Israel and Palestine, October 2015
MRT have provided me with several very enjoyable and informative travel experiences in the last four years. I will continue to look at their programme and use their services.
*****
Retirementislife
24 Oct 2015
Art feste of total joy!
Couldn't ask for more to be organised around art and the colour of the vote d'azur with such an enthusiastic expert like Alistair
Some all done in style - what's not to like?
*****
Art Lover
12 Sep 2017
Courts of Northern Italy
I learnt so much of the relevant history; also saw Ravenna mosaics for first time since 1965, needed revisiting! Lovely group of people; excellent lecturer and tour manager.
*****
D
25 May 2017

Joining a Martin Randall Cultural Tour

Between 10–22 participants can usually join our small group tours, though the upper limit can be lower dependent on the tour.

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