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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

For 36 years 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, drinks with meals, and airport taxes. 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
The Heart of Italy tour
I have undertaken many Martin Randall tours and without exception they have all been excellent, from their office staff through to the tour itself, which is meticulously planned to the last detail. The participants are friendly and everything comes together to make it all a totally memorable experie...
*****
Jocie
27 Oct 2017
A Dream Come True
The visit to Andalusia was both intellectually stimulating and visually stunning. The lecturer was truly excellent, the food and wine were delicious and even the weather cooperated!
*****
Mrs. M P 21
07 Oct 2021
Architecture of the British Raj in Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi
Excellent service throughout. Hotels high standard, accompanying lecturer and organiser informative and efficient; local guides good -> excellent
*****
Diane
05 Feb 2016
Tour of Israel and Palestine
Exceptional lecturers and guides. Top rate hotels. Tour Managers who take as much care as they would of beloved family members.
*****
spiral
16 Mar 2018
Excellent organisation and wonderful weather.
Extremely efficient and knowledgeable.
*****
S
25 Nov 2018
A fancinating trip through the Silk Road history of Uzbekistan
A great trip to central asia to see the important Silk Road cities.
*****
Johnthewill
07 May 2017
Music in on the Rhine priced a most enjoyable experience
First class accommodation and a good range of extremely professional concerts in varying and interesting venues
*****
Cockerpoo
08 Jul 2023
Vivaldi in Venice
Lots of music, walking, a bit of art history, excellently organised and executed.
*****
Ms S P 17
13 Nov 2017
A brilliant musical experience
MRT hosted a music festival with the Elias String Quartet at the Castle Hotel, Taunton, with Richard Wigmore as speaker. Musically, it was a wonderful experience. The Elias performances were thrilling and wonderfully interpreted. Lectures given by Richard full of insight into understanding the compo...
*****
Ludwig
25 Nov 2021
A great trip
Martin Randall Travel are brilliant. I have travelled with them nearly every year since 1996!
*****
JoolsN
13 Apr 2022
Fascinating Petersburg
Provided a great itinerary and excellent background information + Incredible attention to detail.
*****
11
07 Oct 2018
Outstanding value experience
Excellent in all respects: tour manager, architectural/cultural guide, accommodation, food, well selected parts of the Camino Frances.
*****
Terry
05 Aug 2017

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