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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
Palladian Villas lecture tour
Martin Randall Travel is a well respected and experienced tour operator, who we have used several times. The content of their tours and the accompanying lecturers and tour managers are always excellent. We would recommend them with confidence to anyone.
*****
Tony
23 Oct 2016
The London Squares Walk
In normal times Martin Randall Travel takes small groups to interesting places around the world. They specialise in history, art, culture and music. They also arrange tours in the UK and days in London.
*****
Maddie
15 Sep 2020
A cultural delight
Efficient, low key and comprehensive
*****
JWW
22 Jun 2016
A lifetime's ambition fulfilled.
This was a specialist tour studying the architecture of Andrea Palladio. I have been interested in this for 70 years, and a tour of them is something that would have been difficult to achieve as an independent traveller.
*****
It is I
19 Oct 2021
Courts of Northern italy
Excellent tour manager and lecturer, with a small group of amiable companions.
*****
lindum
18 May 2016
A wonderful day of glorious music.
Very expensive, so i don't book often, and not for a 'general' holiday, but when he offers something that really interests me, he provides full value for the high price.
*****
AWH
16 May 2023
Terrificsites and tour leader!
Normans in the South with Martin Randall was educational and entertaining, with good food in nice hotels (for the most part).
*****
localworldtraveler
08 Apr 2017
silk road textile delight
It was full on with a great Arab speaking Orientalist, bringing the places alive. All was well catered for transport by the local guide ,Tour manager, Food , drink, everything I needet to see feel and experience this very unusual country with the warming
wellcome of the local people, and extraordin...
*****
Textil made
17 Apr 2019
Rome at its Best
Martin Randall is very efficient.
*****
Susanna
14 Mar 2023
Western Balkans, Martin Randall, October 2016
My grandparents came from small villages in Croatia and Serbia. I had heard many stories while growing up, but I had never visited these areas. My sister and I took this trip to learn more about the region and to experience the culture. The trip exceeded all of our expectations and gave us a much de...
*****
Nancy
23 Oct 2016
Martin Randall Travel review
Brilliantly planned and thought out itinerary that combined art, architecture and music.
*****
Mrs R S 17
04 Jan 2018
Music in Venice superb
Very good but lacking some of the verve of earlier tours
****
Jo
19 Nov 2022

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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