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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
Malta : an introduction
A highly professional organisation offering high standards of hotels, lecturers, itinerary and food - all in a pleasant atmosphere.
*****
GH
24 Jan 2018
The very best
Efficient. Professional. Friendly. Reliable.
*****
SM
29 Nov 2019
On Song in Salzburg
Five exciting days sightseeing in Salzburg, and seeing three operas.
*****
Djangonut
14 Aug 2015
Hogarth immersion with a charming scholar
A 1 day tour of London looking at 28 works by Hogarth in iconic muesems, a truly immersive experience which was well managed, planned and executed.
*****
Amateur Art Hound
29 Sep 2017
A trip rich in treasures of art and architecture, thrillingly unfamiliar
A week in St Petersburg, packed with palaces, cathedrals and museums, beautiful to look at, enthralling to hear the history and background. The most exciting holiday I can remember.
*****
Cybele
06 Oct 2018
A wealth of knowledge given clearly and enthusiastically
MR are specialist cultural tour operators, who provide an excellent standard of information, organisation and care of their clients.
*****
Tuscany17
06 May 2017
Facinating history, beautiful art and stunning opera in Vienna
I recently had my brain exercised and emotions engaged in a Martin Randall trip to Vienna. Whilst the main focus of the trip was the Hapsburgs, there was a special opportunity to also explore Secession architecture and enjoy a perfect night at the opera. Our guide was exceptional and he was well sup...
*****
Sieglinde
29 Jun 2017
Fascinating Textile Tour to India
Martin Randall Travel provided a terrific experience. I learned much from lovely experts in the field of study. The company provided the tour I dreamed of.
*****
Northfield Vic
21 Feb 2018
In the Heart of Spain
Excellent tour in Central Spain, visiting lots of historic monasteries and palaces. Ended up at the Escorial
*****
Sunshine
06 Jun 2017
A very memorable holiday.
We traveled through the Balkans, visiting places of interest. We spent time in areas that were affected by the recent wars. We also visited some of the old monasteries in Serbia.
*****
Sugar
31 May 2018
Excellent
Martin Randal
Top drawer prices, but the attention to detail was faultless - we got exactly what we paid for. Nothing was too much trouble and every effort was made by the lecturer and tour manager to see things ran smoothly.
*****
Jude
07 Oct 2014
Martin Randall Cathedrals of England
Martin Randall was just wonderful in terms of giving complete information and in being available to e-mail and phone to give additional information. The lecturer was friendlly and truly THE Expert.
*****
RickAustin
11 Nov 2018

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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