How I Ate, Sipped, and Strolled Through Italy on a 7-Day Group Tour with Expat Explore
Standing over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy
If you’ve never heard of Expat Explore, they’re a travel company that curates affordable, guided group tours across the globe, and they’re especially great for solo travelers who want to explore new destinations without the stress of planning every detail. I recently joined their Taste of Italy tour, a 7-day adventure that starts and ends in Rome, and winds through some of Italy’s most iconic regions and cities. See my experience on Instagram stories here.
From the canals of Venice to the countryside of Tuscany, this trip was filled with unforgettable moments, cultural insight, and the kind of easy, fun energy that makes travel feel joyful. Below, I’m breaking down why this group tour worked so well, what stood out, and why I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a seamless way to see Italy.
Italy is one of my favorite places to visit, but this trip with Expat Explore gave me a chance to see the country in an entirely new light, especially Tuscany. It was my first time seeing the rolling hills in person, and it honestly took my breath away. There’s something magical about seeing those golden landscapes stretch on forever.
Although it wasn’t my first time doing a group tour, this one felt especially memorable. I met incredible people from all over the world, shared so many laughs, and felt instantly at ease, even though I was solo traveling. That’s a huge part of why I’d recommend this tour to other solo travelers: it felt safe, welcoming, and offered the perfect balance between group connection and personal freedom.
Why This Tour Worked So Well
Expat Explore’s Taste of Italy itinerary is fast-paced in all the right ways, with key moments of stillness and connection baked in. There was a beautiful rhythm between sightseeing and downtime that allowed me to soak in each destination.
Our tour guide was absolutely wonderful…super knowledgeable, warm, and always surprising us with local treats. I felt like we were in good hands from Day 1 to Day 7.
The coach was super comfortable with reclining seats, which helped on the longer days between cities. It was the kind of journey where you look out the window and can’t believe what you’re seeing.
Trip Highlights by Day
Day 1 – Rome: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, optional Colosseum & Roman Forum tour, welcome dinner
Day 2 – Orvieto & Venice: Orvieto hilltop town visit, travel to Venice, optional evening water taxi ride
Day 3 – Venice (Free Day): Optional gondola ride, optional Murano & Burano excursion, explore at your own pace
Day 4 – Lake Garda & Florence: Scenic stop at Lake Garda, walking tour of Florence, visit to a leather shop, group dinner in Florence, overnight in Montecatini
Day 5 – Cinque Terre & Pisa: Free time exploring Cinque Terre, photo stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, optional dinner back in town
Day 6 – San Gimignano, Siena & Return to Rome: Tuscan wine tasting, explore San Gimignano, visit UNESCO-listed Siena, farewell dinner in Rome
Day 7 – Rome: Optional Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tour before departure
Highlights From the Road
Rome kicked things off with a bang! Think: ancient ruins, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain. I opted into the guided Colosseum and Roman Forum tour and absolutely recommend it. There’s something incredible about standing in places you’ve only seen in history books.
On the next day, we headed off to Orvieto. It was a charming surprise, perched high on a cliff with dramatic views and beautiful churches. Then we were off to Venice, where I did the optional evening water taxi ride through the canals. It felt straight out of a dream, so romantic and cinematic. The gondola ride the next day was just as iconic. While in Venice, some travelers also opted for the excursion to Murano & Burano, known for their colorful houses and traditional glass-blowing. I didn’t join this one, but I heard nothing but glowing reviews…it’s definitely on my list for next time!
Lake Garda was one of those blink-and-you-miss-it gems that still leaves an impression. Below are some photos of me wearing a fruit maxi dress in Lake Garda. After, we stopped briefly en route to Florence, and the views? Unreal. It was the kind of peaceful pause you don’t realize you need until you’re standing there. Here, we took a guided walking tour and learned about the local leather-making tradition before a fun group dinner.
One of my favorite moments was finally seeing Cinque Terre. I’ve wanted to visit ever since I learned it inspired the film Luca. Each village I visited was cute, colorful, and picture-perfect. On this same day, we made a stop at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of Italy’s most recognizable landmarks. It’s definitely one of those places that feels surreal to see in person…and yes, we all did the classic leaning photo!
On the final days, we visited the Tuscan countryside, which was magical. I especially loved visiting San Gimignano and our stop at a local winery, where we connected with locals and learned about their winemaking traditions. It was the perfect contrast to the faster-paced city days. More photos from the wine tasting below!
Now, if I had to choose, Tuscany overall was the most leisurely part of the trip…warm, quiet, and full of beauty. And if Venice was the most romantic and Rome the most crowded, Tuscany felt like the deep breath in between. Of course, we wrapped up with a farewell dinner back in Rome, which gave us the perfect chance to reflect, exchange contacts, and celebrate everything we’d just experienced together.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Also, a quick packing tip if you're eyeing this itinerary: bring breathable clothing for warm weather and the comfiest shoes you own. You'll be walking through cities, countryside, and everything in between. Comfort = joy. By the way, on the last day, there’s also an optional guided tour of the Vatican Museums for those who have time before flying out. I’ve done this tour in the past on a separate Italy trip, and it’s definitely worth considering if your schedule allows.
And let’s not forget the food! From our welcome dinner in Rome to spontaneous bites in Florence, I was living my pasta dreams. And the wine in Tuscany? Don’t even get me started. Every meal felt like a scene from a movie.
Whether you’re a solo traveler looking to explore Italy in a safe, social setting or a travel lover trying to see the highlights without planning every detail, this tour delivers. The 7-day Taste of Italy tour offers a beautiful blend of structure and spontaneity, group connection and personal time.
If you’ve been dreaming of Italy but want a thoughtful way to explore, Expat Explore’s tour is a perfect place to start. And if you're planning a trip this summer or beyond, don't forget to use my discount code TWJ5OFF to save on your next Expat Explore adventure!
More from the adventure…
