Northern Italy Small Group Tours
Exploring northern Italy with a small group is a great idea. Imagine Venice’s canals, Lake Como's villas, Cinque Terre's coastal villages, and the Dolomites' peaks. Northern Italy mixes Alpine scenery with Italian culture in brilliant ways. You'll taste regional wines that differ from Tuscany, explore cities tourists often skip, and discover northern Italy's distinct character whilst going at your own pace.
10 best Northern Italy small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern Italy travel expert at TourRadar
- Piedmont vineyards and truffles- Small group bike tour
- 4 Days Northern Lakes Tour - from Milan
- From Florence to Venice & Milan: 8 Days Northern Adventure
- 7 Days Northern Lakes and Dolomites Tour - from Milan
- Walk The Prosecco Hills & Hidden Venice
- 7 Days Northern Lakes and Italian Riviera Tour - from Milan
- Alpine Splendor: A Journey Through the Dolomites, South Tyrol, and Lake Garda
- Lakes, Lagoon & Mountains: Lakes Como, Garda, Bernina train & Venice. Private Tour
- Italian Tour Gondola Ride & Cinque Terre Visit
- Wellness & Nature: A Trip Around the Lakes of Northern Italy
Seven cyclists maximum ride with dedicated van support through Piedmont's prestigious wine regions. Exclusive wine tastings in Barolo and Barbaresco complement special dining experiences. The 275km scenic backroad adventure offers individualized attention.
Duration 7 days Destinations Alba, Benevello, Monforte d'Alba, Canelli, Asti Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Italian Group Size Max Group Size 7 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Road Bike Tours Italy From
- US$5,191
4 Days Northern Lakes Tour - from Milan
“Overall the tour arrangement was fine, in particular the hotel accommodations for the three nights are fine.”
Leslie, traveled in September
Parties of 11-20 guests access Northern Italy's hidden gems. Private boats visit Lake Orta's monastery island and Lake Garda's Roman ruins. The small setting allows for spontaneous stops at local wineries and detailed exploration of Bergamo's Upper Town.
Duration 4 days Destinations Milan, Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Bergamo, Bellagio, Verona, Garda, Sirmione, Iseo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Europeando Europa From
- US$2,338
From Florence to Venice & Milan: 8 Days Northern Adventure
“The tour was very knowledgeable and kept our attention.”
Eight days connect Florence, Venice, Milan, Lake Como, and Turin by high-speed train with groups of 15 travelers or fewer. Guided boat tours take you to Bellagio and Varenna, but there's plenty of free time to find hidden restaurants in Venice Mestre or relax at Turin's historic cafés along the Po River.
Duration 8 days Destinations Florence, Venice, Milan, Como, Turin Age Range Ages 18-41 Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Italy on a Budget Tours From
- US$1,790
7 Days Northern Lakes and Dolomites Tour - from Milan
“The routes are also excellent we enjoyed the trip very much since this was the first time for us to visit the Italian northern lakes and Dolomites area.”
Eugene, traveled in September
A small group of 15 travelers winds through Northern Italy's most scenic locations. The intimate setting allows for cozy prosecco tastings by the lake, private boat tours of Isola Bella, and authentic local experiences in medieval towns like Bergamo's Città Alta.
Duration 7 days Destinations Milan, Lake Orta, Orta San Giulio, Isola San Giulio, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Bella, Como, BellagioSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 25 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Europeando Europa From
- US$3,860
Groups of 20 travelers or less enjoy privileged access across Northern Italy's lakes. The intimate setting enables up-close visits to Sirmione's castle, Catullo's Grotto, and Bergamo's Città alta, with personalized attention from multilingual guides and private boat tours.
Duration 7 days Destinations Milan, Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Como, Bellagio, Bergamo, Sirmione, Garda, Verona, IseoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Europeando Europa From
20% off- US$4,162
Journey through Northern Italy with dedicated attention in small groups. Private transfers from Venice to Cortina include intimate Prosecco tastings. Optional small-group tours explore Merano's Trauttmansdorff Castle and Valpolicella's family-run wineries, ensuring personalized experiences throughout.
Duration 8 days Destinations Venice, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Bolzano, Lake Garda, Verona Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Flag Travel Holidays From $4,347
20% off- US$3,477
Lakes, Lagoon & Mountains: Lakes Como, Garda, Bernina train & Venice. Private Tour
“The small group format was perfect, and the hotels were excellent. Highly recommended!”
Mary, traveled in April
Seven days cover 8 Northern Italy locations including Milan, Como, Bellagio, Brescia, Sirmione, Verona, Padua, and Venice. You'll ride the UNESCO Bernina Red Train through Swiss glaciers and alpine meadows, see Juliet's Balcony in Verona and the Rialto Bridge, then visit Padua's Basilica of St. Anthony.
Duration 7 days Destinations Milan, St Moritz, Como, Bellagio, Brescia, Sirmione, Verona, Padua, Mestre, Venice Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Taotravel From
20% off- US$6,377
Italian Tour Gondola Ride & Cinque Terre Visit
“All of the activities were great. I would recommend adding a tour to the Vatican, which is a very popular experience to have in Rome.”
Wendy, traveled in April
Northern Italy's treasures unfold for small groups of 12-15 travelers. The intimate size creates perfect conditions for navigating Venice's narrow canals, accessing Florence's cultural sites, and engaging in authentic local experiences.
Duration 8 days Destinations Rome, Pisa, Florence, Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Venice Age Range Ages 8+ Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $1,599
13% off- US$1,391
Duration 7 days Destinations Bergamo, Lake Garda, Verona, Sirmione, Bardolino, Malcesine, Riva del Garda, Varone, Como, BellagioSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 5 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Worldee From
13% off- US$484+$619 upfront costs
Reviews of Small Group tours to Northern Italy
- 4 Days Northern Lakes Tour - from Milan
Overall the 4 days tour was comfortable and enjoyable. The tour leader DiDi was very professional and experienced. The hotels in the first two nights are very nice. The hotel at Verona is fair with very small room and very noisy at night . However the location of the hotel is very good and is close to most of the tourist attractions.
- Italian Tour Gondola Ride & Cinque Terre Visit
The tour was great. All of the activities were great. The tour guides were all very wonderful and kind people, along with being very knowledgeable. I would recommend adding a tour to the Vatican, which is a very popular experience to have in Rome. I would also recommend that instructions to maybe how to get to some of the places would be helpful as you have to figure it out yourself.
- Hiking in the Dolomites
We had the most amazing week hiking the Dolomites. The fresh mountain air with spectacular scenery has to be experienced to be believed..Our guide Andy... we cannot say enough about. The best tour guide ever. 100% Professional, super friendly, organised, extremely approachable, easy going personality and fun as well..!!! Would highly recommend this tour. We can't wait to do another hike with Andy...maybe Amalfi Coast.
What our customers ask about Northern Italy Small Group Tours
What is the best season for small group tours in Northern Italy?
Northern Italy welcomes small group tours throughout the year with the most popular time running from April through October. The Dolomites provide excellent hiking conditions from June to September while Lake Como and Venice work well in spring and fall with milder temperatures. One TourRadar traveler commented: "Our small group could easily find outdoor cafe tables in Bellagio in September which would have been impossible with a large group in peak August."
How far in advance should I book a small group tour to Northern Italy?
Given the limited spots available (usually 8-16 travelers) small group tours to Northern Italy require booking well ahead. Most tours need securing 6-12 months in advance particularly for trips between April and October. Sought-after accommodations like Hotel Regina in Gravedona and Villa Barbarich in Venice tend to reach capacity early. A TourRadar traveler advised: "Book at least 6 months ahead to get your preferred dates as the best small group tours fill fast due to limited space."
What are the accommodation options for small group tours in Northern Italy?
The accommodations on Northern Italy small group tours range from local boutique hotels to authentic family-run guesthouses and countryside agriturismos. Hotel Marina in Sestri Levante offers an intimate experience with just 15 rooms while Hotel Tschurtschenthaler in Dobbiaco represents the perfect blend of Alpine tradition and modern comfort. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The small family-run hotels gave us such a authentic experience - much better than large chain hotels."
What unique experiences are available on small group tours in Northern Italy?
The small group format opens doors to special experiences that larger tours can't access. Groups can join private tastings at family Prosecco vineyards take part in small cooking classes in Bologna and visit restricted-capacity historical sites. The Pietrovecchio winery in Valdobbiadene welcomes intimate groups for personalized tastings and wine education. Boutique stays like Hotel Villa Gaia in Cortina d'Ampezzo create opportunities for genuine local connections. As one TourRadar traveler noted "the intimate group size meant we could visit small family-run restaurants and get personalized attention from local guides that wouldn't be possible with larger groups."
How does the pricing compare between small group and large group tours in Northern Italy?
Small group tours in Northern Italy run between USD 330-500 per day while larger group tours typically cost USD 200-300 daily. The higher rates at select properties like Hotel Regina in Gravedona or Villa Lorenzi in Cortina reflect enhanced personal attention boutique lodging and specialized guides. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The small group experience was worth the extra cost for the intimate local experiences and flexibility we wouldn't get with a large group."
What is the typical age range and demographic on small group tours in Northern Italy?
These tours attract a diverse mix of active travelers from 30 to 70 years old with most participants in their 40s to 60s. The small group size of 8-16 people naturally encourages socializing among solo travelers couples and friends. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Our small group of 12 ranged from 35-65 in age but bonded quickly over shared interests in food wine and culture."