La Dolce Vita is even sweeter with friends.

Is there anything worse than returning home from a trip to Italy and you don't have a single photo of yourself at the biggest sites? Fear not! By joining a solo tour in Italy, you'll meet like-minded travellers that will not only become friends but built-in photographers, too. Get ready for your new pals to snap album-worthy photos of you posing in front of the Trevi Fountain, getting serenaded on a gondola in Venice, or relaxing beachside with your spritz in Amalfi.  Say formaggio!

Our Italy solo tours

8 Days From 1788

Travel to Italy on a tour from Rome to Amalfi and explore the best of the region....

14 Days From 3362

Immerse yourself in classic culture, history and incredible sights on this Best of...

8 Days From 1200

See the best of Italy – Venice, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome – in eight...

10 Days From 4358

Discover Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean on this 10-day Premium journey that...

10 Days From 3362

Travel to Italy on a journey from the canals of Venice to the cobblestone streets of...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

8 Days From 1752

Soak up the spectacular scenery of Italy’s Amalfi Coast on this trip through Naples,...

8 Days From 2793

Explore the Dolomites on an 8-day small group hiking tour which explores multiple lakes...

9 Days From 4051

Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Slovenia and Croatia on a...

8 Days From 3290

Spend eight unforgettable days hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, setting off on a circuit...

8 Days From 2579

From Venice to Rome, you’ll indulge in the best things to eat in Italy, with stops in...

10 Days From 1444

Visit Venice, Verona, Parma, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence and Rome with like-minded 18...

8 Days From 2124

Encounter the picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this cycling adventure...

The perks of solo travel in Italy with Intrepid

Rome, Italy

A local leader

When you're travelling alone, it can be way too easy to get pulled into tourist traps and miss authentic experiences. Joining a group tour as a solo traveller will help you check all the major sites off of your bucket list while having the knowledge and finesse of a local. Each Intrepid guide in Italy is an expert in helping you discover the perfect pizza place, avoid long lines at museums, and make the most of your free time.

Venice, Italy

Ready-made friendships

Go solo, but not alone. That's our motto. The average Intrepid trip in Italy has about ten people on it – people of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world. While you'll have plenty of free time to explore independently, there's nothing quite like sharing a few bottles of vino at dinner with your new friends. Plus, long travel days become much more interesting when you can swap stories with your seatmate on the train.

Rome, Italy

Logistics and convenience

Gone are the days of confusing and complicated travel. As a solo traveller in Italy, navigating Europe's network of trains can be pretty daunting. But when you join an Intrepid tour, we'll organise all of your transportation, whether that means a train, van or water taxi, so you just have to sit back, enjoy the view, and daydream about what your next location holds. 

Pantheon, Rome, Italy

Safety

When you join a group tour as a solo traveller you'll always have the benefit of safety in numbers. While Italy is a relatively safe place, it's also a hugely popular tourist destination and with that comes the common scams and petty theft. Your local guide will help you avoid unsafe areas of town while your new friends will be there to watch your back (and your stuff) while you're wandering around the Colosseum or Roman Forum.

Tour reviews

FAQ's

If you're traveling solo to Italy, it's completely up to you.  Intrepid trips organize rooming on a twin-share basis, so solo travelers are paired up with another traveler of the same gender as per the gender marker on their passport.  If you'd prefer your own room, most of our trips offer a single supplement for an extra charge – just mention this to our customer service team when booking your trip and they'll arrange it for you.  As a responsible tour operator, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. In the case that your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

While our trips do have set itineraries, the amount of free time you'll have depends on the travel style. If you're joining a group trip to Italy, chances are you'll have designated time set aside for you to do your own exploring if you'd like, and your guide will be able to provide tips and recommendations before you head out on your own. 

Intrepid's travelers are connected more by attitude than age.  They’re a friendly, open-minded, and curious bunch, and a lot of them elect to travel alone (so no third-wheeling, we promise). Our trips attract a mix of genders and ages generally ranging from 25 to 65. It’s hard to know exactly who you’ll meet, but you can be assured you'll be a part of the fun.  Heading to Italy on a group tour?  Expect your fellow travelers to come hungry and get ready to share.

We have a range of trip styles, Basix, Original, Comfort, and Premium, all of which offer different levels of flexibility and free time. While there’s always a set itinerary for the group, our Basix trips tend to have fewer included activities and more time to roam on your own, Original trips have a 50/50 balance, and our Comfort and Premium trips have the most included activities. Many of our travelers choose to travel solo, so it’s common for people to want different things from their experience. Make sure to communicate with your leader; they can recommend places to explore during your free time or things to try after the trip has finished. 

Solo travel on a group tour can be much more cost-effective than heading out on your own.  Joining a tour guarantees a lot more inclusions, extras, and bang for your buck than you’d get if you were alone, plus, you'll be splitting the cost of meals with fellow travelers (no more living off of peanut butter sandwiches here).  When you travel with a local guide in Italy they can help you avoid certain dangerously expensive tourist scams like vendors selling counterfeit designer goods, which will usually be marked up for locals and can carry thousand euro fines.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

Our solo travel safety guide

Good advice for us all, but particularly for people travelling solo. Make copies of your itinerary, contact details, passport and travel insurance, then email them to yourself and to one or two friends/family at home. Check-in on social media when you can so people can keep track of where you are. 

If you’re arriving late in a city by yourself, book a hotel with a front desk or concierge service (many hotels also offer private transfers that don’t cost the earth from the airport or train station). If you're travelling with us, we can help you organise an arrival transfer. Read your maps before you head out for a walk (you can use a map app on your smartphone – or take screenshots of where you’re going if you don’t want to use up your precious data). If you need to check your map when you’re out and about, duck into a shop or café to do it. Leave the blingy jewellery, wedding rings and designer clothes at home, and aim to dress like the locals do – hit up the local markets if you haven’t packed the right outfits. Aim to keep track of travel times, so you’re not caught out after dark.

Most mobile/cell providers now offer travel passes to help manage your international roaming costs (which, let’s face it, are expensive!). For a few dollars a day, you’ll have access to data, which means you can log into your apps (like Skype, email and WhatsApp) when you’re out of WiFi zones and quickly get in touch with someone – a friend at home, someone in your group, or the police – if you need to. It might also be worth checking out the local cell/mobile providers as these can be quite cost effective. 

Solo travellers are way more likely to be ‘taken for a ride’ at the airport by unscrupulous taxi drivers, so do your research before you arrive. Make sure you get a cab from the airport/station taxi rank – if you’re not sure where to go, just head to the information desk for help. Touts tend to hang out in the arrivals area and promise cheaper rates, but can often be dodgy. When you get to the cab rank, ask the driver to use the meter or request a cost estimate before you hop in the car – if it’s way higher than it should be, pick another vehicle. A lot of airports have train stations attached as well, so consider public transport if you want to save a dollar or two.

It’s one of the advantages of travelling solo on a group tour: safety in numbers. The big, 50-person bus groups stand out on the road, but a small Intrepid group of eight or nine people, with a local leader showing the way – including areas to avoid and getting around safely – won’t draw much attention. Plus, it’s a great way to see parts of the world you may feel uncomfortable exploring on your own. If you want to do things on your own, consider a day tour to familiarise yourself with a city and get to know the local way of life. 

Solo travel is all about confidence. If you’re relaxed and self-assured on the street, you’re more likely to blend in. When you meet new people, don’t assume they’re all out to get you, but be sensible too and trust your gut. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Remember: the popular tourist areas are often the most well-lit and secure, but they’re often a juicier target for pickpockets and scammers. Just use your common sense; half of travel safety is simply being aware of your surroundings.

Read more about solo travel with Intrepid