To Tour or Not to Tour in Italy

One of the biggest dilemmas I faced when booking my holiday to Italy was whether or not I should book a tour of some of the country's most notable sights. They're either a great experience or completely shocking, with very little in between. There were a few tours that I'd absolutely recommend and a few that I'd give a complete miss. 

The Vatican - To Tour

The Vatican is one of the most amazing sights in all of Italy, which means that it's also one of the most crowded sights in Italy. It's worth booking a tour, even if it's just to avoid the massive line to get in, especially in peak season.

Pros:

- Avoid the huge wait (Can be upwards of 2 hours in peak season)

- Get a thorough explanation of the most important areas of the Vatican

- Don't have to pay for extra access to St. Peter's Basilica 

Cons:

- Don't get to choose your own pace

- Is one of the more expensive tours in Rome

Naples - Not To Tour

I have to say that of all the tours I took, the short amount of time I spent in Naples was probably the least worth the money. There's not a lot to look at in Naples aside from the Archaeological Museum. I didn't even spend half a day in Naples and that was enough. 

Pros:

- You get to see Naples.

Cons:

- You have to pay to see Naples. 

Murano Burano- To Tour

A fairly short boat ride away from Venice, Murano and Burano are known for their production of glass and lace respectively. They're worth the trip if you're spending a few days in Venice, especially in the warmer months. 

Pros:

- Most tours include demonstrations of how they create glass sculptures and lace.

- Opportunity to pick up some beautiful souvenirs.

- Perfect for a warm day when you want to be on the water

Cons:

- Usually paired with a particular workshop where you're encouraged to exclusively share money.

- Not ideal if you're in Venice for a short amount of time. 

The Colosseum - Not To Tour

The Colosseum is a bit of a catch 22 regarding tour groups. If it's the only sight you'll see in the tour then I'd advise against it. The tour I took though also went through Palatine Hill, which made it worth it. If you're just getting a tour of the Colosseum though, then save your money.

Pros:

- Quick access to The Colosseum

- Can get a tour including Palatine Hill included

- Decent explanation of the history of the Colosseum

Cons:

- Generally massive group sizes

- Expensive if you're only seeing the Colosseum 

- Usually a pretty short tour

Pompeii And Herculaneum - To Tour

I’ve already mentioned Pompeii and Herculaneum in a previous post but I think they’re worth mentioned again. I’d absolutely book a tour for Pompeii and Herculaneum, even if it’s just a day tour. The information you get about the sites alone makes it worth it. But it’s also such a huge site that you end up saving time with a guide.

Pros:

-       - Get a thorough explanation of the history

-       - Avoid getting lost as you explore

-      -  Don’t have to wait for entry

Cons:

-       - Usually quite expensive

-       - You’re on a tight schedule