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• Matera – Amalfi – Capri  |
• Tuscany – Riviera – Lake Como   |
• Naples – Procida – Sicily |
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Italy is a country that travel was invented for . . .

Places you can never quite get enough of . . ., everything you imagine . . . it’s true, tour information, matera – amalfi coast – capri, tuscany – riviera – lake como, naples – procida – sicily, for the love of italy.

After twelve years of traversing many of the twenty regions of Italy, I know there is so much more to discover and many more years of exciting adventures. There is something unusual, something wonderful, something unexpected around every corner. I have loved Italy from day one. Every time I return, I know why.

In the words of Frances Mayes, “In Italy you can find the place that corresponds to your soul more easily than any other place in the world.”

Ciao Italy Tours are designed to capture the true essence of Italy so that you feel totally immersed in local culture.  The days are leisurely paced, but filled with different adventures for you to experience Italy as a traveller, not as a tourist.  This is an Italy that will tug at your heartstrings.

Like most stories, it began with an idea in 2008 . . . to create an exclusive travel adventure for a small group of like minded people who enjoyed being active, had a passion for wandering Italy and wanted a truly authentic experience.

Planning a trip to Italy with the internet and guide book may not have you walking a hidden path without a tourist in sight; eating glorious food in a tucked away cobblestone alleyway or engaging with locals in the daily rituals of Italian life.

Groups are small with no more than 12 people   –  perfect if you are a solo traveller, a couple or a few friends seeking an unforgettable adventure in Italy.

We wander narrow, winding streets in walled medieval hilltop towns, order cappuccino Italian style (al banco), explore outdoor markets, discover artisans working in tiny shops, are spellbound by thousands of years of history, walk ancient, awe inspiring trails and eat simple, delicious food amidst loud Italian families.

Meticulous planning and research goes into every trip to ensure you are getting a perfect balance of local experiences and time to wander and explore at your own pace. Not too structured because often the most treasured memory will be something unplanned and totally spontaneous!

“Whenever I go anywhere but Italy for a vacation, I always feel as if I have made a mistake.”

10 reasons to travel with ciao italy, authentic experience.

It is a passionate, intimate, authentic journey, allowing you to experience Italy from a local perspective.

Small groups

Groups are small with an average of 10 and a maximum of 12. We visit and stay in small, quintessential hilltop towns, eat in tiny trattorie where the locals eat, explore places off the tourist grid on foot, in a wooden boat, on a bicycle or on a vespa behind a driver/guide.

Time to explore

A three night minimum in most places is the difference between experiencing a place or seeing a place.

Intimate knowledge

Twelve years of organising and guiding tours through Italy, including time spent in Italian Language School in Tuscany.

No third party

Everything is booked directly including accommodation, private transfers, tours and places to eat.

Perfect balance

Not too structured with the perfect balance of organised local adventures, choices of special interest activities and free time for wandering and exploring.

Central accommodation

Accommodation in historical, often family owned 3-4 star boutique hotels and villas centrally located in the centro historico, town piazza, lake edge or seaside.

Up to the minute research

Research is a continual journey, sourcing the best local places to eat, drink and shop where artisans are at work in their small shops, as well as new places and tiny towns off the tourist radar.

Sensational walks

Walks on ancient, hidden trails with rarely a tourist in sight.

Experienced travel consultant

Recommendations and assistance with booking flights and travel insurance.

What my travellers say

“Loved your quirkiness and sense of adventure. Every day was filled with delightfully unexpected morsels of great food, laughter and FUN! The walks were sensational and challenging and I loved every minute!! Thanks, Deb, for helping me to fall in love with Italy all over again.”

Sandy Carlson

“Deb’s energy and enthusiasm, along with her research and local knowledge, make her personalised tours absolutely stress free and totally enjoyable. The Hotel or Villa accommodation was always in wonderful positions. Consider it a treat in store to travel with Deb.”

Louise Bushby

Discover Italy like a local. That’s the experience you get on Deb’s tours. The small group is perfect for eating at hidden cafes and bars known only to locals and seeing places you’d never find on your own. We loved the flexibility of options every day to appeal to individual interests. Two tours so far with Deb and we’re keen to go again.

Tina and Barry Jannese

Wow! I love Deb's tours so much I have done six. Every trip has been an amazing experience full of unexpected delights. Deb is so passionate about putting together an Italian adventure that will literally change your life forever. I know I will go again and continue my love affair with Italy!

Diane Rogers

Deb took us to many amazing little out of the way places as well as many of the 'must sees'. She knew all the great little cafes, bars, restaurants and sights that were off the normal tourist grid. This made the experience an authentic and truly memorable one. Unlike many tours there was plenty of flexibility in the itinerary to do your own thing and explore on your own terms. I thoroughly recommend anyone who wants the real Italian experience to travel with Deb. Buonissima!

Roger Marek

What an incredible time we had on our first trip to Italy. From day one we were blown away. We loved all the little, hidden towns on the Tuscany tour and had enough time everywhere to create indelible memories. After being home for three months, we planned our next tour with Deb which was the Amalfi Coast and Sicily. Again, Deb gave us the best holiday ever as she puts 100% into it. We would return to Italy in a heartbeat to join another Ciao Italy tour.

Greg and Anne McMillan

Deb’s knowledge, planning and energy are what I love most. Small groups and great interaction with people happy to share this authentic taste of Italy. Do yourself a favour and experience this sensational country with Deb – you’ll be sorry if you don’t.

Gail Hartshorn

Deb’s passion and enthusiasm for all things Italian means everyone in her small groups, either seasoned or first time novices, receive an amazingly well researched experience in Italy. Deb loves ‘the scene behind the scenes” and introduces her travellers to places in Italy generally only seen by locals. Our first tour was in 2019 and now we can’t wait to return to Italy for our next slice of la vita bella with Ciao Italy Tours.

Judith Laurence and Ian Price

“What an incredible holiday you created for us. Your delightful enthusiasm was contagious! I could never have found all the beautiful walks in stunning out of the way places that you took us on. So much fun. Best holiday ever!”

Carolyn McKinlay

It was my first time and now I’m hooked! Two tours with Deb gave me total immersion into the Italian way of life. Loved it all. The small villages, culture, food, history, different adventures every day, our fantastic accommodation. Can’t wait for my next Italian adventure with Ciao Italy Tours.

Fiona Gardiner

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Check out our NEW small group tour of the Riviera with author Michelle Damiani! Oct 14-20

Italy Immersion

Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, Venice

12 days, 11 nights

From €6,750 per person

Crisscross the Italian boot from the turquoise waters of the Amalfi Coast to the rolling hills, medieval villages and boutique wineries of Tuscany to the cultural capitals of Rome, Florence and Venice. Enjoy the personalized attention of private local guides, soaking up authentic, insider experiences at every stop.

Why You'll Love It

• Enjoy private tours of the monuments and marvels of Ancient Rome; Venice’s canals; and Florence’s art historical wonders
• Discover the dramatically beautiful Amalfi Coast on a full-day driving tour or cliffside cooking class, and enjoy a fee day to luxuriate in its blissful serenity on your own
• Spend a full day with a private driver exploring top vineyards and medieval villages or learning the art of Italian cooking in the rolling hills of Tuscany

Arrive in Italy

Fly into Rome (FCO) airport and enjoy seamless VIP meet & greet service—with a dedicated arrival concierge, fast-track through customs, and luggage assistance—followed by a private luxury car transfer to your accommodations. Settle into your accommodations and explore on your own.

Explore Rome

Today, tour Rome with a private local guide. You’ll have the choice of either a guided tour through Ancient Rome via private car service, Vatican City by foot, or a Culinary Walking Tour.

Spend the day exploring Rome on your own.

Discover Pompeii

Take the train from Rome to Naples. En route to the Amalfi Coast, explore Pompeii or Herculaneaum, ancient towns preserved in time by the volcanic ash of Mt. Vesuvius. A private driver will pick you up and escort you to Pompeii, for a guided tour of the ruins followed by a stop for lunch at a winery at the foothills of Mt. Vesuvius.

Uncover the Coast

Enjoy the best of what the Amalfi Coast has to offer with your choice of a full day private driving tour, cliffside cooking and limoncello-making class led by a private chef and restaurateur, or the option to upgrade to a private boat excursion to Capri.

Spend the day soaking in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast on your own, whether on the beach, relaxing poolside or venturing on a hike.

Say Ciao to Florence

Depart the Amalfi Coast, with a private driver escorting you from your hotel to the Naples train station, where you’ll take the train to Florence. Spend your first afternoon and evening exploring Firenze at your leisure, with the option to add on a twilight walking tour through the city.

Experience Firenze

Today discover Florence with a half-day private guided walking tour spanning Renaissance treasures such as David at the Accademia or the food markets and culinary delights of Firenze.

Travel Through Tuscany

Spend the day in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. You’ll have the choice of either exploring hilltop towns and family-run wineries with a knowledgeable local driver, or learning the secrets of Tuscan cooking with a private chef in her 17th century Chianti estate.

Venture to Venice

Depart Florence for Venice via train. Upon arrival at the Venice train station, a private boat will escort you to your accommodations. After settling in and spending some time exploring on your own, enjoy a 1-hour sunset ride through Venice’s famed canals as you sip prosecco on a private water taxi.

Get to Know the City

Weave your way through the streets and canals of Venice with one of our knowledgeable local guides. Explore the famed St. Mark’s Square, which features iconic historic sites such as the Clock Tower, Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, and the Marciana Library. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica before heading to the Rialto Bridge, following more off-the-beaten-path streets.

Time to Depart

Fly out of Venice (VCE) airport with private boat + car service to the airport. Buon viaggio!

We partner with local guides, drivers, chefs and artisans of the highest caliber across all 20 regions of Italy. Every Ciao Andiamo expert is hand-selected by our team and passionate about sharing the best of Italy with our travelers.

I have spent years as a guide in Italy leading food and wine tours. There is history and tradition behind every recipe, and culinary tours are the perfect way to discover authentic Italy and fall in love with this amazing country.

I am a longtime driver in Italy, bringing to life for my guests unforgettable, immersive journeys through the magnificent countryside. My motto? Enjoy the world!

I take personal pleasure seeing my guests fall in love with our country, immersing themselves in the local culture and discovering the foods, wines and traditions unique to each region of Italy.

Getting Around

In Italy, getting around isn’t always easy, which is why we design each trip to flow as seamlessly as possible. From private transfers to expert guidance and assistance with public transportation, we’ll make sure you get from point A to point B without the stress.

Luxury Car Service

Across all cities and regions of Italy we work with trusted local drivers who provide reliable private transfers using best-in-class luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes E Class and Mercedes Viano.

High Speed Train

Fast train is often the most seamless way to travel between major cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan. We can help arrange for our electronic tickets for reserved business class seats with flexible fare.

Dedicated Private Driver

Throughout your tour, travel seamlessly in the comfort of dedicated car service, as you journey on daily excursions spanning small towns and off-the-beaten path adventures.

Where You'll Stay

Where you call home when you are away from home can make all the difference. Whether you seek out full-amenity luxury properties, boutique art hotels, or charming B&Bs, our partner hotels are service oriented, conveniently located, comfortable and full of local character (you want to feel like you’re in Italy, not Idaho).

Luxury Hotels

Perfect for traveler seeking the finest in luxury accommodations. From boutique to grand, and classic to modern, our favorite 5-star properties blend service and Italian design with the highest level of comfort and amenities.

Classic Hotels

For those who care about charm and aesthetic, but don’t need the full 5-star experience. We work with wonderful properties that offer a mix of Italian hospitality, character, comfort and value from B&Bs, countryside castles, seaside inns and beyond.

What's Included

11 nights accommodations with daily breakfast

VIP Fast-Track service at Rome Airport (FCO) including arrival concierge, fast-track service through customs, and luggage assistance

Private pickup at Rome (FCO) airport and drop-off at accommodations in Rome via luxury car service

Choice between one of three Ancient Rome private guided tours including admissions and reserved entry tickets where applicable

Business class train from Rome to Naples

Private car service Amalfi Coast to Naples, with stop en route at Pompeii for 2-hr private guided tour, admission, stop for lunch at winery at foothills of Vesuvius

Choice between full-day private Amalfi Coast driving tour with private driver for up to 8 hours or hands-on cooking class with roundtrip private car service

Private transfer from accommodations in the Amalfi Coast to Naples train station via luxury car service

Business class train from Naples to Florence

Choice between half-day private guided city tour of renaissance Florence including optional tickets & reserved entry tickets to David at the Accademia or culinary walking tour including private guide for 3 hours and tastings

Choice between full day countryside tour through Tuscany including private driver for 8 hours, visit to 1-2 towns, wine tasting, tour and lunch or hands-on cooking class

Business class train from Florence to Venice

Private pickup at Venice train station and drop off at accommodations via boat service

Half-day private walking and canal tour of Venice for 3 hours (2 hour walking tour, 1 hour canal tour by private gondola)

Private pickup at accommodations in Venice and drop-off at Venice (VCE) airport via boat + car service

Ciao Andiamo’s dedicated planning services and on-the-ground support while traveling

What's Not Included

Airfare, hotel city taxes (2-10 EURO per person per day), travel insurance, personal expenditures, meals and transfers not specified, and optional guide gratuities.

The Ciao Difference

Every ciao andiamo trip includes.

Hand-Selected Hotels

Expert Local Guides

Private Tours

Insider Access

One-On-One Expert Planning

Personal Concierge in Italy

Receive Your Full Itinerary

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History & Passion

In 1998, Ciao Tours was launched in Canada with a dream to provide unique, personalized & independent tours of Italy with a local expertise. Ciao Tours was born thanks to an international friendship and has focused on providing the utmost care and attention to our clients while respecting the traditions, culture, people and environment of the countries we live and work in. We discovered an authentic and passionate way to experience a country and chose a niche in the market which the large tour companies were not meeting. (The age of following an umbrella with fifty people you did not know was slowly coming to an end).

We wanted clients to experience the small family run farms called Agriturismo, the local guides in Rome, Siena, Florence & Venice, to enjoy a cooking lesson with an Italian family & more. With that common goal, we all wanted to immerse our clients into the hospitality, culture and beauty of our country, Italy!

Ciao Tours has grown to include a combination of international and local staff in Canada & Italy as well as Greece who combine, in a positive way, their skills and knowledge of their countries. With an office located in Calgary, AB Canada and dedicated Travel Agents throughout North America. As a group of Canadians, Italians & Greeks, Ciao Tours has vast talents in all areas of Tourism and Business. Each person brings their professional abilities to one common goal of ensuring our clients’ customized tour is their most memorable holiday!

OUR COMPANY VALUES

Quality in everything we do

Honestly & trust

Balance between work and family

“Can do” attitude

Accountability for our actions

Meet or exceed our customer’s expectations

Meet the Team

Meet the faces of ciao tours.

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At Ciao Tours, we’re excited to help plan your perfect private tour to Italy or Greece while respecting your budget. The highest compliment you can give us is to recommend Ciao Tours to your friends, family, and business associates.

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Ciao Tours strongly recommends travel insurance for all our clients. We have partnered with Simpson Group who are specialists in this area and can assist all our North American clients. If you are in need of a quote or even a second opinion on your existing coverage, please reach out to them.

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