This Rick Steves Italy Tour Showcases Slower-Paced Culture, According To One Of His Guides

Rick Steves has earned his reputation as one of the world's foremost experts on European travel. His gentle, easy-going attitude combines with staggeringly in-depth knowledge of cities and countries across Europe, and his insights are always valuable, particularly for travelers who want to get under the skin of a destination and avoid a cookie-cutter vacation experience.

One of the best ways to take advantage of Rick Steves' exceptional experience is on one of his fabulous tours. Brimming with culture, history, and delicious food, and led by one of his exceptional, highly trained, and delightful guides, a typical tour takes you traveling the way Rick himself likes to experience the world and is the perfect way to explore a beautiful country like Italy. Most of Rick Steves' Italian tours pack a remarkable amount into the time they have, with trips like the Best of Italy visiting eight of Italy's 20 regions in just 17 days! But if you're after something with a slightly slower pace, with the chance to delve deeply into Italian culture and cooking, then Steves' Village Italy tour might be the one for you.

One of Rick Steves' experienced Italian guides, Sarah Corfield, notes that "the Village Italy tour has a slower pace and a bit more eating" (per an interview with Corfield that was published on Steves' blog). This makes the tour ideal for foodies and travelers who want to immerse themselves in authenticity rather than ticking off the main sights. But that's not to say that you are missing out on exciting experiences. Corfield points out that "after 14 days, tour members are surprised at how many places we visited without the tour feeling rushed."

The Village Italy tour starts off in Padua, a bucket-list Italian town for any Shakespeare lover, and proceeds through some of Northern Italy's most beautiful towns, including Ravenna, Assisi, Siena, Lucca, and the gorgeous villages of Cinque Terre. It is all about hands-on experiences, so you'll be learning to cook pasta, how to make wine, heading out into the woods to search for truffles, and even creating pottery and cutting marble. Sarah Corfield describes the tour as a chance to immerse yourself in Italian culture. She notes that "while we only visit one museum in 14 days ... each of these visits is a chance to connect personally with our hosts." The tour is a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of some of Italy's most iconic food exports, like truffles from Assisi, balsamic vinegar from Modena, and extra-virgin olive oil from the rolling hills outside Lucca.

While there might not be quite as much high culture and grand historic architecture as on some of Rick Steves' other Italian itineraries, that's not to say that you won't get your fair share of art and history. The schedule includes visits to Padua's famous Anatomical Theatre, the world's first permanent structure dedicated to teaching anatomy and the birthplace of modern anatomical medicine. You'll see the gorgeous mosaics in Ravenna's Basilica of San Vitale, the magnificent frescoes by Signorelli that adorn the Orvieto Cathedral, and the fascinating Etruscan Museum in Chianciano. These experiences culminate in one last visit — to the exquisite Italian Riviera on the Ligurian coastline, the final bow at the end of a magnificent journey. 

The real joy of the Village Italy tour is its relaxed, slow unfolding. Rather than hopping between famous galleries and museums or racing from town to town to cram as much into your trip as possible, this tour luxuriates in its Slow Travel roots. Half of the fun here is simply meandering along country roads surrounded by picturesque Tuscan scenery or wandering — almost aimlessly — through medieval hill towns and uncrowded villages that are way off the beaten track. Whether it's a boat trip past the dramatic cliffs and stunning settlements clinging to the edge overlooking a sheer drop or a coastal hike taking in the pastel-colored fishing villages of Cinque Terre, this tour promises to be an exceptional experience as well as a delightful "vacation from your vacation," if you're used to a more frenetic pace, even while on holiday. 

Rick Steves has put together Italian tours for every style of traveler, and Sarah Corfield is adamant in her interview that she loves them all equally. But the tours are different. If you are after a trip that focuses on the world-famous highlights of ancient Rome, Renaissance art, and the magical canals of Venice, then the Venice-Florence-Rome tour is perfect. The Best of Italy tour is a whistle-stop adventure covering an enormous amount of the country, starting in Venice, the historic Italian city that Steves calls "forever unique." But if it's laid-back vibes and authentic experiences (as well as mouthwatering food) that you are after, the Village Italy tour is tough to beat!