Luxury Experiences in Italy

Have you been wanting to treat yourself to an unforgettable trip? There is no better place to enjoy a life of luxury than in Italy – the country that’s home to esteemed designer fashion houses like Armani and Prada and prestige car brands Ferrari and Lamborghini.

This guide has a list of the foremost luxury experiences in Italy that you can’t miss – from the unique ways to sightsee to enjoying the culinary scene and more. Think premium local cuisine, 5-star accommodations, private and exclusive tours of Italy’s main attractions, and personalized services catered to you.

Now, let’s look at the best luxury experiences in the Bel Paese.

Luxury Experiences With Untold Italy Tours

For a memorable visit, you can start by checking out our very own luxury tours of regional Italy. Untold Italy Tours is especially good for touring lesser-known regions of Italy, including Piedmont, Liguria, Puglia, and more. Additionally, our tours take care of everything, allowing you to relax and enjoy the very best food, wine, and cultural experiences that Italy has to offer.

See the Scenery in Style

Italy’s scenery is a defining aspect of what makes the country so appealing, so why not take full advantage of some different ways to explore? Skip the typical walking tour and opt for something more enticing, like a private boat ride or a hot air balloon across Tuscany. Take a look at some premium options.

Private Boat Tour – Capri and Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast and Capri Island, just off the Sorrento Peninsula, are brilliant locations to add to your itinerary, and private boat tours offer a relaxing way to explore them. Depending on how much time you have, you can opt for shorter trips or full-day excursions, but either way, they’re worth it.

A private boat tour lets you see hidden beaches, grottoes, and impressive rock formations along the coast. Some offer the opportunity for snorkeling, with snacks and drinks included, and stops at gorgeous coastal towns.

Recommendations:

• Amalfi Coast and Emerald Grotto Private Boat Tour
• Capri: Exclusive Boat Tour
• Boat Tour of Capri with Drinks and Snacks
• Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour | Exclusive Experience

Hot Air Balloon Ride in Tuscany

If you’re an adventure seeker (and not afraid of heights), a hot air balloon ride might be your preference. The Tuscan countryside is vast and often complicated to explore, but a hot air balloon ride can be an exciting way to see this massive area from a new perspective.

These rides give a bird's-eye view of the rolling hills, olive groves, medieval villages, castles, and historic vineyards. And while you’re admiring the scenery, your pilot will share their first-hand knowledge on each site. Some excursions include breakfast before take-off and a glass or two of Prosecco while on the flight.

Recommendations:

• Exclusive Private Balloon Tour for 2 in Tuscany
• Luxury Hot-Air Balloon Ride
• Tuscany Hot Air Balloon Flight from Firenze
• Private Hot Air Balloon flight in Tuscany

Helicopter Ride

If a hot air balloon seems too daunting, you might prefer the security of a helicopter ride to discover your favorite spots in Italy. Helicopter rides are available in most major areas and allow you to see the main attractions from above. These tours may include lunches and drinks, drop-offs and pick-ups, and guided commentary.

Perhaps you want to see the sights in Lake Como or take a more thrilling flight over the impressive volcano Mount Etna in Sicily. Either way, these rides allow you to see things from a new lens, with a professional pilot ready to give you the most unforgettable experience possible.

Recommendations:

• Group Flight Helicopter Tour Over Etna
• Helicopter Tour Over the Dolomites
• VIP Private Helicopter Tour Around Rome
• Helicopter Tour with Unique Lunch in Lake Como

Vespa Tour

The next option is better if you’d prefer something less adrenaline-pumping than a helicopter or hot air balloon ride. Not only are these accessible throughout the country, but they’re also utterly charming, and nothing embodies “Italian” more than a Vespa.

Vespa tours are accompanied by a personal expert guide, who’ll take you past the top attractions in whichever city you visit. Arrange a night tour through the cobbled streets, explore ancient Rome, and admire the magnificent Colosseum up close. Perhaps you’d prefer a daytime tour of San Gimignano or through the Chianti Valley? In some cases, they also include stops for snacks and hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Recommendations:

• Florence Vespa Tour: Tuscan Hills and Italian Cuisine
• Rome Vespa Tour By Night
• Private Vespa Rome Tour
• Vespa Tour in the Hills of Bologna

Spend a Day At a Beach Club on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast needs little introduction. It’s a sought-after location for locals and tourists alike and is pretty much everyone’s go-to vacation spot in the summertime. Beach clubs are perfect for admiring the coastal beauty and soaking in the sun like a VIP.

Amalfi Coast beach clubs can be pricey, but it’s certainly worth the splurge a little and will be an experience like no other. Spend the day on a sun bed with a cocktail in hand, looking out at the super yachts in the harbor. There will be swimming, dancing, live music, delicious food, and more.

Try popular beach clubs like Arienzo Beach Club or La Scogliera in Positano, Conca del Sogno Beach Club in Nerano, or Lido degli Artisti in Amalfi.

Top Luxury 5-Star Hotels

No luxury vacation in Italy is complete without the perfect accommodation. Luckily, there are plenty of options. Each hotel has everything you need for an unforgettable stay, from gourmet restaurants to large rooms with lavish decor and personalized concierge services. Here are some quick recommendations for a handful of hotels in popular areas.

Rome – The St. Regis Rome

The St. Regis is a world-renowned luxury hotel provider that makes any guest feel like royalty. This one in Rome is in an ideal spot in the historic center, near attractions like Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

The rooms are large and decorated to the nines, perfect for unwinding after a long day. The hotel also has on-site facilities, including full access to a spa, which offers facials, massage treatments, and a calming steam room. Oh, and don’t forget the restaurant Lumen, an exclusive dining and cocktail bar serving incredible dishes, open all day >> Check rates and availability.

Florence – Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

The Four Seasons Hotel in Florence is another must for a high-end experience in the Renaissance city. The rooms are inviting and comfortable, with intricate art on the walls and golden accents.

Guests can enjoy al fresco dining outside by the pool bar, visit the Atrium Bar for a pre-dinner aperitivo, or dine at the Il Palagio private garden restaurant for mouthwatering gourmet meals. The hotel also has a five-star spa and exclusive opportunities for guests, including renting a classic car (Ferraris included) >> Check rates and availability.

Venice – The Gritti Palace

If you want to live like nobility, the Gritti Palace is the place to be. It truly lives up to its name, boasting modern yet opulent interiors, intricate wallpapers, chandeliers, and terraces overlooking the Grand Canal. Plus, it’s only a short walk from Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and St. Mark’s Basilica.

For amazing-quality meals, you can visit the on-site restaurant, Club del Doge, which gets fresh ingredients from Rialto Market daily. To top it off, the Gritti has a spa and top-notch concierge services >> Check rates and availability.

Lake Como – Grand Hotel Tremezzo

When in Lake Como, your accommodation will likely boast one of Italy’s finest views, and Grand Hotel Tremezzo is no different. The views from here are out of this world, looking out across the massive lake and the surrounding hills. You can’t go wrong.

Apart from the well-appointed rooms, the Tremezzo's highlight is the dining experience. Start at the Gualtiero Marchesi restaurant for fine dining on a terrace overlooking Lake Como. Then, head to the L'Escale Trattoria and Wine Bar to sample phenomenal Nebbiolo wines and regional specialties, like asparagus and truffle ravioli >> Check rates and availability.

Amalfi Coast – Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel

This final luxury accommodation is set in a converted 13th-century monastery carved into the cliffside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the Amalfi Coast. The views are out of this world, and you can admire them whether in your room or one of the many hotel terraces.

The rooms are ultra-modern, with plenty of space and all the amenities you could ever need. You can book a room with a private terrace and hot tub and have access to the hotel’s infinity pool. Guests also have a fresh buffet breakfast each day at the La Locanda restaurant – that’s just the start >> Check rates and availability.

Food and Wine Experiences

You can elevate your trip to Italy even more by deep-diving into the cuisine. It’s no secret that Italy’s food scene is one of the finest in the world, with options for fine dining and mouthwatering dishes, to world-renowned wines. Oh, and let’s not forget decadent desserts.

Michelin Star Dining

There are 393 Michelin-star restaurants in Italy at the time of writing, making it one of the prime places to try the world’s tastiest dishes. Generally, accessing these restaurants requires planning well in advance, so make sure to get a reservation ahead of time.

Each restaurant has an inspired chef who creates delicious food by combining unique flavors, techniques, and quality ingredients. But with so many options, where do you start? Well, it’s hard to pick favorites, but we’ve put together a nice variety:

• Osteria Francescana – Modena (three stars)
• Quattro Passi – Nerano (three stars)
• Enrico Bartolini – Milan (three stars)
• Il Pagliaccio – Rome (two stars)
• Sapio Restaurant – Catania (one star)

Taste Vintage Wine

If you’re a wine-lover, there’s no doubt you’ve considered visiting Tuscany. That’s usually the first place people think of. That said, Italy is actually home to some of the world’s top wine-producing regions, not just Tuscany. Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Sicily, Puglia, and Piedmont are just a few, each with local wines you have to taste.

When visiting Veneto, you can see the winemaking town of Valpolicella, which produces a dry red called Amarone. Tuscany is known for Chianti Classico dry red and white Vermentino wines. There are also the five Lambrusco variations from Emilia-Romagna. The list goes on.

Plus, in each destination, you can find a wine bar or vineyard to visit and learn more about the importance of wine culture and how the wine is made.

White Truffle Hunt

Every chef worldwide dreams of using the white truffle. Also known as the “diamond of the kitchen,” white truffles are among the most expensive ingredients in the world, not only because of their flavor but also because they are so rare.

Luckily, a select few can hunt white truffles during peak season, which is usually from mid-September to January. They’re found in places like San Miniato, Acqualagna, and Asti, but the oak forests of Alba (in Piedmont) produce the best.

Recommendations:

• Langhe: Truffle Hunting Experience
• Private Truffle Hunt in Tuscany
• Full-Day Small-Group Truffle Hunting in Tuscany
• Truffle and Wine Tasting Near Alba

Cultural Experiences

Admiring the architecture, indulging in local cuisine, and viewing the gorgeous scenery are just a few ways to discover Italy, but there’s another side to immerse yourself in. Let’s look at some more unique cultural experiences that are only available for a limited time.

Opera di Verona

When in Verona, you can’t miss out on an opportunity to see an opera performance. The Fondazione Arena di Verona offers two primary ways to catch a glimpse of these performances – the Arena di Verona Opera Festival and the Teatro Filarmonico.

The Arena di Verona Opera Festival runs from June to September, and several classical performances grace the stage. These once-in-a-lifetime performances are incredible, as they’re held in an ancient Roman amphitheater. Teatro Filarmonico is the second location and one of Europe's leading opera houses. Performances at the theater are held all year, from late January to December 31st.

You can check the list of upcoming events to see which appeals most to you, but either way, prepare for a grand time. 

Venice Carnevale

Carnevale is a lively annual festival held in Venice that brings in thousands of tourists from across the globe. Participants wear brightly-colored costumes and extravagant and intricate Venetian masks whilst engaging in celebrations for two weeks between February and March.

During the Venice Carnival, several shows are held throughout the city, from public parades to more exclusive dinner parties and balls. You can even participate in Venetian mask-making workshops and create a special keepsake to remember your time in the Floating City.

Recommendations:

• Venice Carnival Traditions Private Tour with Mask Workshop
• Carnival in Venice: Private Photoshoot
• Carnival Grand Ball Gala Dinner and Show
• Venice Carnival Mask-Making Class

Andrea Bocelli's Annual Concert

There is no experience more welcoming and memorable than seeing the legendary Andrea Bocelli perform. He is one of Italy’s most famous opera singers, so it’s no surprise that his performances are highly sought after.

If you are in Italy in July, you should make sure to watch his annual performance. He returns to his hometown of Lajatico in Tuscany to put on a show at the stunning Teatro del Silenzio.

The official website provides more information about the concert and allows you to buy tickets. Tickets range from €120 for a general ticket to €1,800 for a Sky Box Experience. The pricier option includes the premier seats in the house, a VIP gift, and complimentary drinks and snacks.

Other Experiences

These final two options might not fit into their own category, but they’re still a must-add to your to-do list if you want an experience that is more original and unlike any you’ve had.

Shopping in Milan

High-profile celebrities and the very wealthiest people all know that Milan is one of the world’s fashion capitals. It’s home to some of the most notable designer brands – we’re talking Armani, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, and Prada, just to name a few. So, if you want to spoil yourself, you should head to Milan to explore the boutiques and stores.

The top shopping destination is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world’s oldest shopping malls, established in the 1860s. It has countless high-end stores selling everything from designer clothing and handbags to books and art pieces.

A few stunning stores and boutiques are scattered near the Duomo di Milano, like Rinascente, which sells the most fabulous luxury bags. If you want a real treat, head down to Corso Buenos Aires. This main shopping street in Milan has over 350 quaint shops and boutiques.

Prestige Car Experiences

Italy is home to some of the world’s most prestigious luxury car brands on the market – Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, Pagani, and perhaps the most famous of all, Ferrari. There are various tour opportunities around the country for you to enjoy, from car museums to test drives.

The Emilia-Romagna region is the prime hub for these motor experiences, home to several museums, birthplaces of car brands, and the iconic Motor Valley. Starting in Modena, you can head to Maranello for a guided tour through the Ferrari Museum or see the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese. Or perhaps you’d enjoy a Maserati factory tour? The possibilities are endless.

Recommendations:

• Small Group Motor Valley Experience With Lunch
• Full-Day Maranello Ferrari Experience with Test Drive
• Full-Day Ferrari in Italy Experience – Ferrari and Food
• Lamborghini World VIP Experience – 2 Test Drives

Wrapping Up Italy’s Top Luxury Experiences

Now that we’ve had a look at these luxury experiences in Italy, which one would you like to indulge in first? Whether you’re lounging beside Lake Como at your five-star hotel or taking a hot air balloon ride over the hills of Tuscany, these exclusive experiences are ripe for the taking.

So, there isn’t much else to say –  it’s time to start planning your trip to Italy!

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