Audley Travel has crafted bespoke luxury tours around the world since 1996. Now expanding its European offerings, the company relies on local country specialists with deep, on-the-ground knowledge of Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom to design personalized itineraries that reflect each destination’s character and traditions.
In Italy, sample itineraries showcase hands-on, authentic experiences. In Venice you might spend time with a master mask-maker and then create your own carnival mask. In Florence, guided walks introduce you to artisans preserving traditional crafts—watching the making of Florentine paper, Tuscan wine production, mosaic work and the baking of cantucci (biscotti). For a memorable overnight stay, an 11th-century monastery can provide a peaceful retreat complete with wine tastings and cooking classes.
Art lovers can enjoy private, expert-led visits: a focused tour of the Vatican with an art historian highlighting lesser-known symbols in works associated with Michelangelo, or a private guided visit to the Borghese Gallery followed by a stop at the Santa Maria del Popolo church to see one of Caravaggio’s most striking paintings. Opera and performance enthusiasts may prefer an exclusive backstage tour of Verona’s Arena, with access to dressing rooms and prop storage areas.
For culinary and coastal experiences, try a sea-to-table adventure in Sorrento where you accompany a local fisherman and turn your fresh catch into a meal. History enthusiasts can participate in immersive sessions led by professional re-enactors who teach gladiator training, explain ancient arena tactics and bring the story of Rome’s combatants to life.
Audley’s specialists tailor each itinerary to match individual interests, combining exclusive access, local expertise and carefully arranged logistics. Whether you seek art and culture, hands-on craft experiences, culinary adventures or immersive historical programs, these curated journeys are designed to reveal lesser-known aspects of Europe while offering the comfort and refinement expected from a luxury travel experience.