Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, packing suggestions, airfare strategies, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Our articles are written for travelers who want more than ordinary sightseeing. Whether you are planning a trip to Europe, Canada, South America, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, France, Peru, or a luxury river cruise, our goal is to help you travel smarter, more comfortably, and with greater confidence.

Since 2009, Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor has helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy carefully planned, adults-only small group tours with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service from real travel professionals who know our destinations inside and out.

Latest Travel Tips & Destination Guides

Archive by category: Italy Travel Destination GuideReturn

29Sep

The Best Places to Eat in Florence Italy

29 Sep, 2025 | Italy, Florence, Restaurants | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (722)

Here are The Traveling Professor’s favorite authentic Tuscan restaurants in Florence, Italy. From the famous Steak Florentine at Buca Mario to lively trattorias and vibrant food markets, explore the best places to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine.

28Sep

Dates to Avoid When Planning a European Trip

28 Sep, 2025 | Public Holidays | Austria & Bavaria Travel Guide, Ireland Travel Guide, Norway and Iceland Destination Guide, Scotland Travel Guide, Paris and France Travel Guide, Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (3088)

Plan your 2026 Europe trip smarter by avoiding major public holidays in Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Austria, Italy, France, and Ireland. Skip crowds, closures, and high prices with our complete holiday calendar and travel tips.

15Sep

3 Family Owned Hotels in Venice

15 Sep, 2025 | Italy, Venice, Hotels | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (612)

Here are The Professor's top three family-run hotels in Venice, combining classic Venetian charm, prime locations near St. Mark’s Square, and peaceful canal-side retreats—perfect for travelers on small group tours seeking comfort and authentic experiences.

08Sep

What to See and Do, Where to Eat and Stay, in Padua Italy

08 Sep, 2025 | Padua, Scrovegni | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (624)

Explore Padua with the Traveling Professor’s Northern Italy tour. Visit the Scrovegni Chapel, University of Padua, and Caffè Pedrocchi, stroll Prato della Valle, stay at Majestic Toscanelli, and enjoy authentic dining at Padua’s best restaurants.

06Sep

5 Best Places to Get Gelato in Florence Italy

06 Sep, 2025 | Florence, Italy, Gelato | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (1109)

Find the 5 best gelato spots in Florence, Italy, known for their authentic flavors and creamy textures. From traditional recipes to creative varieties, these gelaterias offer the perfect sweet treat during your Tuscan adventure.

31Aug

5 Things You Should Never See or Do in Europe

31 Aug, 2025 | Temple Bar, Hogwarts Express, Blue Grotto, Blarney Stone, Bastille | Ireland Travel Guide, Scotland Travel Guide, Paris and France Travel Guide, Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (1174)

Ignore these five overhyped European attractions to skip, including Scotland’s Hogwarts Express and Capri’s Blue Grotto. Learn smarter, budget-friendly alternatives and insider tips from The Traveling Professor for a more authentic and enjoyable European travel experience.

27Aug

The Traveling Professor’s Top 3 Favorite Places to Eat in Rome

27 Aug, 2025 | Rome, Italy, Restaurants | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (505)

Explore Rome’s top culinary spots on The Traveling Professor’s small group tours. From modern dining at Target to historic elegance at Ristorante Da Pancrazio and vibrant flavors at Mercato Centrale, savor authentic Italian cuisine that delights every palate.

25Aug

Favorite Small, Under the Radar Towns in Europe

25 Aug, 2025 | Flam, Borganes, St Andrews, Bassano del Grapp | Norway and Iceland Destination Guide, Scotland Travel Guide, Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (748)

Discover The Traveling Professor’s favorite small towns in Europe—Flam, Bassano del Grappa, Borganes, and St. Andrews—off-the-beaten-path gems offering stunning scenery, rich history, and authentic charm, perfect for small group tours and travelers seeking unique European experiences.

21Aug

How to Do a Day Trip from Florence to Siena

21 Aug, 2025 | Siena, Italy Day Trip | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (645)

Take the bus for the best day trip from Florence to Siena. Explore Siena’s stunning Il Campo, Duomo Cathedral, Museo dell'Opera, and Santa Maria della Scala. Save with the OPA SI Pass for easy access to top attractions.

18Aug

Itinerary for Rome Pilgrim's Walk of Religious Sites

18 Aug, 2025 | Rome, Pilgrim Walk | Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (616)

Explore Rome’s Pilgrim’s Walk in just 2 hours. Visit iconic religious sites like Santa Maria della Vittoria, Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, the Holy Stairs, and Saint Peter in Chains, featuring masterpieces by Bernini and Michelangelo.

About the Author

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

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