About Us

We are a Unique Team of the Best travel and Toursim Professionals with the Expertise and Passion of delivering
the best travel experience for our customers

Unique Guided Tours: Travel, Experience, Make Lifetime Memories.

Our Team of Experts




Mario Bernardi
CEO

Mario Bernardi, Ceo Born and raised in Rome, Mario has lived in Naples between 1995 and 1998, while attending the Military School "Nunziatella", one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious Boarding Schools. Back to Rome he has studied at the II University of Rome " Tor Vergata" obtaining a Masters degree in Aestetics, the philosophy of Art, with Professor Mario Perniola. Mario has been working as a Tour Guide and Assistant for the Italian Ministry of Culture from 1999 to 2008, and  also started working as a freelance guide and tour leader since 2002, and is a professional licensed Tour Guide and Tour Leader. In 2003 Mario visited the Us and gave a Talk at the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center of the St Anselm College in Manchester, NH, about "The Grand Tour, lived experience of art and culture", from 2005 till 2009 he has been giving talks and tutoring several University and Masters Students for the III University of Rome and other cultural institutions. Since 1999 he has alternated his studies and professional work with several researches and papers, articles and various collaborations, this activity continues today, in the fields of Modern History, Aesthetics, Philosophy and Literature. As a passionate traveller, he has travelled extensively thought Europe, United States and Japan.  What he likes to offer to his clients is a tailor made service, sharing  knowledge and points of interest, designing their trips as if they were his own family members or best friends. In 2008 he has taken part in the making of Sky Arts “Suggs Italian Job” and the Road To Civilization – CCTV – The Coliseum, a documentary on the Coliseum by the Chinese State Television. He has conducted many tours in Rome and all over Italy and now, besides being an exceptional guide, he is the Founder and Director of The Grand Tour Europe, providing unique travel experiences to passionate travellers. In 2013 he has been awarded Top 10 Private Guides: 2014 Viator Travel Awards http://travelblog.viator.com/top-10-private-guides/ More reviews can be found here http://www.reidsitaly.com/planning/sightseeing/private_guides.html http://tourguides.viator.com/tour-guide-mario-bernardi-1869.aspx

http://thingstodo.viator.com/rome/qa-with-viator-travel-experts-in-rome/

http://www.wantedinrome.com/whats-on/936/the-grand-tour-open-air-lectures.html

 

Why Choose Us


Handpicked Hotels

We work with a small selection of hotels and accommodations that we insoect regularly and we personally know!

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World Class Service

We only provide the best level of service, pre, during and post tour!

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Best Price Guarantee

By booking directly on our website or via phone you have 100% best price guaranteed. We are a tour operator which means that we employ guides and driver directly and we buy all services from direct providers!

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The Grand Tour Europe – Unique Guided Tours – Tour Operator

Who we are

The Grand Tour Europe is a Boutique Tour Operator that creates Unique Guided Tours to enjoy Rome, Italy and Europe’s infinite cultural, artistic and historical heritage. We organise Private Guided Tours for individuals, families and groups, including Walks, Driving Tours, Excursions and a number of various Cultural Activities, including Classes of Traditional Craft, Wine Tastings, Cooking Classes and more offering you the unique experience of “The Grand Tour”, a lived experience of Art and Culture “off the beaten tracks” and away from the crowds and the mass tourism routes. We create Unique bespoke educational, cultural and exciting trips discovering the Secrets of Rome and Italy with our Private and Group Tours lead by the best Official Tour Guides and Experts, such as Historians, Archaeologists and Local Experts. All our Guides and Tour Directors are fully licensed and trained by The Grand Tour, they are all Expert in their field with a Master’s Degree as a minimum requirement and often a PhD in History, Archaeology or History of Arts and related fields.

Our Story

The Grand Tour was originally founded in Rome by dott. Mario Bernardi in 2002 together with a group of young Historians and Architects becoming soon one of Romes finest provider of Cultural Guided Tours. In 2012 dott. Bernardi moved to the Uk and created The Grand Tour Europe which is based in Chester, Uk, with a representative office in Rome by the Spanish Steps and agents in North America and Europe.

What we do

The Grand Tour provides excellent bespoke travel arrangements based on activities and unique experiences tailored on your needs and demands. Our Packages include Private Guide Tour, Skip the Line or Privileged Entrances, Private transportation and, upon request, accommodation. Our Expert Tour Guides concentrate on the explanation of the meaning and the facts which are “behind” art, history and culture, giving you the elements to understand and enjoy what you are visiting creating unique long-lasting memories of a lifetime.

The Grand Tour Guided Tours are designed for a culturally curious traveller, interested in a deeper understanding; Our private guided tours are also easy to follow and not exhausting, which makes them the perfect choice for families, aged travellers and people with special needs. Our tours are not for the rush-here-rush-there tourist, but for travellers which asks for a bit more from their experience of Rome, Italy and Europe. We are a fully licensed Tour Operator business, we employ official Licensed Local Expert Tour Guides and Tour Leaders, Drivers and teachers of various disciplines like Chefs and Sommeliers and offer full financial protection for our travellers.  We cater for individuals and small family groups up to large groups like School trips, Choirs and Incentives.

 

What Customers Say


  • We spent 4 days in Rome and 3 days in Florence and every day was a perfect mix of fun, learning and relaxation. It all started weeks before when we corresponded via emails with Mario. He worked with us to understand what we wanted to do and make recommendations on things we had not considered. He helped with everything -hotels, tours, trains, and restaurants. Then from the moment we arrived until we left, everything happened the way he promised. Of course being a family, we had to keep things flexible and be able to change things on the fly. Mario was flexible and accommodated us as needed. His expert knowledge of all things Italian made it a learning experience as well as fun. The other tour guides he arranged for us - Virginia in Florence and Valentina were also knowledgeable and pleasant. Could not have been happier. My advice - don't leave a once-in-a-lifetime trip Italian trip to chance, use Mario to make it a memorable one.
    TCR_10 21 May 2017
  • This is a truly great tour of Europe. Mr. Mario was knowledgeable and engaging. I went for three days to Rome with my uncle, and was blown away by the quality of this tour! I cannot recommend enough this tour! Thank you, Mr. Mario!
    SpinningForkRavioli 23 April 2017
  • We met Mario at the Vatican museums for a day long tour of the museums and St. Peter's Basilica. He was awesome. He arranged our tickets and rapid entry into the Vatican. He knew exactly where to go and when so we could enjoy the museums without the crowds. His knowledge of the art was exceptional and he was able to pace us through the museums at a good pace. He knew when to take a break and quick access to bathrooms. He has a GREAT sense of humor. He helped us arrange a private driver for a trip to the airport. We would use Mario again for any trip we plan to Italy.
    lori g 25 November 2016