Holidays to Italy

Top attractions

Italy plays host to the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, so there’s a plethora of instantly recognizable historical attractions to take in on your trip. Why not get the perfect postcard photo opportunities at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or marvel at the ruins of ancient Pompeii, the once thriving and sophisticated hub of the Roman Empire? Or connect with the past in Rome’s magnificent Colosseum and Vatican City? The possibilities are endless.

If you’d like to get off your feet a bit on your holiday, perhaps you could relax along Lake Como and take in the stunning views and idyllic atmosphere, or splash out on a world-famous lover’s gondola ride in Venice. Later on in Venice, you could amble around its labyrinthine walkways and alleys, or take in the Venetian Gothic architecture at Doge’s Palace as the city’s nightlife begins to come alive. Whether you want a trip to the past or simply soak up the modern lavish Roman lifestyle, Italy will look after you.

Beaches

While culture, art and architecture are Italy’s specialities, if you’d like nothing more than to stock up on your vitamin S – for ‘sun, sea and sand’ – Italy is no pushover. For some of the finest stretches of beach the country has to offer, head to Sorrento. Or, for a lesson in pure bliss and comfort, you’ll want to head for Lake Garda for row after row of gorgeous resort, and an idyllic atmosphere that will soon have you forgetting all about the office back home.

Italy is surrounded by water on every side, and thus has a diverse coastline with hidden passages that create peaceful private coves and stunning seascapes. The beaches are most crowded during July and August when the locals join the visiting masses to dodge the heat. If you're searching for a top-class resort or a secluded seaside hideaway, we can arrange it for you. 

Eating out

Perhaps no nation is more beloved for their cuisine than Italy, and the sight of an Italian restaurant while on holiday in a foreign place is often welcomed by those of us with less adventurous  tastes. So why not bypass that awkwardness and head straight for the source? The country is famed for its unforgettably fresh pasta dishes and you’ll really be spoilt for choice if you head to Rome. Be sure to weave down the narrow cobbled streets away from the bustling tourist traps to find the more obscure eateries. And don’t forget to wash it all down with some sweet gelato for dessert. While every Italian will claim that their region holds the best cuisine, if it’s pizza you’re after, we’d have to go with the birthplace of the world’s favourite, Naples, where thick crusts and the freshest ingredients are a staple. Be sure to eat it with knife and fork to really impress the locals.

Nightlife

The Romans were well known for their decadent, hedonistic lifestyles and well, to be honest, not much has changed. People know how to party in this nation’s capital, and even the older generation still enjoy nothing more than being surrounded by friends and family, and drinking glass after glass of red wine all night. If you’re looking for a beautiful setting for you to party, you’ll have found it in Rome.

Elsewhere, Milan lives up to its reputation as a favourite with the rich and famous, with a number of world-class nightclubs on display including Dolce and Gabbana Club Gold. Serving up expensive cocktails and with a bar made of solid gold, humble it ain’t. Even cities that may be considered quieter by Italian standards have something to offer for revellers. Florence is popular with clubbers and rave enthusiasts for its emerging electronic scene and penchant for neon lights, while as a throwback to its masquerade balls of the past, Venice is also known for its lavish parties. If you can manage to find them and blag your way in, that is.

Family holidays

A family holiday to Italy can be split into one of two camps – an urban city break or a rural escape. So it’s just a case of choosing which is for your clan. For incredible sights and experiences with the little ones, Italian cities are first-rate, and savvy parents will find a story to tell in every museum and heritage site. For learning about art and the heritage of the past, an abundance of museums in all the main cities can’t be beaten, with most becoming increasingly child friendly, offering multimedia displays and interactive touch screens that make learning fun.

If you’re simply after a relaxing break to rest up and recharge the batteries, Italy has plenty to offer. Sun, sea, sand, fun and frolics can be found aplenty along the country’s gorgeous coastline with the beach-rich Puglia, Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and Sicily all firm favourites with the family crowd.

Couples holidays

Whether it’s soaking up some romantic vibes in Rome after a delicious meal, or taking in the sights on a sleepy gondola ride in Venice, Italy is your one-stop destination for all things love-related. To relax with your other half and discover the true meaning of comfort, you could head for the Amalfi coast to proclaim – or renew – your love for one another amongst azure waters and stunning vistas. Take a romantic sunset cruise along the shimmering waters of the Italian Riviera, or share a midnight kiss at Rome’s Trevi Fountain as the city sleeps around you. If you like to express your love by treating your other half to some lavish gifts, then set your sights for Milan, with designer stores and pristine pampering always on hand. Whatever way you want to reconnect and rekindle your romance, a holiday to Italy has an immense amount to offer.

Action & Adventure

If you like to crank things up a notch while on your holidays, you’ll have found what you need when booking with us. Italy has plenty to offer for all thrill, and skill, levels. Along the diverse terrain of the Tuscan countryside you could partake in some mountain biking, or if you’d prefer to slow it down for a chance to take in the stunning scenery, go horse riding in the Chianti region.

If you prefer water-based adventures, don’t fret, because you’ll find a plethora of water sports along the alpine lakes of Italy, or you could get the heart pumping with some sailing in Lake Garda. Get back to nature amongst the rugged terrain of the Cilento coast and book on to a memorable hiking tour. It’s all just a few clicks away. The sky’s not even the limit when it comes to a trip to Italy, with gorgeous vistas and stunning scenery on offer from a hot air balloon ride in Tuscany.

Culture

Probably the most well-known place in the world when it comes to culture, Italy is responsible for great leaps and bounds in art, architecture, fashion, music and food throughout the years. Heck, they’re even responsible for launching perfecting and launching ‘coffee culture’ on the world. With that in mind, it’s simply a case of deciding whether you’d prefer the ancient Colosseum and Roman Forum in Rome, or to take in the culture of the sinking city of Venice, which one day will be no more.

Without a doubt, Italy's art history is part of the world's art history, with the Italian Renaissance considered as the golden age of painting. Famous painters and artists of the time include Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Paulo Uccello and Titian, to name but a few. Redefining fine art with the use of perspective and the science of anatomy, the Italian Renaissance gave birth to the most famous and most recognizable pieces of art works the world has ever known. No matter where you end up on your trip, you won’t be far from a number of masterpieces by any of these visionaries.