Italy Holidays

The Amalfi Coast is located in Southern Italy, home to the “Path of the Gods” this well known region attracts plenty of tourists every summer. There are many walking holidays in Italy - and the Amalfi Coast is one of the best areas to visit if this is what you are after. The Amalfi Coast is around 1 and a half hours drive from Naples, so if you are flying, you’d most likely fly into Naples. If you are wanting to stay on the Amalfi Coast, ask us about Sorrento - one of the beautiful coastal towns, overlooking the Bay of Naples.The Path of the Gods is a cliff top trail so called for the beautiful views of the sparkling waters, and small seaside towns along the way. The path is approximately 7.5km long - and can be done in 3 to 5 hours depending on how fast you decide to walk. The trail can be started in different locations, so if this is something you’d like to do - get in touch with us, and we can help you fit this into your trip. 

Sicily 

Sicily is the largest island in the mediterranean and is located just off the southern tip of Italy - or the tip of the so-called boot when looking at a map. Sicily, although an island, is quite accessible, with an airport which has flights from around Europe, and it can also be reached by a direct train from Rome. Mount Etna, an active volcano, towers over the Sicilian landscape, and attracts many visitors each year. There are many hikes you can do around the base of the volcano, and you can even partake in guided treks to the summit if you are looking for something adventurous. If you’d prefer to explore the Sicilian towns and ancient ruins, you’ll likely find yourself in the capital of Sicily - Palermo. Palermo is full of beautiful Sicilian architecture, and has plenty of bars and restaurants for you to taste the Sicilian Cuisine. Sicily, being an island, also has many beaches & coves for you to explore - and if you are looking for 

Rome 

As the saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and there’s so much to see in Rome, we’d definitely recommend more than just a day in this historic city. Rome is a great choice for an Italy city break and a long weekend will leave you wanting more and itching to go back. There are a lot of great places to stay in Rome other than right in the centre - so get in touch with one of our experts for a recommendation. A must see on every travellers list is the Colosseum - an iconic sight and one of the ancient wonders of the world. There’s much more to Rome than just the Colosseum, other incredible sights include the Pantheon, Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain. After all that sightseeing, sit down to a dinner of the freshest homemade pasta and to top it off, one of the best ice creams in the world - gelato. 

Venice 

Venice is a must-see for any traveller visiting Italy - known for its many canals weaving and winding through the city - visiting Venice is a unique and wonderful experience. Most visitors stay on Venice Island, which is where you will find the many canals and narrow alleyways. Venice is easy to get lost in, but the main area of interest is between the main train station and the Piazza San Marco. This beautiful square is a lovely area to explore, or to sit and enjoy a drink and meal. You’ll find Saint Mark's Basilica within the Piazza, an unforgettable sight that dates back to the 9th century. Bridges adorn the many canals throughout Venice, and you’ll find the well known Bridge of Sighs a short walk away from the Piazza. To feel like a local, enjoy Cicchetti (small plates of food) and a glass of wine along one of the canals. 

Canevale takes place in February, and even if you haven’t bought a ticket to one of the masked balls, costume parties take place in many of the main squares. 

Venice is a walkable city if you can work out your way through the many streets and alleyways, but if you’d rather get around by boat, this is the main form of transportation on the island. There are no cars on the island of Venice, but taxi boats are abundant and can take you to the airport or main train station, and passenger ferries will take you up and down the canals on the island. 

Florence

This riverside city will take you back in time to the Renaissance era - with world class art that can only be found in the city itself. Start your journey through time by visiting the Duomo, right in the centre of the city, this is it’s most iconic landmark. No visit to Florence is complete without visiting the world famous Uffizi gallery - home to the world’s greatest collection of renaissance art. Here you’ll find work by Botticelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and many other well known artists. Cross Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge dating back to the 1300's which is unique in the fact that it has many shops lining it - which was common during the time period in which it was built. Florence has many beautiful squares around the city and is a great city to explore by foot, allowing visitors to take in all of the beautiful architecture and buildings. When you need a break from the museums and bustling city streets, head to one of the many parks and gardens located behind Palazzo Pitti, perfect for a sunset stroll. If you really want to make the most of this city, we would recommend at least a few nights - and our experts are on hand to help you plan the perfect city break in Florence!

In Northern Italy, you’ll find some of Italy’s great lakes. A popular destination for travellers as well as Italians - this summer destination is alluring and dazzling to all that visit. The lakes are also a luxury Italy holiday destination if you are looking for a holiday with style - with many celebrities owning houses around Lake Como. There are many lakes throughout the region that you can visit, but the most popular are Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Orta. The region usually has mild summers making the lakes great for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and watersports. Lake Como is situated around 50 miles north of Milan, and is one of the most popular lakes. Walk along the promenade, explore the smaller towns along the lake and take in the surrounding mountain landscape. For more information on the other lakes, feel free to get in touch with out experts. 

Italy can be visited year round, but is a great summer destination - especially if you are visiting one of the coastal areas such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre or Sicily. June through to August is Italy’s busiest time of the year for tourists, most looking to make the most of the sunshine. If you are heading to Italy to explore the outdoors - hiking or cycling, it may be better to travel in September, when the temperatures are a bit milder but still pleasant. Southern Italy experiences very hot, dry summers - especially in July and August, so if you’d prefer to avoid the hotter months, travelling May-June and September-October may be best. 

Italy is a foodie’s paradise and is well known for its simple but flavourful cuisine. While many dishes only consist of a few ingredients, it’s often the freshest, tastiest ingredients that you’ll find. We’d recommend at least a few pasta dishes and of course a real Italian style pizza. There’s plenty to try in the different regions of Italy as well - Northern Italy is famous for its truffles, though can be found all throughout the country. Pizza in Naples (the city of it’s creation), Lasagna in Bologna or Panzanella in Tuscany - the options are endless, and all incredibly delicious. Italy is also known for its wine - with many wineries in the Tuscany region.

Trains in Italy are convenient and cheaper than some of Italy’s European counterparts. Getting from city to city by train can be a better option if you’d prefer not to fly. Most of Italy’s major cities are connected by rail, the main National railway called Trenitalia. Long distance buses are also available, but trains are a much more efficient option and often cheaper. Within the larger cities, the metro is easy to use, and convenient and one the best ways to get around. Italy is a beautiful country to drive through - you may consider a road trip - however be aware that in larger cities it can be very difficult to find parking.