Inside our itineraries: Exploring Northern Italy with Ella and Emilia

Join our holiday planner, Emilia, and sales support executive, Ella, as they delve into their experiences on one of our award-winning Italian tours  

Home to rolling vineyards, unspoilt countryside, and some of the Mediterranean’s most memorable cities, Northern Italy is a region which simply never gets old. Whether you’re after colourful coastal towns, exquisite Renaissance masterpieces, or some of the finest foods and wines in Southern Europe, this delightful region is the ideal choice for a wish-list break closer to home. 

Recently, two of our colleagues, Ella and Emilia, were fortunate enough to experience this wonderful European hotspot first-hand on our best-selling tour, Portofino, Florence & Tuscany. We caught up with them both to hear all about experiences, personal highlights and thoughts on the spots they visited. Here’s what they had to say.  

What was one wish-list moment of your trip? 

Ella & Emilia: When we first laid eyes on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We didn’t appreciate the full scale of the tower until we saw it up close! 

How did this trip change the way you see the destination? 

Ella: Like with everything, pictures and videos of places doesn't quite give you a full sense of what the destination is really like, so it was amazing to be able to go and see each place myself. I'd also never been to Italy before, so it was a great trip to see some of the country's most popular areas. 

Emilia: This trip showed me that there's so much more to see in each destination than the most well-known spots, and also how much you can learn just by being there.  

Was there an unexpected experience that turned out to be a highlight of the trip? 

Ella: San Gimignano was a place I didn't know much about, but I really enjoyed the trip there. The town’s architecture was incredible, and there was so much you could see. 

Who do you think would absolutely love this destination, and why? 

Emilia: I think people of all ages would love this destination as we got to see such a broad range of places, and there really was something for everyone.  

Did any of the hotels or experiences stand out? 

Ella: The hotel was very different to what I usually stay in, it was a lot more authentic and had lots of quirky items in it, which I think made it stand out. From speaking to guests, I think that really impressed them, too.  

What local dishes or culinary moments wowed you the most? 

Ella: I liked the way the Italians take time over their food. They spend a longer period of time eating dinner with lots of different, smaller dishes, which was a really nice experience. Things you’d expect to find in Italy, like pizza, are quite different to what we have here in the UK – in a good way, though! 

What cultural traditions or local encounters added something special to your journey? 

Emilia: Florence was stunning, and it felt like there was a new monument to see or something to do around every corner. I really enjoyed my time there. 

What new insights or practical tips would you share to help others plan the perfect trip here? 

Ella: I’d say be prepared for a fair bit of walking – comfortable shoes are highly recommended. I’d also recommend taking pictures or notes of the meeting point at the end of each excursion, as some areas can look quite similar, which can lead to some confusion. 

If you could sum up the feeling of this place in one word, what would it be? 

Emilia: Beautiful  

Ella: Unique 

Would you go back, and if so, what would you do next time? 

Ella: Yes, I’d go back. I enjoyed getting to know each destination, and I feel like there’s still a lot more to discover.  

Emilia: I’d definitely do a whole day in Florence as there was so much to see/do. I would also love to see the other parts of Portofino away from the main sights. 

Explore the best of Northern Italy with Newmarket Holidays 

For your own taste of la dolce vita or to learn more about our full range of Italian itineraries, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call today. If you have your eye on another destination across Europe or further afield, you can also browse our entire escorted touring collection on our dedicated destinations page.