Italy elevated: Four Premier escapes to level up your travel plans

Think you’ve experienced everything there is to see in Italy? Go beyond the most popular spots in true comfort with one of these memorable Premier Collection tours.  

Italy is a destination that needs no introduction and consistently ranks amongst the most popular European travel hotspots every year. Having said this, it’s a destination that can feel quite familiar, and many travellers can feel like they’ve explored everything the country has to offer after your first few trips. What better way, then, to breathe new life into your travel plans than to step off the beaten path and explore some of Italy’s lesser-known spots in true comfort?  

Comprising lighter-paced itineraries, smaller group sizes, and unique accommodation that captures the character of your chosen destination, our Premier Collection is a great choice for an Italian tour with a difference. These holidays are designed to help you delve deeper into each region and showcase the spots you might not have visited before, from idyllic Ischia to the Adriatic towns of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Here are four options for a more refined holiday on the Mediterranean. 

Four Premier tours to take your next Italian escape to another level 

Lake Maggiore, Zermatt & the Centovalli Railway  

It’s no secret: some of Northern Italy’s most impressive natural vistas are centred on its largest lakes, and picturesque Maggiore is no exception. Backed by alpine scenery, forested hills, and an assortment of welcoming towns, this remarkable region is slightly less explored than nearby Como and Garda but is every bit as impressive. Of Lake Maggiore’s many highlights, the idyllic Borromean Islands are a particular highlight, and their grand palaces promises the perfect setting for some fascinating afternoon exploration.  

Rail enthusiasts can also find a wealth of memorable train journeys to enjoy in the region, which showcase Maggiore’s surrounding countryside and the breathtaking Swiss Alps. The Centovalli Railway, for instance, is only a short drive from Maggiore’s major towns and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, crossing no fewer than 83 bridges and viaducts on its 52-kilometre route. Also of note is the Simplon Pass, which connects alpine Brig to the Italian town of Domodossola, and an excursion here ensures some truly spectacular mountain sightseeing.  

Our featured Premier tour – Lake Maggiore, Zermatt & the Centovalli Railway – Premier 

Hidden Italy – Trieste & Friuli-Venezia Giulia  

If a more intimate and exclusive Italian experience is more your speed, look no further than the country’s undiscovered Northeast. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a less-explored option compared with Italy’s most popular travel destinations, but despite this, it promises a wide range of memorable attractions to explore. From the Roman ruins of Aquileia, one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved archaeological sites, to the winemaking towns of Cividale and Gorizia, there are plenty of lesser-known highlights to discover in Italy’s Northeast. 

The region’s undeniable highlight, though, comes in the form of Trieste, the capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Known for its distinct mix of Austrian and Italian influences, this marvellous Baroque jewel overlooks the Adriatic and boasts a wide range of historic landmarks that showcase the city’s modern history. Soak up the city’s Austrian-inspired café culture, follow the Canal Grande and see the elegant Miramare Castle nearby. Whether you’re looking for historical discoveries or an easy-going city escape, Trieste offers many memorable moments and is the ideal way to complete a Premier holiday in the region.   

Our featured Premier tour – Hidden Italy – Trieste & Friuli-Venezia Giulia – Premier 

Tuscany, Umbria & the Isle of Elba 

Wine-producing Tuscany is one of Italy’s most popular regions and for good reason. Home to sprawling vineyards, charming hilltop towns and Florence, the elegant ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, this delightful part of the country promises wish-list favourites and new discoveries in equal measure. It’s also a region which rewards those who take the time to explore in greater depth, and that’s why it’s well suited to a Premier Collection tour.  

It’s not just Tuscany that’ll impress on this tour, and neighbouring Umbria, ‘Green Heart of Italy’, promises just as many scenic highlights. Lake Trasimeno stands out for its calm, unspoilt waters, and the delightful hilltop towns that line its shores. Orvieto, set only a short way south of Trasimeno, is another must-see Umbrian town, with its magnificent 14th-century cathedral and labyrinthine caves running beneath the cobbled streets. Those visiting central Italy can also find more wish-list highlights on historic Elba, where Napoleon spent his first exile.  

Our featured Premier tour – Tuscany, Umbria & the Isle of Elba – Premier 

Positano, Ischia & the Amalfi Coast 

When it comes to coastal beauty, there aren’t many Italian hotspots that can rival the colourful Amalfi Coast, which has captured the imaginations of countless visitors across the centuries. With a Premier holiday here, you can soak up the scenic highlights of the Sorrentine Peninsula from an elegant, four-star hotel overlooking the blue Tyrrhenian Sea. There are also a number of lesser-known highlights, including nearby Caserta and its breathtaking Baroque palace, and some iconic highlights, from legendary Pompeii to the lively regional capital, Naples.  

The highlight of your escape, however, will be a day trip to the unspoilt ‘Green Isle’ of Ischia, home to some of Italy’s finest coastal gardens, thermal spas, and medieval fortresses. The island’s Aragonese Castle, which rises dramatically out of the ocean, is the first thing you’ll see as you cross the Gulf of Naples and features several courtyards, ramparts, and convents to explore. Also of note is Serrara Fontana, which showcases towering Mount Epomeo, and the colourful gardens at La Mortella. Il Fungo, a peculiar mushroom-shaped sea stack off the coast of Lacco Ameno, is another must-see.  

Our featured Premier tour – Positano, Ischia & the Amalfi Coast – Premier 

Experience Italy the Premier way with Newmarket Holidays 

Ready to start living la dolce vita during a more refined Italian escape? With our Premier Collection, you can go beyond the holiday hotspots, taking in a collection of lesser-known highlights and famous sights. With a lighter pace, smaller groups, and handpicked accommodation that’ll help you connect with each destination, these escapes are designed to offer a more intimate and refined experience.  

For more information on our featured itineraries or to start planning your next Italian holiday, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call today. You can also see our full range of Premier Collection tours, including South African safaris and luxury stays in Southeast Asia.