Italy Tours & Holidays
Escorted touring holidays to Italy
Tours to Italy offer a feast for the senses; flavours from one of the world’s best-loved cuisines; scents of mountain air and coastal breezes; warmth on your skin from the Mediterranean sun, and the sights and sounds of a country radiating history and charm at every corner.
Discover the stunning lakes and mountains of Northern Italy, in Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and the Veneto, where the elegant resorts, sumptuous villas and fragrant gardens that fringe the shores of Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore provide the framework for a memorable Italy tour, especially when combined with a tour of great Italian cities like Milan, Turin, Verona and Venice, the last justifiably among the world’s most popular wish-list destinations. There is simply so much to see in this gorgeous country, that an Italy multi centre holiday might just be what you need.
Head south, into the plain of Emilia-Romagna, to find renowned centres of gastronomy like Modena and Bologna – ‘the Fat’ – and other small Italian cities, such as Mantova and Ferrara, bursting with colour and romance. Continue into Tuscany, the thrilling heart of Renaissance Italy, where jewels like Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and peerless Florence stud a landscape of rolling hills, cypress trees and vineyards. Take time to discover each city’s delights, revel in great art and wonder at some of Europe’s most striking buildings and monuments.
No Italy tour would be complete without a visit to Rome, set between the prosperous north and the rugged, largely agrarian south. The Italian capital's 3,000-year history, reflected in its awe-inspiring ruins and monuments, combines with its irrepressible zest for la dolce vita to ensure that the city ranks well against any on the world stage. Wander past ancient sights astonished by their preserved glory, shop in some of the world’s most stylish streets, throw coins in a fountain, dine wonderfully – and not always expensively – on dishes drawn from throughout the country, and simply sit and watch the Roman world go by.
Southern Italy
Italy’s south begins in Campania, where one of the country’s most enthralling cities – noisy, independent, pizza-loving Naples – and one of its most striking natural sights – brooding, conical Vesuvius – and some of its most alluring coastlines – the stunning bays of Naples and Salerno – draw the eye and flood the senses of delighted visitors. Don’t miss Naples’ verve and vigour, lemon-scented Sorrento’s colourful charms, the dizzying Amalfi Drive, and gorgeous resorts like Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Salerno, all awash with Southern Italian colour and crumbling charm. Offshore, Capri epitomises island idylls and expensive chic – a must-do, must-see bucket-list favourite.
Further south still, in the dusty provinces of Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria, another Italy awaits. These regions have been shaped as much by successive invaders as by the hardy inhabitants, and Spanish, Greek and even Arab influences are evident in the towns and cities, culture and cuisine of Italy’s sun-baked foot. Discover Bari’s souks, Alberobello’s iconic, conical trulli, Lecce’s Baroque treasures, the barren beauty of Le Murge's hills and some of the Adriatic’s bluest, most inviting waters on the gorgeous, verdant Gargano peninsula – all part of Puglia’s increasingly popular attraction.
Completing the mainland south, known as the mezzogiorno – literally midday, but flowing to the region’s sun-filled days – the provinces of Basilicata and Calabria are the country’s least populated and most rugged of all. Here, Matera’s famed Sassi caves, some recently inhabited by some of the country’s poorest souls others much renovated and sought after, draw increasing numbers from across the globe. Calabria, Italy’s toe, faces west to the Tyrrhenian Sea and east towards the Ionian Sea, across which its Greek colonisers once sailed. Largely ignored by all but the most intrepid traveller, places like pretty cliff-top Tropea, on Calabria’s west coast, university seat Cosenza, the wild, protected Sila National Park and the ancient Greek relics at Locri on the Ionian coast, all await discovery and exploration.
Our top holidays to Italy
Check out our top holidays and tours to Italy
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Things to do in Italy
As with so many countries, seeing everything that Italy has to offer could take months, or even years. Even getting around some of the major sites of interest can be quite a job; taking in Rome’s ancient streets, the lakes of the north, Capri and Milan alone could take the better part of a week or two. And so, we’ve narrowed down the must-see, must-do things for your Italian holiday.
The ruins of Pompeii
From the macabre sight of bodies frozen in time by pyroclastic flows from Mount Vesuvius to the stone buildings in which they lived, and the numerous frescoes and artefacts entirely covered by ash for over 1500 years, Pompeii is a truly enlightening experience.
Home to some of Italy’s most revered cities, relaxed verdant countryside and a number of the world’s finest vineyards, Tuscany has an unmatched personality.
With piercing blue waters and backdrops courtesy of the Garda Mountains, Lake Garda is a true slice of paradise. Lake Garda holidays cater for those who wish to rest and relax, as well as those looking for outdoor adventure, and for everything in-between.
Things to see on a tour to Italy
Italy tour highlights
Things to see and places to visit on your escorted tour of Italy
Sorrento
Perched on a clifftop and offering dramatic, plunging views of the aquamarine Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a little slice of heaven in Italy’s stunning south.
Rome
Enjoy the wonders of Eternal City Rome, where 2000 years of history are reflected in a treasure trove of monuments and buildings, art and heritage, and where present-day life thrives beside the relics of a past civilisation.
Verona
A city so magical the entire place has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Verona holidays make it clear the legendary city of love more than lives up to its billing.
Florence
Considered the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is home to some of the world’s most renowned works of art and Brunelleschi’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Pompeii
Pompeii tours allow you to see just what else this historical area has to offer, from gorgeous sacred pieces of architecture that are considered pilgrimage sites by many, to the looming bell tower that delivers panoramic views.
Amalfi Coast
Known throughout the world as the "Divine Coast" (Divina costiera), Italy’s Amalfi Coast endures as an alluring combination of history, sophistication, and sunshine.
Venice
With romantic canals, historic bridges, and glitzy arts festivals, the Canal City maintains an aura of charm and mystery that continuously captivates travellers of all ages.
Tuscany
There's nothing more idyllic than sipping a glass of exquisite, high-quality wine while surrounded by scenic landscapes of rolling hills and ancient Tuscan villas.
Dolomites
Home to the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park and several stunning regional parks, the Dolomites are a mountain range that have always captured the imagination.
Sardinia
An almost-untouched island of archaeological monuments, endless sunshine, and mountainous terrain - Sardinia is Mediterranean paradise, with an edge.
Capri
The summer playground to society's most sophisticated individuals since Roman times, Capri is one of the Mediterranean's most striking islands.
Puglia
Famed for its olive oil production and for boasting the longest coastline of any mainland Italian region, Puglia holidays offer ample opportunity to eat well and to unwind in the sun.
Positano
Perched on Italy’s magical Amalfi Coast, the hilly town of Positano has long been a favourite of holidaymakers and romantics.
Portofino
Having been a beloved destination for wealthy and glamorous holidaymakers for over two centuries, the Italian Riviera is synonymous with luxury and elegance. The jewel in the region's crown is the wonderfully picturesque town of Portofino, perhaps most famous for the pastel-coloured houses that line its cliffs.
Italy food & drink
There is probably no better way to understand modern-day Italy than through its food. Food and a pride in the nation's favourite dishes is nothing less than a source of national unity.
Each region in Italy produces and protects its share of the world’s favourite dishes and some of its most revered produce, which means that a trip through the country is a culinary event unlike any other.
Popular local dishes include pizza and pasta. While in Lake Garda, try yota – a stew made with beans, ham and garlic – or "pike and polenta". Pike is one of the species fished straight from the lake and is delicious served traditionally with a Gardesana sauce and creamy polenta.
Don’t forget to round off your meal with an ice-cream from one of the many gelatarie – we recommend stracciatella – milk-based ice-cream with fine, irregular shavings of chocolate.
Italy by region
With the sun-drenched, volcanic landscape of the south boasting historic ruins and the lake resorts and wine regions of the north offering miles of sensational scenery to be explored, a holiday in Italy is ideal for travellers seeking more than just relaxation. Where will your Italian journey take you?
Italy FAQs
First trip to Italy? Here are a few questions you might have.
- Time Zone
- GMT +2
- Avg. Flight Time
- 2.5 hours (Rome)
- Visa Required
- Not required
- Currency
- Euro
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What are the best tours to Italy?
Some of our favourite tours to Italy include:
- Lake Garda
- Portofino, Florence & Tuscany
- Lake Maggiore, Piedmont & the Matterhorn
- Sicily
- Little Trains of the Dolomites
Check out our full list of Italy tours on our website.
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What is Italy famous for?
Italy is famous for its renaissance art and distinct cuisine. The Mediterranean nation was the birthplace of artists Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Sandro Botticelli and is responsible for originating and perfecting foods such as gelato, mozzarella, pizza, risotto, pasta and lasagne. Italy is also known for its iconic landmarks including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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When is the best time of year to visit Italy?
Italy is a fantastic holiday destination year-round. During the warmer months of May to August, temperatures reach 23°C in the north and 26–28°C in the south. This is peak season, so you can expect larger crowds at beaches, restaurants and popular attractions.
During off-peak, temperatures drop to 6°C in northern areas and 11–14°C in the southern areas. The cities are much quieter during these times.
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Do I need to speak Italian to visit?
Italians generally speak English in major cities including Rome, Venice and Florence. However, it’s always a nice idea to pick up a few local phrases before you head to Italy. Here are five to get you started:
Hello - Buongiorno or Ciao
Goodbye - Arrivederci or Ciao
Please - Per favore
Thank you - Grazie
Do you speak English? - Parla Inglese?
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I’m on a gluten-free diet. Are there meal options aside from pizza and pasta?
Of course! You won't be going hungry in Italy. While the country is famous for its traditional gluten-rich meals like Margherita pizza and gnocchi, these days, you’ll find many Italian restaurants offering gluten-free versions of these dishes. There are also plenty of Italian dishes that don’t include gluten, such as risotto, stracciatella soup, Caprese salad, chickpea flour flatbread, and certain meat and fish dishes.
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