Holidays to Italy

Why Italy?

Load up on carbs, culture and class! As one of the most romantic countries in the world, there’s no doubt a holiday in Italy will have you drunk on love, pizza perfection and Tuscan wine. Hop on a vespa and soar straight through the bustling cities, snapping up pics of legendary landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rome’s Roman Forum and Milan’s Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente. You don’t have to be an art buff to appreciate the beauty of the birthplace for the Renaissance era, as its influence is delicately flaunted around the country’s buildings and streets for all to admire. Head to Venice, a mecca for romance, with the city built on water where you can make like Bond and set sail on a gondola ride through its canals and under some of its 300 bridges. Head down the west coast for a holiday with a citrusy twist. First stop Sorrento on the Amalfi coast where lemon groves line the quiet, mountain terraces above the picture-perfect seafront towns. Wherever you go for your holiday in Italy, you’ll find more gelato than you can shake a stick – one major step up from your normal 99.

Top Destinations in Italy

Your go-to guide of the best locations to spend your next well-deserved holiday

Veneto

Sitting pretty up in northern Italy, Veneto doubles down on historic sites and romantic scenery. Venice is obviously the star of the show, but while the City of Bridges is great if you want to kick it canal style, it’s certainly not the only big dog in town. Over to the west you’ll find Verona – the stomping ground of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Then there are the golden beaches, the towering Dolomites and the frankly ridiculous number of vineyards out in the country, all of which just add the wow-factor.

Our top picks include
Venice | Punta Sabbioni | Malamocco

Room price from

£12

per person per night

Lombardy

Holidays to Lombardy are all about that boat life. This is Italy’s lakes region, where dreamy vistas are a dime a dozen. Medieval towns, with cobblestone streets and rainbow-coloured buildings, are spread out along tranquil shores, all hemmed in by dramatic rolling hills. Bellagio, on Lake Como, is a long-time favourite of the A list, so great if you fancy a bit of celeb spotting. City-wise, Milan’s Lombardy’s urban superstar. But if you prefer somewhere a tad more low-key, Bergamo’s still got loads to do but lacks the crowds.

Our top picks include
Milan | San Marco | Sesto San Giovanni

Room price from

£15

per person per night

Tuscany

Occupying a central location on Italy’s west side, this superstar region is jam-packed with cultural heavyweights and culinary delights. Florence is the big name in northern Tuscany. Besides being up to its elbows in attractions of its own, it’s also just a stone’s throw from the Chianti wine region and 90 minutes from Pisa with its famous leaning tower. Down south, the vibe’s a little different. This part of Tuscany goes heavy on the sandy stuff, so it’s more suited to a chilled-out beach holiday than a fast-paced city break.

Our top picks include
Florence | Santa Maria Novella | Pisa

Room price from

£11

per person per night

Sardinia

This is Italy, but not as you know it. From the food to the architecture and even the language, Sardinia puts its own stamp on things and doesn’t play by the rules. Its cities balance cosmopolitan chic with medieval charm but its Sardinia’s Insta-worthy beaches that are the real tourist magnet. Looking like they’ve been plucked straight out of the Caribbean, they’re up there with the very best that Europe has to offer. Tanaholics can snuggle up on a blanket of soft white sand, while water babies can mess about on a surfboard or check out the wrecks beneath the surface.

Our top picks include
Porto San Paolo | Olbia Airport | Monte Petrosu

Room price from

£9

per person per night

Campania

This slice of southern Italy is what holiday dreams are made of. Known as the Neapolitan Riviera, it’s home to hotspots like Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. And while seaside cities are Campania’s bread and butter, it also has one or two other tricks up its sleeve. There’s Mount Vesuvius for starters, as well as Pompeii – the city Vesuvius spewed ash over in 79AD. And then there are the offshore islands of Capri and Ischia, which are the icing on the cake.

Our top picks include
Sorrento | Villazzano I | Torca

Room price from

£9

per person per night

Apulia

Making up the heel of Italy’s boot, picture-perfect Puglia is a relative newcomer to the tourist game. It’s a fast learner, though, and is already making swift progress up the leader board. Having been conquered by just about everyone from the Greeks to the Spaniards, it has quite a story to tell. And it does so through its impressive architecture – its castles and cathedrals are a real mishmash of styles. As well as historic towns, it also throws in an expansive coastline, seas of olive groves, grape-heavy vineyards and some natural hot springs to boot.

Our top picks include
Galante | Villanova | Bari Airport

Room price from

£9

per person per night

Sicily

The dinky island being kicked out to sea by Italy’s big boot, Sicily has a flavour uniquely its own. Historic sites are laid on thick, with everything from ancient Greek temples and Spanish Baroque palaces to Norman cathedrals, while those with a little bit of get-up-and-go will be love the diving and hiking on offer. If you’re up for a challenge, try scaling Mount Etna – very much still active, it’s the highest volcano in Europe. Or if you’re more of a fly-and-flop kind of holidaygoer, Sicily’s pristine beaches mean you’re equally well catered for.

Our top picks include
Gaggi | Contrada Calcarone | Schisò

Room price from

£13

per person per night

The Important Stuff

Get up to speed on the basics

Languages

The most commonly spoken language is Italian.

Fun Facts

About 3000 euros in loose change gets thrown into Rome's Trevi Fountain every day.

Local Time

1 hour ahead of UK Time

Hotels in Italy

Fancy staying in a design-led hotel in Milan’s city centre or an away-from-it-all resort on the shores of Sardinia? Give us a call – we’ll find you what you want.

Things to do

Whether you're looking for a beach getaway or city break, Italy has something to offer every discerning traveller

Mondello

With its soft white sand and clear turquoise waters, this stretch of Sicilian beach is perfect for sunbathing or a swim.

Spiaggia Su Portu

Surrounded by lush forestry and shaped like a half moon, this Sardinian gem is ideal for families and couples alike.

Holiday types in Italy

Not sure whether to explore Venice’s waterways or tick off Rome’s cultural highlights? Let us know what you like and we can help you choose.

Italy For Families

Holidays to Italy are great for broods. Whether you’re thinking about a beach break in Sicily or sightseeing in Rome, we’ll help you plan a top-notch trip.

All Inclusive Italy

Want all the pizza you can eat without having to fork out for every slice? Go all-inclusive and meals will be just one of the things already covered in the cost.