Travel guide to Italy
| Language: | Italian |
| Currency: | € Euro |
| Time zone: | +1 hr GMT |
Rich in culture, history, good food and sunshine, the fifth most visited country in the world is an ideal holiday destination, whether you’re after adventure, a beach holiday, family fun, or to simply step back in time into one of Europe’s oldest empires.
First time visiting Italy?
Don’t forget these popular destinations: the capital Rome, beautiful Siena, famous for Il Palio and its shell shaped main piazza, Milan with its gothic duomo and fantastic shopping, the waterways of Venice or for real sun, sea and sand, why not check out Sicily’s Taormina or Palermo?
Tuscany
With its beautiful cities of art, medieval architecture and stunning landscape, Tuscany is a must for all first-time travellers to Italy. Visit the Duomo and Belvedere in Florence as well as the world renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoy the hot water springs and paragliding in Lucca. The curious Pinocchio Park is a fun day out for the children and there are plenty of wine tasting routes for adults.
Umbria
If you’re looking for a Tuscany without the crowds, then Umbria is for you. Packed with charming medieval hill towns and ruins, it also boasts a beautiful cathedral in Orvieto as well as beaches and water sports at Lake Trasimeno for the more active. Or why not take the kids for a day out in Perugia and visit Citta della Domenica, with its zoo and fairytale park? Take your pick from our farmhouses, apartments and villas in Umbria.
Marche/Abruzzo
The regions of Marche and Abruzzo are a haven for outdoor sports enthusiasts and beach-lovers. Marche has 180km of coastline along the Adriatic Sea that are as yet undiscovered by tourists. Abruzzo has four national parks, ideal for hiking, cycling, wildlife spotting and even cross-country skiing. There are also plenty of medieval towns to keep history buffs happy. Check out our apartments, farmhouses and villas in Marche, or our villas in Abruzzo.
Puglia/Molise
Puglia’s towns, Ostuni and Alberobello, are famous for their trulli – small white washed stone built homes with conical roofs. While there explore the Garfano National Park with its many outdoor activities and get close to your favourite animals in Italy’s largest zoo in Fasano. Molise is an ideal place for walking, mountain biking and hang gliding, and for sun worshippers, there is a long and sandy beach near Termoli on the eastern coast. Why not rent an apartment, villa or trullo in Puglia or Molise?
Southern Italy
Packed with miles of unspoilt beaches, Southern Italy is great for a relaxing and sunny holiday away from the crowds. Polino is home to the largest natural park in Italy, and towns like Crotone are bursting with Greek influences – even some of Calabria’s vineyards date back to ancient Greece. Take a boat trip to explore Mount Stromboli or the Aeolian islands - admire the many castles and temples for a peek into Italy’s fascinating past.
Accommodation links for your holiday in Italy
Events in Italy
Venice Carnival > 11 Feb 2012 > 21 Feb 2012 > VeniceRecommended reading
