Italy enamours visitors like few other destinations in the world – the mix of culture, arts, history and food is just too good to miss.
(Photo: Trafalgar.com)
With its ancient buildings, incredible beaches, endless art and cultural highlights, plus, of course, the food, Italy continues to bewitch and enchant. It may be a European big hitter, but Italy never manages to shake off any of its charm, the Italians holding on to la dolce vita wherever they go, whether it’s the shores of Lake Como, or the narrow streets of Palermo. Italy is quite simply a dream destination for anyone. Taking a tour with an expert company like Trafalgar is the best way to see Italy in all its glory, with experienced guides to explain the history and stories that hide behind every corner. Here are five of the best Trafalgar tours of Italy.
Italy Bellissimo
The name says it all – this tour really captures the beauty of Italy. Over 11 days you’ll be touring through some of the country’s most famous and epic destinations, taking in Rome, Capri, Venice and Florence on the way. The trip includes some really unique features, such as olive oil tasting in a real Italian Borgo and taking a walking tour of the marina in Capri with a local specialist – as is typical with Trafalgar there is a great attention to detail. You’ll be accompanied by an expert travel director and professional driver and the hotels are all tried and trusted and cherry-picked for their quality. From €2,900.
Book at Trafalgar.com
Northern Italy Including Cinque Terre
(Photo: Trafalgar.com)
This trip is a little shorter at eight days and focuses on Northern Italy, in particular the Italian Riviera and the country’s famous lakes. There is a real laid-back gastronomic vibe going on here, the flavours of prosciutto and parmigiano never far away as you travel from Milan and circle the northwest of the country. You’ll visit Cinque Terre, with its ice cream block houses, then nautical Genoa and majestic Lake Maggiore, sampling some of the best food Italy has to offer along the way. Two of the highlights are visiting a prosciutto factory near Langhirano and a cheese factory in Montechiarugolo. From €1,925.
Book at Trafalgar.com
Southern Italy and Sicily
Heading to the other end of the country, this tour focuses on the sun drenched south of Italy and Sicily. Over ten days you’ll see ancient Pompeii and the exclusive island of Capri, before experiencing the timewarp way of life in Sicily’s oldy worldy towns and villages. There will be time to visit the ruins of the ancient Greek theatre at Taormina, the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, Erice, and Monreale Cathedral. To make life simple almost everyting is included, from hotel tips, charges and local taxes to breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals. From €2,725.
Book at Trafalgar.com
Contrasts of Italy
(Photo: Trafalgar.com)
This is a 10-day rail tour through Italy, visiting Rome, Florence and Venice along the way. The idea is to give you an experience of all sides of Italy, from soaking up the history at ancient sites in Rome, the Santa Croce Basilica, the Duomo in Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to shopping at the boutiques of Florence’s Ponte Vecchio and enjoying a scenic cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square in Venice. You’ll be taken around by a specialist who can explain everything you need to know, plus showing you the secret spots that only locals know. From €2,850.
Book at Trafalgar.com
Italian Holiday
This is a great budget option for getting to know Italy, whisking around six big cities in seven days. It may be short in length but it certainly isn’t short on experiences, exploring ancient Rome and the Vatican City (where you get priority access), visiting charming Verona, dining in Tuscan vineyards and olive groves and discovering the local secrets of Venetian glassblowing. Also included is a scenic cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square in Venice. Also included in the trip is breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals. From €1,575.
Book at Trafalgar.com