Whether its Grand Tours or terracotta-coloured villas, Italy has always been a travel A-Lister. The challenge comes in picking a particular brand of la dolce vita. Italy’s cities offer time-proven fodder for culture-lovers: Florence’s art, Pisa’s wonky tower, Venice’s canals and Rome’s, well, everything all contenders. Seaside Puglia and hilltown-happy Tuscany represent rental hotspots, while nowhere’s more chic than an Amalfi Coast hotel. Further south, the quasi-autonomous, sun-scorched isle of Sicily scores for sandy shores, still-standing Greek temples and superb food.
What keeps me coming back? The climate and lovely language help, as do those moreish Baci chocolates. But, ultimately, its Italy’s apparently never-ending supply of secret spots which have me hooked: the Pian Grande’s extraordinary poppy blooms, which once made me cry, the trabacchi: rickety wooden fishing piers turned hopelessly romantic fish restaurants in Abruzzo, or up-your-sleeve beaches like Sardinia’s incredible Cala Biriola, rewarding a two-hour trek with near-heaven.
This is classic Tuscany, south of Siena, where rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves are pierced with rows of elegant cypress trees.
Behind Closed Doors: Connoisseur's Rome from CICERONI Travel. Exceptional level of private access. Rare opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel, privately, at night & with no others present. Explore the unprecedented riches of Villa Borghese with its six Caravaggios & the finest collection of Bernini sculptures.
A self-guided hike along the Amalfi Coast from Amalfi to Sorrento, taking in Ravello, Praiano, Positano and the Sentiero degli Dei (Footpath of the Gods). Our own version allows you to walk the whole way without using a single bus or taxi - the only company that offers this!
Hotel based one week Alpine walking holiday around Mont Blanc
The Dolomites have a justifiable reputation for their scenic beauty and are recognised as a European hot spot for wildflowers. We spend a week (23 – 30 June ’19), walking daily in a range of terrains and habitats. We stay for two nights in a traditional mountain hotel on a high altitude meadow and 5 nights in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
An exciting island-hopping walking holiday in the spectacular Aeolian archipelago.
Cycle through Italy, from the unique city of Venice on the Adriatic Coast to Rome, the Italian capital, renowned for its ancient history.
Discover the 7 new Wonders of the World and the last remaining monument of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World on this 31 day round the world tour.
Elaborate architecture and exceptional cuisine, legendary landscapes and live history on the streets – western and central Europe is a place well worth its accolades
English Poets in Italy - Byron, Shelley and Keats in the ‘paradise of exiles’.
Literature, history and art in Venice, Florence and Rome.
Special arrangements in several places on the poets’ Grand Tour.
Travel by first-class rail between cities.
