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.
An expert-led archaeological, cultural and gastronomic tour of Sicily with Peter Sommer Travels.
“Embark on the Gastronomic Tour of Sicily for a mouth-watering vacation”. USA Today
An expert-led tour exploring the cuisine and culture of Sicily for just 10 guests.
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!
A study in contrasts: one a city with origins as a major Roman seaport, the other an enchanting little Renaissance settlement high in the hills.
In Ravenna, some of the greatest buildings of late antiquity with the finest Byzantine mosaics.
In Urbino the Ducal Palace, the greatest secular building of the Early Renaissance.
An expert-led archaeological, cultural and gastronomic tour of Rome with Peter Sommer Travels.
With your fellow solo-group travellers, discover Piedmont and the Italian Riviera. Explore Turin’s baroque sights, the Langhe hills, Barolo and Alba’s truffle and wine heritage, chic Portofino and serene Santa Margherita, plus the stunning UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre by boat and train.
Northern Italy’s independent city states: Mantua, Ferrara, Parma, Ravenna and Urbino.
Some of the greatest Renaissance art and architecture, commissioned by the powerful ruling dynasties: Gonzaga, Este, Sforza, Farnese, Montefeltro and others.
Highlights include the most glorious concentration of Byzantine mosaics and important works by Alberti,
Puglia from Airedale - Open Tours 2026 is an exhilarating holiday in Italy. Available from 19 Oct 2026 to 26 Oct 2026 this 8 day trip costs from £1,950, which includes flights and has a maximum group size of 21 persons.
A self-guided hike through the Dolomites from San Candido to Cortina, including a night in a refuge, and a circuit round the iconic Tre Cime.
Explore Sicily with fellow solo travellers. From Palermo’s cosmopolitan charm to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, Piazza Armerina’s mosaics, Giardini Naxos, Taormina and Mount Etna, enjoy historic cities, archaeological treasures, beaches, and vibrant local culture in the company of your friendly travel group.
