Italy holidays
The long booted leg of Italy stretches out into the Mediterranean Sea, tapping the island of Sicily with its toe. This slender peninsula is brimming with beautiful scenery, gastronomic delights, world-class art and architecture, glorious music, timeless literature and ancient history. Its splendid cultural heritage is the result of a complex past, where centuries of conflict between states, nations and world powers have shaped the land and its people as different rulers have come and gone.
Once at the heart of the great Roman empire, as well as the Christian world and western civilisation, Rome’s influence extended from North Africa through to present-day Iraq in the east and as far as Great Britain in the north. After the collapse of the empire, powerful city-states began to emerge such as Venice, Siena, Florence, Milan and Lucca. These sparring states then became engulfed by greater powers such as Spain, France and Austria. Unification of Italy only came about in the mid-19th century and, even today, the different cultures of the various regions of Italy still persist.
From the mountains, castles and Austrian ambience of the South Tyrol in the far north to the Greek temples, bustling markets and faintly Arabic feel of Sicily in the far south, Italy has an extraordinary range of sights to see and differing cultures to experience, all within one country, not to mention sumptuous hotels and villas and food to die for.
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From Russia to Turkey, Iceland to Italy and everywhere in-between, our Europe experts have travelled extensively. With their insider secrets, they would love to tailor a tour to suit you.
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The ideal base for exploring the Basilicata region is Matera, where dwellings...
For centuries, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast have attracted visitors to their...
Not as well known or as visited as its more illustrious neighbours, Lombardy, Veneto and...
The region of Lazio is situated in central Italy and is characterised by verdant...
The Ligurian riviera stretches from Ventimiglia, on the French border, to the busy...
The northern lakes of Garda, Como and Maggiore are among the most beautiful...
One of the lesser-known regions of the country, Puglia, also known as Apulia,...
Known for its sandy beaches, pretty harbours and forested mountains, the islan...
Strategically located at the crossroads of the western world, Sicily is an island steepe...
From sweeping valleys, vineyards and hilltop villages to magnificent centres of art and...
Umbria offers medieval towns set among rolling green hills and valleys...
Situated in Italy's north-east, the Veneto region extends from the Dolomites to the...