Italy exhibits culture and history from top to toe – and she’s a rare natural beauty, too. The country’s empurpled Tuscan hills, fascinating ancient cities, glistening Italian lakes and spellbinding coastlines have enticed visitors for centuries, continuing to do so today.
Those seeking peace and relaxation should head to the verdant region of Umbria – a picture of rolling hillsides, vineyard estates and traditional Medieval towns. Otherwise, you can soak up the sun on a secluded beach in Sardinia, or discover the legendary allure of the Amalfi Coast, where the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea fringe vertical clifftop villages with fragrant lemon groves. Pristine beach coves meet whitewashed hill towns in southern Puglia, one of Italy’s most forgotten destinations, while the island of Sicily continues to seduce travellers with its dramatic landscapes and abundant cultural treasures. Simply book flights to Italy to discover it all.
Echoes from the past are everywhere in Italy. Don’t miss the Colosseum in Rome, the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence and Venice’s intricate network of romantic canals – or follow Leonardo da Vinci to Milan, Italy’s metropolitan hub of fashion and design. Italian cities can become flooded by descending tourists keen to see it all – but you can easily head out of the city to breathe in the fresh air around the Italian Lakes. And whilst everyone wants to photograph one very famous leaning tower, there are plenty of quieter hinterlands to explore, too, whether you aim to ski in the Alps or sip Chianti on a Tuscan terrace.