For centuries, Italy has drawn foreign visitors, mostly for its architectural, artistic and scenic splendors. Italy can truly be all things to all people. For some the Italian experience is full of passion and excitement, urbanity, crowds and noise. For others it is a quiet rural idyll where the traditional life can be experienced. Its great cities are replete with fantastic works of art ranging from the Roman times to the Renaissance. Even then, many visitors will forego the rich attractions of culture in favor of some of the most unspoilt beaches and spectacular mountains in the world.
Situated on the southern side of the Sorrento peninsula, the Amalfi coast is probably Italy's most beautiful stretch of coast. The town of Amalfi is a seaside resort since Edwardian times, when the British upper class spent their winters here. It still keeps some remnants of its past glories such as the Duomo and the Amalfi's cathedral built in the 9th century. Some of its original ancient features remain, such as the bell tower, the bronze posts on the main door and the Chapel of the Crucifix.
Situated on the southern side of the Sorrento peninsula, the Amalfi coast is probably Italy's most beautiful stretch of coast.
Assisi is one of Italy's top sights, competing with the Colosseum, Pompeii, and Venice's canals. It boasts some of Italy's finest early Renaissance art. One of the top attractions is the remarkably preserved portico of a Roman temple on its main square. The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St Francis) is a World Heritage Site that well worths a visit. The town is dominated by two medieval castles. The larger, called Rocca Maggiore, was built by Cardinal Albornoz (1367).
Assisi is one of Italy's top sights, competing with the Colosseum, Pompeii, and Venice's canals.
Situated at the foot of the active volcano Mount Etna, Catania is the second largest city of Sicily. Much of the ancient monuments of the Roman city have been destroyed by the numerous earthquakes, but there are still several interesting places to visit: the Theater (2nd century), The Amphitheater (2nd century), The Odeon (3rd century CE). The so-called Liotru, symbol of the city, a manufact in lava stone portraying an elephant and surmounted by an obelisk, is probably from Roman times.
Situated at the foot of the active volcano Mount Etna, Catania is the second largest city of Sicily.
Situated less than an hour by train or car from Milan, Como is a remarkable destination, not only for being used as a backdrop for one of the Star Wars movies, but also more importantly for its beauty. The dramatic backdrop of the azure lake makes this little town a romantic destination rivaling Venice. All romance aside, Como is a serene place to escape from the madness of the modern life, where visitors can savor every moment.
Situated less than an hour by train or car from Milan, Como is a remarkable destination, not only for being used as a backdrop for one of the Star Wars movies, but also more importantly for its beauty.
Formed by glaciers, Lake Garda, the largest and easternmost of the lakes, is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Its exotic landscape has attracted the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, whose villa near Gardone is one of the area's major attractions. Visitors come here to swim, windsurf, and enjoy the relaxing ambience of Garda's many pleasant lakeside resorts. The ancient fortified town of Sirmione, located on the south of the lake is one particularly popular destination.
Formed by glaciers, Lake Garda, the largest and easternmost of the lakes, is one of the most beautiful places in Italy.
Stresa is a small town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, where relaxing is the main activity for tourists and locals alike. The lakeside promenade will give everyone a chance to admire both the lake scenery and the grand lakeside hotels. The Borromean Islands, where Hemingway set his famed A Farewell to Arms, are a short boat trip away, and it would be pity to miss them.
Stresa is a small town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, where relaxing is the main activity for tourists and locals alike.
The birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, Lucca is a beautiful medieval walled city. The wide walls lost their military importance and became a pedestrian promenade ringing the old town. If you are interested in religious art, enter the 14th-century cathedral Duomo San Martino to see Nicola Pisano's Descent from the Cross or have a look at the multi-patterned columns at "San Michele", the church of the archangel. Take some time to enjoy Lucca's tranquil atmosphere and its many fine restaurants.
The birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, Lucca is a beautiful medieval walled city.
Montecatini Terme is a heaven for those who love spa treatments. The curative powers of the hot springs and steaming vaporous caverns of the Valdinevole west of Pistoia have been renowned for centuries. Wrapped in mud packs, drinking mineral-laden waters, getting radioactive vapors steamed into your face you will forget all about the stress. The Parco dei Termi, a long park of neoclassical temples expanding over the sources of various underground hot springs is the ideal place for relaxation.
Montecatini Terme is a heaven for those who love spa treatments.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily, notorious for its mafia glamour. All organized crime aside, Palermo has plenty to offer to the intrepid visitor. Palermo`s Arab-Norman buildings are unique on Earth. There are also plenty of treasures to uncover in its rather forgotten museums. Arabic and North African influences are still visible in outdoors markets such as Vuccirria, and an interesting mélange of Arab, Byzantine, Norman and baroque architectural styles are visible to the trained eye.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily, notorious for its mafia glamour.
Pisa does not need an introduction, as testified by the millions of tourists offloading each year for their mandatory photo of the Leaning Tower. In the rush of the moment, few bother to find out that Pisa was founded circa 1000 b.c. and became an important maritime republic alongside Venice, Amalfi, and Genoa. Birthplace of the famed Galileo Galilei, Pisa is also home to one of Italy?s top universities. For those choosing to stay longer, there are plenty of architectural splendors around the Tower.
Pisa does not need an introduction, as testified by the millions of tourists offloading each year for their mandatory photo of the Leaning Tower.
Portofino is one of the most beautiful resorts of the Italian Riviera southeast of Genoa. Mountains with beautiful sceneries, clear bays, thick evergreen forests, a National Park, all make Portofino an ideal place for a relaxing vacation. One of the most scenic walks takes you uphill for about 10 minutes along a signposted path from the west side of town just behind the harbor to the Chiesa di San Giorgio, built on the site of a sanctuary Roman soldiers dedicated to the Persian god Mithras.
Portofino is one of the most beautiful resorts of the Italian Riviera southeast of Genoa.
Positano is a romantic sea-side resort town built into the side of a mountain. Since 1800, the charm of the town has fascinated writers and artists from all over the world, such as Goethe, Steinbeck, Picasso and Diaghilev. Rome's legendary movie Dolce Vita found its home right here in Positano. The main sight is the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, that dates back to the 1200s and features a dome made of majolica tiles. Here, you can admire the wonderful Byzantine icon called "Madonna di Positano".
Positano is a romantic sea-side resort town built into the side of a mountain.
Surnamed "city of the beautiful towers," San Gimignano is one of the most charming hill towns in Tuscany. Its 13 medieval towers dominate the town in the way that skyscrapers dominate modern cities. Walk through the wonderfully Piazza della Cisterna, visit the 13th-century town hall the Palazzo del Popolo and enjoy the views from the Rocca citadel. San Gimignano is also famous for its Torture museum, with a display of instruments and devices for torture in various times and places.
Surnamed "city of the beautiful towers," San Gimignano is one of the most charming hill towns in Tuscany.
Not as famous as its neighbor Portofino, only 15 minutes away, Santa Margherita Ligure is a fashionable Mediterranean resort, and makes a pleasant base to explore the Cinque Terre villages which are about 60 minutes by a train that leaves every hour. One can also catch day trip cruises to the villages. Santa Margarita has a pleasant promenade and an attractive small old town. To the west the rocky coast is interrupted by little inlets, among which there is Paraggi, with a strip of sandy beach ideal for sunbathing.
Not as famous as its neighbor Portofino, only 15 minutes away, Santa Margherita Ligure is a fashionable Mediterranean resort, and makes a pleasant base to explore the Cinque Terre villages which are about 60 minutes by a train that leaves every hour.
Siena is a city of brick, where urban development all but ceased after the great plague of the 14th century, busy as it was defending itself. Today, Siena is one of the largest Tuscan cities to maintain a distinctively medieval atmosphere and a great place to discover Tuscany at its medieval best, with numerous gothic palaces, pastry shops, and unequaled altarpieces.
Siena is a city of brick, where urban development all but ceased after the great plague of the 14th century, busy as it was defending itself.
Overlooking the bays of Naples and Salerno, Sorrento is a popular tourist destination and an important gateway for day trips to Capri, Pompei, Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Ischia and many other appealing places. Sorrento features natural beauty, many viewpoints that allow sight of Naples itself (visible across the bay) and Vesuvius, history, but also great restaurants, shopping, and friendly people. The city's cobbled alleyways and flower-ringed piazzas encourage strolls.
Overlooking the bays of Naples and Salerno, Sorrento is a popular tourist destination and an important gateway for day trips to Capri, Pompei, Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Ischia and many other appealing places.
Taormina dates back to the 4th century BC, when it was a Greek colony. Dimmed the most beautiful town in Sicily for its location on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna in the background, it achieved international fame in the early 20th century when it became a huge magnet for expatriate writers and intellectuals. Countless stores and cafes, along with numerous piazzas and palazzi dating as far back as the 15th century will give you plenty to do and see while visiting.
Taormina dates back to the 4th century BC, when it was a Greek colony.
Visit Florence, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Arezzo with a rent a car
Included:
• Flight into Florence and out of Florence •
Rent a car for 6 days •
Hotel for 2 nights in Lucca •
Hotel for 1 night in Pisa •
Hotel for 1 night in San Gimignano •
Hotel for 1 nights in Siena •
Hotel for 2 nights in Florence •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info) •
Hotel taxes
• Flight into Milan and out of Venice •
Hotel for 2 nights in Milan •
Rent a car for 3 days •
Hotel for 3 nights in Como •
Hotel for 2 nights in Venice •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info) •
Hotel taxes
Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi, Capri and Sorrento with a rent a car.
Included:
• Flight into Naples and out of Naples •
Hotel for 2 nights in Naples •
Rent a car for 6 days •
Hotel for 1 night in Amalfi •
Hotel for 2 nights in Sorrento •
Hotel for 1 night in Naples •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel description) •
Hotel taxes
Visit Genoa, Rapallo, Santa Margherita and Portofino with rent a car.
Included:
• Flight into Genoa and out of Genoa •
Hotel for 1 night in Genoa •
Rent a car for 8 days •
Hotel for 1 night in Rapallo •
Hotel for 2 nights in Santa Margherita •
Hotel for 2 nights in Portofino •
Hotel for 1 night in Genoa •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info) •
Hotel taxes
Visit Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca with rent a car.
Included:
• Flight into Florence and out of Florence •
Hotel for 2 nights in Florence •
Rent a car for 4 days •
Hotel for 1 night in Siena •
Hotel for 1 night in Pisa •
Hotel for 1 night in Lucca •
Hotel for 1 night in Florence •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info) •
Hotel taxes
Base yourself in Montecatini Terme with a rent a car for exploring the area on your own.
Included:
• Hotel for 5 nights in Montecatini Terme •
Car rental for 6 days (Florence pick-up/ drop-off) •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel description) •
Hotel taxes
* Sample prices displayed include international and domestic airline tickets as per itinerary and ALL airline-related taxes and fuel surcharges and are per person, based on double occupancy, and are dynamic in nature. Prices do not include insurance or delivery charges which are optional and customizable by the traveler. The airfare portion of the itinerary price is based on economy class, midweek departure. Prices do not include fees for carry on or checked baggage which can add up to $120 per ticket on a roundtrip flight. It also does not include any entrance fees or visa fees that may be charged at international airports. Some cities may charge local taxes that can only be collected by hotel at destination.
Prices were accurate at the time we posted them. Sample prices were for a specific travel date and specific departure airport, as indicated. Your prices will vary according to departure cities and travel dates. We do not control prices (airlines and hotel reservation systems do). Prices may change dynamically and at times significantly numerous times during any given day.
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