Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

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Italy Holidays

Epicentre of the Roman Empire, birthplace of the Renaissance and advocate of ‘la dolce vita’, Italy is a melting pot of history, art and gastronomy. Stylish, cultured and beautiful, Italy is home to breathtaking countryside, long stretches of coastline, rugged islands and charming cities, and very importantly, has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world. From the glacial lakes and snow-capped alps in the north, to the south’s turquoise grottoes and lemon groves, Italy has something for everyone.

Italy’s magnificent capital Rome is deserving of its status as the ‘Eternal City’. Awash with ancient ruins and bustling piazzas, spend time exploring Rome’s cobbled streets and historic landmarks, not forgetting St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Other unmissable cities include Florence, home to some of the world’s best art and architecture, Venice with its romantic canals and Milan, which boasts exceptional shopping and fairytale buildings.

To the north, relax on the stunning shores of Lake Garda or Como, visit the rolling vineyards of Langhe or enjoy an opera break in Verona. To the south, take a boat trip down the Amalfi Coast, discover quaint colourful villages in Sicily or explore the picturesque beaches of Puglia. Inland you will find spectacular Tuscany with its medieval towns and verdant green countryside, the hidden gem of Umbria and Emilia-Romagna's famous ‘Food Valley’.

Popular Tailor-Made Itineraries



Your Holiday to Italy

Your Holiday in Italy

Italy is a unique destination that you can visit time and time again, gaining a different experience and insight with every visit. Whether travelling to Italy for the first time or a returning visitor, our tailor-made holidays are personalised exactly to your requirements. Pettitts Travel offer various styles of travel whilst in Italy to suit different client needs and wants. If you prefer to travel independently, we can arrange self-drive or rail holidays in Italy where you will complete your travel on your own. Alternatively, we also offer fully guided and inclusive trips which include accommodation, private driver and guide, local guides, all other transport and unique Italian experiences. Some of our most favoured experiences include private cookery classes, Venetian mask workshops, historical tours with an archeologist, truffle hunting and wine paired lunches. If you choose the latter option, you will also be provided with round the clock support and assistance from our travel partner in Italy in addition to our UK operation.

Although all of our arrangements are tailor-made, many clients find inspiration from the itineraries on our website and adapt them to fit their requirements – changing the number of days, adding other cities or regions, selecting different accommodation or including different experiences and sightseeing. Classic Italy by Rail is ideal for first time visitors who are happy to travel independently, alternatively Rome, Tuscany, Florence and Venice in Luxury is a great choice for a fully guided and inclusive experience. Discover Northern Italy and the Lakes is a fantastic self-drive trip through northern Italy, whereas Rome, Florence and the Cinque Terre by Rail explores Italy’s iconic cities and the cliff-hugging villages of the Cinque Terre. Further south, our Southern Italy itinerary visits the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Naples, Images of Puglia captures the heart and soul of this beautiful and little-visited region and Sicily in Depth explores this historic Mediterranean island. For food and drink lovers, our Gastronomic Journey through Italy holiday is filled with unique culinary experiences from truffle hunting to mixology classes. Pettitts Travel also offer Opera Holidays to Italy and are well established in this field. Whether you are looking to experience the emotion of Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’ or the woe of Verdi’s La Traviata, we can arrange opera tickets, accommodation, flights and transfers for a wonderful opera break in Verona, Venice, Milan, Rome or Florence.

Places to visit in Italy

Perfect for a city break, villa stay or an extended touring holiday, Italy offers endless options of places to visit. Italy’s capital Rome is a melting pot of culture, food and art and is awash with ancient ruins, bustling piazzas and traditional trattorias and of course, Vatican City. Tuscany and Umbria are spectacular regions home to rolling countryside, excellent wineries and historical cities including Siena, Pisa and Lucca, and Florence is one of Italy’s most visited cities with its cobbled squares, magnificent art galleries and the iconic Duomo. The Lombardy region offers fashion-conscious Milan and the two beautiful Italian Lakes, Como and Garda, whereas further east lies the operatic Verona and the romantic canals of Venice. Along the coast in Liguria sits the Cinque Terre, five seaside villages home to colourful houses that cling to the rocky cliffs, and further south the Amalfi Coast and Capri are very popular summer destinations. The beautiful islands of Sicily and Sardinia are dotted with stunning beaches, ancient architecture and colourful villages.

MAP OF ITALY

When to Visit italy

Although Italy is a year-round destination, the best time to visit is between April and late June or September and October. During spring and early summer, wildflowers start to bloom and the weather starts to warm whereas throughout the autumnal months of September and October the summer crowds start to disperse and high temperatures begin to drop. During high season, as the summer temperatures peak so do the crowds, so expect longer queues at popular sights and attractions and for accommodation prices to sharply rise. Easter, Christmas and New Year are also extremely popular times for both locals and visitors to travel so book early to avoid disappointment. Throughout the low season from November to March, visitors can enjoy lower prices, cooler temperatures and less crowds. It is also an excellent time to go skiing in the Alps, Dolomites or other Italian mountain ranges.

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Best Times
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This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

flag of Italy Capital: Rome

Main Language: Italian

Time Zone: GMT + 1

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Food of Italy

Food of Italy

Italian food is one of the world’s most loved and accessible cuisines and is very much focused on simplicity, flavours and local produce. Like many destinations, food is very regional in Italy, and each area has its own speciality, many boasting recipes that have been passed from generation to generation. Renowned for its incredible pizza and pasta, Italy also offers dishes which use some of the continent’s best ingredients including Tuscan truffles, fresh seafood from Liguria, cured meat from Parma, Sicilian lemons, buffalo mozzarella from Campania and Modena’s famous balsamic vinegar. Italy is also known for its excellent coffee, and the culture surrounding this, which is ingrained into daily life. Other popular drinks include limoncello, a lemon-based liqueur, the strong spirit of grappa and, of course, wine. Food and wine is synonymous with Italy and of a trip to this breathtaking boot-shaped country would not be complete without partaking in a food and drink experience. Available experiences include countryside truffle hunting, private cookery classes, street food tours, wine tastings and cocktail mixology classes.

Historic Landmarks in Italy

Home to the world’s largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Italy boasts an incredible array of landmarks ranging from ancient ruins and crumbling amphitheaters to medieval churches and gothic cathedrals. The eternal city of Rome claims some of the country’s most iconic landmarks such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, but none more recognisable than the Colosseum. Completed in AD 80 this was the site where Roman emperors hosted legendary battles where gladiators, slaves and exotic animals came face-to-face in combat. Situated within Rome, the Vatican City is home to Michelangelo’s spectacular painted frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the unmissable St. Peter’s Basilica. Further north, in Florence you will find the spectacular Italian Gothic Duomo, Renaissance Uffizi Gallery and the antique Ponte Vecchio bridge, whereas further south close to the spectacular Amalfi Coast lies the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii and the ancient Greek temple complex of Paestum. Other key Italian landmarks include St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, the fairytale-like Milan Cathedral and the Roman Amphitheatre in Verona.

Historic Landmarks in Italy

Italy Holiday Review

We are now back in the UK having had a great Christmas. Thank you for the organisation of the trip which went like clockwork.

The hotel was excellent but the car and driver were exceptional...when we return to Italy we would want the same driver again. Please pass on our thanks to everyone...for their excellent service.

AR & SR - Italy - December 2022

Accommodation in Italy

There is an excellent variety of accommodation in Italy ranging from luxurious heritage properties and modern international resorts to boutique city hotels and secluded villas. Throughout all Italian cities there is a huge range of international chain or boutique hotels as well as apartments available, all of which follow European standards. Tuscany and Umbria offer villas with pools in the stunning countryside perfect for family or group holidays. There an abundance of lakeside hotels and apartments in the Italian Lakes whereas Sardinia and Sicily have a wonderful range of beach resorts. There is also specialist accommodation available throughout the country including mountain monasteries, rural farmhouses, ski lodges and local campsites.

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