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Luxury Italy Holidays & Tours

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Holidays to Italy

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 th...

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’. With our knowledge and experience we can help to create a unique tour to Italy that is tailored exactly to your requirements.

The organisation went like clockwork

AR & SR - Italy - December 2022

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.

Thanks for booking an amazing trip!

CG & CG - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - October 2022

Thanks for booking an amazing trip! The Orient Express was worth every penny. We genuinely think that we had the best two meals of our lives. Verona is gorgeous, the hotel was lovely and perfectly situated and we had a lovely day out at the vineyards.

Start planning your Italy trip with our Travel Consultants

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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. Tuscany and Umbria are spectacular regions known for beautiful countryside and historical cities including Florence boasting Renaissance, atmospheric cobbled squares and world-class art galleries.

The Lombardy boasts fashionable 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.

Booking with Pettitts Travel
1

Getting to know you
A crucial part of our process, discuss your plans with us either by phone, video or in person.

2

Helping you to design your trip
Entirely tailor-made, there is complete flexibility to incorporate all your requirements.

3

On-hand support, when you need it
Our team are on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are fully ready, and excited, for your trip.

4

Full confidence whilst you are away
Enjoy full support from our UK team and trusted local partners throughout your journey.

We’re pleased to confirm that Pettitts Travel will not apply any surcharges to our package holidays when we are operating as a tour operator, regardless of changes in global costs. The price you agree at the time of booking is the price you will pay, a commitment we have proudly upheld for the past 38 years.

Meet our Italy Travel Consultants

Astra
Senior Travel Consultant
Alexis
Senior Travel Consultant
Maxine
Senior Travel Consultant

Your holiday to 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, V...

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.

Lake Como in 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. 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 of 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.

Duomo at sunset in Florence
Limone al Sul, Lake Garda, Italy
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Speak to an Italy Travel Consultant

When is the best time to visit Italy?

Italy is a year-round destination, but usually the best time to visit is either late spring (April to late June) or early autumn (September to mid-November). During spring and early summer, the weather is warm and pleasant and the countryside becomes alive with wildflowers, whereas autumn sees the large crowds of tourists disperse and the high summer temperatures begin to drop.

Do I need a visa to travel to Italy from the UK?

If you are travelling as a tourist, you will not need a visa to visit Italy for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Ensure that your passport is less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left) and it also needs to have at least 6 months validity left.

Do I need travel insurance when travelling to Italy?

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are adequately insured when travelling to Italy to provide financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. Such insurance should ensure that you are fully covered against unexpected cancellation charges, medical expenses including pre-existing medical conditions, loss of luggage or money, and personal liability claims.

How long is the flight to Italy from the UK?

Flight times between Italy and the UK take between 2-4 hours depending where you are flying from and to. The flight between London and Rome takes two and a half hours.

Can I take the train to Italy from the UK?

The luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient Express is the only direct train service between the UK and Italy. This once-in-a-lifetime journey travels between London and Venice, and vice versa. Alternatively, a more affordable option would be to take the Eurostar to Paris and from there a direct TGV train to Milan or Turin. From Milan, there are many regional trains to other parts of Italy including Venice, Florence and Rome.

Can I drive to Italy from the UK?

It is possible to drive to Italy from the UK. There are numerous routes you could take, and depending on time and interests, you could incorporate several European countries into your trip. The most straightforward route is to travel straight through France, although many people decide to also include Switzerland on their journey to experience a drive through the beautiful Swiss Alps.

What is there to do whilst on holiday in Italy?

From the snow-capped mountains and glistening lakes in the north to the turquoise grottoes and pastel-coloured villages in the south, the options of what to do in Italy are endless. Italy is a melting pot of natural beauty, history, art, culture and food so there really is something for everyone. Whether you want to explore Rome’s ancient ruins and bustling piazzas, discover world-class art galleries in Florence, relax on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, feast on soul food in Puglia or experience the sights and sounds of Sicily, our experienced Travel Consultants will help create a bespoke itinerary tailored to your exact requirements.

Book with confidence with Pettitts Travel

We are here to take the stress out of your holiday, to provide you with impartial well-informed advice and assist you in navigating regulations and guidelines to ensure your trip goes as planned.
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