Classic Sicily
Italy
Italy holidays 2020 & 2021
Travel in times of uncertainty — our flexibility promise
If you’re looking to go to Italy in 2020, book before the end of September and we’ll give you the flexibility to cancel your trip and receive a full refund up to 7 days before you travel. Whenever you choose to travel, you can book with confidence with our flexibility promise.
Seat of the Roman Empire, leading light of the Renaissance and fervent advocate of la bella vita, Italy is renowned for its art, architecture, style and passion. Such is the depth of Italy’s cultural treasures, even the most modest church façade can hide work by the likes of Michelangelo. Our Italy specialists draw on their deep-seated connections with the country to help you unravel Italy’s well-known highlights, from Rome's ancient Colosseum to the untouched medieval towns of Tuscany and the lagoon city of Venice.
They also use their first-hand knowledge to show you Italy's lesser-known ways of life. You might find yourself truffle hunting with an expert and his dog in Tuscany’s hillsides, sampling street food in Palermo, Sicily, exploring the characterful villages of Puglia, or hiking through terraces of vines to reach the tiny villages of Liguria’s Cinque Terre. Whether you explore great cities, alpine lakes, or Roman relics, our specialists can help you unlock Italy’s hidden secrets, from exploring Pompeii without the crowds to uncovering the many delicacies of Italy’s gastronomic capital, Bologna.
They also use their first-hand knowledge to show you Italy's lesser-known ways of life. You might find yourself truffle hunting with an expert and his dog in Tuscany’s hillsides, sampling street food in Palermo, Sicily, exploring the characterful villages of Puglia, or hiking through terraces of vines to reach the tiny villages of Liguria’s Cinque Terre. Whether you explore great cities, alpine lakes, or Roman relics, our specialists can help you unlock Italy’s hidden secrets, from exploring Pompeii without the crowds to uncovering the many delicacies of Italy’s gastronomic capital, Bologna.
Creating tailor-made tours
for over 20 years
Suggested tours for Italy
These tours give you a starting point for what your trip to Italy could entail. They cover routes we've found work particularly well and feature some of our favourite places to stay. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
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![Greek ruins, Agrigento]()
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![Trulli houses, Alberobello]()
Puglia and Matera
Italy -
![Castle Aragonese, Ischia]()
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![Views over Assisi, Umbria]()
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![Trieso, Langhe]()
Northern Italy by Rail
UK, Switzerland, France and Italy -
![Mountain scenery, Venice Simplon Orient-Express]()
Italy by train: Milan, Verona, Venice and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
UK, France and Italy -
![Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre]()
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![Fresh truffles, Italy]()
Culinary Highlights of Italy
Tuscany
Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
- Fully protected travel
- Established for over 20 years
- 98% of our clients would recommend us
Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Italy, including information about climate, events and festivals.
Travel advice
Practical tips for travelling to Italy, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest government travel advice.
Request a brochure
Our detailed brochures feature trip ideas and travel experiences recommended by our specialists.
Italy by region
If you’re planning to focus your time in Italy around a particular area, you can jump into the region you're most interested in to find detailed itinerary ideas together with accommodation choices and a taster of the experiences we can offer.
Italy in pictures
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![Gondola, Venice]()
Canal in Venice -
![Vernazza, Cinque Terre]()
Vernazza, the Cinque Terre -
![Sea view, Capri]()
Capri -
![Ice Cream, Italy]()
Italian gelateria -
![City views, Florence]()
Florence skyline -
![Greek ruins, Agrigento]()
Greek ruins at Agrigento -
![Duomo, Milan]()
Duomo, Milan -
![St Peters Statue at the Vatican, Rome]()
Statue of St Peter, Rome
Our expert guides to travelling in Italy
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Italy. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Italy at its best.
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![Introducing Italy]()
Introducing Italy
Watch our short video that looks at Italy's many highlights such as its varied scenery, culture and rich history.
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![Gondola ride, Venice]()
Honeymoons in Italy
Having got married in Tuscany, specialist Eva outlines some of the best honeymoon options across Italy. Would you and your spouse-to-be prefer pampering on the Amalfi Coast or living la dolce vita in Venice, Rome and Florence?
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![Positano, Amalfi Coast]()
Our expert guide to exploring the Amalfi Coast & Capri
Italy specialist Caroline picks some of her top things to see and do on and around the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Highlights include driving along the Amalfi coast, taking a boat tour of Capri, and hiking the Path of the Gods and Path of the Forts.
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![Views over Assisi, Umbria]()
4 experiences to introduce Umbria
Often lost in next-door Tuscany’s shadow, Umbria offers a less-visited option in the Italian countryside with the same hill-top towns, Renaissance heritage and truffle-hunting experiences. Specialist Brandon describes why he’s so passionate about the region, and where to focus your attention.
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![Local fishing boats, Lake Como]()
A guide to the regions of Italy
A tour of a private palazzo, or a cooking class with a Sorrento grandmother? We highlight the major sights and unearth lesser-known attractions for some of our best-loved Italian regions, spotlighting tours that really explore their character.
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![Alley in old town San Gimignano, Tuscany]()
Hidden highlights of Tuscany
This guide describes some of the lesser-known highlights of the Tuscany region. Our Italy specialist Kimberly has included her top things to see and do in Florence, Siena and San Gimignano as well as truffle hunting.
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![Ancient statue, Palermo]()
Where to visit in Sicily
Beyond its azure waters and white pebbled beaches, Sicily offers a complex cultural experience, one that is seen in its Baroque churches, open-air markets, Greek ruins and complex cuisine. Discover why it’s the crossroads of the Mediterranean with Audley specialist Kimberly.
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![Sassi of Matera, Matera]()
Introducing Puglia
Roman ruins, a Baroque city, sunbaked beaches and olive groves — Puglia is where Italians go to relax, away from the cruise-ship crowds. Specialist Cara talks about the region’s highlights and why it’s worth getting to know this quieter corner of Italy.
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![Manorala, Cinque Terre]()
Visiting the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a collection of five historic fishing villages that are literally carved into the rocky shoreline of the Italian Riviera. Italy specialist Kerry-Ann talks about walking along their seaside trails and eating basil gelato on a windy seaside terrace.
Tell us your travel plans and a specialist will be in touch
Discover more about Italy on our blog
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![Giza Pyramids]()
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![Wine, Loire Valley]()
Wine regions of Europe
Aug 2019
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![Glover Gardens]()
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![The Forbidden City, Beijing]()
