5 reasons to visit Italy
Italy boasts a bounty of treasures for its visitors. Whether it's the ancient and varied history that can be found in cities like Rome and Pompeii, the delicious food which varies between regions - from seafood pastas to hand-stretched pizzas, or the excellent wines to accompany it, there are innumerable highlights.
Perhaps your drawn to the glitz and glamour of the Italian Riviera and dramatic lakeside settings, or the soul-stirring opera associated with venues such as the Arena di Verona or Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Whatever it is that attracts you to La Dolce Vita, there's always another reason to return.
The captivating lives of the ancient Romans draw many people to Italy, where you can imagine the gladiators in the Colosseum. Witness life frozen in time as you visit the eerie well preserved streets of Pompeii after the town was buried for hundreds after the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Although Italy's fascinating history is not contained to the events that occurred aeons ago - the Battle for Sicily in 1943 is an extraordinary story involving a large airborne operation and daring raids. You can still see battlegrounds across Sicily today.
Italy's famous food needs no introduction - eating out is always a highlight of an Italian escape. The highlights vary from region to region, from plates of seafood risotto eaten al fresco on the streets of Venice to the freshest pizza of Naples and the handheld street food of Sicily. Bologna is known as La Grassa - 'the fat one' - and for good reason, this is Italy's foodie capital. A visit here is not to be missed. Alternatively, join a trip where you can learn more about food, in the company of an expert. We often have fabulous trips to Venice with top chefs too.
Italy's landscapes are dramatic and cinematic, from the Italian Riviera to the glistening Italian Lakes. They also attract a glamorous crowd that's distinctively Italian, where you can admire blazing red Ferraris along the Italian Riviera, order an espresso from a chic Italian cafe, and enjoy a spot of people-watching. Tour Lake Como and St Moritz by Bernina Express or explore Northern Italy's glistening lakes from your base at a lakeside hotel on Lake Maggiore.
Powerful opera is Italy's most celebrated musical export, with the likes of singing sensations Pavarotti and Bocelli among the most famous. La Scala in Milan and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples are considered among the best venues for opera in the world. We have two fantastic trips this year, giving you the opportunity to watch Andrea Bocelli perform live in his hometown of Lajatico.
If you love operatics, you'll love our Exclusive chat with Russell Watson
From crisp fizz from the Prosecco hills in Veneto, and Barolos from Piedmont, there's a delightful diversity of Italian wines. Join a food-themed trip to Puglia, and in Lorocondo, you'll taste the local wines after a vineyard tour. Delve into the best Tuscan wines on a gourmet tour of Tuscany, with visits to Ricasoli Wine Estate and wine tastings of Chianti and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Alternatively, aboard the opulent SS La Venezia in Venice with a celebrity chef and sample the finest Italian wines as you explore the wonderful islands around the Venetian Lagoon.
It all depends what you look for in a trip. For culture, there's nowhere better than Rome. Known as the 'Eternal City', ancient treasures meet modern life. Florence is the birthplace of the 'Renaissance' and is bursting with architectural wonders including the Duomo. Or the romantic floating city of Venice is famed for its winding canals and gothic history and you should explore its lagoons and islands.
For scenic beauty, there's the coastlines and lakes. The dramatic Amalfi Coast is known for its pastel-coloured buildings, while Cinque Terre is a rugged stretch of five villages, which are accessible by foot or train. Then you have the glistening lakes in Northern Italy, at the foothills of the Alps: Como, Garda, Maggiore and Orta.
For gastronomy, you can't look beyond Tuscany, with its rolling vineyards and incredible food experiences; or Bologna, recognised as Italy's 'Culinary Capital', where you can visit authentic markets and indulge in cookery classes and workshops.
The shoulder seasons of spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit Italy, when the temperatures are more comfortable and there are fewer crowds.
It ultimately depends on what you're after - as beach holidays will be more favourable in June or July, but May is prime-time for sightseeing and the autumn is great for foodie and wine breaks with food festivals, olive harvesting and grape crushing taking place.
While winter in the north brings cool temperatures, it's a wonderful time to explore the Italian lakes when the summer crowds have subsided, and you can cross the border to Switzerland for snowy adventure.
