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Holidays in Italy

Holidays in Italy

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Italy is one of the prime holiday destinations in the world. In addition to hosting many of the world's best beaches, the pleasant weather, beautiful scenery and varied terrain is ideal for all kinds of adventure holidays in Italy, such as: walking, trekking and biking while the many mountainous areas of the country provide some of the best skiing in the world. The fabulous coastline is perfect for sailing and boating activities and the warm, clear water ideal for snorkling and diving. There are many areas in Italy that are suitable for equestrian activities and few areas in the world with more spectacular golf courses!

Holidays in Italy

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Visitors can take advantage of specialised activity holidays or can find their own activities once they are in the country

Italy is famous for its beautiful landscapes, stunning coastlines, cities and hilltop villages so just imagine what they must look like from high up in the deep blue sky. Balloon rides are available all over Italy, from the snow capped mountains in the north, the rolling countryside of central Italy, major cities and the sun soaked southern regions.

Ski Holidays

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Italy is a mountainous country in many areas particularly in the North. The options for ski and snowboard holidays in Italy are vast with the major ski regions of The Dolomites in the North East which include the Italian Tyrol (or Tirol) region, Lombardia in the north central part of Italy & the Aosta valley in the North West under the eaves of Mont Blanc.

Italian skiing is synonymous with great food, good snow & that special relaxed lifestyle that adds magic & tranquility to the whole Italian ski experience. Popular ski resorts like Val Gardena, Courmayeur and Livigno are just a few spectacular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. More

Sailing Holidays

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Italy has one of the most attractive coastlines in the world and what better way to enjoy it than a holiday under sail. The cruising grounds of the Tuscan Islands, Sardinia and Sicily are among the best in the world. More

Equestrian Holidays

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Although a lot of Italy is mountainous, there are many areas suitable for keeping horses. The Maremma area of Tuscany is particularly famous for horse riding, even to the extent of having their own breed of cowboys! Many other areas of Italy have high quality equestrian facilites that can be enjoyed by holiday visitors.

Golfing Holidays

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There are many beautiful golf courses all over Italy. The warm and pleasant weather, combined with the spectacular, Italian scenery, create the perfect opportunity for golfing holidays in ideal conditions. On our 'Golf in Italy' page we list all of the golf courses in the country as well as providing information of companies offering specialist golfing holidays in Italy. More

Walking Holidays

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There are 24 National Parks in Italy that provide many opportunities for those who enjoy walking or trekking in unspoilt countryside. Others might like to stroll through typical Italian towns and villages. More

Cycling Holidays

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Biking is a wonderful way to explore the countryside. Italy provides some of the most varied landscapes in the world, so there will always be something to suit everyone. Whether it's mountain biking through the spectacular scenery of Garfagnana, or ambling through the olive groves of Puglia, you are guaranteed an activity holiday to remember. More

Scuba Diving Holidays

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The warm, crystal clear waters found off much of the coastline in Italy creates perfect conditions for both snorkling and scuba diving. There are many holiday companies in Italy offering boat trips and specialist diving excursions all around Italy.

Travel & Experience

Tourism icon

Tourism

A compact reference to how Italy is visited, experienced, and explored — across regions, seasons, and styles of travel — designed to sit beneath articles.

Destinations Activities Travel Stay
Italy tourism — landscapes and cities
Cities, coastlines, countryside, and culture — Italy as a destination shaped by geography, history, and lived experience.

Italy — tourism snapshot

Stable reference signals for quick travel orientation.

Peak season

Summer

Coastal and island demand concentrates in summer, while major cities attract visitors year-round. Shoulder seasons often deliver the best balance of weather, pricing, and crowd levels.

Core magnets

Cities + coasts

Historic cities, iconic coastlines, and lake districts dominate first-time itineraries. Repeat travel frequently expands into rural regions, islands, and “second-city” routes.

UNESCO sites

61

World Heritage properties across archaeology, historic centres, cultural landscapes, and natural areas. Heritage density makes culture a default feature of travel rather than a niche interest.

Travel styles

Mixed

Italy supports fast multi-city routes and slow, place-based stays. Choices are often shaped by transport access, season, and whether the trip is culture-led, beach-led, or food-led.

Transport

Strong rail

High-speed rail links major cities efficiently, while regional rail and roads shape access to smaller towns and landscapes. Islands and remote areas often require careful planning around seasonal schedules.

Accommodation

Wide range

Hotels, agriturismi, short lets, historic properties, and family-run stays allow different budgets and travel modes. In popular areas, availability and pricing can be highly seasonal.

Experiences

Rich mix

City culture, beach time, food and wine, hiking, skiing, festivals, art routes, and coastal boating all coexist. Many regions support specialist travel: archaeology, design, performance arts, craft, or landscape.

Crowd pressure

Localised

Pressure is concentrated in a small number of global icons, while many high-quality areas remain under-visited. Travel dispersal and off-peak timing often deliver better experiences and lower impact.

Overview

A multi-layered destination

Italy attracts visitors for culture, landscape, food, and lifestyle — but travel patterns differ sharply by season, region, and purpose. First trips often focus on iconic cities and landmarks, while repeat travel tends to become more regional and place-based. The country rewards both styles: fast itineraries for highlights, and slower stays for depth, rhythm, and local character.

Destinations

Cities, coasts, countryside

Italy’s destination map ranges from historic capitals and art cities to alpine resorts, lake districts, islands, and rural interiors. Tourism concentrates heavily in well-known areas, but emerging destinations often offer comparable beauty with less pressure. For travellers, the most useful planning lens is region: each offers a distinct mix of landscape, heritage, cuisine, and pace.

Experiences

What visitors come to do

Sightseeing is only one layer: food and wine routes, outdoor travel, festivals, beach seasons, weddings, and specialist interests shape demand. Many regions support “theme travel” — archaeology, hiking, skiing, sailing, art trails, craft workshops, or culinary learning. The strongest experiences tend to combine place, tradition, and everyday life rather than ticking a single landmark.

Travel & stay

Movement and accommodation

Transport networks determine what kind of trip is realistic: high-speed rail makes multi-city travel easy, while rural regions reward slower routes by car or local connections. Accommodation spans hotels, apartments, agriturismi, family-run stays, historic villas, and coastal resorts — each shaping the feel of a journey. Season and local infrastructure are decisive: the same destination can feel effortless in one month and complex in another.

Italy top destinations
Destinations
Tourism activities in Italy
Activities
Special places in Italy
Special places
Historic sites in Italy
Historic sites
Lesser-known places in Italy

Beyond the icons

Lesser-known Italy

Smaller towns, rural landscapes, and under-visited regions often deliver the most “lived Italy”: local markets, seasonal festivals, and strong community identity. These areas reward slower movement and curiosity, with experiences built around landscape, craft, and food culture rather than queues. For many travellers, dispersing beyond the icons improves both travel quality and sustainability by reducing pressure on a handful of global hotspots.

Wine tourism and cultural learning in Italy

Slow travel

Learning, wine, and immersion

Slow travel is about participation: language courses, culinary learning, wine routes, craft workshops, walking trails, and extended stays that create familiarity with a place. It typically shifts the trip from “seeing” to “doing,” with daily routines — cafés, shops, local transport — becoming part of the experience. This style of travel is also flexible: it can be budget-friendly or highly luxurious, but it always prioritises time, rhythm, and local connection.

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