At Experience, the World Travel, the best journeys create lasting memories, and few destinations offer as rich a tapestry of experiences as Italy. This boot-shaped peninsula in the heart of the Mediterranean is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty that has captivated travellers for centuries.
From the sun-drenched coastal villages of the Amalfi Coast to the rolling hills of Tuscany, from the ancient ruins of Rome to the romantic canals of Venice, Italy is a country that speaks to all the senses. It’s a place where every meal is a celebration, every view a masterpiece, and every interaction a chance to experience la dolce vita – the sweet life.
Whether you’re drawn to the art galleries of Florence, the fashion boutiques of Milan, the vineyards of Chianti, or the charming villages of Cinque Terre, Italy offers diverse experiences to suit every traveller. History buffs can walk in the footsteps of emperors and artists, food lovers can indulge in world-renowned cuisine and wines, and those seeking relaxation can unwind on beautiful beaches or in picturesque countryside retreats.
At Experience the World Travel, we understand that Italy is not just a destination but a feeling – a way of life that stays with you long after you return home. Our team of expert travel advisors, with over 115 years of collective Experience, is dedicated to crafting the perfect Italian adventure for you. Whether it’s your first or fifteenth visit, we’ll help you uncover hidden gems, avoid tourist traps, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Join us as we explore the wonders of Italy – from its bustling cities to its tranquil lakes, from its sunny islands to its snowy Alps. Let’s embark on a journey that promises a holiday and an experience that will enrich your life and leave you longing to return.
Benvenuti in Italia – welcome to Italy, where every moment is a different and better Experience!
The Lakes
The Italian Lakes offer a bit of everything, each with its specific character. They are all scattered with pretty towns and villages perched on the water’s edge, with mountain backdrops, architecturally wonderful buildings, and stunning scenery.
The vast Lake Maggiore straddles the Alps between Italy and Switzerland, where the main resort of Stresa has a delightful lakeside promenade known for its flowers and views of a cluster of three pretty, little Borromean islands. Isola Bella is the most romantic, famous for its mansions and gardens. At the same time, an aristocratic Milanese family has owned Bella, Madreand Superiore since the 1600s, but are all open to visitors. The cable car to the peak of Mottarone provides extraordinary views of the Lombardy Lakes, the Alps and the Po Valley.
Lake Lugano is a holiday paradise surrounded by mountains. Cable cars, rack railways, and funiculars take visitors to experience the panoramic views over the surrounding areas. A boat ride will take you to Morcote, with its grand mansions and the Santa Maria del Sasso church offering outstanding views, or to Gandria, a perfect example of one of the many little lakeside villages.
Lake Como is the most dramatic of the lakes, backed by the snow-capped Alps and wooded surroundings. Because it is so close to Milan, it can get very busy at weekends. The thriving town of Como is is best known for its silk production, and you can take a ferry from the pier to Bellagio, a jewel of a town sitting where the lake is divided into three parts. You can visit Villa Carlotta, an elegant 17th-century mansion set in lush, formal, terraced gardens.
Located between Bergamo and Brescia, Lake Iseo is less well-known than the major lakes. Still, it is peppered with churches, castles, and museums and has over 40 historic buildings and archaeological sites. Various cultural trails guide you on a scenic journey through uncrowded authentic towns and villages, making it one of the more peaceful lakes in the country. Lake Garda is Italy’s largest and most eastern lake, surrounded by rolling green hills, grand gardens, vineyards, lemon trees and olive groves. Sirmione’s beautiful pedestrianised spa town at the foot of the lake is its most popular resort, with its own medieval castle Rocca Scaligera, overlooking the town and beyond.
All the lakes can be enjoyed in different ways, but all retain the same romantic Italian feel of days gone by.
The Cities
The three cities of Rome, Florence and Venice combine to define what Italy means to the rest of the world. Architectural masterpieces, historic palaces, spectacular art galleries and picturesque waterways abound while following in the footsteps of emperors and saints. Pisa is known mainly for its iconic Leaning Tower, arguably one of the most famous landmarks in Italy, but in the immediate vicinity, there are numerous attractions that not all visitors seek out. Surprisingly, Sicily has two of the largest cities in Italy. Palermo and Catania are only two hours apart on Italy’s largest island, yet they are decidedly different. Palermo is rich in history, culture, art, music, and food, while Catania is more business-like. It has beautiful architecture and a thriving nightlife, with easy access to Mount Etna. In the north of Italy, while Milan and Turin may seem less romantic than other cities, they have their own attractions. Turin is known as a city with amazing history and beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also known for its many modern museums, exquisite restaurants, and overall culture that flows through it. On the other hand, Milan offers all the advantages of a large city, but it has a relatively small centre, making it easy to get around on foot. Some of its most beautiful attractions include the Duomo di Milano, the impressive Opera House, a castle, ancient churches and a wide variety of museums and art galleries.
Conversely, the gritty city of Naples packs a punch and takes time to get used to. It is raw, unpolished but undeniably charismatic, and a city like no other in the country. Blessed with a rich history, fabulous Italian cuisine, and large helpings of art and entertainment, it is a must-visit for understanding Italian culture. Visitors are drawn to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Vesuvius, which are only a short distance from the city, while beautiful Sorrento and the islands of Capri and Ischia are only short ferry rides away. The combination is irresistible, creating unforgettable experiences.
The Islands
Both Sicily and Sardinia have very distinct personalities from mainland Italy, with their own languages and ways of life. The many civilisations that have passed through the island have shaped Sicily, displaying everything from preserved ancient Greek temples to Norman churches. As the second largest island in Italy, Sardinia has a distinctly different feel, being a gastronomic delight and a place of great tradition and beautiful landscapes. The island is known for its long-living citizens, which is down to the Mediterranean diet or just the simple life that they lead, which is more rustic and stripped back than the mainland. The northeast coast is known for crowds of wealthy, jet-setting visitors, but head off into the mountains, and you’ll find plenty of pretty, hidden villages capturing the essence of Sardinia. Just off the Sorrento coastline lies Capri, one of Italy’s best-known islands. This small island can be overrun with visitors in the summer months, but once the day trippers have gone, it reverts to a quieter and more relaxed playground. Exploring the old town on foot in autumn is to see it at its best while wildflowers blanket the island in springtime. Summer has crowds, and yachts of every size dot its aquamarine waters beneath the towering limestone cliffs, where the owners have replaced the nineteenth-century artists who used to frequent the island. Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago and offers beaches of powdery sand, rivalling anything else in the country. The rolling countryside, greenery, and villages draping themselves over the hilltops mean the Tuscan feel is not confined to the mainland. Capri’s quieter, Ischia’s sister, sits just off the Amalfi Coast. Beaches are uncrowded here despite its proximity to Naples. Pastel houses tumble down to pretty port villages, and dozens of hot springs and thermal pools offer relaxing places. Gelato shops and unrivalled restaurants jostle for custom beside upmarket boutiques in coastal towns like pretty little Sant’Angelo.
The seven Aeolian Islands are dotted around the coast of Sicily, with Lipari being the biggest, boasting a lively port and harbourfront restaurants. Stromboli is where you’ll find one of Europe’s only active volcanoes on Lipari’s north-eastern tip, but it is very popular and safe for hiking. Alicudi and Filicudi are the least visited islands and the wildest of all of them as far as nature is concerned, while Salina has some of the smartest hotels. The tiny island of Panarea is the smallest of the Aeolian Islands but is the most exclusive, with expensive yachts moored in the harbour. It isn’t the quietest of islands but nonetheless very beautiful. Ponza is where Romans go on holiday, halfway between the capital and Naples. The largest of the six Pontine Islands is just over an hour from the mainland to this quiet and laid-back island, with brightly coloured houses climbing up the steep hills and a system of caves and tunnels created by the Romans thousands of years ago. A range of boat trips take tourists to little hidden beaches and secret swimming coves. Apart from tourism, the ocean provides a living for the community, so freshly caught seafood dominates the menus of beachfront restaurants. Tiny Procida is comparatively peaceful even in high season, but there are few places to stay, so it has an authentic lived-in feeling. Sitting in the Bay of Naples, it is a place of natural beauty and genuine charm that is only two miles square. Little streets are lined with wine bars, cafes, and restaurants, and although the beaches are mainly dusted with volcanic black sand, they are quiet compared to other islands. For a different kind of island experience, and one of the most famous, visit Burano in the lagoon of Venice. One of only a handful in the lagoon, the houses of many colours delight a photographer, while the shops stock exquisite Burano linen and lace.
The Regions
Tuscany and Umbria are two of Italy’s most beloved regions. Unlike many destinations, both are exactly how they appear in picture postcards. Italy’s most memorable art and architecture can also be found here, with outstanding vineyards and delicious, straight-from-the-market Italian food. The cities of Florence, Sienna, Lucca, and Pisa are considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. They can be busy, but there are still plenty of undiscovered corners in these large central regions.
The rest of Italy has many amazing places with unique characters and attractions. Arezzo for art and history, Carrara for white marble mountains, Chianti for wine, Grosseto for beach resorts, Massa for beaches and heritage, Pistoia for art and Val d’Orcia for iconic hillsides, rolling countryside, cypress trees and wine. Why not explore Italy and discover your own unique favourite?
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