Where to go for an Italian escape
Want your own slice of La Dolce Vita (the good life!) then look no further than Italy, famous for good food, good wine and romance. Here's our guide to planning the perfect Italian escape.
With daily direct flights from the UK there's plenty of options for where to base your Italian getaway - whether you visit the mountains and lakes of the north, the rolling hills of Tuscany, or the beaches of the south. Wherever you go you're sure to find good food and plenty of culture to take in.
Travel Insurance - Italy
Rome
2 hrs 20 min
Covid testing available at airport
Much like London, Paris or New York - Rome is one of those cities everyone should visit in their lifetime. Full of history and culture, it's hard not to be impressed by the sights of the city. The traffic in Rome can be a nightmare for tourists to get to grips with, but luckily it's a great city to get out and explore on foot. We recommend you make use of the Rome Metro system, as this will get you to all the major sites and is an affordable way to get around the city.
There are some big tourist attractions in the city, such as the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel - and now more than ever it's important to prebook your entry to these places to save disappointment.
Check out our full travel guide to Rome for more inspiration and tips for your trip.
Rome | Travel Guide
The eternal city is a mesmerising mix of contemporary Italy and ancient history, so no matter what you're looking for, there's plenty to do in Rome. The city attracts millions of visitors every year but fret not, you won't be overrun and trampled underfoot; if you step away from the tourist hotspots you'll find some of the best nightlife, food and drink in all of Rome.
Venice
2 hrs 15 min
Covid testing available at airport
Venice is probably the most popular destination in Italy for tourists, and many think the city is now far too overcrowded. Things are a little quieter this year, we've all seen the videos of fish returning to the canals, and actually now is a great time to visit.
There's a lot of famous sights to tick off your list when you visit, so keep your camera at the ready! You'll want to make sure you visit St Mark's Square and Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal.
Check out our full travel guide to Venice for all the tips and advice we have from our time there.
Venice | Travel Guide
Aside from being easy on the eyes, there's no shortage of things to do in Venice; with a wealth of culture, history and copious amounts of delicious food (*carbs) to enjoy.
Florence
2 hrs 10 min
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region famous for vineyards, olive groves and hill towns. When you think Italy, this is probably the region that comes to mind as it's quintessentially Italian.
Florence itself is home to the iconic State of David, again we recommend that you prebook your tickets if you want to visit. You should also visit the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the finest renaissance art - such as The Birth of Venus.
Florence | Travel Guide
Florence is one of the world's foremost culture capitals, with nearly a third of the world's art treasures residing within the city.
Pisa
2 hrs 10 min
The most famous thing about Pisa is, of course, the Leaning Tower. You can climb the tower, which you should prebook, but many simply visit the grounds surrounding the tower to try and get that photo.
In recent years the Cinque Terre region in Italy has become increasingly popular and one of the best ways to reach this area is by train from Pisa. There are regular trains that run to either LaSpezia (from which you can hop on the Cinque Terra express) or Monterosso itself. Cinque Terra translates as 'five lands', and it is a collection of 5 seaside villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore ) famous for colourful buildings that cling to the cliffside. You can explore the villages by foot, boat or train - and each has its own charm.
Pisa | Travel Guide
Although many will know it from its world famous Leaning Tower, there's so much more to see and do in Pisa than this one landmark; with friendly locals, great food and classic architecture, it's one of our favourite places to visit in Italy.
Milan
2 hrs
Covid testing available at airport
If high-end shopping is your thing, or even just high-end window shopping, then Milan is the city for you. Famous for fashion and design, Milan is the home to a number of flagship designer stores. Even if you're not into shopping then the most famous spot, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, is still worth visiting as the building itself is an impressive piece of architecture.
Talking of impressive architecture, one of the most popular attractions in the city is the Duomo di Milano Cathedral, the 4th largest cathedral in the world. You can also find the original The Last Supper painting in Milan, at Santa Maria delle Grazie - make sure you prebook if you want to visit.
If you want to get out of the city then a good option from Milan is to hop on a train up to Lake Como - the journey is about an hour and will only cost you about £4 per person. Set in the foothills of the Alps here you'll find picturesque villages with beautiful mountain backdrops.
Naples
2 hrs 40 min
Covid testing available at airport
Naples is the home of pizza, modern pizza evolved from flatbread dishes native to Naples. So whilst you're there make sure to try a genuine Neapolitan pizza!
The most popular attraction in Naples isn't actually in the city itself, instead, head south of the city where you'll find Mount Vesuvius. Here you can hike up the active volcano, or visit the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum which were both destroyed in the eruption of AD79. Pompeii is the more famous of the two, so gets much busier - so we recommend visiting Herculaneum if you chose to visit only one.
We also love Naples as it lies close to the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. You can either day trip here from Naples, or fly to Naples and then base yourself in the Sorrento area.
Bari
2 hrs 50 min
Bari may be a lesser-known Italian city, but if you like your beaches then it's definitely the best choice in Italy. Bari itself has an Old Town worth exploring, a bustling harbour and excellent food scene.
Bari is situated in Southern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, and is just at the top of the 'heel' of Italy's 'boot'. It's worth getting out of the town and exploring this region as it's here you'll find the best beaches. We recommend visiting Otranto Beach for the soft white sand and turquoise waters - it's an excellent spot for snorkelling or simply relaxing on the beach.
Palermo
2 hrs 55 min
Covid testing available at airport
If you want to explore the island of Sicily then your best bet is to fly directly to Palermo on the north coast. Palermo is the largest city on the island and has the characteristic charm of any Italian city.
Elsewhere on the island you can visit Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano on the east coast. As one of the most active volcanoes on earth, it makes for an impressive visit! During the summer you can enjoy some great hikes, or if you visit in winter you can even ski with views of the sea in the distance.
If beaches are your thing then this is one of the best regions in Italy for that - not too far from Palermo is San Vito Lo Capo. This is a small seaside town with beautiful turquoise water in a sheltered bay.
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