Italy

Fall in Love with Art, Food, and La Dolce Vita

Holidays in Italy

Your Guide to Italy

Imagine standing in the heart of the ancient Roman Colosseum, gazing up at Michelangelo's David in Florence, gliding through the canals of Venice in a gondola, or savouring authentic pasta with local wine in a sun-drenched Tuscan piazza. Italy is a country that assaults the senses in the most wonderful way. It's a place where millennia of history meet vibrant modern life, where artistic masterpieces seem to adorn every corner, and where food and wine are elevated to an art form. It’s the home of la dolce vita – the sweet life – and it invites you to slow down and savour every moment.


For first-time visitors from the UK, Italy often means ticking off the 'big three': the historical wonders of Rome, the Renaissance treasures of Florence, and the unique magic of Venice. But Italy's true beauty lies in its incredible regional diversity, offering endless discoveries for returners. Explore the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany or Umbria, marvel at the dramatic Amalfi Coast, discover the unique character of Sicily or Sardinia, hike the majestic Dolomites, relax by the beautiful northern lakes, or delve into the culinary secrets of Emilia-Romagna or Puglia. There’s always more to see, taste, and experience.

Getting to Italy

A silhouette of an airplane taking off from an airport runway.

Flights:  Numerous airlines, including British Airways, ITA Airways (Italy's flag carrier), EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and Wizz Air, operate flights from many UK airports (London and regional) to a wide range of Italian destinations. Key airports include:

  • Rome Fiumicino (FCO): The main gateway for Rome and central Italy.
  • Milan Malpensa (MXP) & Linate (LIN): Serving Milan and the north (Linate is closer to the city; nearby Bergamo BGY is a major budget airline hub).
  • Venice Marco Polo (VCE) & Treviso (TSF): Serving Venice (Treviso is mainly for budget airlines).
  • Florence (FLR) & Pisa (PSA): Serving Florence and Tuscany (Pisa is a popular alternative gateway, easily connected to Florence by train).
  • Naples (NAP): Gateway to Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast.
  • Bologna (BLQ), Turin (TRN), Verona (VRN), plus airports in Sicily (Catania CTA, Palermo PMO) and Sardinia (Cagliari CAG, Olbia OLB) are all well-served from the UK.

High-Speed Trains (Le Frecce & Italo, Regional Trains (Regionale), Rental Cars, Ferries.

Transport options in Italy

A black and white logo with a white circle in the middle on a white background.

Official Spoken Languages

A black and white icon of a globe in a speech bubble.

The official language is Italian. While Italy has many distinct regional dialects (some so different they are almost separate languages!), standard Italian is understood nationwide. English is widely spoken in major tourist cities and destinations like Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, and Cinque Terre, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and shops catering to tourists.

Weather & Climate

The sun is shining through the clouds free icon

Spring (April-June) and Autumn (September-October) are often the most pleasant times to visit most of Italy, offering good weather, fewer crowds than summer, and beautiful scenery (spring flowers, autumn harvests). July and August are the hottest, busiest, and most expensive months. Winter offers fewer crowds for city breaks, skiing in the north, but shorter days and potentially cold/wet weather elsewhere.

Must-Do Experiences in Italy

The Colosseum in Rome is a large building with arches and columns.

Walk Through History in Rome

Immerse yourself in the 'Eternal City'. Stand in awe inside the mighty Colosseum, imagining gladiatorial contests. Wander through the ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the heart of ancient Rome. Explore Vatican City: visit the vast St. Peter's Basilica and marvel at Michelangelo's masterpieces in the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel (book tickets months ahead!). Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain (ensuring your return!), climb the Spanish Steps, get lost in the charming streets of Trastevere, and enjoy classic Roman pasta.

A waterfall in the middle of a lush green forest surrounded by palm trees.

Feast on Art in Florence

Discover the cradle of the Renaissance in beautiful Florence (Firenze). See Michelangelo's iconic David statue at the Galleria dell'Accademia (book well ahead!). Spend hours exploring the world-class paintings and sculptures at the Uffizi Gallery (book well ahead!). Climb to the top of Brunelleschi's magnificent Duomo (Cathedral dome) for panoramic city views. Stroll across the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge, lined with glittering jewellery shops. Indulge in a hearty Florentine steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) and a glass of Chianti Classico.

A gondola is going down a river surrounded by buildings in Venice

Expereince the Magic of Venice

Experience the utterly unique beauty of the city built on water. Take an iconic (if touristy) gondola ride through narrow canals. Wander across countless bridges, exploring hidden alleyways and squares (campi). Visit the stunning Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), marvel at the Byzantine mosaics of St. Mark's Basilica, and explore the opulent Doge's Palace. Escape the crowds by venturing into quieter neighbourhoods like Cannaregio or Dorsoduro. Venice is pure enchantment.

A mountain with a lot of hills in the background

Visit Rural Italy

Drive or cycle through the quintessential rolling hills of Tuscany, visiting charming medieval towns like Siena and San Gimignano, sampling wines at Chianti vineyards, and staying in a rustic agriturismo (farm stay). Alternatively, experience the breathtaking cliffside drama of the Amalfi Coast:, visit postcard-perfect towns like Positano and Ravello (with stunning garden villas), hike the Path of the Gods, and enjoy fresh seafood and local limoncello liqueur.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

This is crucial! If you buy a paper ticket for a Regionale train (slower local/regional services without reserved seats) at the station, you MUST stamp it ('convalidare') in one of the small validation machines (usually green/white or yellow) on the platform or in the station hall before you get on the train. Conductors check, and fines for unvalidated tickets are hefty, even if you genuinely forgot. High-speed train tickets (Frecciarossa, Italo etc.) with specific times/seats don't usually need validating.

Validate Your Regional Train Tickets

Italian coffee rituals differ from many other countries. An 'espresso' (just 'un caffè') is the default, drunk quickly standing at the bar ('al banco'). This is usually the cheapest way to have coffee. Sitting at a table ('al tavolo') incurs a service charge and costs significantly more, especially in tourist areas. Milky coffees like cappuccino or caffè latte are strictly for mornings (Italians cringe at the thought of one after lunch/dinner!). Typically, you pay first at the cash register ('cassa'), get a receipt ('scontrino'), then show it to the barista to get your coffee.

Coffee Culture: Stand Up & Drink Quick

Look out for the 'coperto' on your restaurant bill. This is a standard per-person cover charge found in most restaurants (for bread, linen etc.). It is NOT a service charge or tip. Sometimes a separate service charge ('servizio') might be added (check the menu). Tipping isn't obligatory or expected in the way it is in the US/UK, as service staff are paid a full wage. However, rounding up the bill or leaving a few extra euros for particularly good service is always appreciated.

Decoding the Bill: 'Coperto' is Not a Tip

Many Italian cities and towns have 'Zona Traffico Limitato' (ZTL) zones covering their historic centres. These areas have restricted vehicle access, usually enforced by cameras, to reduce traffic and pollution. Driving into a ZTL without the correct permit (which tourists generally won't have) will result in substantial fines being sent to you via your rental car company months later. Look carefully for the ZTL signs (a white circle with a red border) and park legally outside these zones, then walk or use public transport.

ZTL Warning - Don't Drive into Historic Centres

Italy: Fall in Love with Art, Food, and La Dolce Vita

Italy is a country that truly nourishes the soul. Its unparalleled artistic and historical legacy, combined with its world-adored cuisine, stunningly diverse landscapes, passionate culture, and innate sense of style, makes it an endlessly rewarding destination. From the grandeur of ancient Rome and the artistic brilliance of Florence to the unique magic of Venice and the distinct charms of its many regions, Italy offers a lifetime of discovery.


With easy access from the UK, Italy invites you to explore its treasures, indulge your senses, and perhaps discover your own version of la dolce vita. Whether you're marvelling at masterpieces, learning to make pasta, relaxing by a lake, hiking in the mountains, or simply sipping an espresso in a sunlit piazza, Italy promises unforgettable experiences. Buon viaggio!