From Sicily to Tuscany, Italian Lakes to Amalfi Coast, I’ve got 5 great holidays in Italy to take this year, with flights, hotels, meals and tours included.
I have been very fortunate to travel to many places over the years, but my holidays in Italy are up there with the best of them. It is hard to find a country that inspires as much as Italy. From stunning lakes to beautiful beaches, captivating cities to the prettiest hill top towns; Italy is also home to 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and let’s not forget the food – Italy has is all.
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I am delighted to team up with Irish owned and operated, Travel Department, who have been providing holidays in Italy for over 25 years. Take the hassle out of planning your Italian holiday, and let the experts do it for you. Travel Department staff have travelled extensively throughout the world and have curated superb holidays in Italy for you to enjoy. Some tours have multiple activities planned, but all include free time for you to explore at your leisure too.
Whether you want to explore the Italian lakes, the Puglia or Tuscan countrysides, the Amalfi Coast, or the islands of Sardinia or Sicily – Travel Department have an Italy group tour to suit you. You can also enjoy city breaks in Rome or Venice, or choose to combine holidays in Italy with neighbouring Slovenia and Croatia.
PugliaI have chosen five holidays in Italy from Travel Department below and all include flights, transfers, accommodation, tours, and a local expert guide. And that’s not all…
You can now get even more savings with Travel Department with my exclusive discounts which are valid for 2023 and 2024 holidays.
- Save €75pp* on holidays of 8 nights or more TTE75
- Save €50pp* on holidays of 7 nights TTE50
- Save €25pp* on holidays of 6 nights or less TTE25
The Italy holidays below are just a sample of the many offerings available from Travel Department. If you prefer to discuss your requirements with one of their expert sales team, please call Travel Department on 01 6371650, and quote The Travel Expert, or view all of their Italy holidays here:
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1. The Italian Lakes
When it comes to holidays in Italy’s lake district, the hardest decision is which lake to choose. Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda, is a firm favourite with holidaymakers and has over 50 beautiful villages and historic towns to explore. However, don’t overlook Lake Como – there is a reason it is the destination of choice for discerning travellers and celebrities!
Travel Department offer a wide range of group holidays to the Italian Lakes, including five and seven night trips to Lake Garda, as well as Christmas market and New Year breaks.
I have highlighted two options below to give you a flavour of what is available, but there are many more available on their website.
Lake Garda with tours to Venice & Verona: 7 Nights, Half Board, from €899pp
This seven-night Italy group tour allows you to discover the stunning cities of Venice and Verona, as well as the lakeside towns and villages of Lake Garda.
Visit Verona’s magnificent Roman amphitheatre and Juliet’s famous balcony, and have an obligatory coffee on St Marks Square or a gondola ride in Venice.
Two full day excursions are included in the cost, as well as a boat trip around Lake Garda during the summer months. You will also have the choice to book optional excursions or enjoy your surroundings at your leisure on alternative days.
Price includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and a seven-night stay in Riva del Garda on a half board basis. Full day tours to Venice, Verona and a half-day boat trip around Lake Garda or excursion to Bolzano, are also included.
Lake Como with tours to Milan and Swiss Alps: 7 Nights, Half Board, from €899pp
Lake Como has been the destination of choice for celebrities for many years, but with prices like these, there is no reason why we can’t join them! Spend seven nights exploring this exclusive destination, with a half-day boat cruise to the pretty town of Bellagio, as well as three full days at leisure.
A day trip to Milan is also included and a panoramic train journey on the Bernina Express through the Italian and Swiss Alps. Visit pretty alpine villages and the glamorous Swiss town of St. Moritz.
Price from €899 includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and a seven-night stay in Lake Como on a half board basis. Full day tour to Milan, train journey on the Bernina Express and a half-day boat cruise on Lake Como are also included. Solo traveller trips are available from €1299.
2. Tuscany
Tuscany is one of my favourite regions in Italy. I have visited on many occasions and would you believe we almost bought a house there 20 years ago! As well as the stunning cities of Florence and Sienna and it’s medieval walled towns, scenic drives through Tuscany’s rolling hills are an attraction in itself. And let’s not forget the wine, Tuscany is the home of Chianti after all.
Classic Tuscany including Florence & Pisa: 7 Nights, Half Board, from €1049pp
This fabulous itinerary takes in the iconic cities of Florence and Pisa as well as some of my favourite parts of Tuscany – Sienna, Lucca and San Gimignano. You will be staying in the beautiful spa town of Montecatini, which is the perfect base to explore Tuscany, and a town I know well.
Visit Florence’s stunning Duomo, Pisa’s Leaning Tower, Sienna’s Piazza del Campo, and explore the medieval towns of Lucca and San Gimignano. As well as guided tours you will also have three full days to explore Tuscany at your leisure.
Price from €1049 includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and a seven-night stay in Montecatini on a half board basis. Three full day tours Florence, Sienna and San Gimignano, and Lucca and Pisa, are included. Solo traveller trips are available from €1349, and Christmas and New Year trips are also available.
3. The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is on the top of every holidays in Italy bucket list! From the pastel coloured village of Positano to the hill top town of Ravello, the ancient ruins of Pompeii to the stunning island of Capri – there is so much to see on the Amalfi Coast.
An escorted tour of the Amalfi Coast is a great way to see it properly, and trust me, you will appreciate having someone else behind the wheel so you can admire the views of the Bay of Naples in comfort.
Sorrento including Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri: 7 Nights, Half Board, from €1039pp
This super itinerary will ensure you see most the highlights in one epic trip. You will be staying in the popular resort of Sorrento and also have three full days to explore the Amalfi Coast at your leisure.
Discover the Amalfi Coast from the sea and land on a full day guided tour. Drive the Amalfi Coast as far as Salerno and enjoy a scenic boat trip afterwards where you will stop in the stunning towns of Positano and Amalfi.
You will also learn about the ancient Roman town of Pompeii while enjoying a guided tour of the excavations, and get the chance to explore the stunning island of Capri on a full day guided tour.
Price from €1039 includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and a seven-night stay in Sorrento on a half board basis. Full day guided tours to the island of Capri and Amalfi Coast, half day tours of Pompeii and Sorrento town are included.
4. Rome
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I visited Rome for the third time recently and I can safely say it won’t be my last. No matter how many times I see the Eternal City I still find myself in awe of its beauty. It is like an open air museum, with ancient wonders at every corner, and having an expert guide on hand to showcase it properly is key to understanding its history.
Travel Department offer a variety of Rome holidays including classic city breaks, trips including Umbria and Assisi, and trips over religious holidays such as Easter.
Rome city break: 3 Nights, B&B, from €629pp
Experience the magic of Rome on this three-night city break. Enjoy a guided tour of the city and visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Saint Peter in Chains Basilica, Piazza Venezia and the iconic Trevi Fountain, before having an afternoon at leisure to soak up the atmosphere.
You will also have a full day at your leisure to visit the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, or simply enjoy Rome’s historic centre. Visit the Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps and take time for a nice lunch in the pretty neighbourhood of Trastevere.
Price from €629 includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and a three-night stay in a 4-star Albani Roma Hotel on a bed & breakfast basis. Guided tour as per itinerary is also included. Solo traveller option available from €728.
5. Sicily
Guided tours of Sicily are highly sought after this year. The hugely popular TV series The White Lotus was filmed there, which showcased Sicily’s stunning scenery and the beautiful hilltop town of Taormina.
However, Travel Department’s group tours will not only show you Sicily’s charming towns and villages, you will also learn about the fascinating history of the Mediterranean’s largest island.
Travel Department have a variety of tours available, including combination holidays with beach and city stays, as well as trips to the nearby Aeolian islands, and solo traveller options.
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands: 7 Nights, Half Board, from €1329pp
This fabulous itinerary combines a stay in the beach town of Gardini Naxos with guided tours to Sicily’s top attractions, as well as a full day sailing trip.
Visit magnificent Mount Etna and enjoy panoramic views over the coast and countryside, before visiting the hilltop town of Taormina, where The White Lotus was filmed. I stayed in this beautiful town many years ago, and this visit includes a guided tour of its famed Greek theatre.
A full day guided excursion to Syracuse is also included, as well as a sailing trip to the crystal clear waters of the Aeolian islands. You will also have three full days to explore at your leisure, or to simply relax on the beach beside your hotel.
Price from €1329 includes flights, transfers, checked baggage and a seven-night stay in a 4-star Unahotels Naxos Beach Sicilia on a half board basis. Guided tours as per itinerary. Solo traveller holidays to Sicily available from €1599.
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I hope this post on holidays in Italy will help you plan a trip there soon. If you prefer to discuss your requirements with one of the Travel Department’s expert sales team, please call them on 01 6371650, See more group tours to destinations around the world from Travel Department here:
Read: Top 10 Escorted tours from Ireland
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While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, prices and itineraries are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made. This post was sponsored by Travel Department, but all views, as always, are by own.
