The most amazing ways to experience Italy this year
From a luxurious city break on water to feasting on different regions' foodie attractions, here are the best ways to explore Italy
There are few countries which can rival Italy when it comes to the classics. It's where you can see some of the world's finest Renaissance art in the galleries of Florence, bumble around the colourful harbour towns that tumble down the Amalfi Coast or explore the many islands of Venice, each with its own unique ambience.
And then, of course, there's Italy's inimitable food and wine scene – surely the main reason we keep returning time after time. Sample only the freshest burrata, finest olive oil and softest focaccia on a foodie tour of Puglia, sip your way around Veneto's many prosecco houses or tuck into the rustic Ladin dishes found in mountain villages across the Dolomites.
There's so much to see and do in Italy, whether it's heading into the bucolic hills surrounding Bologna, exploring the ancient, world-famous monuments of Rome, or visiting the ornate palazzo gardens of the Italian Lakes - an Italy holiday should be an annual occasion.
That's why we've rounded up the most amazing ways to explore Italy. Whether you're a foodie, an ancient history fan or love nothing more than relaxing by the sea as you watch the world go by, we've got the perfect Italian escape for you...
Looking for more inspiration for culture-packed getaways? Head on over to Good Housekeeping's holiday website and browse our cultural escapes.
See Venice during a luxurious city break on water
A maze of atmospheric canals, grand piazzas and ornate palazzos, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Best seen from the water, you can visit her many islands by boat, including Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. Cruise under the ornate stone bridges along the Grand Canal to St Mark's Square, home to Italy's most famous Byzantine cathedral, and don't miss a peek into 14th-century Doge's Palace, a spectacular example of Venetian Gothic architecture.
Of course, one of the best things about visiting Venice is the food. Spend a morning pottering around the Rialto Market or grab an espresso and biscotti in Caffè Florian, Europe's oldest coffee shop, which has been serving Venetians since 1720. As the sun sets, seek out a local bacaro for a spritz and cicchetti, Venetian-style tapas.
If after-hours tours are your thing, you'll want to know all about Good Housekeeping's luxury Venice cruise. The sailing includes exclusive sightseeing like visiting the jaw-dropping St Mark's Basilica after nightfall to witness a peaceful lighting ceremony.
Ride the historic trains of the Dolomites
The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges. AT their highest, the jagged pinnacles reach to over 3,000 metres, and are loved by hikers, cyclists and climbers. But if you're looking for a slightly more laid-back way to explore these rugged peaks, fear not. These mountains are traversed by several historic railways and cableways, perfect for taking in the views without breaking a sweat.
There's a funicular railway with bright red carriage which zip up to an altitude of 7,788 feet in just 12 minutes. Once at the top you can enjoy breathtaking vistas from the Mendola mountain ridge. There's also the historic narrow-gauge Renon railway which will take you up to the pretty mountain village of Collalbo.
You'll ride both trains and more on Good Housekeeping's eight-day Dolomites holiday, which shows you the best of the region by train, cable car, and funicular railway. In between train rides, you'll have time to relax at your hotel on the serene shores of Lake Molveno.
Feast on the natural attractions of Puglia
Fragrant olive oil, heavenly focaccia and the creamiest of burrata, Puglia is renowned for its incredible produce. Take a trip to Bari and sample the region's famous orecchiette, the ear-shaped pasta made by hand in the streets of the old town. Don't miss a taste of pasticciotti, a sweet pastry tartlet filled with cream and a sour cherry which is a speciality from Lecce.
Puglia has plenty of culture and heritage, too. Stop by Locorotondo, known as Puglia's prettiest town thanks to a tumble of whitewashed cottages. Explore the ancient caves and rock churches of Sassi di Matera, now a Unesco World Heritage Site, or visit Alberobello, the tiny village famous for its quirky trulli houses with coned roofs.
Good Housekeeping has a six-day foodie tour of Puglia, taking in the highlights of this gastronomic region. You'll learn how to make orecchiette pasta, tour an olive oil farm near Ostuni and enjoy a special Italian cookery masterclass.
Experience Tuscany and see Andrea Bocelli perform
With its expansive rolling vineyards, elegant cities bursting with culture, and enchanting medieval villages, no region quite captures the essence of la dolce vita quite like sunny Tuscany. Some of Italy’s best-loved wines, including fruity Chianti, hail from Tuscany, and go down perfectly with traditional Tuscan cuisine, like hearty soups and meaty stews.
Florence is a highlight of any trip to this region. This city, known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, is home to countless landmarks and attractions, from Michelangelo’s David to the Basilica of Santa Croce. There are many small towns and villages to discover dotted throughout the Tuscan countryside too, including the small medieval village of Lajatico, the hometown of world-renowned tenor, Andrea Bocelli.
Join Good Housekeeping on a trip to Tuscany that takes you to Florence, Prato, Siena, and Lajatico, where you'll have tickets to see Andrea Bocelli's incredible annual concert at the Teatro del Silenzio.
Como over to Italy's legendary Alpine lakes
Chi-chi lakeside restaurants, pastel-hued palazzos and picture-perfect towns - there are a million and one reasons why Lake Como is one of the best-loved of Italy's lakes. Banked by the Alps, there are dozens of pretty towns and villages along its shores. Colico is one of the larger towns, famed for its elegant pastel-hued buildings and charming squares. It's also a good launch pad for a lake cruise under the gaze of the snow-capped mountains.
Close to the border of Switzerland, it's all too tempting to explore the alpine region of Italy and Switzerland a little further, so why not hop on the iconic cherry-red Bernina Express and chug through the scenic mountains over to St Moritz, Switzerland's snazziest resort for fondue?
Good Housekeeping has an eight-day rail holiday which includes a ride to St Moritz on the Bernina Express. You'll spend seven nights in the 19th-century Hotel Risi, located right on the northern shores of Lake Como.
Discover the delicacies of beautiful Bologna
Bologna has a reputation as one of Italy's best cities for food. In fact, it's even earned the nickname La Grassa - or 'the fat one' - for its famous dishes, including meaty ragùs, hearty homemade pastas and spiced mortadella sausage. If you're feeling energetic, you can burn off the calories by climbing the 498 steps of Torre degli Asinelli to enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the city.
But there's more to Bologna than just food. The countryside surrounding this gourmet city is wonderful, with forests, waterfalls, and nature reserves to explore, offering a haven of serenity away from city life. Foodies will not want to miss nearby Modena either, where fruity balsamic vinegar is produced from the sweet white grapes that grow in peaceful vineyards.
Good Housekeeping is offering a unique gourmet getaway to Bologna and Modena, where you'll visit local producers and enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson.
Ride a luxurious train to and from Rome through the Tuscan hills
Launched in spring 2025, La Dolce Vita Orient Express brings a new level of luxury to Italy's railways. This ultra-luxurious train harks back to Europe's golden age of design, with nine carriages decked out in cool colours, mirrored walls, wooden ceilings, and large windows that frame the fabulous scenery of rural Italy.
Food onboard is a true highlight of the journey, with menus curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, from breakfast to evening dining. Handwritten invitations summon guests to dinner, a storyteller roams the dining car sharing tales of the legendary Orient Express, and the Bar Car offers live piano music and expertly crafted cocktails for a lively yet relaxed post-dinner atmosphere.
Join Good Housekeeping on the Rome to Tuscany adventure on board the Dolce Vita Orient Express. You'll spend one night on the train, heading to the hilltop town of Montalcino, where you'll tour a local vineyard and sample Tuscan delicacies.
Peek behind the Verona Opera with an exclusive backstage tour
As the setting of Romeo and Juliet, which city could be more romantic than Verona? While many who visit here are charmed by the city's links to Shakespeare's great romantic tragedy - and you'll find plenty of references throughout the city - Verona has more to it than legendary literary status.
Within centuries-old walls lies a city known for its history and Renaissance architecture. A highlight is the ancient Roman amphitheatre, which is also the venue for The Arena di Verona Festival. This festival brings some of the biggest names in opera to Verona to perform in this unique open-air venue, which is beautifully illuminated after the sun sets.
Good Housekeeping has a six-day trip to Verona, which includes a very special behind-the-scenes tour at the Arena di Verona Festival. You'll see areas that are usually off-limits and meet stagehands, seamstresses, and prop makers before taking your seats for a performance of Rigoletto.
Admire the glittering coast and fascinating history of Sicily
Italy's largest island is a magnet for those wanting sun, sea and sand as well as a whole lot of history. Alongside its exquisite natural landscapes, Sicily is home to a variety of intriguing ancient Roman and Greek ruins standing between exquisite Baroque palazzos.
One of the top spots for history buffs visiting the island is Agrigento, where you'll find the monumental Valley of the Temples, a renowned archaeological wonder including the remarkably preserved Temple of Concordia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And between visits to incredible historic monuments, you can treat yourself to some of the region's fine food and wine, with abundant fresh seafood from the surrounding Mediterranean Sea.
Join Good Housekeeping's eight-day Sicily tour and enjoy visits to the Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Mount Etna and Taormina. The tour is specially designed for solo travellers, with prices based on single occupancy of a double room.
Taste your way around Tuscany
Another top pick for a memorable foodie holiday in Italy is rural Tuscany, where sun-kissed hillsides are carpeted in vineyards, and where the typical 'cucina povera' centres around simple, homegrown ingredients cooked in traditional recipes. This is true farm-to-table dining with the freshest of Tuscan produce.
As well as classic, homely food, Tuscany has plenty of fine dining to try, with more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants and a huge range of excellent locally-produced wines to enjoy. Siena, one of the region's best-loved cities, is famous for its sweet treats, and you can pay a visit to a local pasticceria to learn the stories behind traditional Sienese cakes like ricciarelli, cantucci and panpepato, and taste some for yourself.
Good Housekeeping is offering an eight-day gourmet tour of Tuscany with farm visits, wine tastings, a cooking lesson with a local chef and a scenic drive along the Etruscan Coast.
Tour Italy's glorious northern lakes on a no-fly getaway
With their gorgeous Alpine views, elegant villas and exquisite villages, Italy's northern lakes have been a chic holiday destination since Roman times. It's no wonder they're a celebrity holiday hotspot, with the likes of Richard Branson, Brad Pitt, Madonna, and George and Amal Clooney reportedly owning holiday homes on the lakes.
There is something for everyone here, with glorious hiking routes, water sports on the lakes, and beaches that make a great freshwater alternative to the coast. It's also a haven for gardeners, or anyone with an appreciation for plants, with delightful botanical gardens to be found in the grounds of historic villas. Lake Orta is a somewhat underrated gem in the region, and is home to the enchanting 19th-century island-village of Isola San Giulio.
Explore Italy's lakes with Good Housekeeping on an eight-day no-fly tour. You'll stay at the four-star Hotel Giardinetto on Lake Orta, enjoy an excursion around the shores of Lake Maggiore, and even take a day trip to Milan to explore its historic and artistic attractions.
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