Culture & heritage
Colosseum and Roman Forum
Rome
Rome's great amphitheatre, opened in AD 80, with the ruins of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill beside it.
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Overview
Why visit Italy?
Italy packs more history into a short trip than almost anywhere: the Colosseum and the Vatican in Rome, Michelangelo and Brunelleschi in Florence, gondolas on Venice's Grand Canal. Fast trains link the three cities in a few hours, so a classic circuit of eight to ten days is easy to arrange, and each city has enough character to deserve at least two nights.
Add the Leaning Tower of Pisa as a stop from Florence, the cliff-side villages of the Amalfi Coast for a honeymoon, or Lake Como for quiet days of ferries and villa gardens. Families enjoy the hands-on side, from gladiator stories at the Colosseum to gelato and gondola rides. Italy also combines naturally with Switzerland, just across the Alps from Milan, and with the French Riviera.
Food is easy for vegetarians, with pizza, pasta, risotto and vegetable dishes everywhere, and there are Indian restaurants in all the main cities. Churches, including St Peter's, ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees, so pack a light scarf.
Things to see
Top attractions in Italy
The sights we build itineraries around. Tell us which ones you want, and we will plan the days for you.
Museum & gallery
Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica
Vatican City
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, the Vatican's art collections and the vast basilica of St Peter's, in the world's smallest country.
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Landmark
Trevi Fountain
Rome
Rome's most famous Baroque fountain, where tradition says a coin tossed over your shoulder brings you back to the city.
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Cruise & water
Venice Grand Canal Gondola Ride
Venice
A gondola ride through Venice's quiet side canals and out onto the Grand Canal, past palaces, the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's.
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Landmark
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa
The tilting bell tower of Pisa Cathedral on the Square of Miracles, an easy half-day trip from Florence.
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Culture & heritage
Florence Duomo
Florence
Brunelleschi's great red dome over Florence, with Giotto's bell tower, the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's David nearby.
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Beach & island
Amalfi Coast and Positano
Positano
Pastel villages stacked above the sea, a famous cliff road and boat trips to Capri, best enjoyed on an unhurried honeymoon.
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Nature & scenery
Lake Como and Bellagio
Lake Como
A deep Alpine lake ringed by villas and gardens, with ferries between Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo, an hour from Milan.
Discover : Lake Como and BellagioHoliday ideas
Holidays that include Italy
Ready-made itineraries to start from. Every one is tailored to your dates, pace and budget.
9 Days
Italy Highlights
Milan • Como • Florence/Pisa • Rome • Capri • Amalfi Coast.
View itinerary : Italy HighlightsGood to know
Planning a trip to Italy
How many days do we need for Rome, Florence and Venice?
Eight to ten days lets you spend three nights in Rome, two or three in Florence and two in Venice, with a day trip to Pisa. With less time, we focus on two of the three cities.
Is Italian food good for vegetarians?
Very. Pizza Margherita, pasta with tomato or vegetable sauces, risotto and grilled vegetables are on every menu. If you avoid egg, note that fresh pasta is often made with egg while most dried pasta is not, and that some cheeses, such as Parmesan, are made with animal rennet.
Is there a dress code for churches?
Yes. St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and most cathedrals require shoulders and knees to be covered, for men and women alike. A light scarf or shawl in your day bag solves it.
How do we travel between the cities?
By high-speed train: Rome to Florence takes about an hour and a half, and Florence to Venice about two hours, from city centre to city centre. We reserve seats in advance and arrange station transfers when you have heavy luggage.
More of Europe
Combine Italy with…
Switzerland
Jungfraujoch, Mount Titlis, Lucerne, Interlaken and the Matterhorn, linked by some of the world's most scenic trains.
Explore Switzerland
France
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Disneyland Paris, a Seine cruise, Versailles and the sunny French Riviera.
Explore France
United Kingdom
Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Windsor, Stonehenge, Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.
Explore United Kingdom
Spain
Gaudí's Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada, Seville, Madrid's palace and museums, and the Costa Brava coast.
Explore Spain
Greece
The Acropolis in Athens, Santorini sunsets, Mykonos, the Meteora monasteries and the Shipwreck Beach on Zakynthos.
Explore Greece
Netherlands
Keukenhof's tulips, Amsterdam's canals and museums, the windmills of Zaanse Schans and the villages of Volendam and Giethoorn.
Explore NetherlandsLet's plan your next holiday
Plan your Italy holiday
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