Italy travel advice
Liking hiking Liguria
Melanie McAnaw from our supplier Headwater discusses the timeless appeal of the Ligurian coast in her Italy travel advice: “I have to pick out hiking in Liguria and especially on the Cinque Terre – the five pastel coloured villages that tumble down the hillside to the sea. This area arguably offers some of the best coastal walking in the country. I will never forget walking through cultivated vine terraces, with sea views galore, down to Corniglia, one of the Cinque Terre. And of course finishing the walk with a fragrant bowl of tasty pesto trofie – the local pasta accompanied by the Ligurian world famous sauce.”
Our Italy Holidays
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
£1099 to £1599
8 days
inc UK flights
Cilento and Amalfi Coast cycling holiday, Italy
Rocky ridges set between small picturesque inlets
From
£1579 to £1899
8 days
inc UK flights
Italian cooking holiday, small group
Immersive gastronomy & cooking trips in undiscovered Tuscany
From
£1400 to £1450
7 days
ex flights
Sicily history tour, Italy
One of the most fascinating islands in Europe
From
£1429 to £1749
9 days
inc UK flights
Short break pasta making & Italian food holiday, Tuscany
A Tuscan food adventure, learn to make pasta
From
£700 to £750
4 days
ex flights
Snowshoeing holiday in the Dolomites
Michelin recommended cuisine & inspiring walks
From
£1349 to £1799
8 days
inc UK flights
Amalfi Coast and Bay of Naples holidays
One of Europe's most dramatic stretches of coastline
From
£1249 to £1579
8 days
inc UK flights
Piedmont walking holiday, Vineyards of Barolo
A gastronomic gem quietly tucked away
From
£2155 to £2345
9 days
inc UK flights
Mont Blanc Circuit walking holiday
Probably the most dramatic walk in Europe
From
£1779
15 days
inc UK flights
Mont Blanc Circuit trek, with hotel accommodation
Classic Tour, using small inns and guesthouses
From
£2849
15 days
inc UK flights
Umbria cooking holiday, Italy
italian cooking in a farmhouse between Umbria and Tuscany
From
€1440 to €1650
7 days
ex flights
Dolomites walking holiday in Italy
Sandwiched between the spectacular peaks of the Dolomites
From
£1099 to £1799
8 days
inc UK flights
Amalfi Coast small group holiday, Italy
Discover the Amalfi coasts villages, trails & local customs
From
£999 to £1159
8 days
ex flights
Mont Blanc holiday, Tour du Mont Blanc
The best of the Tour du Mont Blanc
From
£1049 to £1299
8 days
inc UK flights
Cross country skiing holiday in the Dolomites, Italy
A famously beautiful range of jagged peaks
From
£1279 to £1699
8 days
inc UK flights
Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
From
£999 to £1499
8 days
inc UK flights
Bergamo circular walking tour in Italy
Begamo; start hiking at about 5 km distance from the airport
From
€658 to €829
8 days
ex flights
Cycling tours in Italy, Dolomites, Lake Garda & Venice
One of Europe's unique mountain landscapes
From
£1469 to £1719
8 days
inc UK flights
Sardinia walking holiday, Italy
Superb daywalks amid rich and charming scenery
From
£1249 to £1399
8 days
inc UK flights
Italian food tours
Flavours of northern Italy on this special food-lovers journey
From
£2105 to £2200
10 days
ex flights
Volterra to San Gimignano walking holiday in Italy
Picturesque Volterra and soaring towers of San Gimignano
From
£1539 to £1805
9 days
inc UK flights
Umbria self guided walking holiday, the North Valley
Along Saint Francis trails through the Green Heart of Italy
From
€800 to €900
7 days
ex flights
Tuscany walking holiday, Italy
Discover Tuscany hiking from town to town
From
€780 to €950
8 days
ex flights
Umbria self guided walking holiday, Italy
Easy hiking tour, through vineyards and cultural heritage
From
€680 to €700
7 days
ex flights
Cinque Terre walking holiday
Walk the stunning coastal routes of the Cinque Terre
From
£1099 to £1399
8 days
inc UK flights
Amalfi Coast budget walking holiday
The hidden trails of the Amalfi Coast
From
£585 to £710
8 days
ex flights
Highlights of Italy holiday in winter
See a less crowded side of Italy on this winter adventure
From
£1144 to £1460
8 days
ex flights
Sardinia cycling holiday in Italy
Cycle past abandoned mines and gleaming white beaches
From
£1579 to £1629
8 days
inc UK flights
Sicily tour, classical Sicily
Tour the main classical sights of Sicily
From
£1450 to £1630
8 days
inc UK flights
Making Italy look good
Etien Veeman from our supplier 46 Degrees highlights the joys of buying 'locally made' in her Italy travel advice: “Italy has always been a country of artisans. Nowadays the financial crisis is hitting really badly, so buying artisan articles helps – though always check that it is really ‘Made in Italy’. At the lakes, watch for silk scarves, while Bergamo has very fine wines and local food specialities. In Tuscany the olive harvest has been bad this year, so be aware that any bottle of olive oil that costs less than €8 will not be 100% Italian! Also look for objects made of olive wood. The lodgings on our tours often offer local products to buy or can advise you where to get them.”The road less travelled
Marta Marinelli from our supplier Exodus highlights the joy of the undiscovered in her Italy travel advice: “Our trips always include hidden gems. Walking the Amalfi coast cannot be considered complete without a walk on the Path of the Gods, considered by many one of the finest coastal walks in the world – while in Tuscany we take in 'best kept secrets' like the Garfagnana hills. In Sicily, we explore the romantic Val di Noto and its baroque towns on foot or by bike. In Sardinia, we go for full immersion in unspoilt nature and authentic village life. On tours to Puglia and Basilicata every day is filled with cultural discovery and unique foodie experiences. In north Italy we get active and discover the spectacular jagged limestone peaks of the Dolomites on foot.”Italia delizioso!
Marina Caldera from our Umbria supplier Agriturismo Podere le Olle highlights foodie temptations in her Italy travel advice:
“Everything that surrounds us is related to food, and each village has specialities of which they are proud. Our area is famous for extra virgin olive oil and Orvieto wine, plus norcineria - cured pork meats. We also grow all kind of beans that are cooked with spelt and barley to create delicious soups. And we have a very specific pasta, a sort of rough spaghetti called umbrichelli. A traditional recipe is umbrichelli all' aglione, a spicy tomato sauce with lots of our very tasty red garlic! Another speciality is wild boar, either stewed or cooked with tagliatelle. The village of Cita della Pieve is the place for saffron, while Fabro is famous for white truffle.”
Engaging times
Andrea Monti from our distinctive new cultural experience supplier FindYourItaly has Italy travel advice on grabbing first-hand experiences of historic traditions: “We take travellers beyond common tours using local crafts people or food producers who show and tell their history, lived in Italy for centuries. I like the painting restorer in the hills of Asti who teaches travellers about ancient painting. He doesn't want to be paid – but asks for contributions to the local community to restore buildings. I also like the trip where you can learn fishing in a real old fishing house (trabocco) – mostly constructed from wood and railway sleepers – in the old Roman town of Vasto on the Adriatic coast. Then you start cooking and eating!”Our top Italy Holiday
Amalfi Coast walking holiday, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
£1099 to £1599
8 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2019: 21 Sep, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
2020: 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec ...
2019: 21 Sep, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
2020: 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Italy or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Health & safety in Italy
HEALTH
SAFETY
Italy tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Italy travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Italy travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
On the Amalfi coast walking trails be prepared for hundreds of steps - but it's well worth the climb up and down as every view is stunning.
– Hannah Wilson
“When walking in the hills or up Vesuvius, think skiing - if you let anything slip it could quickly be lost forever, so I had my glasses on a chain and used the wrist strap on my camera, etc. And keep 50c coins handy for automated public toilets!” – Juliet Dunn
“In Liguria, there's a walks leaflet with lots of long and short options.” – Mike Bloom
“If you're staying in a village bring some cash [in case there's no ATM]. At Coletta (Liguria) you will also need at least 200 euro deposit [on the accommodation].” – Yann Gendrot
“The Sicily culture tour has a very busy schedule. Be prepared to feel that you haven't had enough time at many of the sites.” – Adam Patchett
“In Liguria, there's a walks leaflet with lots of long and short options.” – Mike Bloom
“If you're staying in a village bring some cash [in case there's no ATM]. At Coletta (Liguria) you will also need at least 200 euro deposit [on the accommodation].” – Yann Gendrot
“The Sicily culture tour has a very busy schedule. Be prepared to feel that you haven't had enough time at many of the sites.” – Adam Patchett
Pack a compass. Way-markers along walking routes are not infallible. We got lost several times!
– Teresa Robinson
“For Sicily, travel in the shoulder months.” – Richard Trist
“In Colettta (Liguria), take one of the higher apartments. We took the lower garden one which had a bit of mould and damp – plus the bonus of all the outdoor space was limited due to mosquitoes.” – Hadleigh Garland
“Be ready to try something different, whether it be food, wine, or just walk to discover a neighbourhood off of the main streets.” – Jeffrey Maclusky
“In Colettta (Liguria), take one of the higher apartments. We took the lower garden one which had a bit of mould and damp – plus the bonus of all the outdoor space was limited due to mosquitoes.” – Hadleigh Garland
“Be ready to try something different, whether it be food, wine, or just walk to discover a neighbourhood off of the main streets.” – Jeffrey Maclusky
More about Italy
The best time to visit Italy will no doubt depend on whether you’re a lover of snow-capped mountains and winter sports or sun-drenched beaches and alfresco dining however, for those in the know, our month by month guide unveils a whole host of alternatives as to when to visit Italy & when not to.
Explore our Italy travel guide like a wild boar snuffling for truffles in a sun dappled oak orchard deep within the eternally undulating Etruscan countryside.
If you’re searching for where to go in Italy and how to make the most of your time then why not check out our interactive highlights map that will take you all the way from the Dolomites and the Italian Alps in the north down to the islands of Sardinia and Sicily, further south.
Our top activities in Italy tend to revolve around the cultural history, the cycling routes, the walking trails and the fabulous hillsides that surround some of Europe’s most iconic cities however, if you’re after things to do in Italy, look no further than the food as the locals truly live to eat and do so extremely well.
Sicily is a Russian doll of an island. The closer you look, the more you’ll realise that everything from the food to the architecture is a puzzle of Greek, Roman, North African and Anglo influences. Sky-high Mount Etna is just the smoking cherry on top. Read our Sicily travel guide to find out more.
The Amalfi Coast jags along the underside of the Sorrentine Peninsula, dealing out cliffside villages and tiny polished pebble beaches along the way.
Travel to Puglia, and you’re diving into Italy’s deep south. Here, rural ways rule the roost. You can stay in masseria agriturismo and conical trulli farmhouses, and spend your days driving (or walking or cycling) from farm to vineyard to whitewashed city in search of some the best food and wine Italy has to offer.
The sheer mountains of the Dolomites aren’t just for winter. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing are the themes when the snow falls, but come spring you’ve got a region creased with impossibly scenic alpine walking routes and WWI-era cycle paths – plus a good serving of vineyards. Read our Dolomites travel guide to find out more.
Most feel feel like they’ve got the measure of Tuscany before they’ve seen it. Florence, Chianti, medieval citadels and poppy fields, right? Well…yes. But there’s also everything in between, from the mountainous Apennines to hiking paths between vines that haven’t made it out of Italy yet. Read our Tuscany travel guide to find out more.
Find out what Responsible Travel recommends if you’re hell bent on travelling in Italy with kids.
From slow food and sealife centres to preserving rural communities and ancient traditions read our responsible tourism in Italy page if you’ve got plans to find out what you can do to travel right in Italy.
Find all of our Italy guides in one place, for Italy holidays in particular places such as the Tuscany or Sicily, or perhaps you would like to know more about the different types of Italy holidays such as walking or cycling.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Rostislav Glinsky] [Liking hiking Liguria: pxhere]
[Italia delizioso! : Paolo Mandica]
[Health & Safety : Lachlan Gowen]
[Hannah Wilson Quote: moisemarian]
[Teresa Robinson Quote: Aaron Burden]
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