Italy Travel Guide

From the Etruscans to the Medici, the Roman Empire to the Venetian Republic, Italy is filled with a fascinating history and remarkable culture to experience as a senior traveler.

With so many places to choose from, Italy is a wonder of the Renaissance, a charm of medieval preservation, and an elegant tapestry of undulating landscapes.

From towns with majestic reputations to cities exuding a sophisticated ambiance, fairytale homes to seaside splendor, you can experience the perfect blend of living history and beauty during your trip.

Italian cuisine is famous throughout the world, and the following information shares eight Italian culinary favorites and how to explore them during your travels in Italy.

Whether looking for classic dishes or eager to sample new ingredients, Italy celebrates local and seasonal flavors to create an unforgettable impact at the table.

From a private couple’s cooking class to a family-friendly gelato course, a senior’s wine tasting tour to a pizza-making class with friends, this list helps you explore where and how to sample traditional dishes during your Italy vacation.

Italy is a destination with festive Christmas markets that capture the joys of the holiday season where reveling in simple seasonal pleasures can change your entire perspective of the holidays. With holiday festivities overtaking medieval towns, seaside villages, and bustling cities, Italy becomes an immersion into masterful winter celebrations that begin in early December and stretch into January. Our suggestions of Italy Christmas Markets can take you across the country to enjoy the festive ambiance.

The regional foods of Italy have their own distinct ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques, with each specific destination demonstrating its heritage, and it’s here that you can discover, taste, and indulge during your Italy tour.

Deriving from centuries of malleable borders blending the traditions of former empires, kingdoms, and ancient settlements, some regions have gastronomic similarities while others separate themselves with distinctive and mouthwatering culinary traditions.

The surprising truth of Italian food by region is far more detailed and geographically, as well as culturally, specific.

The Italian peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Adriatic seas, azure waters that shape the best beaches in Italy, perfect for an array of different travel activities. These stunning beaches boast tranquil swimming coves, gorgeous seascapes, and popular stretches of sandy shores that attract visitors from around the world who are eager to embrace the Mediterranean charm and indulge in the sweet life for which Italy is known. Scroll down and learn more about the best Italian beaches to visit on your travels, depending on your daily activities.

Nature enthusiasts, hikers, skiers, birders, and other travelers who enjoy taking in the fresh air and open spaces should take notice of Italy’s 25 separate national parks. They are all protected by state and regional laws, ensuring that nature’s beauty is available to everyone. The parks provide a perfect space to step away from the crowds of Rome or the throngs of Florence to enjoy stress-free days of spotting rare animals or uncovering exotic plants. The following list shares seven of Italy’s celebrated national parks for visitors hoping to connect with Italy’s natural sceneries.

From impressions of ancient civilizations that predate the Roman Empire to mesmerizing artwork that reflects the distinctive eras of Western Europe, Italian heritage comes to life at any of the 53 different UNESCO World Heritage sites. The following curated list notes the top 10 sites in Italy that connect to remarkable history, fabulous art, and astonishing architecture often hidden in the fame of the Colosseum or Florence’s historic center.

Travelers flock to Venice to indulge in the time-honored tradition of cruising the famous canals, and our complete guide to planning a gondola ride in Venice will help you to get the most from this essential Venetian experience.

The gondolas' history as Venice's primary mode of transportation dates back to the 7th century, and they have since grown exponentially in global popularity. Today, legendary gondoliers use single oars to gently row tourists sitting comfortably in stylishly painted and upholstered gondolas along the web of canals that connect the city's dazzling Venetian districts.

Illusive white and black truffles hide in small quantities throughout Italy’s vibrant topography. The decadent morsels populate rolling hills, speckle the soil along grand cliffs, and inhabit the plentiful forests. Nature’s bounty bursts throughout the Italian peninsula, and the prized truffle is one of the country’s most sought-after locally-grown foraged goods. Below is everything you need to know about Italian truffles and truffle hunting tours in Italy.

Our traveler's guide to the types of accommodation in Italy outlines the best options available to luxury travelers for your next vacation across the stunning peninsula. From hotels planted in the heart of Milan's vibrant metropolis to well off the beaten path in the middle of the Tuscan countryside, the country's accommodations each offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture.

The wines of Italy can be enjoyed at any time of year, but if you wish to immerse yourself in a wine-focused tour, the best time to visit is in January and February, after the harvest is complete.

Uncover the beauty of rolling hills covered with vines or bask in the comforts of a historical estate. Find new flavors, enjoy familiar vintages, or rediscover the splendor of simple pleasures as you sip a celebrated varietal in a hidden restaurant.

The best time of year to visit Italy for a wine tour allows you to celebrate the flavors and culture of the vine to create your perfect Italy travel experience.

From wine lovers to gastronomes and agriculturalists, Italian wine is a big deal for people who travel to Italy and having the right travel specialist can ensure your perfect exploration of wines, wineries, and vineyards across the country.

When traveling with Zicasso, we can match you with a local travel specialist with expertise in Italian wines, wine culture, and impressive history.

If you are eager to sample the diverse varietals and complex combinations that are produced around the favored, quiet, and more typical regions of Italy, the following list provides important information for you to experience the ultimate wine-tasting tour.

The order in which you taste wine can have a profound impact on the aromas and flavors that you find in each glass, proving the first important tip for any wine-tasting experience during your Italy trip.

While on a tasting tour of wineries, cellars, or vineyards in Italy, your sommelier will serve wines according to certain important rules. By asking questions and keeping an open mind about possible flavor profiles, micro-regions, and more, you may find collective characteristics of a variety of wines you enjoy in order to learn more as you continue to sample new varietals.

These distinctions make it easier to find the essential aromas, layered flavors, and varied weights of the wines you are sampling so you can explore and experience their dynamic characteristics with your preferences in mind.

Italian fashion represents the country’s superior craftsmanship and established artisan heritage that becomes an experience during your Italy trip.

Fashion are synonymous with quality, and locals browse coveted boutiques and iconic labels in search of garments that reflect international style and individual personality. Many famous Italian designers have become household names inciting ideas of luxury and grandeur with brands like Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, and Gucci.

Whether you are wishing to purchase tailored branded garments in Italy or are preparing to pack your bags for a trip, you can find information that describes what to wear on your trip to Italy and how to appreciate the Italian aesthetic.

The world overflows with wonders, and the sheer number of choices is exciting. Your decision to work with a destination expert on where to go, how to get there, and how long your trip should be simplifies your planning process significantly.

You can book a trip with Zicasso to nearly any destination in the world as our travel specialists service 101 countries. 

Our goal is to make the planning, booking, and travel process easy and enjoyable as you create the experience that you want most, and these three considerations will get your plans moving in the right direction.

Knowing your budget is an essential component of any trip planning process. Whether the sky's the limit or you have specific parameters, Zicasso is here to help you set our priorities in planning to maximize your investment. Your interests and preferences on a couples trip will differ from a family-friendly vacation, while a highlights tour will result in wildly different experiences than one designed to take you off the beaten path. There are three steps in considering the costs of your trip, as a customized vacation that has been designed for you allows maximum flexibility with your spending.