Italy Travel Guide

Italy is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world and our 10 best places to visit can inspire your Italy family vacation with children of any age.

Italy’s mixture of history, natural scenery, smoldering volcanoes, and preserved ancient ruins creates an undeniably captivating ambiance. Whether you want immersive cooking classes or a scavenger hunt through a celebrated museum, wish to sample every flavor of gelato or enjoy physical training like an ancient gladiator, you can discover new and exciting experiences.

The following list offers inspiration for the best places to visit in Italy with kids that will allow your family to create life-long memories.

Combine the following essential experiences on a family vacation to Italy. They share Mediterranean culture, highlight Roman heritage, and introduce you to natural beauty.

Several iconic seas circle the Italian peninsula, comprising views from charming coastal towns pinned to lush headlands. Across the countryside, cities and fortresses punctuate the rolling landscape, opening their doors to families who wish to unpack the origins of Ancient Roman civilization. All ages can absorb the marvelous atmosphere and signature experiences during family vacations in the Mediterranean.

You and yours will spend time at iconic destinations and on illustrious islands as you relish the following essential experiences in Italy.

Italy is a top destination among luxury travelers and our best luxury Italy itineraries for all types of trips, from food tours to romantic vacations, offer the finest experiences from Rome to Sicily, and beyond.

Find inspiration for your custom trip to the country in these popular itineraries or browse our luxury Italy tours for more ideas on how to experience the best of Italy on a vacation that is handcrafted to bring your travel dreams to life.

From an adventurous, private, island-hopping excursion to an exclusive, romantic culinary tour with a Michelin-starred chef, an insider’s discovery of lesser-known towns to secluded countryside comforts, discover the luxuries of Italy on your tailored tour.

From festive traditions in popular cities to vibrant night markets, Christmas cuisine, and great weather, here are the top five reasons to spend Christmas in Italy.

The Christmas season is a celebration that lasts for weeks, turning one of Europe’s most enticing countries into an inspiring combination of lights and art. With piazzas from Milan to Rome and Naples to Palermo spreading the festivities, decorations fill cities and towns, while carolers and bagpipe players fill the air with song, and nativity scenes decorate historic churches.

With style, glamour, and beauty, Italy celebrates Christmas like no other and this guide shares the top five reasons to spend this time there.

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.

Nature enthusiasts, hikers, skiers, birders, and others who relish fresh air and open spaces can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and diversity of the seven best national parks to visit in Italy.

From the Dolomite's alpine slopes in winter to Cinque Terre’s sun-washed shores in summer, Italy’s national parks offer memorable experiences for travelers of all interests throughout the year. Each park provides a perfect space to step away from the crowds of Rome or the throngs of Florence, and you can enjoy stress-free days of spotting rare wildlife or exploring photographic landscapes.

The following list shares our recommendations for the best Italian national parks, with ideas of what wildlife to look out for and how to get to the parks from popular places nearby.

Italy is renowned for its artisans who use traditional techniques that turn craftwork into artistry. From colorful to creative, authentic to enticing, artisan crafts capture the essence of Italian heritage and carry the proud legacy of the past into the future. Use this list to explore where you can find them and how you can experience them during your trip.

From homes to palace gardens to Mediterranean havens that shimmer with azure waters and white-pebbled shorelines, our nine best Italian island itineraries demonstrate the wonders of cultural heritage and natural splendor for which the larger country is known.

Whether searching for a deserted beach or a romantic hideaway, the best family coastline or a relaxing island town far from the bustling crowds, Italy’s islands can give you exciting excursions or provide gateways into a serene ambiance.

Colorful or charismatic, rugged or well-tended, our top Italy island itineraries can uncover unique possibilities to inspire your next trip.

The best beaches in Italy boast tranquil swimming coves, gorgeous seascapes, and popular stretches of sandy shores that attract visitors from around the world who are eager to embrace Mediterranean charm and indulge in the sweet life for which Italy is known.

The Italian peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and Adriatic seas, with azure waters that shape the country’s coastline and add to the stunning opportunities you can enjoy during your Italy trip.

Scroll down and learn more about the country’s best beaches to visit, depending on your preferences and interests.

From impressions of ancient civilizations that predate the Roman Empire to mesmerizing artwork that reflects western Europe’s distinctive eras, explore Italian heritage at the top 10 UNESCO sites in Italy to visit.

From the dramatic ruins of Pompeii beneath the imposing summit of Mount Vesuvius to the romantic neighborhoods of Verona, charming Amalfi Coast towns, and epic Dolomite slopes, all sorts of adventures await in Italy’s world heritage sites.

The following list notes the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy, those that connect to remarkable history, fabulous art, and astonishing architecture.

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.

Our guide on where to stay in Italy and the five types of accommodation to consider outline the best options available for travelers visiting Rome, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, or other destinations across the country.

From hotels in the heart of Milan's vibrant metropolis to villas or castles off the beaten path in the middle of the Tuscan countryside, Italian accommodations offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture.

Explore our suggestions as you consider where to stay in Italy, from the authentic and traditional to upmarket and stylish accommodations.

Italian fashion represents the superior craftsmanship and established artisan heritage that becomes an experience when you focus on what to wear in the country.

Fashion is 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, with brands like Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, and Gucci inciting ideas of luxury and grandeur

Whether you are wishing to purchase tailored branded garments or wondering how to dress in Italy during your trip, the following information describes fashion there and how to appreciate the Italian aesthetic.

Between the northern countryside, central hills and cities, and southern coastlines and islands, there are marvelous hidden gems in Italy to visit on vacation.

Most travelers planning a trip to Italy think of visiting Rome, Venice, Milan, or Tuscany. These are iconic regions, with highlights like the Colosseum, canals, fashion districts, and wine regions. But Italy’s off-the-beaten-path hidden gems offer plenty for first-time visitors or travelers returning to explore more of the country on vacation.

From islands where crowds are few and far between to towns preserving the secrets of Ancient Rome, the unique places to visit offer different ideas for curious travelers eager to discover special parts of the famous travel destination.

From the remnants of the Roman Empire to the Etruscan relics of the old world, the 17 best ruins in Italy reveal insight into the great eras and historical civilizations of ancient Italy.

In Italy, whole villages of ruins hang on hills beneath volcanic mountains, crumbling stadiums once the battlegrounds of Roman gladiators stand in the cities, and historic necropolises preserve the memory of ancient civilizations.

There are thousands of ancient ruins in Italy to explore, with this list sharing the best to visit as you travel around the capital city, along the Gulf of Naples, or to the island of Sicily.

Explore the world with Zicasso and work with a top travel specialist to bring your dream vacation to life. The world overflows with wonders to explore and the sheer number of choices is exciting.

Our primary goal is to make the planning, booking, and traveling process easy and enjoyable as you create the vacation experience you want most. No matter where you go and what you do, Zicasso can help you experience the best of travel without the stress.

Working with our destination experts you can plan a trip to anywhere in the world and suit your travel style. Using insider knowledge of your chosen destination, itinerary ideas, and planning strategies, your chosen  Zicasso travel specialist can guide you through the following three steps.

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 your 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.