As Trafalgar’s most popular destination and with more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country, a tour to charming Italy makes for the experience of a lifetime. Italy boasts unmatched gastronomic excellence, the finest collection of art and fascinating remnants of the birthplace of Western civilisation.

Italy’s capital, Rome, features a wealth of history for you to explore. Admire St. Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s miraculous Sistine Chapel or cross the Tiber River to the Forum and Circus Maximus, where chariot races once roared. Here you’ll also find the mighty Colosseum where you can relive the stories of the gladiators! Beyond Rome, Italy has a plethora of diverse towns and cities, all with unique attractions of their own. Be enamored by Alberobello and its strange white dry-stone trulli structures with conical roofs or try the medieval city of Siena. Also stop at sun drenched Sorrento, where you can saunter through Piazza Tasso and Corso Italia with its boutiques and cafés.

In magical Venice, savour the sights and sounds of St. Mark’s Square before floating under the Bridge of Sighs and past Doge’s Palace on a cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. Over Rialto, visit the lively fish market, which has existed for centuries and fits the intense rustic charm of this ‘sinking’ city.

Pisa is as incredible as you’d imagine; the famous Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles beats any photos you’ve seen. For more Italian history, the excavations of Pompei, petrified by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, can captivate you for a whole day. Also visit Assisi for its basilicas with their Giotto frescoes and in Florence explore the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Signoria Square and the statue of David.

Beyond Italy’s prosperous realms of history and art, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the great outdoors too. The grand Abruzzi Mountains, Brenta Canal lined with Palladian villas and the rolling hills of Umbria will all leave you spellbound and the Adriatic coast, Gulf of Salerno and the Apennines are staggering in beauty. A trip to the exotic Isle of Capri reveals the dramatic Faraglioni Rocks, the quaint village of Anacapri and glamorous Capri Town, where the rich and famous sip their cappuccinos. Tuscany is the king of Italy for food and wine though, especially in the charming town of Greve where you can taste a plethora of excellent Chiantis and browse the finest food shops in Europe. Relax in rural Tuscany and absorb Italy’s sensuous surroundings.

Click here for a full list of Trafalgar Italy tours.

Italian Holiday

Today's highlight is our visit to the Sistine Chapel to admire the painted ceiling by Michelangelo rendered even more fascinating by the clear commentary of our local guide, thanks to our effective audio system. From here we make our way into St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, to see the famous Pieta... More...