Italy
Italy is a destination full of beauty, flavour and feeling, where ancient cities, sun-warmed coastlines, rolling countryside and unforgettable food create holidays that stay with you.
Italy
Italy is one of those rare places that seems to live up to the dream, no matter how many times you have imagined it. It is there in the theatre of Rome’s streets, the soft light over Florence, the shimmer of the Amalfi Coast, the calm of the lakes, the romance of Venice and the everyday pleasure of a perfect plate of pasta served without fuss.
What makes Italy a must-visit destination is not only its history, art or scenery, though it has all three in extraordinary abundance, but the way it makes ordinary moments feel special. A morning coffee at the bar, a slow walk through a market, a ferry ride across a lake, a sunset over terracotta rooftops or a simple seafood lunch by the water can become the memory you talk about for years. Italy rewards travellers who look up, slow down and allow each region to show its own character.
Visa
UK passport holders can visit Italy for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for tourism and similar travel purposes, although passports must meet Schengen entry rules and should always be checked before travel.
Irish citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy and should travel with a valid passport, with the passport valid for the duration of the stay. Travel rules can change, so travellers should always check the latest official advice before booking and again before departure.
Climate
Italy’s climate varies from the Alpine north to the Mediterranean south, which means the best time to visit depends on the kind of holiday you want. Spring and autumn are often the most rewarding seasons for sightseeing, touring and city breaks, with comfortable temperatures, lively local life and softer crowds than the height of summer.
July and August are hot and busy, especially in Rome, Florence, Venice, the lakes and the main coastal resorts, but they suit travellers looking for beach holidays, island escapes and long summer evenings. Winter brings another side of Italy, from skiing in the Dolomites and Italian Alps to quieter city breaks, festive markets and crisp days that make museums, churches and galleries feel even more atmospheric.
Transport Options Around Italy
Italy is a wonderfully connected country for holidaymakers, with international airports, high-speed trains, regional rail services, coaches, ferries, local buses, taxis, transfers and car hire all making it possible to combine cities, coastlines, islands, countryside and lakes in one well-planned trip.
Air Travel
Italy’s major airports include Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice Marco Polo, Naples, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Verona, Bari, Catania, Palermo and Cagliari, giving travellers easy access to city breaks, beach holidays, island stays, lake escapes and touring routes across the country.
Train
Train travel is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to explore mainland Italy, with high-speed services linking key cities such as Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Naples, Bologna and Turin, while regional trains connect smaller towns, coastal areas and lakeside destinations at a gentler pace.
Bus
Buses and coaches are useful for reaching hill towns, rural areas, coastal communities and places where the train is less direct, particularly in regions such as Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia and along parts of the Amalfi Coast.
Car Rental
Car hire is ideal for travellers who want to explore beyond the main cities, especially through Tuscany’s countryside, the villages of Umbria, the vineyards of Piedmont, the beaches of Puglia, the dramatic roads of Sicily or the quieter lakes and mountain areas where public transport can be limited.
Latest Offers
Our latest Italy offers include city breaks, lake holidays, beach escapes, island stays, family holidays, romantic getaways and tailor-made touring options, helping you choose the right region, hotel, flights, duration and travel style for the Italian holiday you have in mind.
Our Top Destinations in Italy
Italy is full of places that could easily become someone’s favourite, but for holidaymakers looking for atmosphere, beauty, variety and unforgettable experiences, these four destinations are hard to beat.
Rome
Rome is a city that does not simply show you history; it surrounds you with it. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are all essential, but the best moments often come between the landmarks, in quiet churches, neighbourhood trattorias, shaded piazzas and backstreets where the city feels wonderfully alive.
Amalfi Coast and Sorrento
The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento are made for travellers who want scenery with a sense of occasion. Sorrento is a superb base for exploring Pompeii, Capri and the Bay of Naples, while Positano, Amalfi and Ravello bring cliffside views, lemon groves, boat trips and some of the most memorable coastal landscapes in Europe.
Tuscany
Tuscany is Italy at its most graceful, with Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Chianti and the Val d’Orcia offering art, architecture, vineyards, cypress-lined roads and hilltop towns that look almost too beautiful to be real. It is perfect for travellers who enjoy culture, food, wine, countryside hotels and the freedom to explore slowly.
Italian Lakes
The Italian Lakes offer a softer, more elegant style of holiday, with Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore each bringing their own character. Expect mountain views, waterside towns, ferry rides, gardens, villas, lakeside dining and a gentler pace that suits couples, families and anyone who wants beauty without rushing.
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Do not try to cover too much ground:
Italy looks compact on a map, but each region deserves time, and rushing between cities can leave you seeing stations instead of Italy.
- Book major attractions in advance:
The Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, Pompeii and popular lake or coastal excursions can be very busy during peak periods.
- Learn the rhythm of Italian meals: Breakfast is usually light, lunch matters, dinner is often later, and the best restaurants are not always the ones beside the main square.
- Carry some cash for smaller purchases: Cards are widely accepted, but cash can still be useful for cafés, markets, local buses, small shops and beach facilities.
- Pack comfortable shoes: Italy’s beauty often comes with cobbles, steps, slopes, old streets and long sightseeing days, so footwear can make or break the trip.
Travel Tips for Experience Explorers
- Travel in April, May, June, September or October where possible: These months often bring excellent conditions for sightseeing, food, wine, walking and touring without the full force of summer crowds.
- Explore beyond the headline cities: Bologna, Lecce, Turin, Verona, Bergamo, Matera, Perugia and Trieste all offer rich culture and atmosphere with a more local feel.
- Use ferries where you can: In the lakes, around the Bay of Naples, along parts of the coast and between islands, travelling by water can be part of the experience rather than just transport.
- Stay overnight in places others visit as day trips: Towns such as Siena, Lucca, Orvieto, Ravello and Bellagio feel very different once the daytime crowds have gone.
- Check driving and parking before hiring a car: Many historic centres have restricted traffic zones, parking can be tight, and rural driving is far more enjoyable when you plan the route carefully.
Italy, Made to Remember
Food, beauty and history in every direction
Italy is one of Europe’s most complete holiday destinations because it offers more than famous sights. It gives travellers atmosphere, ritual, scenery, flavour and a sense that every region has its own story to tell. It can be a cultured city break, a relaxed lakeside stay, a coastal escape, a countryside retreat, a family beach holiday or a once-in-a-lifetime touring route.
For Tullys Travel customers, Italy is a destination that can be shaped around almost any style of trip. Whether the plan is Rome for the first time, a romantic Amalfi Coast escape, a Tuscany food and wine holiday, a Lake Garda family break, a Sicily adventure or a classic multi-centre itinerary, Italy delivers warmth, character and those small, golden moments that make a holiday feel genuinely special.
