From art to architecture, food to fashion or even football, Italy's contribution to the cultural heritage of Europe and the world is unrivalled. Explore have a range of cultural holidays to Italy including active family adventures and both self-guided and small group walking and cycling tours, so there truly is something for everyone.
Italian Culture
Italy’s trio of UNESCO World Heritage listed cities are rightly recognised among the world’s most important and appealing destinations: the imperial might of Rome with its magnificent Colosseum; Florence’s treasure trove of Renaissance art and architecture, and the unique watery splendour and timeless romance of Venice. All of which you can discover on an Explore holiday to Venice, Florence and Rome including the unique experience of kayaking on Venice’s canals.
What distinguishes Italy is perhaps the sheer number of towns and cities that you can explore on an Italian holiday, such as Bologna, Milan, Naples, Lecce and Verona. All pack a cultural punch with museums, monuments, festivals and food to captivate you.
Italian Countryside
Beyond the cities, Italy’s beautiful countryside encompasses rolling hills, mountains and lakes. Tuscany epitomises the quintessential Italian landscape of undulating vineyards, punctuated by cypress trees and perfectly preserved hilltop towns.
The Apennine Mountains form the spine of Italy, while the Alps and Mount Blanc define its northern borders and the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites are in the east. The mountains provide an exhilarating adventure playground for cyclists and hikers alike.
The Italian coastline stretches for over 7000 kilometres from the Adriatic Sea in the east to the Ligurian Sea in the northwest, where the tiny seafront villages of the Cinque Terre are a particular highlight.
Further south, the sweeping Bay of Naples is dominated by brooding Mount Vesuvius, notorious for the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and reaches a picturesque climax at the stunning Sorrento Peninsula and the exhilarating Amalfi Coast.
On a holiday to Italy with Explore you can experience the Italian way of life and discover the towering mountains, rolling vineyards, colourful coastlines and historic cities that have attracted visitors to Italy for generations.