TOP 10 Italian escapes
Hotspots may come and go, but Italy remains a perennial favourite, thanks to its amazing food, history and culture
1 LAKE GARDA
Seven days from €676pp Italy’s largest lake, with a shoreline of over 145km, is dotted with ridiculously picturesque towns and villages, set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains. Leger’s Lake Garda tour takes in the little city of Lazise on the eastern shore, then down to the resort town of Sirmione where there’s a chance to sail on a cruise along the peninsula. At the medieval town of Garda, the last stop of the day trip, explore the cobbled streets of the old quarter. THE DEAL: Leger’s seven-day Delights of Lake Garda tour starts at €676pp, including four nights’ all-inclusive, the Lake Garda tour and an excursion to Verona and coach travel with overnight stay in Belgium both outbound and on the return. leger.co.uk
2 VENICE & RIVER PO CRUISE
10 days from €3,160pp A cruise is a great way to get a taste of la dolce vita and this Northern Italy itinerary has all bases covered. The journey starts in Milan with a twonight stay in the fashion capital, before heading for Venice to board the cruise. Stop en route at Verona and Valpolicella winery Serego Alighieri. In La Serenissima there’s a full day to explore the floating city before the River Countess begins her voyage across the lagoon. Highlights include the colourful islands of Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello. THE DEAL: Fares for Titan’s 10-day Venice and the Gems of Northern Italy trip starts at €3,160pp for August 10 departure, including flights from Gatwick or Heathrow, two nights’ B&B in Milan, seven-night all-inclusive cruise with eight excursions, and VIP transfers. titantravel. co.uk, 0044 0800988 5873
3 TUSCANY
Seven nights from €584 With its rolling hills, dramatic cypress trees and glorious vineyards awash with churches, castles and pretty villages, it’s no surprise that Tuscany has long been a magnet. Base yourself in the picturesque hamlet of Bucine, an easy daytrip to Arezzo, Siena and Florence, arguably Europe’s greatest art city. THE DEAL:
Novasol has seven nights’ self-catering in a stylish four-star semidetached holiday home in Bucine from
€584. There is access to a shared pool and tennis court. Flights to Florence with British Airways start at €160 one-way (ba.com). novasol.co.uk 4 EMILIA ROMAGNA
Seven nights from €570pp The northern region is home to Parma ham, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and ragu alla Bolognese. Bologna, fondly know as La Grassa (the fat one), is regarded as Italy’s gastronomic capital. In the hills of the Emilian countryside, the Palazzo di Varignana Resort and Spa- is an ideal base for exploring the region’s rural delights. THE DEAL: Set in a restored 18th century villa in beautiful grounds, the elegant four-star Palazzo di Varignana has wonderful views and five pools. Loveholidays has seven nights’ B&B in May starting at €570pp including flights from Stansted or from €590pp from Manchester. loveholidays.com, 0044 020 3870 6844 5 PUGLIA
Seven nights from €645pp
Dip your toe into the ‘heel’ of the country, home to Apulian dry-stone dwellings called trulli. The town of Alberobello, a Unesco World Heritage site, has over 1,500 trulli and is a great base for exploring the beaches and countryside. THE DEAL:
Save up to €334pp on seven nights’ B&B at Trulli Soave including easyjet flights from Gatwick on October 9. citalia.com, 0044 01293 831 970 6 PALERMO Three nights from €350pp Stepping into the limelight this year as Italy’s Capital of Culture, Sicily’s capital is celebrating with a number of events, including opera at the Teatro Massimo. The nearby hill town of Monreale will also host events. Elegant Principe Di Villafranca is just a short walk from Piazza Politeama. THE DEAL:
Take the new easyjet route to Palermo from Luton or Liverpool. A three-night B&B break at the four-star Principe Di Villafranca on August 25 from €350pp. easyjet.com/ holidays 7 MONZA Three nights from €958pp Lovers of fast cars should make tracks to Monza. The city is also home to Europe’s largest walled garden. THE DEAL: Thomas Cook Sport is offering packages to this year’s Italian Grand Prix (August 31 - September 2). A three-night break starts at £849pp including Heathrow flights to Malpensa or Linate, B&B in Milan, transfers, weekend ticket, Sunday Race Day circuit transfers, drinks reception and post-race drinks. thomascook sport.com 8
SARDINIA Seven nights from €789pp With turquoise waters and stunning sandy beaches, the Med’s secondlargest island has long been a favourite with the jet set. The marinas on the famous Costa Esmeralda is where celebs on superyachts drop anchor. But head down the east coast and you’ll find the old town of Orosei. THE DEAL:
On May 27 Thomas Cook is launching flights to Olbia from Manchester (on Sundays til September 30). The fourstar SENTIDO Orosei Beach has seven nights’ all-inclusive from €789pp, including flights from Manchester on June 17. thomascook.com, 0044 0844 412 5970 9 UMBRIA Seven nights from €1,055pp You can’t go to the fertile “green heart of
Italy” without indulging in gastronomic treats so a walking holiday is a great way to get balance. Compact Trevi town, famous for its olives, is the base for this week-long break. Among the highlights are visits to the medieval hill towns of Spoleto and Spello, along with an outing to Assisi. On a trip to Lake Trasimeno, take a cruise to the pretty island of Isola Maggiore. Back in Trevi, you can pick up tips during a hands-on cookery lesson. THE DEAL: Adagio’s seven-night half-board Stylish Umbria runs between March and December, with prices from €1,055pp on March 20, including flights. adagio. co.uk, 0044 01707 386700 SORRENTO Seven nights from €371pp
10 From its clifftop perch on the tip of a rocky peninsula, Sorrento has staggering views over the bay. Explore the Neapolitan Riviera, and hop on a ferry for islands of Capri and Ischia. The fascinating ruins of Pompeii are only a train ride away. Family-run Villa Pina and Antico Francischiello in Massa Lubrense, just four km down the coast, has emerged from its winter makeover. The Antico Francischiello restaurant is one of the best in the area. THE DEAL: Seven nights on half-board starts at €371pp with flights from Birmingham to Naples on April 22. jet2holidays.com, 004408004085599