About Italy Mainland & Sicily
Stylish, cultured, fashionable, good humoured and volatile – Italy, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has inspired poets and painters for centuries.
Italy, the ideal destination, whether you are seeking a family or luxury holiday in Sardinia, a discovery experience in Sicily, a charming Masseria in Puglia, a romantic holiday on the Neapolitan Riviera, a country hotel or villa in Tuscany, a relaxing trip to the Italian lakes or a history and culture stay in Venice, Florence or Rome.
We have handpicked a superb collection of hotels and apartments; all designed to appeal to the widest of tastes and budgets. Luxury, boutique, family, charming, golfing & spa; all are contained within the pages of this website. Totally flexible, we can offer flights operating from all the UK airports, private transfers, car hire and even private jets. We can tailor make personalised itineraries to suit; be it a multi- centre holiday or a short city break.
We hope this website will inspire you to choose Italy as your holiday destination this year. Just tell us what you are looking for and let us do the rest.
REGIONS
SARDINIA
Sardinia is the island in the Mediterranean which most closely resembles the Caribbean, although this hardly gives a complete picture of the island, which has a rugged, mountainous interior, with forests, rivers, herds of wild horses and ancient towns and villages. Sardinia offers quite simply the most spectacularly unspoilt beaches you could wish for, combined with a magnificent interior. Sardinian cuisine is delicious with Spanish and Arab influence and great local wines. Find more about Sardinia>
SICILY
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and has long been known as a ‘melting pot’ of ancient cultures. Sicily has many lovely sandy beaches and a wealth of holiday towns and villages. Palermo, the capital of Sicily, has attractive Liberty style building and ancient monuments. Beautiful Taormina is situated with Mount Etna as its backdrop and ancient Siracusa has a charming Ortigia district. Selimunt has impressive Greek ruins.
PUGLIA
Puglia, or Apulia as it is known in English sits on the tip of Italy’s heel. Puglia is a wonderful destination for a coastal holiday, with lively fishing villages and some beautiful sandy beaches that slope gently into clear seas. Puglia has numerous places of interest with medieval hill towns, Greek and Roman ruins and remarkable sights. If you have visited Italy before and are looking for something a little different, equally fascinating, but much less crowded, then this is a wonderful area to consider.
CAMPANIA AND AMALFI COAST
One of most famous coastline in the world, the Amalfi Coast runs south from Sorrento to Positano. Its coastal road winds along the mountainside, where breathtaking view after view constantly unfolds. The Amalfi Coast has always been a magnet for the rich and famous, and has provided a romantic backdrop for many Hollywood films. Peaceful Ravello sits above Amalfi, with breathtaking coastal views. Sorrento is an excellent base for getting out and about, with a good bus service to the other towns along the coast. In summer one can take the boat or hydrofoil across to the islands of Ischia and Capri, which makes for a delightful day trip. Neapolitan cuisine is varied and delicious with fresh pasta and fish; this is also the birthplace of ‘pizza’.
BASILICATA
Basilicata is located just south of the region of Campania. The landscape is very diverse and there is a marked difference between the Ionic coast and the rocky coastal stretch to the west of the region. The area around Santavenere is particularly attractive, with one of the finest beaches in the area.
TUSCANY
Tuscany is considered by many to be the most beautiful region in the whole of Italy and for many visitors, its cities are the main attraction. Famed for their art and architecture, Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena are perhaps the most well known. Then there are the idyllic medieval towns, such as San Gimignano surrounded by softly rolling landscapes of olive groves and vineyards, so typical of the region. For beach lovers there are the fashionable resort towns of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. Tuscany is known for its cooking and its wines, of which Chianti has become world famous.
UMBRIA
The green heart of Italy, Umbria is the only region of Italy without a stretch of coast, yet like Tuscany it is a land of ancient towns and cities, but also of beautiful valleys and lakes with numerous thermal and mineral springs. Umbria attracts many faithful people to Basilicas and to its churches in towns such as Assisi and Gubbio. The region is well-known for its fine cuisine and excellent white wines such as ‘Orvieto’.
LIGURIA
Liguria also known as the Italian Riviera and home of the ‘Belle Epoque’, stretches along the beautiful coast from France into Tuscany. Liguria is a land of contrasts, with dramatic landscape and picturesque fishing villages such as the world famous Portofino and San Remo. No trip would be complete without a visit to the unique ‘Cinque Terre’, or Five Villages. Ligurian cuisine is characterised by its closeness to the sea and fresh fish is always on the menu.
ITALIAN CITIES
Few countries can compete with Italy for art, architecture, music, literature, traditions, scenery and food and wine. Italy has the world’s most beautiful, romantic, and stunning cities. Rome, Florence and Venice need no introduction. Then there are Siena, Perugia, Verona and endless others. They are all perfect destinations for a romantic break and cultural experience; a culinary trip or that special event.
THE LAKES
The Italian lakes form one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes with a distinctive micro climate, resulting in each lake having its own special character and charm. Lake Garda is the largest of the lakes, and has the spectacular backdrop of the towering Dolomites to its northern shore, with scenic towns such as Gardone and Sirmione along its south west shores. Lake Maggiore is home to the charming town of Stresa with its excellent restaurants and cafes, boutiques and fine architecture. Lake Como has possibly the most breathtaking scenery of all with dramatic and rugged mountains and delightful, charming villages along its shores.
