Italy Road Trips

Italy combines extraordinary beauty with fascinating history and culture, making a road trip the ideal way to experience it all. There’s so much to see in this charming country that knowing where to start can seem daunting, so this is where our experts come in. They can tailor one of our Italy road trips to perfectly fit your specifications, weaving in all of the best bits offered by this boot-shaped country. Starting in the south, the cinematic cliffside views of the Amalfi Coast are even more stunning in person and undoubtedly one of Italy’s most unforgettable destinations. In Naples and Pompeii, history lovers can marvel at the immaculately preserved ruins, while just off the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot, the island of Sicily has some equally impressive historical treasures. Explore the tiny village of Chiaramonte Gulfi, known as the Balcony of Sicily for its brilliant views which stretch as far as the Mediterranean Sea to the south and Mount Etna to the north. It would be rude not to indulge in some local delicacies while in an area famous for its fantastic wine and olive oil, and this is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Discover the baroque towns of Ragusa and Modica and, once you've taken in your fair share of culture and countryside, head to the coast, and more specifically, the town of Syracuse. Here you can discover some ancient Greek history at the Catacombs of St John (which date back to the fourth century), and explore the labyrinthine streets of the city's old town of Ortigia.

Located in the centre of Italy, the vineyards of Tuscany boast some of the finest Italian cuisine and wine, so this is a must-visit for aspiring chefs and foodies. Few cities can compete with the artistic legacy of Rome, Italy’s charismatic and energetic capital city. On our Italy road trips, you can combine time spent in the urban centre with a visit to the Abruzzo Mountains, just a two-hour drive away, where you can stay in the fortified village of Santo Stefano di Sessiano. The 'heel' of Italy's boot holds Puglia, with miles of beautiful sandy beaches and the Valle d'Itria's iconic trulli houses (traditional dry stone huts with conical roofs). Continue your journey inland with some time in Lecce, Puglia's cultural capital and a place that feels like a vast ancient city crammed into a tiny labyrinth of winding cobbled streets; the brash baroque architecture and limestone buildings practically burst out of the city's seams.

The north has just as much to offer in terms of history, culture and cuisine. Stop off in the ‘fashion capital’ of Milan for some style inspiration, or head to the romantic city of Verona, the backdrop to Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, for a literary education. From Milan, head for the Italian Lakes and take in the beauty of your surroundings on a boat trip around them, before hiking through the Dolomites. Alternatively, incorporate additional forms of transport into your road trip and hop aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express. Made famous by Agatha Christie, this authentic and luxurious train will transport you through enchanting European scenery, all the way to the city that has traded cars for gondolas: Venice. Take a break from the driving and spend some time exploring the city's streets and canals. Wherever your road trip takes you, a holiday in Italy promises breath-taking scenery, gastronomic delights and captivating culture.