Italy.
Your Italy and our Italia are not the same thing. Italy is a soft drug peddled in predictable packages, such as hills in the sunset, olive groves, lemon trees, white wine, and raven-haired girls. Italia, on the other hand, is a maze. It’s alluring, but complicated. It’s the kind of place that can have you fuming and then purring in the space of a hundred meters, or in the course of ten minutes. Italy is the only workshop in the world that can turn out both Botticellis and Berlusconis.
- BEPPE SEVERGNINI
Italy is La Dolce Vita.
Ahh Italy. We’re fairly certain you already know exactly why this boot-shaped country is heaven in disguise: The food. The culture. The history. The art. The romance. The scenery.
But our favourite memories from Italy are well beyond the reaches of the Colosseum or the canals of Venice.
They’re in the dappled chestnut groves of Emilia Romagna, the rustic villages our feet carried us through on our Via Matildica hike, where salt of the earth people welcomed us with chestnuts, truffles, and delicious meals, and in the medieval porticoes of rust-red Bologna.
They’re in the soaring mountain peaks of South Tyrol and the Dolomites, where alpine lakes dance with rainbows and quaint huts always have a spot by the fire and a hearty hiking meal.
Let’s just say we totally get why Robert Browning once wrote, “open my heart and you will see, graved inside of it, Italy.”
Let’s face it, we’ve all dreamt of spending a summer in Italy at some point in time.
There’s the pizza and pasta, the promise of golden Tuscan valleys and rich-bodied wines, the ancient history and the romantic cities; a list of attractions that seems endless.
Do you choose to tread the footsteps of the ancient Romans, or gaze breathlessly at the Sistine Chapel and da Vinci’s The Last Supper? Explore dreamy waterways in Venice or hike through colourful villages in the Cinque Terre? Sip Aperol Spritz in the sun or enjoy the citrusy tang of Limoncello in Sorrento?
But Italy isn’t just colourful medieval streets and culture vulture highlights, oh no. The north is also home to stunning alpine ranges and glacial lakes, mountain huts and epic road trip opportunities.
There’s also that beautifully quintessential Italian way of life. A life where food is family, days are punctuated by coffee stops and flakey brioche, and taking time to enjoy the sweet and simple things is at the core of everyone’s being here.
A trip to Italy really is la dolce vita.
Plan your Italian itinerary with our Travel Guides.
The most underrated city in Italy? Probably! This is our guide to all the best things to do in hipster Bologna, including what to see, where to eat, and how to get around in 2026.
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The best Bologna Airbnbs in 2026: from frescoed palazzos and medieval towers to private terraces and budget-friendly picks, plus everything you need to know before you book.
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Lago di Braies is the most iconic alpine lake in the Dolomites, and overtourism is a real issue. Here's everything you need to plan your visit, including 2026 access rules, updated parking costs, mandatory peak season bus bookings and the best time to see the lake before the crowds arrive.
Dozza is a wonderful surprise. Medieval streets filled with colourful murals, one of Italy’s best Enoteca’s, an ancient fortress, and surrounding vineyards make this a must-visit on any trip to Bologna. Here’s what to see, know and do in Dozza.
Bologna's twin towers of Garisenda and Asinelli are the city's icons, though right now, you can't climb either of them. This short guide covers the history, the current closure, and what to do instead.
After four trips and 15+ stays across every valley, from €32 hut bunks to infinity pools above Merano, here's exactly where we'd base ourselves, and where we'd spend or save on accommodation in the Dolomites.
Here are the best things to do in San Gimignano, Italy - from exploring the charming cobbled streets and medieval towers to immersing yourself in the town's rich history, enjoying wine tastings, and indulging in world-famous gelato. Experience the magic of this unique Tuscan gem.
Here’s our definitive list of things to do in the Dolomites during summer. Discover the regions famous hikes, incredible natural attractions, beautiful towns, the best food, and where to stay.
Idyllic Val di Funes is one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites - a place to enjoy a slower, more authentic experience. Enjoy our guide to Val di Funes, which includes what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
Looking for the best hikes in the Dolomites? Look no further! Discover breathtaking trails that wind through alpine meadows, past towering peaks, and around crystal-clear lakes. Whether you're an experienced hiker or a beginner, there's a trail for you in the Dolomites.
Want to visit the Dolomites but don’t know how? Our Dolomites travel guide is filled with everything you need to know before you visit, including what to see and do, where to stay, and how to get there and get around + more.
This guide on how to get to the Dolomites includes all the essential information you need to plan and enjoy a hassle-free holiday in one of Europe’s most breathtaking regions.
The ideal Renaissance city, Pienza is an Italian icon. From exploring its charming streets and stunning architecture to immersing yourself in the town's rich history, these are the best things to do in Pienza, Italy
The Dolomites are famous for their crystal clear lakes and the unique turquoise waters of Lago di Sorapis are no exception. This guide includes all the essential Lake Sorapis hiking info, travel planning essentials, and plenty more to help you enjoy this natural paradise!
Prepare to be wowed by Cadini di Misurina, perhaps the most incredible view in the Dolomites. Our Cadini di Misurina viewpoint guide provides all the essential information you need to see these jagged peaks for yourself, including how to get there, accommodation options, and photography tips.
Headed to Florence? Check out our where to stay in Florence guide, featuring the best luxury hotels, mid-range and boutique hotels, exceptional villas, and hostels in Florence, plus a helpful neighbourhood guide.
Discover the best things to do in Florence, Italy's Renaissance jewel. Explore iconic art, historic architecture, and Tuscan cuisine in our guide to Florence's must-visit attractions, from the immense Uffizi Gallery to the imposing Duomo, as well as essential travel information to make the most of your stay.
Discover the world of truffle hunting in Tuscany, Italy, including the ins and outs of this seasonal activity, from what to expect on a truffle hunting tour, to the best time of year to go truffle hunting.
A pizza pilgrimage to try the ‘best pizza in the world’ at Pepe in Grani, Caiazzo, Italy, becomes a story of expectations. Read on to learn whether there is such a thing as ‘the best pizza in the world’, and whether Pepe in Grani is worth the journey.
Here's everything you need to know before your hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop, the best short hike in the Dolomites. Includes when to visit, where to stay, fees, and things to see on the hike.
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After five visits to Alta Badia in the Italian Dolomites, we’ve got to know this mountain paradise very well. Discover the best of Alta Badia with this guide, including what to see, the best restaurants, where to stay, and the most outstanding hikes.
Your Italy travel essentials
Where to eat in Bologna in 2026, featuring the best trattorias, modern kitchens, wine bars, cocktail dens, gelaterias and markets. Written from multiple visits to the city.