Holiday destinations

A beach without stifling heat, set among forests and peaks, really does exist. In many cases, it’s just a few hours by car, with clear water to dive into and meadows where you can stretch out in the shade. The new “cool” summer destinations aren’t by the sea but at altitude: Alpine lakes and valleys with proper lidos, equipped or completely natural, suited to swimming, picnics and sport.

Ready to plan your perfect summer?Here’s a look at 6 dream islands between Italy, Spain and Portugal, ideal if you’re after striking beaches, dramatic scenery, high levels of comfort and unspoilt nature.If you’re looking for peace and quiet, outdoor experiences or special moments to share with famil

Sicily is dotted with small historic centres that sit on cliffs, hide behind medieval walls or spill gently towards the sea.

Temperatures soar, the tarmac shimmers and the buildings glare in the sun.

Italy in summer has its own rhythm. Cities empty out, beaches fill up, dinners stretch late into the evening and daily life shifts around the heat. Many of the common mistakes tourists make in Italy during peak season aren’t about rudeness.

Castles have always carried an air of mystery, guarding fascinating stories: hidden secrets, traces of distant eras, and tales of nobles, ladies and knights. Across Italy, from north to south, there are castles, fortresses and strongholds that attract thousands of visitors each year, all keen to uncover their history and soak up the atmosphere as they wander through grand halls and silent courtyards.

Planning a trip to Tropea in 2026? This clifftop town on Calabria’s Costa degli Dei blends a characterful old town with some of the clearest water in southern Italy.

Caorle immediately stands out for its historic center of pastel-colored houses overlooking the sea, a unique cylindrical bell tower in Italy, and a waterfront transformed into an open-air art gallery. For summer, this Veneto town also boasts two golden beaches, while its seafood cuisine is also worth considering.

Northern Italy in summer is all glistening lakes, pastel fishing villages, Alpine backdrops and long aperitivo evenings by the water.

Rising prices are affecting almost every area of daily life, yet summer holidays 2026 are not being cancelled. They are being recalculated. People are still travelling, but trips are shorter, and spending is more deliberate.

One Italian beach opens up between the rocks, sheltered by a natural arch around 50 metres long, and protects a lagoon barely 25 metres across that feels almost unreal. Located in San Nicola Arcella, it's one of the emblematic spots along the Riviera dei Cedri. Every year, thousands of people seek out this stretch of coastline shaped by marine erosion, yet few realise that access is regulated, paid, and time-limited.

Sea, mountains, nature or art cities: Italy remains one of the most varied and rewarding places in Europe for a family holiday.

July sits at the heart of the Italian summer and is traditionally the month packed with open-air events: fireworks over the lagoon, opera under the stars, jazz concerts in medieval alleyways, and a horse race that lasts less than ninety seconds but carries a year’s worth of passion. The journey stretches across the country, taking in Venice, Rome, Naples, Siena, Perugia and Genoa. Here’s what to do in Italy in July 2026.

Planning a short break in Milan in 2026? Italy’s financial and fashion capital is far more layered than its glossy image suggests.

Italy's white cities are much more than postcards: they are the living story of how entire communities have transformed a practical need into a globally recognizable identity. From Ostuni to the three villages of the Itria Valley, to Sperlonga in Lazio, each destination offers a different balance of history, landscape, and flavor.

Imagine a whole week without notifications, without out-of-hours work messages and without that automatic reflex of reaching for your phone whenever there’s a spare second.

With the arrival of July, many people start packing their suitcases. The beaches begin to fill up and the tourist season gets into full swing.

Sicily remains one of Italy’s favourite summer destinations, thanks to its sweeping beaches, hilltop villages and dramatic scenery, but also because of its climate. Rising temperatures linked to climate change are reshaping Mediterranean summers, and each month now brings slightly different conditions.

Some trips are all about art galleries and architecture. Others revolve around switching off and soaking up the scenery. This time, though, it’s all about a proper food and wine itinerary in Italy. Here are five must-try first courses, each tied to a destination that deserves time on your itinerary. Start planning your food and wine trip to Italy and settle in for something memorable.

Tucked away in the hills of southern Italy is a neo-Gothic sanctuary that looks like a fairytale castle rising from the mountains.

In southern Tuscany, a small hilltop village is built around 42 thermal springs that have flowed for millennia.

Along cliffs, lighthouses and ancient mule tracks, Italy is home to spectacular walks overlooking the sea, with postcard views and, often, specific rules to follow. In some cases, tickets or advance bookings are required; in others, it’s best to set off during the cooler hours of the day and carry plenty of water. Here’s a selection of 10 coastal routes and sea‑view trails in Italy, with essential information on difficulty, walking times and access.

A recent Guardian feature picked out six of the best natural and free beaches in Italy, highlighting stretches of coastline that remain open to all despite the dominance of private beach clubs. The selection spans the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean, focusing on protected parks, volcanic

In recent years, a growing number of Italian municipalities have introduced a smoking ban on beaches. The aim is to protect the environment, improve air quality and make beaches more comfortable for everyone.

When the cities start to bake in July, there’s another side to Italy that feels surprisingly liveable.