Holiday destinations

Italy has quietly picked up a new global title.

When it comes to Amalfi Coast vs Cinque Terre, the decision isn’t as straightforward as the postcards make it seem.

Northern Italy is compact enough to explore easily by train, but varied enough that you can go from Alpine peaks to lagoon cities in a matter of hours.  If you’re trying to narrow down the best cities to visit in northern Italy, it helps to start with the heavy hitters.

The Cinque Terre towns are five villages that sit along a jagged stretch of Ligurian coastline in northwest Italy.

Life around the lake moves at its own pace, shaped by ferry timetables, mountain light and long lunches that drift into the afternoon.

Northern Italy is a different creature from Rome and the south.

Easter in Italy is one of those moments when family and food take centre stage.

Every spring, Italy turns pink. From Rome’s elegant lakeside parks to the cherry orchards of Emilia‑Romagna, delicate blossoms briefly transform the landscape into something almost dreamlike. And in 2026, cherry blossom season in Italy is expected to be especially spectacular.

Italy’s beauty isn’t limited to Rome, Florence or Venice. Across the country, small towns rise from volcanic cliffs, glow in pastel colours by the sea or sit quietly among vineyards and olive groves.

Italy has once again earned a place near the top of TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best for destinations.

Italy isn’t just frescoed ceilings and sunbaked piazzas — slip beyond the olde worlde city walls and an entirely different world opens up. Snow-dusted peaks, emerald-green forests and cliffside paths unfurl across a country that feels, at times, wonderfully untamed.

When people search for the best places to visit in southern Italy, they’re usually picturing cliffside villages and turquoise water.

Italy will always be one of Europe’s great city‑break destinations — but the way people explore it is changing.In 2026, travellers are increasingly looking beyond the obvious icons, choosing smaller cities and coastal towns that feel atmospheric, walkable, and deeply Italian, even on a short stay.Fr

When people search for Italy's most beautiful towns, they’re often talking about I Borghi più belli d’Italia — an official association that recognises small historic villages across the country. This isn’t a glossy travel ranking or a social media trend.

Some of Italy’s most romantic places don’t announce themselves loudly, even around Valentine’s Day, when attention gravitates towards the obvious names.

What makes Italy stand out around Valentine's Day is the variety of ways that romance plays out in the country. Cities feel cinematic and lived‑in, coastal areas lean into simplicity and movement, and places shaped by time rather than tourism tend to leave the deepest impression.

Italy works well for romantic getaways for couples because it lends itself to slowing down.

Italy is famous for its history, landscapes and cuisine, but it is also one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for beginner skiers and families.

With the much‑anticipated Winter Olympics on the horizon, northern Italy is suddenly being talked about as one of the world’s best travel destinations for 2026.

Italy has more than 1,500 lakes, from tiny Alpine pools to wide basins surrounded by vineyards and medieval villages. Many are swimmable and popular for holidays, weekend escapes and even second homes.

Winter in the Dolomites feels like stepping into a snow-dusted film set: sharp limestone peaks, pine forests heavy with snow, and villages that look almost too pretty to be real. This corner of northern Italy is only going to be more in the spotlight thanks to the Winter Olympics this year, hav

Often called the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is packed with ornate Baroque churches, golden‑stone palaces and winding alleys that always seem to lead to another little piazza.

Italy’s lakes are famous for big‑name spots like Como and Garda, but the quiet corners are where things get interesting.

The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda, stretches between Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino‑Alto Adige in the north.

Clear blue water, mountain backdrops and grand villas make the Italian lakes some of the most romantic landscapes in Europe.