Holiday destinations

If you’re planning a short Italian escape and want somewhere atmospheric, walkable and packed with culture, these five destinations deliver.

On the eastern edge of Rome, a little-known route links a medieval village, a castle connected to the notorious Barberini family, and the ancient Latin city that once rivalled early Rome. Part of the Unexpected Itineraries project, it brings together history, nature and architecture within just a few kilometres, all of which are reachable by metro and bus.

A triangular island in the middle of Lake Bolsena, crowned by a white dome rising above holm oaks and hiding a subterranean chamber linked to Dante, has reopened to visitors. This privately owned island in Italy is not simply a scenic lake excursion. At its core lies an underground chamber once associated with eternal punishment and later used as a prison for clerics accused of heresy.

Picture an island just a few paddle strokes from the beach, with water that changes from turquoise to blue, and a "ghost town" perched on top. Dino Island, off Praia a Mare, is one of the most surprising features of the Calabrian Tyrrhenian Sea: dark cliffs, luminous caves, and a seabed that re

Italy has secured one of the strongest positions in Europe for family travel this year.

For summer 2026, the question is no longer just where to go, but how to travel more safely.

Is there really a cheaper day to book a flight? In 2026, the data suggests yes. Sundays tend to offer better fares, while Fridays often remain the most expensive day to book.Timing also makes a clear difference.

The May Day long weekend is one of the best times to travel: the days are longer, the temperatures are pleasant, and you can get a taste of summer without too much traffic and crowds. This year, with the holiday falling on a Friday, you can take full advantage of a long weekend. But even if you only have one day away, here's where to go for the May Day long weekend in Italy.

For your next relaxing holiday, why not stay somewhere with your own private hot tub? A holiday home with a jacuzzi gives you the chance to truly switch off.

Planning a beach holiday in Italy with children is surprisingly easy once you know where to look.

Those arriving in Orbetello find a lagoon town with the open sea only a few steps away. This corner of Tuscany pairs long sandy beaches with rocky coves, backed by shady pine forests and lapped by remarkably clear water.

It looks like Mars, but it's Italy. In a country known for its hills, villages, and picture-perfect beaches, there are places that astound: monumental dunes, clay hills carved by water, barren expanses where the wind dictates its rules. In Italy, there are deserts, not in the climatic sense, but desert landscapes shaped by time, erosion, and history.

In Porto Venere, it only takes a few steps to go from the cool shade of narrow alleyways to the bright light along the cliffs.

Italy’s coastline remains one of Europe’s most captivating destinations in 2026.

Italy’s village heritage feels almost endless. There are medieval hilltop settlements, rugged hamlets clinging to rocky slopes, and graceful lowland towns shaped by centuries of rural life. Among them, a handful stand out for a rather unexpected reason: their layout forms a heart when seen from above.

An Italian spa has been ranked the 5th most beautiful in the world, and it’s not based on gushy reviews or glossy brochures.

Italy isn’t only about Renaissance cities and lazy, sun-soaked lunches.

If you’re dreaming of a proper family holiday in Italy with beach time, the best beach towns in Italy for families make a trip away with the kids surprisingly easy. Most are set up for long lunches, slow evenings on the passeggiata and whole days under a rented umbrella, as long as you pick som

Capri Island is rewriting the rules of tourism in Italy for summer 2026, with a new framework designed to relieve pressure on the island’s narrow streets, harbour and residents.The new Capri Island tourism rules 2026Capri’s town council has approved a new set of regulations that directly target over

Italy appears on a no-travel list for 2026, though not because of Rome’s usual crowd control issues. Instead, attention has turned to Isola Sacra, a coastal district near Fiumicino where plans for a major new cruise port have triggered environmental and community concerns.Why was Isola Sacra ad

Italy has more than 30,000 documented caves, but only a relatively small number are open to the public as organised “show caves”. These are some of the best caves in Italy that you can genuinely visit without specialist training.

Italy’s northern edge tapers off in a small Alpine settlement at the head of a narrow valley on the Austrian border.

Italy is home to one of the most welcoming cities in 2026, according to the latest Booking.com Traveller Review Awards.

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.