Italy Holidays in 2013

One of the best ways to get fit and take in the individual Italian culture is to hire bikes and take a ride out into the scenic countryside, where the mountains surrounding Lake Garda and Como have world renowned trails suitable for all abilities. Another family friendly Italy holiday idea is to visit Italia in Minitura, the kids will love this miniature theme parks with a mix of rides.

There’s a wide selection of hotels available in Italy to cater for families of all sizes. If it’s luxury you’re looking for head to Borgo La Bagnaia, Tuscany for a country retreat with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, or Hotel Rivoli in the heart of pretty Florence.

With world-renowned food, a holiday in Italy will certainly keep all family members happy. For the best pizza, head to its hometown Naples, and for mouth-watering ice cream don’t miss those served by vendors in Verona. For kids, there’s also a wide selection of restaurants serving English food if needed.

The areas of Tuscany, Umbria and Sicily are famous for producing mouth-watering wine, and an ideal way to spend an afternoon on holiday in Italy is to take one of the many winery tours available to sample the local produce. Another popular activity is to release your inner explorer and take to horse for a Tuscan riding adventure.

Italy’s chic residents are likely to be found sipping a glass of Tuscan red wine late into the night, so make like the locals and enjoy a late dinner at a local restaurant before heading to the opera in Rome, where open air performances are frequent.

There’s a mix of accommodation available in Italy to suit all budgets. For a romantic getaway in all out luxury, head to Venice for the Westin Excelsior Lido Resort, or for more affordable choices consider Firenze in Florence, situated in the attractive city centre.

Boasting an impressive selection of museums and art galleries housing some of the worlds most famous paintings including The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci, Milan, Florence and Rome have a renowned reputation for galleries that are a must see on your Italy trip. Another ideal way to spend the afternoon is gliding through the busy waterways of Venice on a Gondola, the ultimate way to see the city in style.

Italy’s reputation for opera and theatre will not disappoint those coming on an Italy trip looking for evening entertainment, nor will the selection of restaurants serving the best in local and other European cuisine.

The country’s architecture is some of the most photographed in the world, and no holiday to Italy would be complete without visiting the gravity defying Leaning Tower of Pisa, compelling Coliseum or once in a lifetime Vatican.