Italy

Rolling vineyards, timeless art, and the rugged Dolomites – LiNGER longer in Italy.

Tuscany, Italy

In a Nutshell
Off the Beaten Path
Most Popular
Wildlife
When & Weather
Getting Here
Who'll Love it?
Giving Back
Where to Stay
Start Planning
Contact

Sabbaticals & Experiential Holidays in Italy

The historical centre of the Roman Empire, it’s no surprise that Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country (54!). Famed for its iconic landmarks, architecture and art, Italy possesses a treasure trove of attractions, from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Colosseum. These historic gems and grails of Renaissance art offer a glimpse into Italy’s rich history. Travelling in Italy is a journey through this history, from the Tramontana Valley where Hannibal passed 2200 years ago to the streets of Florence where Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo de Vinci produced masterpieces.

Beyond the historic sites, Italy offers the indulgent experience of exploring its world-famous cuisine. Taste the variations of pizza across regions, sip on espressos in Verona’s piazzas, enjoy ragù alla bolognese in Bologna and indulge in all flavours of gelato. From the ancient ruins of Rome, the romantic canals of Venice, the quaint villages of Tuscany and the sparkling shores of the Amalfi Coast, the spirit of “La Dolce Vita” awaits you.

Best off the Beaten Path experiences in Italy

Visit an ancient olive grove in Puglia and meet the family who have owned it for generations. Descend to the underground hideouts that were used in Roman times to stash the precious oil from marauders.
Discover the historical town of Siena with its medieval traditions of the Palio.
Stroll through the vibrant village of San Gimignano with its narrow streets lined with restaurants, overlooking the rolling hills of Val d’Elsa.
Stay in a traditional, ‘trullo’ in Puglia – a cosy, round house of dry stone painted white with a conical roof.
Embark on a gourmet food tour in the province of Parma, learning the traditions behind the local specialities of Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar.
Any petrol head can’t miss the opportunity to visit Maranello, home to a Ferrari Museum where you can take on a F1 car driving simulator.
Hike up Europe’s largest active volcano Mount Etna past its glistening lava fields.
Explore the stunning harbour of Portofino, a beautiful fishing village on the Ligurian coast.
Trek through the heart of the Italian Dolomites amidst its towering mountains, pristine lakes and unspoiled landscapes.
Sail along Maratea’s coastline dotted with hidden grottoes, containing some of the most magical beaches in Italy.
Swim in the water surrounding Italy’s most beautiful island Isola di Tavolara.

Wildlife in Italy

Italy’s biodiversity thrives in its alpine regions. The Central Apennines are home to a variety of impressive animal species: brown bears, wolves, deer, wild boars and chamois. Birders will have the opportunity to spot gems such as the European Roller on its migratory path.

When to go to Italy

Italy’s climate varies across the regions, from the Mediterranean coastline to its alpine mountains. The coastal regions feature a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The summer months often exceed 30°C (86°F). Inland features a more continental climate with summers typically around 25-30°C (77-86°F) and winters often reaching below freezing.

Italy is a tourist hotspot in the summer. To avoid the crowds while still enjoying the weather, we recommend visiting Italy in spring (April – May) and autumn (September – November). Italy is also a magical Winter destination.

How to get to Italy

The major international airports are the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Rome), Milan Malpensa Airport and the Marco Polo Airport (Venice).

Flight time from London to Rome is around two and a half hours.

Flight time from New York to Rome is around eight and a half hours.

Who will love Italy

Italy’s rich culture, delicious cuisine and beautiful coastlines will appeal to:

History buffs
Art enthusiasts
Gastronomy lovers
Keen photographers
Culture lovers
Families
Honeymooners

Where to stay in Italy

Throughout your stay you will experience Italian elegance to the highest degree. Your accommodation will vary from chic townhouses such as the Palazzo Scanderberg in Rome’s historic centre to classical, historical hotels such as the Grand Hotel Majestic Gia Baglioni in the heart of Bologna.

How to plan a trip to Italy

Our experienced team will guide you through a number of ideas based on how you would like to experience Italy.

No matter how long you have to travel, we’ll guide you through the planning process to ensure a trip is carefully pieced together to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.

Testimonials

LiNGER Travel Testimonial - Iceland & Denmark & Faroe Islands Family Sabbatical

"Your planning help and imagination really helped make this trip. That includes your exquisite professionalism in coordinating everything"

Marie, Glenn & Family

Iceland, Denmark & Faroe Islands, Family Sabbatical
July - August 2022

“We are back from our travels and I didn’t want another day to slip by without writing to express our heartfelt thanks for helping to arrange an absolutely fabulous trip, owing to your incredible support. We had an amazing time. The experiences in Iceland were wonderful, and you were spot on about the helicopter trip–a true highlight for all. But we thoroughly enjoyed the ATVs, the snowmobiling, the buggy ride and the snorkelling, etc. All provided stunning/hilarious and rich variety and all took us to places that we would not be able to see without such memorable conveyances to get us there. My dad (and all of us) but especially my dad ADORED the bike tour in Copenhagen. We had a wonderful guide and she and my dad got on like a house on fire. He loved it. Your planning help and imagination really helped make this trip. That includes your exquisite professionalism in coordinating everything–including your pitching in to unsnarl our ferry booking back from Heimany island in Iceland, and for the easy/streamlined app and communications via WhatsApp that you provided throughout. Thank you, thank you, for making this such a special time.”

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LiNGER Travel Testimonial - UK Sabbatical

"An incredible trip, fulfilled the brief completely to see the lesser-visited sites of the UK, covering England, Wales and ending in beautiful Scotland."

Dr Phil & Silvia Laughlin

UK Sabbatical
May - July 2022

“An incredible trip, fulfilled the brief completely to see the lesser-visited sites of the UK, covering England, Wales and ending in beautiful Scotland. Guides were outstanding and the food exceeded our expectations. The highlights were a flight over Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a helicopter trip over Anglesey and a surprise journey in a classic Bentley. Steve took great care to accommodate our aging limbs while still enabling us to see the most spectacular sights.”

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