Steeped in history with cities that encompass Roman ruins and museums filled with Renaissance Art, Italy is one of Europe's most fascinating destinations. Far from being stuck in the past, however, it offers a varied landscape that includes family beaches along the Adriatic, the wilderness of Abruzzo and the glamour of Capri. Add to the mix one of the world's best-known cuisines, a reputation for exquisite modern design and some of the globe's great fashion emporia for high-end retail therapy and it's easy to see why millions of tourists choose a tour of Italy for their annual vacation every year.
Decide whether to travel under your own steam or opt for an escorted tour. Italy's network of highways and roads make a self-drive tour a convenient option, but you might be put off by the precarious nature of some of the rural drives. Train travel is another option for self-guided tours and the Italian rail network, Trenitalia, spans over 9900 miles with high-speed links to all the major cities and ferry ports connecting the mainland to the islands.
Pick a theme. To get the best experience consider limiting your trip to a major theme. Many escorted tours will concentrate on a single aspect of Italy, from cooking to art and architecture or religion. The official Italian Tourist Board website, italiantourism.com, provides ideas for special itineraries including a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and regional culinary specialties.
Choose a region. Italy covers over 116,000 square miles and unless you have unlimited time it's impossible to do the country justice with a single tour. For a more focused experience choose a region that suits your interests. Trentino in the north has many thermal spas and an alpine landscape good for hiking; Campania in the south offers the dramatic Amalfi coast with opportunities for romantic dining; Basilicata has Arab-influenced architecture and intriguing underground churches. A link to each region's website is available via italiantourism.com.
Check that the dates you are traveling don't coincide with a major festival or holiday. Much of Italy shuts down in August and while the lack of crowds makes the streets pleasant to walk you will also find many museums and restaurants closed for the month. Festivals such as the Verona Opera Festival in August have an impact on the price of accommodation, but if Italian music is your theme you may want to organize your tour around this major event.
Research available tours by theme and region on the internet. Italiantourism.com and travelersdigest.com list tour operators who provide everything from customized tours of the art cities to walking or motorbike tours of specific regions. Buy or borrow a guide book to take with you. There are hundreds available, from general guides by Fodor's, Frommer's and Lonely Planet to specialized guides for female travelers, culinary, art and architecture guides and a collection of the best travel writing about Italy from The New York Times.
