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Activity Holidays in Italy

Overview

Welcome to Italy. Birthplace of western culture and art. Home to dramatic history and more UNESCO world heritage landmarks than the number of pizza slices you’ll inevitably consume on a trip here. A popular holiday destination with visitors from around the globe, whether you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience to add to your holiday itinerary or an invigorating activity holiday, Italy won’t disappoint.

When it comes to Italy, you have to mention its world famous cuisine. Simple recipes, made with fresh ingredients and a huge helping of love, make Italian food stand above the rest of the world and provides the backdrop for some incredible cooking holidays in Italy. Avid foodies will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven on a cookery holiday in Tuscany, while exploring the street food in Rome or on a wine-tasting experience in Sorrento.

History buffs will stand in awe at the ancient well-preserved gems on every corner. On out Italian city tours you can uncover the history of Naples along its cobbled streets, visit the immense cathedrals of Florence, explore the trulli and caves of Puglia. A visit to Italy is like jumping headfirst into another century.

And Italy’s allure stretches even further than its riveting history and world-class cuisine. In fact, Italy’s nature is a masterpiece of its own. One day you could be painting the hilltop towns on a painting holiday in Le Marche or some other beautiful corner of Italy, the next you’re discovering the rolling, misty hills of Umbria by bike, before unwinding on a yoga retreat deep in the Italian countryside. All in all, Italy will capture your soul with the slow, pleasurable pace of life, and astound with its beauty.

Our unique Italian experiences and activity holidays will provide you with the best combination of culture and fun that the country has to offer. Discover the Italy that lies off the beaten track for enriching experiences and activities that will help you create an unforgettable trip.

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Our most popular experiences

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  • Cooking Holiday in a Castle in Italy

    5 nights Italy

    Immerse yourself in Italian cooking and wine in the glorious surroundings of a castle in the Dolomite mountains. Discove..

    Price from

    £1980 pp
    Take me there

  • Painting Holiday in Emilia Romagna

    7 nights Italy

    Come and join this unique 7 night painting holiday in the foothills of Italy near Bologna in the region of Emilia Romagn..

    Price from

    £1500 pp
    Take me there

  • Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany

    7 Nights Italy
    • 4 x 3-4 hour hands-on Italian cookery
    • Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca
    • Wine tasting and lunches at local Vineyards
    • All transport during the excursions

    Price from

    £1591 pp
    Take me there

  • Florence Off The Beaten Track

    3 Nights Italy

    This tailor made tour of the beautiful Italian city will be a truly unforgettable experience. Explore the city like neve..

    Price from

    £607 pp
    Take me there

  • 4 Day Tuscan Gastronomy and Cooking Retreat

    3 Nights Italy

    Get to know Italy's most famous staple on a unique 3-night Italian gastronomy and cooking holiday that takes you on a jo..

    Price from

    £850 pp
    Take me there

  • Rome Off The Beaten Track

    3 Nights Italy

    Discover Rome like a true Italian. Enjoy visiting the hidden gems of Rome and taste the local food and wine. You will al..

    Price from

    £849 per person
    Take me there

  • Intensive Cooking and Culture in Tuscany

    4 Nights Italy

    This fantastic 4 night Tuscan cookery and culture holiday near Arezzo is all about delicious locally produced food, grea..

    Price from

    £1091 pp
    Take me there

  • Yoga & Watercolour Painting Holiday

    4 nights Italy

    Combine relaxing yoga with painting lessons on this unique 4 night yoga and watercolour painting holiday in Italy; stay ..

    Price from

    £850 pp
    Take me there

  • Truffle Hunting and Cookery Holiday

    3 Nights Italy

    Venture out into the Tuscan countryside to hunt and learn to cook one of the most sought after ingredients in Italian cu..

    Price from

    £1000 pp
    Take me there

  • Learn Italian in Sorrento

    5 Days Italy

    Learn to speak Italian at this friendly school in Sorrento on this 1 week Italian language course suitable for elementar..

    Price from

    £452 pp
    Take me there
    • View all

    • Cooking Holiday in a Castle in Italy

      5 nights Italy

      Immerse yourself in Italian cooking and wine in the glorious surroundings of a castle in the Dolomite mountains. Discove..

      Price from

      £1980 pp
      Take me there

    • Painting Holiday in Emilia Romagna

      7 nights Emilia Romagna

      Come and join this unique 7 night painting holiday in the foothills of Italy near Bologna in the region of Emilia Romagn..

      Price from

      £1500 pp
      Take me there

    • Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany

      7 Nights Tuscany
      • 4 x 3-4 hour hands-on Italian cookery
      • Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca
      • Wine tasting and lunches at local Vineyards
      • All transport during the excursions

      Price from

      £1591 pp
      Take me there

    • Florence Off The Beaten Track

      3 Nights Florence

      This tailor made tour of the beautiful Italian city will be a truly unforgettable experience. Explore the city like neve..

      Price from

      £607 pp
      Take me there

    • 4 Day Tuscan Gastronomy and Cooking Retreat

      3 Nights Tuscany

      Get to know Italy's most famous staple on a unique 3-night Italian gastronomy and cooking holiday that takes you on a jo..

      Price from

      £850 pp
      Take me there

    • Rome Off The Beaten Track

      3 Nights Rome

      Discover Rome like a true Italian. Enjoy visiting the hidden gems of Rome and taste the local food and wine. You will al..

      Price from

      £849 per person
      Take me there

    • Intensive Cooking and Culture in Tuscany

      4 Nights Tuscany

      This fantastic 4 night Tuscan cookery and culture holiday near Arezzo is all about delicious locally produced food, grea..

      Price from

      £1091 pp
      Take me there

    • Yoga & Watercolour Painting Holiday

      4 nights Casperia

      Combine relaxing yoga with painting lessons on this unique 4 night yoga and watercolour painting holiday in Italy; stay ..

      Price from

      £850 pp
      Take me there

    • Truffle Hunting and Cookery Holiday

      3 Nights Tuscany

      Venture out into the Tuscan countryside to hunt and learn to cook one of the most sought after ingredients in Italian cu..

      Price from

      £1000 pp
      Take me there

    • Learn Italian in Sorrento

      5 Days Sorrento

      Learn to speak Italian at this friendly school in Sorrento on this 1 week Italian language course suitable for elementar..

      Price from

      £452 pp
      Take me there

    Best Time to Visit Italy

    Spring Summer Autumn Winter
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    From March to May, expect temperatures between 7-20 degrees in the North and 12-21 degrees in the South.

    You’ll do well to squeeze in a visit to Italy in spring. It’s possibly Italy’s best season. Temperatures across the country are ideal and local piazzas and bars come to life as the locals emerge from the winter. Later in the season, you might also want to take advantage of the beaches before the summer hits while everything is still quiet.

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    From June to August, expect temperatures between 13-29 degrees in the North and 16-30 degrees in the South.

    Beware of those average temperatures in summer time – especially if you are planning a visit to one of Italy’s historic cities. Summer in Italy is very hot and humid and temperatures can reach nearly 40 degrees in some parts. It’s also peak season and both the cities and beaches will be crowded. Italians usually take August off and head to the beach so expect businesses in the towns and cities to be closed up for this month.

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    From September to November, expect temperatures between 7-25 degrees in the North and 15-27 degrees in the South.

    If you want to avoid the summer crowds but not the warm summer temperatures, early September is a perfect time to visit Italy. Summertime vibes are still very much in the air but without the intense heat, making your holiday time very pleasant indeed. From mid-October, things will start to change drastically up North and the Italians will officially swap their summer wardrobe for their winter one.

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    From December to February, expect temperatures between 0-8 degrees in the North and 11-16 degrees in the South.

    When it comes to travelling to Italy, the off-season (November-March), is quite possibly the best time to visit the cities. It can be a little chilly, but you dodge the queues and the stifling heat that threatens to overwhelm at times. In February, Venice holds its annual Carnival and the city is buzzing for about two weeks so watch out for that.

    Best Places to Visit

    Tuscany

    With rolling hills & iconic cities, the only issue you'll have is deciding where to start in this id

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    Tuscany

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    Puglia

    The sunny, whitewashed heel of the boot, is home to an abundance of amazing beaches and hidden gems.

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    Puglia

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    Rome

    Rome needs no introduction. Charismatic, charming and captivating, from its history to vibrant stree

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    Rome

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    Verona

    Made famous by Romeo & Juliet, Verona itself is an open-air museum with many hidden paths.

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    Verona

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    Sorrento

    Nestled in the historic Bay of Naples, it’s the perfect base for exploring the picturesque Amalfi

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    Sorrento

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    Naples

    Naples is all about the raw & the spontaneous, it bubbles with volcanic drama and infectious energy.

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    Naples

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    Umbria

    A lush green paradise, landlocked Umbria is a magical region of truly authentic Italy.

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    Umbria

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    Lake Garda

    Enjoy its glistening waters, from quaint harbor towns in the south, to dramatic mountains in the nor

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    Lake Garda

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    Sicily

    One of Europe's most seductive destinations, Sicily sits at the heart of the Mediterranean and deliv

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    Sicily

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    Venice

    A truly unique, magical city, born out of a marble palace on a lagoon, and developing into a stunnin

    Discover

    Venice

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    Trentino

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    Trentino

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    Top tips for visiting Italy

    Learn more about Italy

    31/10/2018

    Italian Cooking | Authentic Italian Pizza Napoletana Recipe

    Who can resist the sight and smell of a freshly cooked pizza? Especially one cooked from a traditional Neapolitan recipe like this one from one of our Italian chefs, who runs an Italian cookery holiday. Neapolitan pizzas are famed for their thin base but puffy crust, perfect for mopping up... Read More »
    02/10/2017 Features

    Guest review: Karen shares her Tuscan cooking and culture experience in Italy

    Karen, an England-native, decided that her first solo trip should involve two of her favourite things: cooking and taking in a new culture. So, she joined Chef Fabrizio and host Marina for a quick break away from the humdrum in Italy for the cooking and culture adventure of her life: Was it your first... Read More »
    23/05/2019

    Your guide to Italy: what to eat and drink

    Easy to get to, amazing wines, fascinating history and vistas to die for, Italy has been top of the destination charts for decades. Whether it’s on your list to inspire your art or photography, experience world-famous sights, visit the incredible beaches or maybe even try to learn Italian. Regardless of... Read More »

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