Activity Holidays in Italy

Our most popular experiences

View All Trips
  • Tuscan 4 Night Cooking Experience with Wine Tour image

    Tuscan 4 Night Cooking Experience with Wine Tour

    calendar/duration icon 4 Nights location icon Italy
    • Available through the year
    • Apartment accommodation with kitchen and swimming pool
    • Learn to cook traditional Italian and Tuscan dishes
    • Wine Tour

    Price from

    £864 pp*
    Take me there
  • Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany image

    Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon Italy
    • Course dates available year round
    • Hands-on Italian cookery tuition
    • Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca
    • Wine tasting and lunches at local Vineyards

    Price from

    £1697 pp
    Take me there
  • Weekend Photography Holiday image

    Weekend Photography Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 3 Nights location icon Italy
    • Available from April to October
    • Daily photoshoots around Umbria with lunch
    • Small group with a photography tutor on hand

    Price from

    £728 pp*
    Take me there
  • An Immersive Weekend in Puglia image

    An Immersive Weekend in Puglia

    calendar/duration icon 3 nights location icon Italy
    • 3 nights accommodation with breakfast. Transfers and transport provided throughout
    • A visit to a cheesemaker, winery & Olive Oil Estate with tasting included
    • Bike ride through the olive grove with lunch included. 1 BBQ traditional dinner included.

    Price from

    £1927 pp*
    Take me there
  • Tuscan Horse Riding Holiday (Beginners) image

    Tuscan Horse Riding Holiday (Beginners)

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon Italy
    • Itinerary designed for beginner riders
    • Accommodation and transfers from and to Follonica Train Station
    • 5 hours of guided trail rides or 5 x 1 hour of horse riding lessons - horse riding equipment included
    • Access to Pool, Jacuzzi and Table Tennis included

    Price from

    £660 pp*
    Take me there
  • Watercolour Painting in Florence image

    Watercolour Painting in Florence

    calendar/duration icon 5 Nights location icon Italy
    • 5 nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner included
    • Guided tours of Florence
    • Experienced instructor with all material required included

    Price from

    £2085 pp*
    Take me there
    • Tuscan 4 Night Cooking Experience with Wine Tour image

      Tuscan 4 Night Cooking Experience with Wine Tour

      SIT2236 duration icon 4 Nights location icon Tuscany
      • Available through the year
      • Apartment accommodation with kitchen and swimming pool
      • Learn to cook traditional Italian and Tuscan dishes
      • Wine Tour

      Price from

      £864 pp*
      View Experience
    • Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany image

      Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany

      SIT2246 duration icon 7 Nights location icon Tuscany
      • Course dates available year round
      • Hands-on Italian cookery tuition
      • Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca
      • Wine tasting and lunches at local Vineyards

      Price from

      £1697 pp
      View Experience
    • Weekend Photography Holiday image

      Weekend Photography Holiday

      SIT8247 duration icon 3 Nights location icon Umbria
      • Available from April to October
      • Daily photoshoots around Umbria with lunch
      • Small group with a photography tutor on hand

      Price from

      £728 pp*
      View Experience
    • An Immersive Weekend in Puglia image

      An Immersive Weekend in Puglia

      IIT4922 duration icon 3 nights location icon Puglia
      • 3 nights accommodation with breakfast. Transfers and transport provided throughout
      • A visit to a cheesemaker, winery & Olive Oil Estate with tasting included
      • Bike ride through the olive grove with lunch included. 1 BBQ traditional dinner included.

      Price from

      £1927 pp*
      View Experience
    • Tuscan Horse Riding Holiday (Beginners) image

      Tuscan Horse Riding Holiday (Beginners)

      SIT7344 duration icon 7 Nights location icon Tuscany
      • Itinerary designed for beginner riders
      • Accommodation and transfers from and to Follonica Train Station
      • 5 hours of guided trail rides or 5 x 1 hour of horse riding lessons - horse riding equipment included
      • Access to Pool, Jacuzzi and Table Tennis included

      Price from

      £660 pp*
      View Experience
    • Watercolour Painting in Florence image

      Watercolour Painting in Florence

      SIT8623 duration icon 5 Nights location icon Florence
      • 5 nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner included
      • Guided tours of Florence
      • Experienced instructor with all material required included

      Price from

      £2085 pp*
      View Experience

    Overview

    Welcome to Italy, home to more UNESCO world heritage landmarks than any other country in the world. With its dramatic history, world-renowned culinary reputation and breathtaking landscapes, Italy has everything you need for a popular holiday destination. At Not in the Guidebooks, we love activity holidays in Italy, it’s the perfect place for developing new skills, embracing old hobbies and just learning.

    When in Italy there is just no avoiding how incredible the food is, and why would you want to? Maybe you want to take a trip to sample the food, or maybe you want to actually learn to cook as well as an Italian with a cooking holiday in Italy. Between the wine, the fresh produce and the world-class hospitality, it doesn’t get much better than Italy.

    If you’re looking to learn more about Italy’s history then why not try an off-the-beaten track city tour? Or maybe you want to learn to paint like Michelangelo, where better than Italy? Whatever you decide to do in Italy, it’ll be a life-changing experience, so why wait?

    Choose your holiday type

    What our travellers are saying...

    I went to Mezzaluna in Tuscany on the cooking retreat and it was amazing. Rita was so welcoming and I came away feeling part of the family. I was on my own for the trip but that just meant I got more attention and we got to go on many excursions. My highlight was the cooking courses, I especially loved making the pasta from scratch and I cannot wait to make the recipes again! Thank you to Rita and her family who were the best hosts

    Charlotte

    Just returned from a wonderful week of Tuscan cooking and wine tasting at Rita's cooking classes at 'La Messa Luna' in Barga, Italy. Worth every €. Can't praise Rita enough for her warm humorous welcome and generosity throughout the week.

    Elizabeth P

    It was a wonderful wine tasting and Italian cookery holiday . Rita was a wonderful host, she went over and beyond to make sure her guests were happy and enjoying their experience . Her recipes were clearly explained and delicious.

    SR

    Great Tuscan cooking holiday with Rita, easy to book and such fun to experience. Rita is the most easy going host and so very hospitable. Cooking level as stated from beginners through to experienced, everyone learnt something, also the history of Barga and surrounding villages. Great wine on tap too!

    Maddie A

    Excellent Tuscan cookery holiday with the family and their boyfriends near Barga. Mixed levels of cooking skills from 18-year old beginners about to head off to university, to experienced cooks, but we all learnt something. And all the recipes are things that we will do at home.

    Tanya H

    I have to recommend the Italian cooking course in Tuscany with Rita. This was a fabulous way to unwind and Rita's hospitality knew no bounds. Perfect for the single traveller as you will meet like minded people who love food, good company, and plentiful wine. The wine was locally made and didn’t give you a hangover which for me is no bad thing. In between cooking lessons we went on day trips to the local villages and the more impressive towns o

    Robert M

    Just returned from a Cooking and Wine tasting holiday in Tuscany. Due to Covid and cancelled flights changed the dates from last year. Not a problem for Not In The Guidebooks. Went as a solo traveller. Host Rita was waiting for me at Pisa airport and my reception was warm and friendly. Stayed at Rita’s home La Mezzaluna along with six other guests. It’s a bit rural, rustic and traditional but Rita in between cooking lessons took us out and

    Sylvia Harris

    I had a wonderful week with everyone. It was my first solo holiday and Rita put me right at ease and made it feel like a home from home. The week was really relaxed but we still managed to cram a lot in! We learnt so much in the cookery lessons and I think the fact that most of the people in my group started to cook the recipes in the same week as arriving back home sells the course itself. Rita took us to some wonderful places and hearing about

    R Filby

    Real home from home. Loved Rita. Made us feel like one of the family. Girls loved making pasta and pizza. A wonderful week x

    J Seymour

    Patrick N is a British born photographer who lives in Orvieto. He is a charming fellow and is very knowledgeable about Orvieto and the surrounding regions. He is also a capable professional photographer. Patrick met us at the train station and then gave us an overview of Orvieto. The next day we started early in the morning and he took us to many photography spots. The following day, we went to Bagnoreggio. We came away from both days with many,

    Vance Z

    This was our second trip to Puglia and we had no hesitation to contact Augusto to arrange our itinerary. He made sure that during the planning stages, each of our interests were taken into consideration. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Bari until it was time to return home, we knew we were in good hands. He knows the area and its history so well that he will give you suggestions for the best hotels, restaurants and shopping and arrang

    Rosemary

    Last minute booking for my daughter and I to ride in the beautiful surroundings in Tuscany . Hotel was clean and warm basic but comfortable. Food was lovely ..traditional Italian cooking. Although breakfast was basic continental but was enough. Eggs were available if you asked. Had the weather been warmer we could have used the pool and gardens but wasn't warm enough. We used the jacuzzi which was great. Horses well cared for and great riding...

    A Stovell

    We've been here 3 times and we will return for sure. For us as horse lovers this is a fantastic place. The horses are very well treated, they are all so relaxed. The riding trails are marvelous. As well as the staff is. They make you feel very welcome and at home. The picnics during the riding trails are delicious and are in a beautiful environment. The Maremma is a gorgeous. The hotel is on a beautiful spot, it is so green, calm and relaxed ther

    Anya

    Best Time to Visit Italy

    Spring Summer Autumn Winter General
    location icon
    camera icon
    See more photos
    wine tasting in italy
    man cycling through italian landscape
    table prepped for italian cooking class

    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.

    location icon
    camera icon
    See more photos
    wine tasting in italy
    man cycling through italian landscape
    table prepped for italian cooking class

    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.

    location icon
    camera icon
    See more photos
    wine tasting in italy
    man cycling through italian landscape
    table prepped for italian cooking class

    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.

    location icon
    camera icon
    See more photos
    wine tasting in italy
    man cycling through italian landscape
    table prepped for italian cooking class

    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.

    location icon
    camera icon
    See more photos
    wine tasting in italy
    man cycling through italian landscape
    table prepped for italian cooking class

    While Italy enjoys fantastic weather from spring to autumn, winter is definitely a different story depending on where you are in the country. To the north, expect snow-capped mountains and ski resorts up high, but a lot of wet weather below the clouds. Whereas in the south, temperatures are milder and it is generally drier.

    Best Places to Visit

    Things to Know About Italy

    Why Choose Not in the Guidebooks?

    Get off the beaten track – We pride ourselves on taking our customers on holidays that are not for the average tourist – and our tourists don’t look for the average holidays. If you want to get off the beaten track, discover the places that tourists don’t know about and really get under the skin of a destination, then Not in the Guidebooks has you sorted. Whether you’re going to Florence or Rome, we’ll show you the most authentic side of the city, so get on board!

    Be part of a community – Going on an adventure with Not in the Guidebooks is more than just a vacation – it’s a chance to meet new people and forge meaningful connections. Whether you join an art, cooking, or wellness retreat, you’ll have opportunities to learn from local hosts and bond with like-minded travellers. These immersive experiences allow you to not just visit Italy, but to truly become part of its vibrant communities.

    Travel responsibly – We take great pride in making sure that our holidays have a positive impact on the communities we visit. By working together with local hosts and local people we ensure that the money you spend on your holidays goes into the pockets of the local people. We ensure that your holidays are environmentally conscious and follow strict ABTA guidelines – learn more on our sustainability commitments page.

    Learn more about Italy

    Join our community

    Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.

    Sign up for inspiriation for your itinerary, new experiences and special offers.