For a taste of ‘la dolce vita’, Lina Molloholli picks the top sights clients can see on a tour of Italy – from Pompeii to Puglia
1. Lake Garda
With Verona to the east and the Dolomites to the north, a stay in Lake Garda is ideal for visiting northern Italy’s best bits. Majestic landscapes are a stunning backdrop for outdoor pursuits, while charming lakefront towns offer neoclassical architecture. Exodus’s new eight-day Cycling the Italian Lakes tour starts at £1,619, excluding flights.
exodus.co.uk
2. The Colosseum, Rome
The largest amphitheatre in the world – which once hosted gladiatorial contests – features on Riviera Travel’s new nine-day Discover Italy by Rail tour. Prices start at £2,609, including Eurostar travel from London.
rivieratravel.co.uk
3. Alberobello, Puglia
A short drive from Puglia’s capital, Bari, Alberobello is known for its whitewashed, conical trulli houses, built by farmers as dwellings and granaries in the 14th century. Today it’s home to vibrant markets, historic churches and plenty of restaurants serving local produce. Visitors can explore the region with On the Go Tours’ six-day Perfect Puglia tour, which starts at £1,505, excluding flights.
onthegotours.com
4. Manarola, Liguria
Manarola is the second-smallest of the five vibrant villages that make up the Cinque Terre region of northern Italy. Houses painted in warm orange, yellow and peach stand out from the cliffs, surrounded by vineyards. The Cinque Terre region can be explored on G Adventures’ new 14-day Iconic Italy tour, which leads in at £3,799, excluding flights.
gadventures.com
5. Pompeii, Campania
Visitors to this ancient city, preserved under ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD, can see ruins of temples and an amphitheatre, as well as the floor mosaics of Roman homes. Pompeii is featured on Travelsphere’s Grand Tour of Italy, with new dates recently added due to demand. Prices start at £2,549, including flights.
travelsphere.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Pointbreak, Nicola Forenza, Marcin Krzyzak, Nner
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