Italy Dreams

Tag: rome

  • 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Trip to Italy

    Visitors outside of Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a shopping area.

    There are certain mistakes that visitors often make when they plan a trip to Italy, especially as first-timers.

    If you want to hop on larger tour in Italy and take a, “If it’s Tuesday, it must be Venice,” approach, kudos to you. There’s nothing wrong with that, you’ll probably have a great time.

    If you’d rather arrange your visit around Italy independently—meaning, you and your travel companions decide where to go and what to do–this is the article you need.

    Our visit to Scicli (sheek-LEE), Sicily, Italy, took us off the beaten path.

    Below, we share six travel mistakes to avoid when planning a trip to Italy.

    If you start to feel a little lost about your current or upcoming Italy plans as you read on, don’t worry. You can always contact us directly for Italy travel planning consultation. That’s a fancy way of saying that we’ll eye your itinerary and give feedback to help you plan a wonderful trip.

    See our link here for more details and to book an appointment.

    Andiamo/let’s go!

    Visitors at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy, home to Michelangelo’s David.

    1. DON’T plan to reach all of Italy’s major cities in just a week or two

    Cramming all of Italy’s highlights into a week or two is just an exercise in exhaustion. In fact, if you’re from the U.S. and you currently have an Italy itinerary, take a look at it right now. Next, cut it in half or by a third.

    Here’s why: You’ll get a much richer experience if you can slow down and spend more time in the places you plan to visit.

    Can you hit the high spots of Rome in 3 days followed by Florence for 2 to 3 days, etc., and continue that way until you check them all off your list?

    Sure—but you’ll spend a lot of time running around to get places, hopping on trains and feeling like your brain is generally spinning as you try to adjust to a new language/time/culture, etc.

    Let’s face it, we Americans like to keep things moving. Your Italy trip should be a time to slow down and really absorb another culture and pace of life.

    Try to choose the one—or if needed, two—destinations that are reasonably close and that you really want to see. Plan to spend your trip just in those two places. Less hassle, more time for relaxing and soaking in the Italian culture.

    Should you rent a car in Italy? See what our article says.

    2. DON’T assume you should rent a car while you’re there

    This is especially true if your trip focuses on the big cities and coastal areas. Michael Kovnick, founder and CEO of Culture Discovery Vacations, sums it up while describing a typical bucket-list trip to the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Florence, and Venice:

    “Aside from how nervous Americans get driving in Italy, people end up parking in all four places. On the Amalfi Coast, parking is extremely difficult, and it’s easier to get around by boat. In Rome, they are likely to drive through multiple ZTL areas (restricted traffic areas in historic city centers) and have a stack of fines waiting when they get home – plus, it’s easier to get around by metro,” Kovnick notes. “In Florence, they will end up parking outside of the city and walking everywhere. And Venice? Well, no cars in Venice, so they park outside and walk everywhere.”

    Instead, use high-speed rail to travel to or from these bigger cities. During our trip to Florence and Milan in 2025, we mostly used our own two feet and a few Ubers/taxis to get around. For Florence to Milan, we hopped on a train and then did the same thing for a day trip for Milan to Lake Como. The train was once again the best option to go from Milan to one of the city’s airports upon the return home.

    The train was easy to use and the only issue was a very crowded train returning from Lake Como, thanks to everyone else taking a day trip there.

    Having a car did make it easy to get to cities like Modica in southeastern Sicily.

    That said, there may be some destinations where renting a car would work for you, if you feel up to driving. For our trip to southeastern Sicily this year (2026), we rented a car. It was the right decision as a local recommended it, and public transportation is not as common there.

    There were some nerve-wracking moments while driving on more narrow streets (the highway was fine and similar enough to the U.S.). Plus, there was that scrape on the side of a car we got along a narrow street. Oops! That’s where the insurance policy we purchased came in handy.

    You can read all about our driving experience and find more tips here.

    Bottom line: Generally speaking, you won’t need a car if you’re staying in or traveling to or from bigger cities. If you’ll be somewhere more rural, do a little research before deciding yes or no on car rental.

    If your budget allows, you could hire a driver or use tour guides who offer day tours and will take you around.

    Remember, gelato is calorie-free in Italy. You heard it here first on our blog!

    3. DON’T rely on blogs (or social media posts) as your only information source

    Logistics change quickly in Italy. The information you read on travel blogs may be outdated.

    “Major cities keep changing rules, ZTL zones change all the time, and scheduled events are rarely reliable for future dates,” Kovnick notes.

    One example of how quickly things change: Kovnick has to pick up passengers outside of Rome’s Fuicimino Airport regularly and finds that arrival instructions change all of the time.

    Of course, we want you to use blogs like ours to plan your Italy trip. 😊 Yet a blog may be best to give you a bigger picture sense of where you want to go and what you want to do.

    When it comes time to buy tickets and truly make your plans, check directly with business websites or social media for more information.

    Even then, expect a little deviation from what you might see or read. It’s Italy, after all!

    Although Sicily is a hot tourist destination, our visit to smaller towns like Scicli in March made us feel like we were in places lesser known to those outside of Italy.

    4. DON’T stick just to tourist spots

    This is a big no-no we’ve seen often, and we want more people to consider this trap when planning their Italy trip. Yes, Rome, the Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, etc., are amazing…but if you’re traveling in-season, you’re going to share that amazing view with quite literally thousands of other people.

    In summer 2025, we wrote about a group of local cyclists going through parts of southern Italy that had practically zero tourists. Their spring 2026 trip through parts of northeast Italy was a similar experience with sparse crowds.

    A few quick examples of alternatives to consider:

    –If you like Tuscany’s rolling hills, consider Umbria.

    –If you like Tuscany and Umbria, look into Le Marche.

    –If you like nature and rural or even coastal views, visit Abruzzo (our Italian friends mention Abruzzo A LOT).

    –If you want to visit a beloved city that gets less attention, go to Torino/Turin in Piedmont.

    Sicily’s Marzamemi was pretty even in February, with many of the stores closed for off-season. If beach time is less important to you, then an off-season trip to Italy could be a great option.

    5. DON’T stick only to tourist season

    If you can only make a trip to Italy when everyone else visits, then fine. You just have to put up with the crowds.

    If you have any scheduling flexibility, consider visiting when crowds die down and you have a better chance of truly connecting with your destinations.

    July and August have the hottest weather and biggest crowds, according to European travel guru Rick Steves. This is true of Italy but probably all of Europe.

    May and June or September and October are potentially good times to visit as the crowds are down (maybe just slightly in some places) and the weather will be more pleasant. Depending on where you go, it’ll probably still err on the side of being hot.

    Yet don’t neglect November to April! Would you like Christmas in Italy? Buon Natale e si! Those European Christmas markets you see on the Hallmark Channel sure would look cute in person.

    Christmas aside, if you’re willing to put up with some cooler weather and a few potential closures due to off-season, November to April can still be a terrific time to visit Italy.

    An indoor market view in Florence, March 2025.

    Both our 2025 and 2026 trips to Italy were in February and March. The cold was a relief from the Florida heat, and traveling there was definitely cheaper compared to peak season.

    There were still a reasonable amount of tourists, especially during the March visit to Florence, Milan, and Lake Como. Yet it wasn’t the craziness you find in the summer.

    In southeastern Sicily (FYI, not Taormina but areas south of there), we had places (almost) to ourselves, with a smattering of tourists mostly not from the U.S. There were several businesses closed for off-season that would have been nice to see, but we 100% got an authentic feel for the region that may have been harder to achieve in full-swing tourist season.

    Visitors in Bellagio, one of the towns on Lake Como.

    6. DON’T ignore basic research on local customs and the language

    Generally speaking, Italians are a welcoming bunch.

    Yet the culture is surprisingly more nuanced than we expected from movies and pop culture.

    Depending on where you go, the culture might be a lot more traditional than you expected (we’re looking at you, southeastern Sicily).

    In other places, you’ll almost think you’re in New York (hello, Milano).

    And to say all of the customs, cultures, and politeness in Italy are the same in all parts of the country would be like saying people from New York City have the same customs, cultures, and politeness as people from rural Alabama.

    Do a little research on local customs—both local Italian customs and customs specific to the region you’ll visit. Rick Steves is always our top choice for European knowledge, but there are etiquette experts who can help, like Nick Leighton, co-host of the podcast, “Were You Raised by Wolves?”

    “Knowing a little bit about the local customs can really help make things easier, especially for first-timers. It gives you more confidence and it also gets you significantly better customer service, meals, and experiences,” Leighton says.

    Two examples he shares: “If you walk into a coffee bar and say ‘Ciao,’ that’s way too informal for many Italians. It’s truly better to lead with a ‘Buongiorno’ with strangers instead. The greeting you use can really set the whole tone for the entire encounter, for better or for worse,” Leighton says.

    You don’t need to do a crash course in Italian, but learning some basic greetings and words can definitely make a difference. We’ve enjoyed online videos from Italy Made Easy and Italian Teacher Valentina to help.

    Another example from Leighton relates to planning meals. The message: Plan to eat later than you might eat at home.

    “I love a good 9 p.m. reservation, which gives me plenty of time to enjoy aperitivo before dinner. If you book a 6 p.m. reservation, chances are it’s catering to tourists and it also means you’re missing out on aperitivo,” Leighton says.

    And who wants to miss out on an aperitivo?!

    Fish market in Catania, Sicily.

    DO plan your trip well

    We hope our suggestions help you to be more thoughtful about your Italy trip.

    If you have an upcoming trip that’s not yet locked in and you’d like us to review your itinerary, this link tells you a little more about our new Italy travel planning consulting work, available at an affordable rate.

    If you’re considering a trip to Italia and want to speak with us before you start to make reservations, we also can help you with that.

    We’ll share more travel mistakes and travel wins in future articles.

    Buon viaggio!

    Yes, you can still come to Italy for the pizza. Yum…..

  • 6 Things to Do at the Rome Fiumicino Airport in Italy While You Wait for Your Flight

    A simple espresso at the Rome Fiumicino Airport helped us perk up after a long flight from the U.S.

    The Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is the largest airport in Italy and the seventh-largest in Europe.

    So, it’s not surprising that you may find yourself going through this famous airport if you’re Italy-bound.

    Perhaps you have a long layover between destinations, leading you to wonder how the heck to fill your time until boarding starts for your next flight.

    Or, maybe you were in Rome and you’ve arrived early for your flight. Now, you’ve got some time to squander.

    Sure, you could spend those extra hours on your phone. Yet why not make it more interesting and explore what the airport has to offer?

    Artwork seen at the Rome Fiumicino Airport.

    In early 2026, I had a five-hour layover at Rome Fiumicino, arriving from Miami in the U.S. and then had to wait for my flight to Catania, Sicily. (You can read lots about my Sicily journey here and in other articles on my blog.)

    That five hours was just long enough time to entertain myself well while at the airport but short enough that I didn’t feel comfortable leaving the airport.

    Then, on the way home back to the U.S., I had another three-hour layover at Rome Fiumicino.

    Our article shares six tips for things to do while you’re at the Rome Fiumicino Airport. First, here are a few Rome Airport facts.

    Architecture seen at the Rome Fiumicino Airport.

    6 Fun Facts About the Rome Fiumicino Airport

    –The airport code (those codes they place on your luggage) is FCO.

    –Locals often refer to the airport as Fiumicino (fee-u-mee-chino) Airport.

    –Rome actually has a second airport called Rome Ciampino Airport, which mostly serves lower-cost airlines like Ryan Air and Wizz Air. Ciampino Airport is actually older than Fiumicino, built in 1916 compared with Fiumicino opening in 1960.

    –Rome Fiumicino Airport is about 19 miles (30 or so kilometers) from Rome’s city center. It’s located in the town of Fiumicino, hence the airport name.

    –You can get to the airport via an Express train, a taxi/Uber, or a shuttle bus service.

    –Any guesses how many passengers fly in and out of Rome Fiumicino? In 2025, it was 51.3 million, a 4% increase compared with 2024. It’s a busy place!

    Workers busy in a Rome Airport cafe in early 2026.

    6 Things to Do at Rome Fiumicino Airport

    Mangia!

    Or should we say, eat?! I mean, come on, you’re in Italy!

    Upon landing around 10 a.m. local time, I promptly bought un espresso e un cornetto, per favore (an espresso and a croissant) along with a coconut water as I needed hydration after the 9-hour flight.

    Later during my five-hour layover, I got a caprese sandwich. The sandwich was not the same quality as I might find in Italy’s famous eateries outside the airport–but it was still Italy so I couldn’t really complain.

    Take your pick of places to eat among the airport’s many sandwich shops or restaurants. Find a full list here, and heads up: Unlike many airports that feature cuisine from around the world, many or most of the options focus on Italian food. Again, not complaining!

    People-watch.

    People-watching is something we love to do in airports and hope it’s not a lost art as more and more people get lost on their electronic devices. You can learn so much about human behavior just by watching people at an airport. Plus, you’ll get a few laughs (we’re talking to you, Atlanta and Miami airports).

    At the Rome Airport, I don’t remember any crazy people-watching sightings but I do remember feeling amazed by the number of people from literally all around the world.

    A partial view of the window where you can watch planes come and go while you sit, relax, and listen to paino music.

    –Meditate or take a nap while listening to lovely piano music.

    Meditate at the airport? For real? Yes! In Terminal 1, near gate A66, there’s an area with huge chaise-lounge style chairs that face a massive picture window looking out at airplanes. You’ll also find there a piano, one of several throughout the airport that give passengers the chance to play their favorite tunes (some performing better than others).

    It was such a nice respite to sit there and passively look outside the window rather than be in a hurry. If you don’t want to fully fall asleep because you want to watch your stuff (understandable), you can still use the spot just to sit for a bit.

    To find more pianos at the airport, search at the map here and type in “piano.”

    Call your Italian friends and family–or meet them at the airport.

    With today’s technology, it’s super easy to see friends and family from around the world using WhatsApp or any other favorite app, right?

    Still, there’s something kind of fun about reaching out to your peeps while you’re in their country. I took a few minutes after my Italy arrival to video call one of my Rome-based language partners. Then, after arriving at the Rome Airport from Catania and getting ready to return to Miami in the U.S., I was able to meet this same friend at a cafe that was inside the airport but on the other side of security. It was a fun, short visit, and all I had to do was go through security again.

    Just ask for help if there’s any confusion over where you should or shouldn’t go if you plan to meet someone without leaving the airport.

    If you truly want to leave the airport and sightsee or meet a friend, it’s best if you have a layover that’s six hours or more.

    A cafe in Rome’s airport before you go through security.

    Shop!

    Any large airport will have a whole selection of stores, from those common “buy some water and a snack” type places to luxury stores to overpriced souvenir shops. The Rome Fiumicino Airport definitely has its share of high-end shops (find a full list here of all of its stores, including Burberry, Cartier, and Fendi).

    Yet my personal interest always veers more towards food, which is why I took my time in a few souvenir or food-themed shops, including the famous Italian-created shop Eataly. Eataly is a large store that features Italian food products as well as several places to eat within Eataly itself. Knowing I was about to be in “Italy,” I knew I didn’t really have a need for “Eataly.” Still, looking around was a way to pass the time.

    It’s also interesting to compare prices for items in the airport versus the prices you see outside of the airport.

    Of course, like any international airport, there are duty-free shops, which also have their share of Italian food products in addition to the usual alcohol and cigarettes. Watch passengers decide if they really need one more limoncello bottle to take home to Aunt Susie.

    Find a list of the airport’s shopping options here.

    A partial view of the “Master of Mistakes” artwork at the Rome Airport.

    Check out some art.

    In Terminal A, the same area with the piano and the large seats, there was a large sculpture called “Master of Mistakes” by Daniele Sigalot, which looked like an enormous ball of crumpled papers (a true master of mistakes, we presume). Yet you can find other art throughout the airport, which makes sense when you consider the airport is named for the master himself, Leonardo da Vinci.

    Find out more about the artwork at the Rome Airport here.

    Some Final Thoughts on Things to Do at the Rome Airport

    Our ideas here reflect what we enjoyed at Rome Fiumicino, but we know there are plenty more things you could do there.

    Like any large airport, there are private lounges and also pay shower areas (25 Euros each).

    Find the airport website here for more ideas.

    Of course, you can also practice speaking and listening to Italian. Yet since you’re at the airport, you’ll also hear plenty of English.

    Feel free to explore more options, but hopefully our article gives you a few starting ideas.

    Buon viaggio!

    Rome’s famous Coliseum (taken by a friend; we still need to make it there).
    Yet sometimes, there’s no place like home.

  • Discover Your Italy Helps You Get Off-the-Beaten Path

    Steps seen in the Umbria region of Italy, a lesser known destination you may get to know on a tour with Discover Your Italy. Photo shared by Aurelio V.

    Want to watch art restoration in progress behind the scenes in Florence? How about trying freshly pressed olive oil in southern Italy? Or taking a trek on top of the expansive Dolomites with a mountain guide?

    If you’re looking to discover Italy beyond the tourism check-off list like these activities, then get in touch with Discover Your Italy: Fuori Itinerario.

    Their name says it all. “Fuori Itinerario” means off-the-beaten path in Italian, and that says a lot about the types of travel that they offer.

    Discover Your Italy is based in Umbria, which itself is a region of Italy off-the-beaten path and less touristy than many other areas of the country. The tourism company also has an office in Milan, says Sara Caligiuri, a marketing specialist with the firm.

    The company was started by Matteo Della Grazia and Daniella Mencarelli, a husband-and-wife team who are passionate travelers and want to share the authentic beauty of Italy.

    A quiet view of Italy’s Lake Como, in northern Italy.

    Going Off-the-Beaten Path

    Discover Your Italy works with clients to find out their preferences so they can craft a custom itinerary for them, Caligiuri says.

    “It’s not just about the beautiful landmarks that everyone knows, but also the hidden gems,” Caligiuri says. “We are experts in Italy. Having a lot of connections is key for us. It’s important to know the suppliers and to have contacts with artisans and locals so we can craft authentic experiences.”

    The company specializes only in Italy so the knowledge of their country is deep.

    “Every itinerary is designed by the people who live in Italy, and everything that we recommend is because we personally know it. We don’t sell pre-packaged tours; everything that we sell is tailor -made and completely customized to the precise needs of the client,” Caligiuri explains.

    Discover Your Italy has many English-speaking/American clients, including many multigenerational travelers. What they’re looking for is comfort and expertise. “They don’t want to have a complication, they just want to enjoy their experience,” she says.

    Some, but not all, may have already seen the big cities like Florence or Rome or Venice and want something more in-depth. “We’ll combine cultural highlights with hands-on local experiences,” Caligiuri says.

    The famous Galleria in Milan.

    Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

    Just where will a travel itinerary with Discover Your Italy take you? You can go where your heart desires, but here are a few examples of regions you might visit with the company’s assistance:

    • Umbria, located right in the heart of Italy and close to Tuscany. Although it’s similar to Tuscany, it doesn’t have the crowds or fame. In fact, Umbria has many hidden gems. Perugia, the Umbria-based hometown for Discover Your italy, is famous for its Eurochocolate Festival in November (yum).
    • Abruzzo, about 2 hours from Rome and filled with national parks and coastline.
    • Basilicata, which is home to Matera, the oldest city in Europe.
    • Le Marche, famous for mountains, beaches, history, and art but lesser known than other regions.

    Yet if you’re looking to visit one of Italy’s more famous cities or regions, you’re still in luck when you work with Discover Your Italy. A private guide can take you and your travel companion through highlights in Florence, Rome, Venice, Sicily, the Dolomites, and lots more.

    Rome’s famous Colloseum. Picture shared by Jessica Caceres.

    In addition to customizable travel plans, other advantages of traveling with Discover Your Italy include:

    • Stays in boutique hotels
    • A private meet-and-greet when you arrive in Italy
    • Restaurant suggestions
    • Exclusive amenities
    • Pre-departure tips
    A restaurant view in Florence, Italy.

    Tips for Planning Your Trip to Italy

    Ready to buy that flight ticket to Italia now? Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your Italy trip and once you’re onsite, as shared by Caligiuri:

    • Consider working with a tour company like Discover Your Italy to plan your trip. Italy has so much to offer, it can be overwhelming to plan. It also can be time-consuming. Planning on your own could cost you more and put you in danger of falling for tourist traps. Even planning transportation to different cities can get complex at times. “It’s important to know the behind the scenes, where the real Italian experiences are,” she explains.
    • Add less, not more. Tours to Europe/Italy often involve packing in many cities in just 10 to 14 days. Yet traveling at this rhythm can make it harder to really get to know each place. That’s why Discover Your Italy advocates for taking your time in just a handful of regions per trip, or even remaining in just one region. “You can really get to see a lot without getting stressed,” Caligiuri says.
    • Book six or seven months in advance. As you likely know, Italy is a popular travel destination. Booking in advance within a six- or seven-month timeframe helps you find the accomodations and travel plans you want.
    • Focus on understanding the culture from a local perspective. This will broaden your experience of Italy and help you appreciate how much the country differs even region by region.
    • Stay curious and stay open. “Italy has a lot of layers. We have history, art, food, nature, and landscapes. We have a lot of offerings for different kinds of people and interests,” Caligiuri says. By staying curious and open, you can experience the country’s different layers.
    • If you decide to work with Discover Your Italy for your Italy trip, let them know if you have any niche interests. Those special interests may become a part of your visit. If you or someone in your group enjoys fishing, for example, you may find yourself fishing while on your trip.

    For more information on Discover Your Italy, visit their website.

    You also can discover more about Discover Your Italy’s travel expertise in our article “Here’s Why to Visit Italy in the Winter and Off-Season.”

    Happy travels/buon viaggio!

  • Target Travel Wows the World With Italian Custom Tours

    Stunning Matera in the Italian region of Basilicata. Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for caves and ancient history. All pictures with this story are shared by Target Travel.

    How would you like to see the historical sights of Rome, Italy, at sunrise—where you can beat the crowds and capture some amazing pictures?

    Or, what about a food-focused tour of Italy where you literally follow a food from where it’s grown or produced to where it’s ultimately enjoyed on someone’s table?

    Or, take a local market tour and cooking class with an Italian chef?

    Those types of unique ideas and many more are what Target Travel offers.

    The team at Target Travel.

    Target Travel is a family-run, Venice-based DMC (Destination Management Company) that’s been tailoring tours and experiences since 1985, founded by CEO Daniele Panzarin.

    What sets Target Travel apart from many other DMCs is the feeling of being at home when working with them. You can truly sense the pride they take in helping people discover the most authentic and unique side of Italy.

    With a team of 26 professionals, the company proudly retains the spirit of a boutique destination management company—with deep experience and a warm, family-like atmosphere, where strong interpersonal relationships are always the foundation of everything they do.

    The Bridge of Sighs, Venice Italy.

    2025 is a special year because Target Travel is celebrating its 40th anniversary—a significant milestone that adds even more prestige to the company.

    Target Travel focuses on bespoke tours (tailored tours for couples or families, for instance) and custom small groups (12 to 15 people) looking for unique tourism experiences around Italy. The type of traveler interested in Target Travel tours is usually a U.S.-based premium or luxury traveler wanting to visit Italy. In all situations, the experience is tailor-made for the visitors.

    Taormina, Sicily, Italy.

    What Makes Target Travel Different

    If you’ve visited Italy already, then you’re acutely aware of the large crowds in the country’s popular tourist destinations, such as Florence, Rome, and Venice. These crowds are present even outside of the summer, when tourism reaches its peak in Europe.

    While you may still visit these larger cities on a tour with Target Travel, you’ll have the chance to see lesser known parts of these popular destinations. This could include a private viewing of paintings, a cooking class and a visit to a local market with a chef, or a tour to historic sights at sunrise before the crowds gather.

    Of course, Target Travel also can take you to smaller cities and towns for unique experiences and fewer crowds.

    Alberobello in the Puglia region of Italy. The town of Alberobello is famous for its white buildings.

    “There are so many wonderful regions in Italy and nowadays, everybody says, ‘I want to go off the beaten path. I want to eat and travel like a local,’” says Lisa Zennaro, sales manager at Target Travel. “It’s fancy and trendy right now. But this is something that Target Travel has been doing since the beginning, when the company was founded.”

    That long history also gives reassurance to travelers that Target Travel has the right expertise under its belt, both for its Italy knowledge but also for its administrative acumen. They’ll handle the small details so you as a traveler don’t need to worry about them.

    Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy.

    Where Will You Travel in Italy With Target Travel?

    Although Target Travel can tailor experiences and itineraries for free independent travelers (like couples and families) and small groups, it also has typical tours that it offers to popular destinations. Here’s a sampling of what Target offers from around Italy:

    • Italy’s Vibrant South tour covers Sicily and the region of Calabria in 13 days. You’ll fly into Palermo in Sicily and then make your way all around the country’s well-known island, including Marsala (famous for its wine), the Valley of the Temples, the luxe town of Taormina, and Calabrian coastal towns.
    • The Reign of Art and Gastronomy in Milan and Turin guides you in nine days to Milan’s famous Fashion District, the Turin Cathedral with the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, and the Truffle Fair, among other highlights.
    • The Experiential Women’s Journey traverses north Italy and Florence over 13 days. You’ll try wines in the Chianti region of Tuscany and take a bike tour from Siena to Montalcino, explore the highlights of Florence, learn all about cheese-making at the Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano (trying some delicious cheese), and see close up how Venetian masks are made in Venice!
    • Discovering Puglia takes a nine-day tour around south Italy’s beautiful Puglia region, starting in the Baroque city of Lecce (often called the Florence of the south), the fishing village of Gallipoli, Ostuni (famous for its white houses), Matera (one of the world’s oldest cities), and much more before flying out of Rome.
    • Umbria You Didn’t Expect offers a five-day tour around central Italy’s Umbria region, including the olive groves of Panicale, the medieval gates and buildings (and chocolate!) of Perugia, the 15th century paintings in Foligno, and a tour of one of Umbria’s finest farmhouses, specializing in cattle.
    Vieste, Puglia, in south Italy. All pictures provided by Target Travel.

    Of course, you can use these itineraries for inspiration and work with your travel agent to tailor your wonderful trips to Italy.

    Target Travel works with travel agencies and independent travel advisors. Those in the travel industry who want to work with the company can find them online at Target.Travel.

    Buon viaggio!

    The Colosseum in Rome, Italy.