Hidden Italy

Discover the real Italy with Citalia

Discover hidden Italy and its wonderful secrets with Citalia, the leading provider of holidays to this fascinating country.

Holidays in Italy are popular for holiday seekers and it’s easy to see why. With a Mediterranean coastline, the country embodies a rich sense of fine art and is well known for its delectable cuisine and fascinating cultural heritage. There is so much to explore both on and off the beaten track.

Bordering Switzerland, France, Austria and Slovenia and comprising a diverse terrain of mountains, rolling hills, coastal towns and city centres, Italy is full of hidden gems that only our experienced experts can reveal.

Whether you choose a city break, the charm of the countryside, an idyllic island, a relaxing lake, or a coastal retreat, we have something for you. Our Italy Experts are on hand to help you plan your Italian adventure. With over 95 years of experience, we will help you navigate your alternative adventure in the remarkably untapped regions of Italy.

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Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

Quieter Coastlines

Soak up the sunshine on the Italian coast.

Caerota Old Village in Cilento
Cilento

Cilento often gets overlooked in favour of its northern neighbour, the Amalfi Coast – but if you’re looking for uncrowded sandy beaches, rolling countryside and clifftop walks, it’s perfect. Seaside towns tend to be laid-back and edged with wide beaches; go for a walk along the coast and it won’t be long before you stumble across a half-hidden cove to spend an afternoon on.

Scenic sight in Alberobello, the famous Trulli village in Puglia (Apulia), southern Italy.
Puglia

Puglia has the longest coastline of any region in Italy, with hundreds of kilometres of sandy beach to play with. Venture to the southern province of Salento for Caribbean-style white sands and turquoise waters, or north to the unspoilt coast of the Gargano National Park. Beaches aside, there are also fantastic little towns like Alberobello and Locorotondo to discover.

View of Marina Corta, smaller harbour in the main town of Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, Italy
Calabria

Right down in the far south (the ‘toe’ of the ‘boot’), Calabria is a popular pick with holidaying Italians for its pristine beaches and lively seaside towns. Stay in pretty clifftop Tropea and you’ll have the town’s sandy bay in arm’s reach – and the breathtaking beaches of the Capo Vaticano a short drive or boat ride away.

Take a look at all of our beach holidays to Italy

Lesser-Known Cities

Enjoy an Italian city break in one of Italy’s lesser-known cities.

View of Turin city center during summer day-Turin,Italy,Europe
Turin

Parisian flair, world-famous chocolate and one of the best foodie scenes in the country – yet this northern city still manages to fly under most tourists’ radars.

Sea in a winter day in Boccadasse, a district of Genoa in Italy,
Genoa

Genoa is home to the biggest historic centre in all of Italy, plus it puts you in easy reach of Liguria’s colourful coastal towns.

Beautiful cityscape of Ortygia (Ortigia), the historical center of Syracuse, Italy. Skyline of a European coastal town with turquoise transparent water and picturesque clouds in the sky
Syracuse

Syracuse’s UNESCO-listed old town is a maze of picture-perfect lanes – and they lead to one of Italy’s most spectacular squares, Piazza del Duomo.

Aerial view of San Domenico Basilica in Perugia, Italy at sunset
Perugia

Spend a weekend exploring this compact city’s medieval buildings and sipping Aperol spritzes alongside students from one of the world’s oldest universities.

Take a look at all of our city breaks to Italy

Crowd-Free Countryside

Breathe in the fresh air with a backdrop of rolling hills in Italy’s countryside.

Trevi picturesque village in a foggy morning. Perugia, Umbria, Italy, Europe.
Umbria

With the exception of Assisi, Umbria’s hilltop towns, rustic hamlets and rolling hills tend to be a lot quieter than Tuscany. Wine lovers should make a beeline for Montefalco to sample this hill town’s signature red, Sagrantino (which pairs very nicely with the region’s famous black truffles).

Panoramic view of ancient town of Matera (Sassi di Matera) at sunrise, Basilicata, southern Italy
Basilicata

The hilltop city of Matera makes the perfect base for discovering the rugged beauty and rocky gorges of the Parco della Murgia Materana. After a day’s exploring, retreat to the city’s sassi – neighbourhoods of ancient cave houses that have been transformed into quirky restaurants and hotels.

Panoramic sight of Monforte d'Alba village during fall season. Langhe region of Piedmont, Cuneo, Italy.
Piedmont

The Piedmont countryside has some of the most beautiful landscapes and you’ll be greeted with medieval castles and terme spa resorts. The region is also well known for its white truffles, which are celebrated with the International White Truffle Festival every October.

Take a look at all of our countryside holidays to Italy

Island Escapes

Sit back and relax on one of Italy’s idyllic islands.

Italy, scenic medieval Aragon castle, Aragonese Castle om Ischia island near Naples.
Ischia

This Bay of Naples beauty attracts far fewer visitors than neighbouring Capri – but why is anyone’s guess. Not only does Ischia have a beautifully sandy coastline, but it also boasts botanical gardens, picture-pretty towns and dozens of bubbling thermal springs and pools.

coast in Lipari Island, Sicily, Italy
Lipari

Floating just off Sicily’s northern coast are the Aeolian Islands. The largest, Lipari, offers a great mix of relaxation and adventure, with a pretty port town, volcanic beaches and coastal hiking trails. It’s perfectly positioned for exploring the nearby isles of Stromboli, Salina and Panarea, too.

Wooden Classic Sailing yacht anchored in a deserted island in the Eolian Islands of the Mediterranean, with impressive cliffs and very blue sky and waters
Vulcano

If a hike up to a smoking volcano crater followed by a soak in natural hot springs appeals, take a look at Vulcano, another Aeolian Island. Spend a morning exploring the spectacular volcanic landscape, then head back down to the coast for a dip in a bubbling thermal spring or therapeutic mud bath.

Take a look at all of our Islands holidays to Italy

Lakeside Bliss

Relax lakeside at one of Italy’s smaller lakes.

Spring sunny morning on the city Maroney. Italy, the Alps, Lake Iseo.
Lake Iseo

Lake Iseo invites you to enjoy natural beauty where its peaceful charm remains crowd-free. With the majestic Alps providing the backdrop, explore the pretty lakeside towns and enjoy one of Italy’s best kept secrets.

Isola San Giulio (San Giulio Island) - Orta Lake - Novara - Piedmont - Italy
Lake Orta

Offering a peaceful break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Lake Orta remains one of the most untouched areas in Italy. Soak up the beauty for yourself and bask in lakeside bliss.

Take a look at all of our lake holidays to Italy

Suggested Multi Destination Itineraries

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Bologna and Tuscany

Spend a few days enjoying Bologna’s sights and sounds (as well as its delicious cuisine – don’t miss a plateful of tagliatelle al ragu), before driving into the Tuscan countryside to explore its wineries, market towns and medieval villages.

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Naples and Ischia

Discover a quieter side to the popular Neapolitan Riviera with this twin-centre itinerary. Explore chaotic, historic Naples, before taking the ferry across to Ischia, famous for its botanical gardens, sandy beaches and thermal spas.

Find out more about our multi-centre holidays
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Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.
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What our customers think

We have been helping our customers discover the real Italy for 95 years now. Our experience and expertise, together with our attention to detail and personal touch, really does make us the leading Italian holiday specialist.

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