Winding Tuscan road, Village, Tuscany, Italy

Italy

It’s almost impossible not to be captivated by the romance of this land. Step away from the buzz of Rome or Milan and retreat to Tuscany – where fine wine, delicately-crafted dishes and sunset views are in abundance.

Is it the rolling Tuscan hills, the crenellated hilltop villages, the honey-coloured architecture of Rome, the lakes of Lombardy or the Duomo of Florence that make us fall so in love with Italy?

Or is the list so long that not one distinctive aspect to Italy stands out above the rest? Perhaps our love of Italy stems from an amalgamation of it all.

View of Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy
Exterioª±Àì
Castel Porrona Relais, Montalcino, Italy
Lake Como from the Mountains above Bellagio, Italy
Lake Como, Italy
Gondola on Canal, Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
Mount Etna
Otranto, Puglia, Italy
Puglia, Italy

Why choose Italy

Italy has so much to offer. Open roads made for adventure, delicious food in the simplest of restaurants, leaning towers and exquisite architecture, buzzing cities and beautiful hotels from the most stylish and chic to traditional palazzos full of family treasures. Vibrant colours, fabulous art collections and little villages where you can sit for hours with an espresso, soaking up the atmosphere. Lakes for sailing, mountains for walking or skiing, a few beaches and lots of olives – and then, of course, there is the ice cream.

Gondolier in canal in Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
View over pretty village rooftops to turquoise lake and mountains beyond.
Apennines, Italy
A white sail boat floats on amazing clear water off Sardinia's Emerald Coast in Italy
Sail Boat, Sardinia, Italy
Pool, Villa Igiea, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Sicily, Italy
Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Why travel to Italy with Steppes

For us, Italy is all about connection. Connecting you with local people through unique and authentic experiences, whether it be dinner with a Roman family, fishing with the trabochhi fishermen, farming olives or grapes with local producers or staying in beautifully restored ancient houses.

Our focus is on making a positive impact as you travel around Italy, giving you the opportunity to see and experience the best of the country while supporting its gastronomy, craftsmanship, heritage and environment.

Brown bear
Marsican brown bear
Deer, Italy, © Umberto Esposito - Wildlife Adventures
Red deer by Umberto Esposito
Goat, Sunset,Italy, © Umberto Esposito - Wildlife Adventures
Italy
Woman in Mountains, Italy, © Umberto Esposito - Wildlife Adventures
Italy
Valley and Trees, Italy, © Umberto Esposito - Wildlife Adventures
Apeninnes in Italy © Umberto Esposito
Lake, Italy, © Umberto Esposito - Wildlife Adventures
Italy

Apennine Mountains

Consider including a wildlife and wilderness experience into your holiday to Italy. Connect with nature and at the same time contribute to projects that protect and restore European wilderness.

A short drive from Rome is Abruzzo National Park, where you can join expert nature guides, set camera traps, follow bear and wolf tracks and learn about conservation efforts. This is an immersive wilderness experience with exceptional walking, wildlife and wide-open spaces.

WILDLIFE HOLIDAY IN ITALY

Explore Italy

  • Amalfi Coast
  • Florence
  • Milan and The Lakes
  • Puglia
  • Rome
  • Sicily
  • Tuscany
  • Venice

Experiences

It’s all here. Things to see and do, places to explore and moments to discover.

Villa d'Este fountain, Rome, Italy
Italy

Underground Rome

Take a private tour with a local archaeologist to visit the Capuchin Crypt and catacombs and marvel at the ancient underground aqueducts that feed the Trevi Fountain.

Kitchen, Castel Porrona Relais, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
Italy

Dine with a Roman Family

The best way to experience the energy and everyday life of Rome and its people is a “Cena Romana”. Dine with a local Roman family in their home to experience true Roman cuisine and hospitality.

Mountain view Abruzzo, Italy
Italy

Explore the Apennines

Walk, hike or bike through the Apennine Mountains of Abruzzo and experience spectacular scenery and range of wild fauna.

Bear, Cantabrian Mountains, Spain
Italy

See Marsican Brown Bear

Explore the Apennine mountains of Abruzzo in the wild heart of Italy, to see Marsican brown bear, Roe deer and other fauna.

Sunrise, Venice Carnival, Italy
Italy

Venice Carnival

Time your visit with Venice Carnival, famous for its magnificent costumes.

Doges Palace, Palazzo Ducale, Venice
Italy

Palazzo Ducale

Take a behind the scenes tour of Venice’s superb Gothic palace, Palazzo Ducale.

Gondola on Canal, Venice, Italy
Italy

Private Gondola Ride

Explore Venice’s canals by water taxis or private gondola to get a true sense of the city.

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy
Italy

Piazza San Marco

Beat the queues and reach Piazza San Marco and the Basilica early morning, an amazing sight with its 4000 square metres of golden mosaics.

Lake Garda, Italy
Italy

Lakeside Towns

Stay in incredibly stylish towns such as Bellagio and Como.

Lake Como from the Mountains above Bellagio, Italy
Italy

Italian Landscapes

Experience the complete natural beauty of the surrounding dramatic landscapes, from steep hills to snow-capped mountains.

Need inspiration?
Browse our Italy holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

La Fiermontina £££££

  • Italy
  • City

A family hotel like no other – La Fiermontina is a hotel brimming with sophistication yet retaining a warmth and sense of place. Art, culture and hospitality are at the heart of La Fiermontina, offering the guest an opportunity to experience a stay showcasing the regions heritage and hospitality. 

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Palazzo Bozzi Corso by La Fiermontina £££££

  • Italy
  • City

Tucked away at the heart of Lecce’s historical old city, Palazzo Bozzi Corso exudes classic and contemporary design alongside a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Family owned and run, Palazzo Bozzi Corso offers a stylish and intimate base in which to explore this beautiful city. 

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Tenuta di Murlo £££££

  • Umbria
  • Villas / Exclusive use

Hidden amongst the Umbrian hills, tucked away on a private family estate lies Tenuta di Murlo. 10,000 acres of spectacular views, studded with woodlands, lakes, olive groves and vineyards, this is home to a collection of seven private villas and a charming cottage.

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Forestis £££££

  • Italy
  • Wilderness

Forestis is a five-star mountain retreat and spa hidden away in the Dolomite mountains of north-eastern Italy. All 62 suites have panoramic mountain views providing a luxury hideaway for relaxation and regeneration. Forestis has been sensitively restored and reimagined using unusual and innovative architectural techniques.

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Castello di Ugento £££££

  • Italy
  • Boutique

Standing tall over the town of Ugento for over 1,000 years, this 17th-century castle turned palazzo is now the home to a boutique hotel and the cutting-edge Puglia Culinary Centre. The conversion of this castle has been a labour of love. The founders, Diana and Massimo, have worked side-by-side with the designers to reach the highest possible standards of sustainability and design. This beautiful building has been home to Massimo’s family for centuries and now it opens its doors to those interested in staying somewhere that exudes charm, elegance and history.

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Aman Venice £££££

  • Italy
  • City

As sumptuous and romantic as the city itself Aman Venice is a 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal, home to museum-quality treasures including Tiepolo frescoes, gilded ceilings and centuries-old leather wall coverings. With views to the hotel’s private garden or the Grand Canal, many of the 24 Rooms and Signature Rooms feature protected frescos and reliefs. Featuring the work of a number of Italy’s greatest artists, including the 16th-century architect Sansovino, and Tiepolo, the 18th-century painter, Aman Venice’s Rooms and Signature Rooms vary in size and configuration.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Charlotte Lawton

Charlotte is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Asia.

My strong sense of belonging in Asia stemmed from a childhood in Hong Kong and Nepal. My Grandmother was born in a tent in India. Some of my clearest memories are of walking through a dense, tropical jungle while hailstones the size of cricket balls rained down on us; of being carried on my father’s shoulders as we trekked through the Himalayas; my mother wearing flipflops on a snowy mountainside; and me falling into Dal Lake in Srinagar as we disembarked from our houseboat. 

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Kate Hitchen

My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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