Italy is one of those countries that has it all: charm, romance, natural beauty, amazing architecture and a fascinating classical past and present – not to mention those enticing culinary traditions that have been handed down through the ages. It’s a place that awakens all the senses and leaves you wanting more. No amount of time could be enough to take in all of its wonders, so if you’re lucky enough to visit you’ll want to squeeze the most out of every single moment.
Joining a tour is one of the best ways to pack in as much as possible. Whatever your passion – be it fabulous food, opulent art, impressive ruins or simply making friends for life – you’ll get a better immersion in all the richness of Italian culture if you travel in a small group with experts to guide you on hand-picked itineraries. Bunnik Tours is an award-winning, family-owned operator that specialises in small groups up to a maximum of 20, which makes for a more personalised travel experience. When there’s only a handful of like-minded travellers, you’ll spend less time waiting around for other people and more time experiencing the true essence of a destination. Smaller groups also allow you to get off the beaten tourist trail and cause less congestion in the world’s most treasured sites – with the added bonus of leaving a smaller collective footprint behind!
Italy has enough diversions and discoveries to make everyone tick, whether you’re travelling with family, friends or going solo. It’s time to give your senses the feast they deserve.
So, what’s your passion?
Fabulous food
Who doesn’t love a good cheese paired with a divine wine? There’ll be plenty of both to taste, beginning in the foodie’s paradise of Bologna, where fertile lands have produced some of Italy’s greatest dishes and brought world-class prestige to the region. You can sample a belt-loosening cornucopia of fantastic cheeses, try Modena’s renowned balsamic vinegar and prosciutto, say ‘saluti’ at a famous wine cellar in Franciacorta, then head west to the Langhe Region, to hunt down one of the planet’s most prized delicacies – the truffle.
Amazing art
Any student of art history knows that Florence is the birthplace of Renaissance art. Where better, then, to brush up on your knowledge of the greats in the place where it all began and tick off famous masterpieces from Titian to da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Nothing compares to the ‘pinch-me’ moment of viewing them up close with your own eyes, in awe-inspiring galleries crammed with almost unimaginable treasures.
Engrossing history
If Florence is a birthplace of art, then Rome can lay claim to being one of the origins of early Western civilisation, where democracy was born alongside advances in engineering and science. Learn about the workings of Imperial Rome while exploring its ruins, then delve into the history of Catholicism on a tour of The Vatican. One of Italy’s most spine-chilling sites is the ruins of Pompeii, where an entire city was engulfed by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the poignant remains of its citizens and animals lie forever frozen in time.
Timeless culture
Music is an integral part of the Italian psyche, from folk to classical and opera, and the Sorrento Musical combines all three in a thrilling extravaganza of music and dance, telling timeless stories in the songs of the Neapolitan tradition. Catch a performance of this must-see show at Naples’ historic Teatro Tasso, a beautifully converted former convent.
Coastal pursuits
You mustn’t go to Italy without dropping into some of the many jewels dotted along its coastline. From The Amalfi to the Cinque Terre, Italy’s coastal regions add a sprinkling of glamour to any trip with their dramatic cliffs, colourful villages and glittering seas which have provided the backdrop to many a Hollywood movie. Sorrento is a highlight, as is a trip to the upscale island of Capri, with its designer outlets and yacht-filled marinas. The inland coast of Lake Como is just as spectacular, dotted with little beaches and vast mansions, where the pastime of people-watching turns into a game of star-spotting.
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