02 July 2023

My first visit to Italy was at my friend’s wedding in Malcesine, in the Lake Garda region and it was there I realised it's a country that has everything, for all types of travellers. The Mountains and lakes in the North, the stunning coasts in the South, a rich history and culture throughout, and of course some of the best food and wine in the world! So, why limit yourself to 3 nights in Rome or a flying visit to Venice, when you could spend 2 weeks travelling from Northern Italy, all the way down to Sicily in the South and immerse yourself in this wonderful country. I wanted to talk about one of my favourite ways to travel and detail exactly why I think a touring holiday to Italy 2024, should be top of your bucket list! At Travel Counsellors, we are very lucky to work with some incredible companies throughout the world, and I can’t think of anyone better than our touring partners Travelsphere, or Just you (if you’re a solo traveller), to guide you around Italy on the adventure of a lifetime, with like-minded people and with local holiday directors, who will elevate your trip far beyond anything you could read online or in a guide book. My top 5 reasons you should consider booking a tour around Italy. 1. Experience a taste of Italy’s renowned history, stunning scenery and delicious food - all in one trip Italy has it all, historic cities, beautiful buildings, breathtaking coastlines and an abundance of restaurants serving culinary wonders. A tour is a great way to ensure that you get to immerse yourself in everything this wonderful country has to offer. Whether it’s experiencing the beautiful Amalfi coast, visiting the historical wonders of Pompei or Rome, taking in the sights of Venice on a Gondola, admiring Florence’s renaissance art, or even celeb spotting on the glitzy island of Capri! 2. Reduced costs AND financial protection Booking a tour is often a lot cheaper than booking everything yourself, as the costs are split between a group of people. What’s more, booking through myself as a travel agent means you will have an ATOL protected holiday, so you can book with peace of mind that your money is financially protected. Both Just You and Travelsphere also offer some of the best prices around, and with their Guaranteed Price Match if you find an identical holiday cheaper, not only will we match it we’ll also give you an extra £100 towards another trip. 3. Hassle free Holidays should be about relaxing and enjoying yourself. By booking a tour that has been carefully curated by experts, you don’t need to spend hours researching and booking different accommodation yourself. Everything is taken care of so all you need to do is turn up with your suitcase (and passport!). 4. Freedom and flexibility Tours still do offer a lot of freedom and flexibility. Not only is your own free time built in within the tours itself, but it is also very easy to add on optional excursions. Also, if you want to add on additional nights, this is something I can help you with on certain tours, so we can work together to ensure you’re booking your dream holiday. 5. Meet like minded people Whether you’re travelling solo, or with a friend or partner, a tour is a brilliant way to meet and connect with likeminded people. I’ve made friends for life while travelling on organised tours, and it’s a great way to meet with others who love exploring, embracing the culture and enjoying good times! Italy is a truly fascinating country, and our expert tour directors know exactly where to take you, with local knowledge that can’t be found in most guidebooks. No matter how you envision your Italy tour holiday, our trusted tour partners promise an experience that is truly out of this world. Prepare to be captivated as each day brings a delightful surprise, one moment seeing the majestic Mount Vesuvius, and the next basking in the sun on pristine Mediterranean beaches. If you’re interested in finding out more - whether that’s a tour of Italy or another destination, please get in touch by emailing me james@travelcounsellors.com or calling me on 0113 312 0237.