Italy Itineraries

Italy's and Switzerland's Alpine regions are some of the most magical destinations in Europe, and this trip takes you to the best lakes and mountains in the area. You'll crisscross between the two countries, exploring lake-side towns and islands, as well as postcard-perfect mountains and valleys.

No one has mastered the art of living well as successfully as the Italians. This itinerary highlights locales in northern Italy that are dedicated to pleasure, from a luxurious lakeside getaway to gorgeous wine country to a cliff-lined seacoast. The trip is proof that you can have a wonderful Italian vacation without seeing one Renaissance masterpiece or setting foot in a cathedral—though there are plenty of opportunities to do both if you want to.

"Mezzogiorno" means "midday"; it's the informal name given to southern Italy, a region where a blazing sun heats up villages (sometimes making it imperative to remain indoors during peak summer hours) and casts a commanding glow. This is a magical land whose "Renaissance" happened in the 13th century during the reign of Frederick II. A car is usually the best way to get around, as train service can be slow and erratic. A quick overnight in Rome kicks off this road trip. You then go south to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, after which you'll head to Puglia, known for its mysterious trulli and its phenomenal food. From Puglia, you'll turn back north to bustling Naples, and wrap things up with another day in Rome.

Venice truly is a city unlike any other. You can't begin to get a real sense of its unique beauty and complexity in a day or two—which is why this itinerary devotes four days to it. When you move away from the city, you'll continue to feel its influence in the "Venetian Arc," the swathe of northeastern Italy that was once under Venice's rule.