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ITALY - TUSCANY - FLORENCE & PISA - SINGLES HOLIDAYS
ITALY - TUSCANY - FLORENCE & PISA
£ 1,499
7 Nights
21 Apr, 02 Jul, 20 Aug, and more
ITALY - TUSCANY - FLORENCE & PISA
£ 1,499
Fall in love with Tuscany, possibly the greatest place to admire art in the whole world, a place to view extraordinary paintings, sculptures, frescoes and architectural masterpieces, a place to explore Tuscany’s extraordinary countryside and a place to sample some of the finest wines that Italy has to offer. Considered to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Tuscany’s capital Florence houses some of the world’s most famous art and architecture, Michelangelo’s David Statue, the beautiful works of Botticelli and the Duomo basilica to name but a few. Merge these timeless masterpieces with Tuscany’s natural beauty, culture and cuisine to guarantee a real Italian treat.   read more read less
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ITALY - CLASSICAL SICILY - SINGLES HOLIDAYS
ITALY - CLASSICAL SICILY
£ 1,849
7 Nights
02 May and 08 Sep
ITALY - CLASSICAL SICILY
£ 1,849
CLASSICAL SICILY  The largest of the Mediterranean islands, Sicily is the ‘ball’ situated South West of Italy’s ‘boot’. Steeped in history Sicily is famous for many things but The Valley of the Temples, Mount Etna, the birthplace of Achimedes, it’s wonderful cuisine, stunning beaches and of course it is where the Italian Mafia originated. A mixture of many cultures, Sicily has a different ‘vibe’ than seen on mainland Italy with many Sicilians sharing many varied traits from Arabs, Catalans, Spanish and even Vikings. You will be welcomed warmly into ‘la famiglia’ when visiting Sicily with it’s traditional restaurants, coffee shops and quaint villages, not to mention the sprawling white sandy beaches and a plethora of historical places to see and visit. Bellisimo! Our Resort - Letojanni, Taormina Nestled on the east coast of the captivating island of Sicily, Taormina is a picturesque town that effortlessly marries history, culture, and natural beauty. Perched on a hill overlooking the sparkling Ionian Sea and with the majestic Mount Etna as a backdrop, Taormina has long been a magnet for travellers seeking an enchanting escape. Its cobblestone streets wind through charming medieval architecture, leading to treasures like the ancient Greek-Roman Theatre, offering panoramic views of the sea and the volcano. Just a short distance away lies Letojanni, a charming coastal village that complements Taormina's allure. Letojanni is renowned for its pristine beaches, where golden sands meet the azure waters of the Mediterranean. The town exudes a laid-back atmosphere, providing a serene contrast to the vibrant energy of Taormina. Visitors can indulge in waterside relaxation, explore the local markets, and savour fresh seafood at seaside trattorias. The synergy between Taormina and Letojanni creates a harmonious blend of Sicilian allure. While Taormina captivates with its historic richness and panoramic vistas, Letojanni beckons with its coastal charm and tranquil ambience. Travellers can seamlessly transition between the cultural delights of Taormina and the leisurely coastal lifestyle of Letojanni, making this duo an ideal destination for those seeking a diverse and fulfilling Sicilian experience. Whether exploring ancient ruins or lounging on sun-kissed beaches, Taormina and Letojanni offer an unforgettable journey through the heart of Sicily's captivating landscapes. Glamour and gelato Cary Grant and Greta Garbo used to be regular visitors to Taormina, on Sicily’s east coast. And today this charismatic resort still attracts a glamorous crowd with its Medieval old quarter, elegant piazzas and hold-your-breath views of Mount Etna. There’s also a well-kept Greek amphitheatre, designer shops and some of the best pasta in this part of Italy. Beaches and lidos Taormina sits on top of a hill, so a cable car from Via Pirandello takes you down to the beaches. The most popular is Mazzaro, a pebbly strip with a well-equipped lido where you can rent beach umbrellas, chairs and watersports kit. There’s also a small, sandy beach next door, in the Bay of Spisone, that’s a big hit with the locals. Medieval town Marking the start of Taormina’s Medieval quarter is the Porta di Mezzo, or clocktower – a favourite landmark of street artists here. The area's a great place to wander, with its winding streets, Baroque fountain and 15th-century cathedral. Between antique shops and boutiques there’s also the shaded Villa Comunale – thought to be one of Sicily’s most beautiful parks. Trips to Mount Etna In Taormina, you’ve got one of Europe’s most jaw-dropping volcanoes on your doorstep. The hour’s journey to get there takes in the postcard–pretty village of Castiglione di Sicilia, as well as the Alcantara Gorges waterfall – formed from an old lava eruption. And when you arrive at Etna, there’s the walk through the national park up to the volcano’s craters to look forward to. read more read less
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ITALY - AMALFI COAST - SINGLES HOLIDAYS
ITALY - AMALFI COAST
£ 1,549
7 Nights 8 Days
24 Jun and 06 Oct
ITALY - AMALFI COAST
£ 1,549
Breathtaking terrain and dramatic cliff lined coastlines makes this world renowned ‘bucket list’ destination a must place to visit. The sheer cliffs and rugged shorelines are dotted with small beaches, the perfect place to hideaway in the midday sunshine, pastel coloured houses and magnificent villas adorn the hillside like an Italian artists masterpiece reflecting across the vibrant blue waters. Home to some of Italy’s finest hotels and restaurants, the Amalfi Coast is a favourite to the world’s jet set, Mr Bond himself, Brangelina and the Clooneys are regulars year in year out so if people watching is your thing, there’s no better place to just hang out at your favourite bar and take it all in. To escape the star struck crowds Amalfi is also a favourite for hikers and walkers with many trails set out throughout the hillside and cliffs, surrounded by beautiful aromatic flora and woodland full of life. Our Resort - Sorrento  Overlooking the Bay of Naples in the south west of Italy, Sorrento is one of the most popular places to visit on the Amalfi Coast, renowned for its abundant choice of shops, restaurants and bars with panoramic views across the glistening bay waters, Sorrento has everything for that prefect Italian holiday. Whilst a place of relaxation and a people watchers paradise Sorrento offers many more energetic activities, good diving, sea fishing, boat cruises and excellent hiking and walking trails surround the area for those with a bit more ‘get up and go’. Wander the backstreets for a taste of local life and tradition, alleyways twist and turn revealing shops, bars and hidden gems enticing you deeper into this magical maze. With the air filled with the scent of fresh basil, ripe tomatoes and wafer thin pizzas freshly baking in open ovens you can’t avoid the temptation to visit one of the many restaurants or bars available close by, the sophisticated L’Antica Trattoria for local specialities, Cafè Latino for great wine and its candlelit garden or the A’Marenna deli style street food washed down with a local brew. Known as the land of Lemon Groves, Sorrento is the birthplace of the famous Limoncello liqueur so make sure you raise a glass or two to this wonderful Italian experience. Saluti! read more read less
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OVERVIEW

Italy is a country that requires little introduction – its culture has been seeping into Europe and the rest of the world for centuries. We all know about its fantastic cuisine, from the rustic comfort of the pizza to the gastronomic delights of the sea. Its wines are world famous, and now its native grapes are grown worldwide. Opera, art, football, ice cream, and even cars … they all prove that this is a people that does everything with passion and romance.

But equally, there’s no single part of Italy that you could call typically Italian. From north to south, east to west, there’s enough variety to make a dozenholidays completely unique. If you love your history and to absorb yourself in cultures as old as the hills, look no further than the Amalfi Coast, for example.This beautiful region lies just to the south of Pompeii and Naples, but many visitors stray no further than the spectacular coastline.

For some, Italy means one thing – skiing. Italy’s Alpine north is home to plenty of outstanding slopes and perhaps the best après ski in the world. But let’s not forget that Italy also includes the vast Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where you can enjoy the countless coves, walks, beaches and woods, or explore the beautiful city of Cagliari, with its wonderful architecture, dining and night life.

WEATHER

With its long peninsula and famed rugged coastline, Italy experiences a varied Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers perfect for lazing around on the many sandy beaches of the Amalfi coast, or the rolling beautiful countryside of Tuscany and cool, wet winters, with snow-capped mountains towards the alps, perfect for hitting the slopes.

Towards the North of Italy in the mountainous zone, home to the Alps and Mount Blanc, you will find an alpine climate with cold winters and an abundance of snow, famed for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing, in addition to ski-touring. Averages temperatures range from -29 degrees Celsius in the winter to 27 degrees Celsius during the day in the summer months of July and August, ideal for alpine hikes and camping.

The  East and West coast both possess a similar Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters, however the west coasts is slightly wetter notorious for its warmer winters. The central regions, such as Tuscany and Umbria see long beautiful summers and a lush landscape with vineyards that create the perfect Tuscan image, and snowfall between December and January.

Towards the South of Italy and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia the climate is considerably warmer, having the highest number of sunshine hours than anywhere else in the country, even in the winter months you can expect 4 to 5 hours a day with temperatures rarely dropping to below 10 degrees Celsius, and a staggering 11 hours in of sunshine in summer.

MUST SEE & DO

AMALFI COAST

No trip to Italy would be complete without a trip to the Amalfi coast, a 50 kilometre stretch of coastline, heralded as an exceptional example of a Mediterranean landscape by Unesco. Owing to its picturesque pastel-coloured fishing villages dotted across sheer cliffs and rugged landscape makes it a popular holiday destination, not to mention its tranquil coves and small beaches perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.

POMPEII VESUVIUS

See a city and roman civilisation preserved in all its former glory before mount Vesuvius erupted back in 79 A.D. Explore the crater and summit of Vesuvius, whilst discovering the historic excavation sites at Pompeii and Herculaneum

ITALIAN CUISINE

Italy is famed for its cuisines world over, from its diverse variety of handmade pasta’s to its air spun pizzas, not to mention gelato, rich, creamy and so tasty one scoop just isn’t enough.  Italians make the most out of fresh, simple seasonal produce, ensuring everything that’s served is of the highest quality owing to their love of food.

ROUGH GUIDE

CULTURE

Italy has a reputation for being warm and welcoming. Family is an extremely important value within the Italian culture, with frequent family gatherings and celebrations ingrained within their culture.

It’s no secret that Italians have a love affair with food, enjoying a meal with friends or family is the main ingredient of any Italian dish. Lunch usually starts between 12am and 1pm depending on the region, and can last literally all day.

Italians are extremely sociable, with their lifestyle revolving almost exclusively around meeting friends and entertaining. Throughout Italy, you’ll find that all the towns and cities are built around squares, called piazze, where you’ll find people meeting each other and gathering, particularly in the evenings.

ETIQUETTE

Italians are very touchy feel, so be sure not to get the wrong first impression! Italian women will often have physical contact during a conversation, the familiarity doesn’t mean anything this is purely a sign of warmth so be sure not to get the wrong end of the stick. Embracing and kissing on each cheek is also widely accepted as a form of greeting each other in Italy, with men also kissing other men on the cheek – two light air kisses is the general greeting.

Making a first impression is very important in Italy, so be aware that you are likely to be judged on your presentation and appearance, in addition to manners. Polite manners go far in Italy, from wearing the correct attire whilst visiting religious churches and sites, to eating in restaurants with the correct table manners.

Tipping isn’t expected in Italy, so don’t feel obliged to tip after every meal, however if you feel the level of service you received was over an above, it wont be frowned up on to leave a tip.

GREETINGS & LANGUAGE

If you’re looking to socialise whilst on holiday, it’s handy to have a few simple phrases on hand to converse with the locals.

To say hello, it’s ‘Ciao’, before lunch say ‘Buongiorno’ meaning good morning

‘Buonasera’ means good evening

Be sure not to forget your please and thank yous, to say thank you it’s ‘grazie’ and please is ‘per favore’

When leaving goodbye is ‘addio’

If you want to order some famous Italian gelato, learn the phrase, ‘si prega posso ordinare il gelato’ which translates to please can I order ice cream