Holidays in Italy
Holidays in Italy mean 100% enjoyment whether vacationing with family, friends or just the two of you. A beach holiday or cultural holiday are a much loved type of holiday for many. This is not without reason, as the long coastline offers sandy beaches and an azure blue sea, perfect for sunbathing or building sand castles with the children then cooling off with a quick dip in the water. A holiday in Italy at the Italian lakes is another great example of a beach and sun holiday, where numerous small beaches and refreshing lake water alternate with picturesque villages along the shores. Swimming, sailing, surfing and diving make your water sports holiday in Italy complete.
Holidays in Italy mean 100% enjoyment whether vacationing with family, friends or just the two of you. A beach holiday or cultural holiday are a much loved type of holiday for many. This is not without reason, as the long coastline offers sandy beaches and an azure blue sea, perfect for sunbathing or building sand castles with the children then cooling off with a quick dip in the water. A holiday in Italy at the Italian lakes is another great example of a beach and sun holiday, where numerous small beaches and refreshing lake water alternate with picturesque villages along the shores. Swimming, sailing, surfing and diving make your water sports holiday in Italy complete.
Breathe in the cultural atmosphere when on holiday in Italy
The atmospheric holiday homes in Italy are the ideal starting point for a versatile cultural holiday in Italy. The rich history of the country ensures that your holiday in Italy can be packed with cultural excursions, and a great way to do this is with a city trip in Italy. Historic cities like Rome, Naples, Palermo and Florence are perfect examples. You can also breathe in the authentic atmosphere of Tuscany with it's numerous borgos, vineyards and quaint little villages and towns. Admire the old churches and towers and allow yourself to be transported back in time while strolling among the old town squares. Various Roman archeological sites also make for a perfect day out. Of course part of the Italian culture is its fantastic cuisine, with world famous pizzas, pastas, salads and delicious meat and fish dishes. Do not forget the equally famous wines and wonderful Italian ice creams. Close the day at a cosy restaurant or trattoria during your holiday in Italy.
Active holidays in Italy for everyone
Hiking and biking in the mountains or enjoying water sports on the lakes and sea, there are plenty of possibilities for a fantastic active holiday in Italy for both young and old. Explore the area on foot, by bike or on horseback, you will no doubt enjoy the splendid nature and stunning scenery. Climb the mountains of the Dolomites or even Mount Etna. Walking along the beaches and enjoying the great views is another way to spend your holiday on an island or near the sea. You'll find possibilities for an active beach holiday everywhere with opportunities for paddling and swimming, but there are numerous other activities to choose from when you opt for an active holiday in Italy.
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Documents
For travel to and within Italy you will need the following documents:
Driving a car:
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Speed limits:
Within the city limits: 50km/h
Outside the city limits: 90km/h
Motorway: 110km/h, - In rain: 90km/h
Highways 130km/h, - In rain: 90km/h
In Italy you need to pay a toll on most highways. This is calculated according to the travelled distance. If you want to avoid queues at the tollbooths you can buy a card (Punto Blu) at each toll station (in a special office).
In Italy you are allowed to drive after drinking 2 beers or 1 glass of wine. The legal limit is 0.5‰. For beginning drivers (with a drivers license less than 3 years old) there is 0 tolerance.
You must have a red warning triangle and fluorescent vests in your car.
Pay attention when turning as it's possible that you are being overtaken. The person overtaking you has the right of way.
Note that most drivers drive fast in Italy and many will overtake you.
In winter you must have snow tires or non-skid chains in certain areas or on certain roads, where there is an additional risk in case of snowfall. This is indicated by a sign next to the road.
Surface area: 301,318 km²
Number of inhabitants: ca 58.1 million (2009)
Capitale: Rome
Form of Government: Republic
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
The currency of Italy is the Euro. The coins are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Euro cents and 1 and 2 Euro. Bank notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Various pasta dishes (Bucatini all’amatriciana, ravioli, lasagne)
Pizza from a stone oven
Different antipasti dishes (caponata, bruschetta, arancini di riso )
Pesce Spada (swordfish), scaloppini, spiedini misti
Brunello (red wine from Tuscany), Prosecco (white sparkling wine from Veneto)
Limoncello (Italian alcoholic beverage made from lemons)
Various sorts of cheeses (pecorino, parmesan, mozzarella)
Cannolo siciliano (fried hollow role of biscuit filled with sweet ricotta), tiramisu, panna cotta, panettone
Gelati, Italian ice cream. Look for the sign “produzione propria” (hand made), sorbetto, semifreddo.
If you want to bring your pet with you on your holiday to Italy, you need to be mindful of the following:
Each pet needs to have a European Pet Passport with the valid vaccinations listed.
Pets need to have identification by means of a chip (a tattoo is not valid as of the 2nd of July 2011).
Pets need to be vaccinated against the following diseases (at least):
- Dogs: rabies
- Cats: feline enteritis and toxoplasmosis
Make sure your pet is wormed before you travel.
Contact your vet in time to arrange for vaccinations and a passport.
Take care that your dog is always on a leash in public and that you carry a muzzle, especially if you have a larger dog. The dog doesn't always need to wear it, but you need to be able to show it upon request.
Dogs under 3 months of age are not allowed to be brought to Italy.
There are certain conditions regarding the transport of pets. If you are bringing more than 1 dog, you need to have them in the back behind a special screen.
When you go on holiday abroad it almost always means you will encounter a different language. Therefore we’d like to introduce you to the conversation basics. It’s always appreciated if you know a few words in the foreign language.
Good morning - Buongiorno (bwon dzjorno, spreek de w heel zachtjes uit)
Good evening – Buona sera (bwonna seera)
Hello – Ciao (tjau)
Good day! - Salve! Salvee
Goodbye - Arrivederci (Arrievedertsjie)
Please (when giving) – Prego (prago)
Thank you - Grazie (graatzië)
Sorry - Scusi (skoesie)
How are you doing? - Come sta?(komee sta)
What is your name? - Come si chiama? – (Komee sie kjama)
See you later! - A più tardi – (A pjoe tardie)
Supermarket - Supermercato (soupermerkatoe)
Bakery - Panificio (paaneefeetsjeeo)
Butcher - Salumiere (saloomièrè)
Restaurant - Ristorante (riestorante)
Pharmacy -Farmacia (farmatsjia)
Hospital - Ospedale (ospedale)
Doctor - Dottore (dottore)
Dentist - Dentista (denteesta)
Swimming pool - Piscina (peace tjeena)
Beach - Spiaggia (speejaadja)
One - Uno (uno)
Two - Due (doue)
Three - Tre (trè)
Four - Quattro (kwattroo)
Five – Cinque (tsjinkwè)
Six - Sei (sei)
Seven - Sette (sette)
Eight - Otto (otto)
Nine - Nove (nowe)
Ten - Dieci (dee-etsjee)
When in Rome…
When in Italy you will experience a different culture. The culture of a country is not only defined by its architecture, clothing and language, but also by the manner of being which can be quite different from what you're used to. Besides the language, body language is also very important. We hope to give you a better insight into the Italian habits and customs with the following information:
It's customary in Italy to have a siesta in the afternoon. Beware that in most cities, and especially in villages, the shops are closed between 13:00 and 16:00. During these hours people rest at home or they eat with family. Loud noises are not greatly appreciated during these hours.
When visiting a church your shoulders need to be covered and your pants or skirt should be below the knee.
For service in restaurants etc. it's customary to tip the waiter if you are satisfied. The usual tip is 10%. In Italy there is also an amount added to the bill for cutlery, napkins and bread (this is called coperto), usually a few euro per person. This is not a tip for the service.
Ordering drinks at the bar like a cappuccino, coffee, aperitif or ice cream is usually cheaper than on the terrace.
Italians are proud of their country, culture, sportsmen and famous / important persons. Italian hospitality is widely known. Italians will do anything to ensure that guests are satisfied. Not everyone may speak English or German, but they will try to help. If there is something wrong with the holiday home, we advise you to tell the owner about it carefully and calmly. Keep in mind that the owner is proud of his house and has done his best to make it look as nice as possible.
House tips
The nicest holiday homes in Italy can be found in this special selection of holiday homes. They are not only located in the best and nicest spots, but they usually have special prices or a high Last Minute discount. This way you can optimally enjoy a relaxing holiday in Italy in the sun, whether you’re looking for a luxurious holiday home with swimming pool or a cosy holiday park at the waterfront. Do have a look at our special offers below and find your dream holiday home in Italy at the lowest price. Ideal for a family vacation!
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- Studios
- 1 bedrooms
- Television
- Pets allowed
- Internet connection
- Playground
- Beach
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- Villas
- 3 bedrooms
- Barbecue
- Television
- Skiing possibilities
- Washing machine
- Pets allowed
- Horseback riding
- Bathtub
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- Apartments
- 1 bedrooms
- Television
- Pets allowed
- Swimming pool
- Internet connection
- Horseback riding
- Bike rental
- Golf
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- Studios
- Barbecue
- Television
- Air-conditioning
- Pets allowed
- Swimming pool
- Internet connection
- Horseback riding
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- Apartments
- 2 bedrooms
- Washing machine
- Pets allowed
- Swimming pool
- Horseback riding
- Bike rental
- Fishing
- Thermal Pool/Spa
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- Apartments
- 2 bedrooms
- Pets allowed
- Wheelchair accessible
- Horseback riding
- Golf
- Fishing
- Beach
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- Farms
- 2 bedrooms
- Skiing possibilities
- Horseback riding
- Tennis opportunities
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- Houses
- 2 bedrooms
- Pets allowed
- Wheelchair accessible
- Horseback riding
- Fishing
- Beach
- Tennis opportunities
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- Apartments
- 1 bedrooms
- Swimming pool
- Horseback riding
- Golf
- Fishing
- Beach
- Tennis opportunities
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- Apartments
- 2 bedrooms
- Pets allowed
- Internet connection
- Golf
- Fishing
- Beach
- Tennis opportunities
Holiday homes in Italy
Holiday homes in Italy are the ideal destination for a family holiday in the sun plus you will find them in the nicest spots of the country: close to the sea, on the waterfront of the Italian lakes or among the most beautiful natural scenery. You can enjoy a luxurious holiday with private swimming pool in Italy, or choose a cosy holiday home in a historic residence which exudes an authentic Italian atmosphere. For a holiday with the dog, Italy is also a great choice and you can book a pet-friendly holiday home where the dog can run freely in the garden and can come along on day trips. Holiday homes in Italy among nature await you for a relaxing holiday, daydreaming or enjoying a good book under an umbrella. A holiday home with barbecue ensures a delicious ending to the day.
Our holiday homes
Bungalows in Italy
Bungalows in Italy await you and your family with a fantastic holiday among nature. The level accommodations are ideal for families with children, and allow you to walk out your door directly into nature. A bungalow in Italy can be booked at a good price and that makes it a highly prized holiday destination for people on a tighter budget. A bungalow in the mountains or on the waterfront will make your holiday complete. You can enjoy splendid views over the lakes or the Dolomites and with a beach bungalow you can dive straight in the sea, perfect for cooling down on those hot Italian summer days. At night enjoy long walks on the beach, ideal for everyone's family vacation. A bungalow in Italy can also be booked if you’re vacationing with the family dog, so everyone can enjoy the garden and surroundings together. You will definitely enjoy your stay with a bungalow in Italy.
Our bungalows
Apartments in Italy
A cultural holiday or city trip in Italy starts with an apartment in the city, where within just a few steps you will find yourself in the lively heart of the beautiful old city with its numerous tourist sights and shops. It's the ideal destination for culture lovers. It's also easy to find an apartment in Italy near the sea or in a cosy residence with swimming pool. Admire breathtaking views of the water while enjoying breakfast on your balcony. At the residence kids can make new friends at the swimming pool or on the playground. Apartments in Italy are versatile and suitable for couples, families with children or groups of friends alike. Everyone is sure to enjoy a holiday in Italy. You will find the apartments in Italy in the nicest spots so you can enjoy splendid views and be close to all the sights and activities. (Max 850-900 characters)
Our apartments
Group accommodations in Italy
Go on holiday with the entire family or with a group of friends with a group house in Italy. You will definitely enjoy the warm climate, the beautiful surroundings and the rich culture. With a group accommodation with swimming pool in Italy you can enjoy a relaxing holiday with all the privacy you need. Go for a swim, sunbathe or play games in the garden. At night you can fire up the barbecue and savor a delicious meal together accompanied by a glass of Italian wine, the perfect way to end the day. The spacious group houses in Italy offer comfortable bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and enough privacy to suit everyone. The spacious kitchens and living rooms allow you to spend quality time together. Group accommodations in Italy are ideal destinations for every group. Discover the surroundings on foot or by car but don't forget to visit a castle or vineyard in the area.
Our group accommodations
Holiday parks in Italy
Holiday parks in Italy, often with swimming pools, tennis courts and animation, provide the perfect family holiday and are an ideal destination for you and your family. While you relax on the terrace of your holiday home in a bungalow park in Italy, your children can make new friends, play on the playground, enjoy the organized activities of the animation team or jump in and out of the swimming pool. There are often hiking excursions or guided tours organized around the park. In the area around the holiday parks in Italy there is always plenty to see and do. Visiting a zoo or a theme park, exploring the natural surroundings or the country's culture in quaint old towns or at an archeological site, also makes for a great day out. As you can see, there is always plenty to do in and around the holiday parks in Italy.
Our holiday parks
The Italian lakes of Garda and Maggiore
The cities of Milano, Brescia and Bergamo
The high mountains of the Alps
Mountain climbing and Via Ferrata
Bolzano with its Maria Cathedral
Bletterbach Canyon
Castle of Buonconsiglio
Buschenschänken (Farmers cafés with home-made meals and wine)
The city of Trieste with its Miramare Castle
The Roman archeological site of Aquileia
The foothills of the Alps
The historic cities of Florence, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Volterra and San Gimignano
Vineyards and wine castles (borgos)
Elba Island
The nature reserves of Tuscany
Lake Trasimeno
Assisi with its church of St. Francis of Assisi
The historical cities of Orvieto, Perugia and Spoleto
The cities of Pescara, L'Aquila, Teramo, Sulmona, Lanciano, Chieti, Vasto and Atri
Nature parks like Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
The Abruzzi Lakes
The historic city of Rome with its Colosseum, St. Peter’s Square and church of the same name, and of course, the Vatican
Via Appia
The lakes of Lago di Bracciano and Lago di Bolsena
The cities of Ancona and Ascoli Piceno
The mountains of the Apennines
The Renaissance city of Urbino
The historical city centre of Campobasso
The centre and beach of Termoli
The archeological findings of Sepino
The city of Naples
The old Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum
The volcanoes of Vesuvius and Solfatara
The Amalfi coast from Sorrento to Salerno
The islands of Capri and Ischia
Castel del Monte
Torre San Andrea
Gargano
The city of Matera with its Sassi
Maratea and its marina and small beaches
The abandoned city of Craco
The smaller cities of Pisticci, Melfi and Ferrandina
Stilo and its Byzantine church of Cattolica and Norman castle
Scilla, the pearl of the Purple Coast
The Mediterranean city of Nicotera and its old castle of Ruffo
Mt. Etna volcano
The Sicilian beaches
Lipari Islands
Roman temples
White sand beaches and azure blue sea
The national parks of Asinara, Arcipelago di La Maddalena and Gennargentu National Park
The towns of Cagliari, Sassari, Olbia, Alghero, Nuoro, Oristano and Porto Torres