Planning a Luxury Trip to Italy

While it’s entirely possible to travel to Italy on a shoestring, a luxury experience allows you to savor the best of “The Beautiful Country” in a more mindful way, while gaining access to high-end, personalized services for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Whether you’re a lover of high fashion, astounding architecture or mouthwatering cuisine, Italy has something to offer every flavor of vacation, so  if you’re looking for an Italian experience with a difference, this  guide has all the ingredients you need to plan the perfect trip.

For First-Timers (and Art Lovers)

One of the best ways to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of Italian culture is to plan your luxury Italy vacation around three iconic Italian destinations famed for their artwork and perfect for those visiting for the first time. Immerse yourself in historic Rome, fall in love with Florence and round out your trip by experiencing the magic and mystery of Venice. 

For those who want to experience the landscape at a more mindful pace before arriving in the Eternal City, consider exploring Walking to Rome: 3 Scenic Pilgrimage Routes Beyond the Typical Tourist Path. These routes offer a spiritual and scenic prelude to the opulence of Rome’s five-star hospitality

For Wine-Lovers

Key wine-making regions include the Veneto for sparkling wines, Piedmont (home to the Nebbiolo grape and the juiciest, most full-bodied reds),  and the rolling hills of Val d’Orca in beautiful Tuscany, a place steeped in 3000 years-worth of viticultural knowledge.

For Music Maestros

Italy’s operatic history is world-renowned – and where better to experience it than the Arena di Verona, where regular open-air performances take place amid a sea of twinkling candles. For pop and rock, Rome offers impressive line-ups, while the Amalfi Coast Festival is the perfect place for musicians to immerse themselves in classes, workshops, and azure blue waters.

For Food Fanatics

Naples is arguably the best place in Italy to grab a slice – and just one of the many locations where you can sample the finest, freshest seafood. Pasta-enthusiasts will love “food capital” Bologna, where you’ll also find high-quality gelato, or try Tuscany’s Enoctera Pinchorri Restaurant for truly traditional Italian fare. For modernist cuisine, the Osteria Francescana in Modena offers an adventure for your tastebuds.

For Active Explorers

While lounging by a pool in a private villa is divine, some travelers prefer to earn their Michelin-starred dinners. Tuscany offers the perfect backdrop for a multisensory adventure. Whether you’re pedaling through golden wheat fields or hunting for the season’s latest couture, Travelling in Tuscany – Food and Landscapes, Bicycle and Shopping provides the ultimate blueprint for blending fitness with the finer things in life.

Planning Your Trip

Here are our top tips on how to plan your luxury Italian getaway, so that you can truly relax and enjoy the journey. 

• Time your trip: May, June, September and October offer the best weather, but if you prefer to avoid the crowds, try booking off-peak instead. 
• Book ahead: Book flights and accommodation six to nine months ahead, especially if you’re headed to more popular destinations like Venice or Milan. Similarly, be sure to make restaurant bookings well in advance.
• Skip the line: Luxury tours of local attractions offer a more leisurely experience with less waiting around, so keep an eye out for these.
• Budget: The overall cost of luxury trips can range from around $4,600 per person to $10,000 for more personalized, high-end experiences, so be sure to budget accordingly (including money for any other “contingency costs” in case of emergencies as well as insurance cover). 
• Travel in style: Private yachts or drivers allow you to sit back and enjoy the journey without the worry of having to hire a car or navigate local public transport. 

Consult a Specialist

It’s a luxury trip, so why do all the planning yourself? Luxury travel advisors are experts in taking care of the finer details of your journey, so you have less time to worry about, and more time looking forward to living La Dolce Vita.