Italy Holidays

Far and away our most popular destination, it’s fair to say that we’re in love with Italy.

From stunning Lake Garda to the rustic Tuscan countryside, the vibrant city of Rome to the stylish Sorrento coast, Italy has been welcoming Travel Department visitors for over 20 years.

Travel Department holidays include flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions and award-winning local guides. So whether it be a city break, opera break, sun holiday or cultural trip we are sure to have the holiday for you.

Forget the stress of booking a holiday (and navigating on arrival). Travel Department’s years of experience in delivering quality holidays, means all you have to do is relax & have a fantastic time.

Italy is by far our most popular holiday destination. Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, it offers holidaymakers the opportunity to admire a stunning natural landscape, enjoy delicious cuisine, bask in the sunshine, and explore a unique culture. Italy really does have something for everyone and you’ll be sure to find a holiday to match your individual needs.

If relaxing by a stunning natural backdrop, soaking up the rays of sunshine as they bounce of a glistening lake sounds like a dream to you, then you might enjoy some of our fantastic Italian lake holidays. With escapes to Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

If you’re more of a city lover then our outstanding trips to Rome might sound more appealing! Take in some of Italy’s city highlights on our iconic Rome, Perugia and Assisi holiday or enjoy a short city break to the capital city and find out why Rome has captured the heart of so many people over the years.

For those that appreciate fresh air, beautiful natural surroundings and stunning coastal views, then our Sorrento Coast holiday may be of interest. Explore this popular holiday destination in the south of Italy and enjoy the unique landscape of hills and valleys, adorned with scented lemon orchards and olive groves, with dramatic cliff tops giving way to picturesque fishing villages.

General Information about Italy

To make your holiday as smooth as possible, we’ve outlined some general information that may be helpful to you when planning your next getaway to Italy.

Practical Information

Currency: Euro (€)
Local Time: Ireland/UK Time +1 hour
Passport: A valid passport is required for this holiday. EU citizens do not need a visa, however non-EU citizens should check requirements.
Climate: Italy is renowned for its pleasant climate. The weather is mostly warm and dry in spring and autumn. Summers are warm and dry and winter days can be cool. 

Recommended Reading

• Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
• Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Average Prices for Region

• Coffee: €1.45
• Beer: €4.00
• Glass of wine: €3.50
• Main course: €12.00
• Soft Drink: €2.00
• Bottled Water: €0.50

Packing List

• Your valid passport
• Sun cream
• A continental plug adaptor
• A rain jacket
• A small backpack
• A sun hat
• Sturdy, comfortable shoes
• Camera

Food & Drink

Italian food tends to be richer and heartier than that found in other Mediterranean regions, but no less delicious, with fine cheeses, cured meats, risottos and filled pastas on every menu. Try fresh water fish from Italy's many lakes, drizzled with olive oil and juice from local lemons and accompany it with a glass of fragrant white Nosiola or Lugana wine. The high quality meats from the Alpine regions may be matched with a classic Valpolicella or refreshing Bardolino. Exquisite seasonal specialities such as chestnuts, pears and peaches will enhance your dining pleasure. From the humble trattoria to the grander ristorante, Rome offers a great choice of places to eat and drink. It’s worth noting the two-tier pricing system in bars and cafes; to eat or drink sitting down will cost more than standing up. On the bill for your sit-down meal, expect to pay Pane e Coperto(small charge for bread and ‘cover’). Some Roman specialties to try; Bucatini all’Amatriciana (long pasta with tomato, cured pork cheek and Pecorino cheese), Saltimbocca (veal wrapped in cured ham), and Trippa alla Romana, slow cooked tripe in rich tomato sauce – more delicious than it sounds! Accompany your meal with a chilled Frascati, or the red Cesanase del Piglio, from the Lazio region.