Holiday rentals in Italy

A trip to Italy is about eating exquisite food, enjoying friendship, and appreciating the beauty all around you. The country’s stunningly diverse landscape is home to a 2,000-year-old treasure trove of art, architecture, music, and culture. History is a part of life here, from Pompeii’s perfectly preserved ruins to the enduring glamour of the Italian Riviera. The ancient capital of Rome buzzes with style and flair, and Renaissance cities like Milan and Florence are global centres of fashion and art. Of course, Italy’s rural scenery, dotted with sleepy medieval villages, is just as enchanting. The north of the country can claim the mountainous grandeur of the Alps, the Dolomites, and the Italian Lakes, as well as the gentler allure of Tuscany and Umbria. The south boasts one of the most dramatic and attractive coastlines in Europe, a sunshine-drenched climate, sumptuous cuisine, and, thanks to Naples, the greatest place on the planet to eat pizza. Wherever you find yourself, this is a country that won’t fail to steal a piece of your heart.

Spring and autumn are wonderful times to stay in one of Italy’s holiday rentals, when the temperatures aren’t too hot and the cities and top tourism spots aren’t too crowded. The climate varies across the country, with winters colder and wetter in the north, while Sicily stays relatively mild during the daytime even in December. The Alps and the Dolomites can offer a retreat from the strong summer heat of the rest of the country in July and August. There are many local and religious festivals between February and April, with Easter of course being a big deal, while August is the month when many towns become somewhat abandoned by the locals, who tend to take their own holidays that month. The skiing season runs from late November to early April.

Emilia-Romagna

With rolling hills that rival Tuscany’s, this rural region has gone under the radar despite its obvious draws, which include its stellar gastronomy, winemaking, and hospitality. Its Adriatic coastal towns include lively Rimini, while there’s plenty of heritage in its cities, from the former Byzantine powerhouse of Ravenna to the medieval (and now excellent shopping) centre of Bologna.

Gran Paradiso

Italy’s oldest national park, nestled between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, features beautiful Alpine scenery, glaciers, waterfalls, and the 4,061-metre peak from which it takes its name. Its wildflowers and wildlife are best seen between spring and autumn, while it transforms into a ski destination in winter.

Sardinia

This rugged island sitting 120 miles off the mainland boasts some of Italy’s most miraculous coastline, with crystal-blue waters, white-sand beaches, and a backdrop of awe-inspiring cliffs and enchanting sea grottos. Inland, Bronze Age monuments sit alongside medieval villages, and wild forests sweep over its granite mountains.