ANCIENT CITIES. TIMELESS STORIES
Italy
Explore ancient cities, medieval hill towns and centuries-old traditions. From Rome and its classical heritage to Renaissance cities, historic villages and coastal towns, Italy offers an extraordinary journey through history, culture and Mediterranean heritage.
A COUNTRY SHAPED BY EMPIRES AND ART
Discover Italy Through the Ages
From Roman ruins and medieval hill towns to Renaissance cities, grand cathedrals and historic coastal ports, Italy has one of the richest cultural landscapes in Europe. Explore the places, people and stories that shaped the country.
EXPLORE BY DESTINATION
Discover Italy’s Destinations
Rome
Explore the Eternal City through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Vatican treasures and layers of history spanning more than two thousand years.
Florence
Discover the birthplace of the Renaissance, where Brunelleschi’s dome, Michelangelo, the Medici and world-class museums bring centuries of art and history to life.
Milan
Explore Milan’s Roman roots, Gothic cathedral, Renaissance masterpieces and elegant streets shaped by centuries of trade, power and design.
Naples
Discover Naples through ancient streets, royal palaces, underground ruins and a dramatic history shaped by Greeks, Romans, Spanish rulers and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Venice
Explore Venice through canals, palaces, churches and trading history, from the rise of the Venetian Republic to the city’s enduring artistic legacy.
ITALY THROUGH THE AGES
A Brief History of Italy
From ancient Rome and medieval city-states to Renaissance courts, unification and the modern republic, Italy’s past is visible almost everywhere you travel.
753 BC
Founding of Rome
According to Roman tradition, Rome is founded on the banks of the Tiber and grows into one of history’s most influential cities.
509–27 BC
Roman Republic
Rome expands across the Italian peninsula and Mediterranean while republican institutions shape political life.
27 BC–AD 476
Roman Empire
Imperial Rome reaches extraordinary heights in architecture, engineering, trade and political influence.
c. 1300–1600
Renaissance
Italian cities such as Florence, Rome and Venice become centres of art, architecture, scholarship and innovation.
1861
Unification of Italy
The Kingdom of Italy is proclaimed after decades of political movements and military campaigns known as the Risorgimento.
1946
Italian Republic
A referendum ends the monarchy and establishes the Italian Republic after the upheaval of the Second World War.
Ancient Rome
Roman roads, amphitheatres, temples and archaeological sites across Italy reveal the scale and legacy of the ancient Roman world.
Renaissance Heritage
Florence, Rome, Venice and other cities preserve masterpieces created by artists and patrons who transformed European culture.
City-States & Unification
Historic republics, duchies and kingdoms shaped regional identities long before Italy became a unified nation in the nineteenth century.
PLAN YOUR ITALY TRIP
Everything You Need for Italy
Everything you need to plan your trip to Italy, from places to stay and things to do to trains, car hire and flights.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay, from historic city hotels and Renaissance palazzi to countryside agriturismi and coastal stays.
Tours & Activities
Discover guided tours, archaeological sites, museums and memorable experiences across Italy.
Car Hire
Explore Italy at your own pace, from Tuscan hill towns and ancient roads to lakes, coastlines and hidden villages.
Trains & Buses
Plan rail and bus connections between Italy’s major cities, historic towns and regional destinations.