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Italy is beautiful, historic, and compelling – and home to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country. Plus, with a rich culture, fabulous cuisine, stunning landscapes, and glorious weather, it has something for everyone.
The only difficulty in visiting such a dazzling and diverse country is that it can be tricky to choose which destinations to visit; would you like to stroll around ancient cities, relax amongst rolling hills, kick back on the beach, or explore captivating coastal towns? Perhaps you’d prefer to stay in one area and really get to know a place – or take a whistlestop tour and see as much as possible.
Whatever your preference, an escorted tour with Cosmos can help you get the most out of your trip. Everything is arranged for you, from transport to hotels to sightseeing, giving you the peace of mind to fully immerse yourself in the travel experience.
While you can see many of Italy’s most famous sights, you can discover less-travelled areas, too – from the remote corners of Umbria to quietly pretty Puglian towns. Exploring places that remain unknown to many tourists can show you a different side of Italy. You can sightsee like a local: wandering cobblestone streets, sipping espresso, and learning about each region’s unique culture and history.
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1. Bolgheri, Tuscany
Tuscany is known for sensational landscapes, rustic charm, and some of the world’s most mouthwatering red wine. While hilltop towns like San Gimignano and Volterra are always busy, Bolgheri is refreshingly quiet. Nestled at the end of a tranquil, cypress tree-lined road, this medieval village boasts a characterful Old Town with a dramatic red-brick castle that looks like it’s fallen straight out of the pages of a fairy tale.
During Cosmos’s eight-day Gourmet Tuscany tour, you’ll tour this enchanting village, visiting wine cellars to taste its famous Super Tuscan reds. Montecatini is the perfect base to explore Tuscany’s other gastronomic hotspots, too; tour vineyards and olive groves, visit wine shops, enjoy long lunches in local restaurants, join a cooking lesson, and feast upon a dizzying range of gourmet food and drink.
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Cosmos Gourmet Tuscany*
Montecatini - Vinci - The Chianti Valley - Lucca - Bolgheri
Italy | 8 days
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2. Orvieto, Umbria
Orvieto is another striking Umbrian town that isn’t half as well-known as it should be. Sitting majestically above a valley, Orvieto is steeped in history and charm. The streets are virtually traffic-free and perfect for strolling, the colourful cathedral is breathtaking, and the local crisp white wines are some of Italy’s best. Beneath the city is a hidden underground world: a maze of man-made caves, tunnels, and cellars.
To explore Orvieto and many more magnificent towns and cities, why not join Cosmos’s Splendours of Italy tour? Over nine days, you’ll travel to Italy’s most famous cities, including Rome, Siena, Florence, and Venice, admiring the architecture, ancient ruins, and world-class art. Go wine tasting in Greve, explore San Gimignano’s medieval squares, take a gondola ride in Venice, and visit the legendary Vatican City.
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Cosmos The Splendors of Italy*
Rome - Orvieto - Siena - San Gimignano - Greve - Montecatini - Florence - Pisa - Venice Area - Assisi
Italy | 9 days
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Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
3. Erice, Sicily
As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is renowned for its many charms – but it still has a few secrets. Perched precariously on a mountaintop, Erice is one such hidden gem. Visiting this beautiful medieval town feels like stepping back in time, and you can learn about its history as you lose yourself in cobblestone alleys, visit ancient churches, and admire breathtaking vistas from the grand fortifications.
During Cosmos’s eight-day Sicily tour, you’ll ride a cable car up to Erice for sensational views. History buffs will love exploring the ancient Greek temples in Selinunte and Agrigento, as well as the Roman Villa at Casale, famous for its striking mosaics. Plus, you’ll tour elegant Taormina, relax in coastal Cefalù, sip wine in Marsala, and enjoy an excursion to majestic Mount Etna.
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Cosmos Sicily*
Palermo - Trapani - Erice - Marsala - Selinunte - Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Taormina Area - Mount Etna - Cefalù
Italy | 8 days | Flights Included
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4. Assisi, Umbria
Deep in the Umbrian hills is one of Italy’s most captivating towns: Assisi. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it boasts priceless art, ancient buildings, and picture-postcard charm. This beautifully preserved medieval town is known for spreading the Franciscan Order, and it’s still a pilgrimage site today. When you first glimpse the town, sprawled above wooded hills, it’s difficult not to feel a sense of wonder.
But Assisi is just one of the lesser-known spots on Cosmos’s 14-day Italy’s Best tour, which travels from the lakes of the north to the sunny south coast. Kicking off in Rome, you’ll visit Sorrento and Capri, before exploring ancient Pompeii. Venice and Verona are next, then scenic Lake Maggiore. You’ll also visit the Cinque Terre, explore Tuscany and Florence, and delve into the heart of Italian culture.
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Cosmos Italy's Best*
Rome - Pisa - Montecatini - Florence - La Spezia - Cinque Terre - Genoa - Milan - Lake Maggiore - Lugano and 7 more
Italy | 14 days
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5. Cisternino, Puglia
Located in the heel of Italy’s boot, far from most tourist hotspots, Puglia is one of Italy’s least-explored regions, and it’s packed with hidden gems. Bordered by rolling hills, the scenic town of Cisternino is known for its narrow alleys, whitewashed homes decorated with flowers…and its fabulous food. As the sun sets, the restaurants, bars, and gelateries around the piazza fill up with locals looking for a feast.
If you’re a foodie, why not join Cosmos’s eight-day Gourmet Puglia tour? Cisternino is just one of the gastronomic hotspots you’ll visit; tour towns like Bari, Martina Franca, and coastal Lecce, where you’ll sample a range of local delights. Enjoy freshly made orecchiette pasta, cured meats, local cheeses, sweet pastries, and sip Primitivo wine; then, acquire a taste for different olive oils on a tour of an olive farm.
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Cosmos Gourmet Puglia*
Bari - Martina Franca - Alberobello - Lecce - Cisternino - Ostuni
Italy | 8 days
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Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
6. Tirano, Lombardy
Lombardy is Italy’s wealthiest – and arguably most glamorous – region. Home to fashionable Milan, glitzy ski resorts, and the stunning Italian Lakes, it draws visitors from all over the world…but there are still quietly authentic spots. Tucked into a valley on the Swiss border, the small town of Tirano is packed with rustic charm and, set against the rugged Italian Tyrolean Alps, it enjoys a truly breathtaking setting.
The Old Town is home to peaceful courtyards, grand churches, and beautiful frescoes – and emerald lakes and shady forests are within walking distance. On Cosmos’ 13-day Alpine Adventure, Bernina & Glacier Express tour, you’ll travel to Tirano via train, admiring scenic mountain views en route. Lake Como and Turin are also on the agenda, plus you’ll venture into Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
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Munich - Linderhof Castle - Innsbruck Area - Novacella - Brunico - Cortina D’Ampezzo - Lake Carezza - Bolzano - Glorenza - St. Moritz and 12 more
Italy, Germany, Austria & 1 more | 13 days
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Additional fees apply, check provider site for details
Final thoughts…
While Italy is home to many world-famous destinations and attractions, many of its most wonderful places have managed to avoid mass tourism.
From tranquil villages in rural Umbria to sun-drenched coastal towns in Puglia, these lesser-known places reveal a different side of Italy.
And, on a Cosmos tour, everything is sorted for you. With expert guides to show you around, and transport and accommodation prearranged, you can sit back and relax, knowing you’re seeing all the ‘must-see’ sights, as well as a selection of hidden gems.
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Have you been to any of these destinations – or heard of them? Are you tempted to go on an escorted tour? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.