4 Alternative Italian Holiday Ideas

Italy has been a well-loved holiday destination for decades. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, the home of some of the world’s favourite foods, and a country where you can still see traces of some of the greatest empires in history, Italy’s got a lot to offer travellers with a wide range of interests. 

If, like many people, you’ve already enjoyed a classic historic, gastronomic or cultural holiday to Italy, then you might be unaware of the true breadth of travel experiences available around the country. Sightseeing in Rome, relaxing on the Amalfi Coast or shopping in Milan are all brilliant experiences, but Italy has so much more to offer.

In this article, we share four alternative Italian holiday ideas to help you explore this popular European destination in a new and exciting way.

Walking in Piedmont

A region of Italy that is criminally under-visited is Piedmont, whose name literally translates to ‘foot of the mountains’. Located in the northwest of the country and bordered by both France and Switzerland, it offers insight into a unique kind of Italian culture influenced by the neighbouring destinations.

Whilst Piedmont is known and loved for its food and wine, the region is also home to some of the finest hiking opportunities in Italy. The mountains that give it its name are a walker’s paradise, but the Gran Paradiso National Park in particular has some truly incredible hiking trails.

Many visitors take part in organised walking tours around Piedmont, either guided or self-directed, which also include excursions to enjoy the gastronomy that the region is so famous for. This is a great alternative Italian holiday idea if you want to avoid any sense of over-tourism when you visit the country and also want to enjoy spending as much time outdoors as you can.

Attend the Monza Grand Prix

Another great idea for a more unusual trip to Italy is to coordinate your visit with the country’s turn on the F1 calendar. The Italian Grand Prix has been hosted in Monza in the north of the country every year except one since 1921, and is one of the oldest and longest-standing races in the event’s history.

When it comes to actually attending the event, you can find Monza Grand Prix tickets from a range of suppliers who also offer additional services that will enhance your experience of the race. If you’re an F1 fan, it can be a great idea to pay for a hospitality package that will ensure some of the best seats on the course as well as taking care of drinks and catering over the weekend.

When you’re not at the racetrack, Monza is ideally located very close to the city of Milan, meaning you can combine your experience with exploring one of Italy’s most stylish and modern cities. In contrast to the history of places like Rome and Florence, Milan is the economic centre of Italy, which is reflected in the architecture of the city, but there’s also a very strong cultural offering when it comes to galleries, museums, food and shopping opportunities.

Visit Puglia

Another region of Italy that has only just started growing in popularity is Puglia, or Apulia, which is located right at the heel of the ‘boot’ of southern Italy. Perhaps best known for its unique villages of whitewashed, conical ‘trulli’ buildings, it’s a charming and totally unspoiled area of the country that makes a great destination for an Italian holiday that none of your friends will have been on before.

One of the main appeals of Puglia is the diversity of scenery around the region. You can spend half of your holiday enjoying the beaches in places like Bari or Polignano a Mare, and then drive further inland to explore the magical town of Alberobello or the Renaissance charms of Lecce.

There’s not much that Puglia doesn’t have to offer, so it’s no surprise that it’s a region where plenty of Italians choose to spend their holidays as well. For a truly authentic taste of Italy and some really gorgeous scenery, spend a week or so exploring Puglia and discover places you’re bound to fall in love with.

Explore Sardinia

Another Italian region that we think deserves more attention is Sardinia, which floats above Sicily off the west coast of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. Through the nature of being an island, Sardinia has developed a culture that feels distinctive to the mainland, making it a great destination for an alternative holiday.

If you’re seeking a beach holiday, then the coast of Sardinia is often likened to the Caribbean in terms of its beauty, so it’s a strong contender for sun-soaked days lying on the sand and swimming in the Mediterranean. Inland there are trails, hills and peaks that are a paradise for walkers, and across the towns and villages you’ll be able to enjoy a unique approach to Italian cuisine that has seafood at its centre.

To get a proper taste of Sardinia, we recommend staying in several different places during your holiday so you can explore as much of the island as possible. A great thing about Sardinia multi centre holidays is that it doesn’t take long to travel between places, so you can spend as much of your trip as possible enjoying this foolishly underrated paradise.

There are so many exceptional travel experiences available around Italy, many of which often get overlooked in favour of those firmly on the tourist trail. Whether you feel like you’ve already ‘done’ Italy or you’re the kind of traveller that prefers to experience a country through its undiscovered towns and regions, we hope that this list has inspired you to look further afield when it comes to planning your next Italian holiday.