Italian Countryside Holidays

Holidays to Italy's countryside invoke images of a warm sun beating down on the red rooftops of a village nestled in dense green hillsides. Grape vines rustle in the wind and ivy clings to parched brick walls. These holidays are made for those with an eye for beauty, be it in a field of wildflowers, on a tapestry, or in the ruins of a crumbling palazzo.

The exquisite rural landscapes of Umbria and Tuscany offer the best of the Italian countryside. In Tuscany, medieval architecture and ancient landmarks itch to be explored. Fine wines wait to hit discerning palates in the Chianti wine region. Assisi, the hometown of St Francis, the patron saint of Italy, sits on top of a hill in Umbria. Watch the pilgrims who come from all over the world to visit his tomb inside the Saint Francis Basilica or head to the capital, Perguia, where Jazz meets chocolate in two famous festivals. In the Piedmont Countryside, you’ll see plenty of medieval towns set among a backdrop of vineyards, plus lots of opportunities to sample the excellent Michelin-starred cuisine. Basilicata is relatively unexplored, compared to other regions in Italy, so you can expect untouched scenery and historic hilltop towns.

Explore Italy’s countryside like no other

When you book a holiday through Citalia, you can rest safe in the knowledge your trip has been meticulously planned by our Italian holiday specialists. For the past 90 years, we've been using our expertise to ensure our customers experience Italy at its best. We love Italy, and we want to make sure you do too.

Umbria and Tuscany sit next to each other in the centre of Italy, making it easy to visit both regions in the same Italian countryside holiday. If you want to include a trip to the seaside, Tuscany has some beautiful beaches along its coast, such as Viareggio and Torre del Lago. Landlocked Umbria may not offer any seafaring, but it's the place to go if you want to enjoy an area with fewer tourists and a rural feel. Make sure you visit Spello, Montefalco and Bevagna, three medieval hillside walled towns, each with their own charm. Both regions present opportunities for relaxation. Montecatini Terme, a historic spa town in Tuscany is famous for its thermal waters, and Fontanaro in Umbria is an organic farm and culinary school where you can harvest olive oil or take a cooking class.

For those who want to explore the north-west of Italy the Piedmont Countryside would be an excellent choice. With views of endless vineyards and medieval towns it should definitely be at the top of your must-visit list. While you’re there pay a visit to Gavi and Pollenzo, it’s where some of the finest wines in the area are produced. In the south of Italy you’ll find Basilicata, full of rolling hills and quaint towns, it’s perfect for those who want to discover traditional Italy. The former capital of Basilicata – Matera, is steeped in history, explore the pre-historic stone houses that were the dwellings of the first settlers some 9000 years ago.