Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Enchanting Italy….experience it now

“People don’t take trips . . . trips take people” - John Steinbeck

 

From the thrill of fresh powder on the mountain top to the peace of a twilight stroll through a gorgeous medieval town, Europe is a place that stimulates your sense of curiosity. Through shared history, cultural diversity & natural beauty, this continent inspires connections, experiences & memories that stretch beyond borders. There simply is no way to tour Europe and not be awestruck by its scenic beauty, epic history and dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. Once you have ticked off the great Museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what's left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that's what!

 

The Journeys provides you with a vast array of choices for the sights, sounds & culturally rich experiences you are going to have when you are ready to vacation in Italy. Home to many of the world's greatest works of art, architecture & gastronomy, Italy elates, inspires & moves like no other Come……experience Italy with us…….

 

Europe’s almost unmanageable wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Renaissance art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice, the Napoleonic splendour of Paris, and the multilayered historical & cultural canvas of London. Less obvious but no less impressive attractions include Moorish Palaces in Andalucía, the fascinating East meets West brew of İstanbul in Turkey, the majesty of meticulously restored imperial Palaces in Russia's former capital St Petersburg & the ongoing project of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

 

There is a huge diversity of natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens & lochs; Norway's fabulous fjords, seemingly chipped to jagged perfection by giants; the vine-raked valleys of the Loire; & the steppe-like plains of central Spain. If you are looking for beaches, a circuit of the Mediterranean's northern coast reveals one gem after another. Or strike out to lesser known, yet beautiful coastal regions such as the Baltic & Black Seas. Mountain lovers should head to the Alps: they march across central Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy & tiny Liechtenstein.

 

Europe has some of the best nightlife in the world. Globally famous DJs keep the party going in London, Berlin & Paris, all of which also offer top-class entertainment, especially theatre & live music. Other key locations for high-energy nightlife include Moscow, Belgrade, Budapest & Madrid, while those hankering for something cosier can add Dublin's pubs or Vienna's cafes to their itinerary. Continue to party on the continent's streets at a multiplicity of festivals & celebrations, from city parades attended by hundreds of thousands to intimate concerts in an ancient amphitheatre.

 

Who wouldn't want to snack on pizza in Naples, souvlaki in Santorini or even haggis in Scotland? But did you also know that Britain has some of the best Indian restaurants in the world; that Turkey's doner kebab is a key part of contemporary German food culture; & that in the Netherlands, you can gorge on an Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table)? Once again Europe's diversity and global reach is its trump card.

 

And now let us talk about Repubblica Italiana in Western Europe, encompassing medieval & port cities, tranquil villages, mountains & Mediterranean beaches.

 

Art & Architecture | Culinary Delights | Stylish Shopping | La Dolce Vita

Home to many of the world's greatest works of art, architecture & gastronomy, Italy elates, inspires & moves like no other. An incredibly varied & exciting vacation destination & an extraordinary feast of heart-thumping, soul-stirring art, food & landscapes rivalled by few & coveted by millions…

 

Epicentre of the Roman Empire & birthplace of the Renaissance, this sun-kissed virtuoso groans under the weight of its cultural cachet: it is here that you will stand in the presence of Michelangelo's David & Sistine Chapel frescoes, Botticelli's Birth of Venus & Primavera & da Vinci's The Last Supper. In fact, Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites than any other country on Earth. Should you walk in the footsteps of Saints & Emperors in Rome, revel in Ravenna's glittering Byzantine treasures or get breathless over Giotto's revolutionary frescoes in Padua? It is a cultural conundrum as thrilling as it is overwhelming.

 

In few other places do art & life intermingle so effortlessly. This may be the land of Dante, Titian & Verdi, but it is also the home of Prada, Gualtiero Marchesi & Renzo Piano. Beauty, style & flair furnish every aspect of daily life, from those immaculately knotted ties and perfect espressos, to the flirtatious smiles of striking strangers.

 

Italy, commanding a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture & cuisine. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins. Other major cities include Florence, with Renaissance treasures such as Michelangelo’s "David" and its leather & paper artisans; Venice, the sinking city of canals & Milan, Italy’s fashion capital.

 

Italy's fortes extend beyond its galleries, plates, wardrobes & dining rooms.  The country is one of Mother Nature's masterpieces, its geography offering extraordinary natural diversity. From the north's icy Alps & glacial lakes to the south's volcanic craters & turquoise grottoes, this is a place for doing as well as seeing. One day you are tearing down Courmayeur's powdery slopes, the next you could be riding cowboy-style across the marshes of the Maremma, or diving in coral-studded Campanian waters. Not bad for a country not much bigger than Arizona.

 

Italy's 20 regions feel more like 20 independent states, each with its own dialects, traditions, architecture & glorious food. From nibbling on knodel in an Alto Adige chalet to exploring souk-like market streets in Sicily, the choices are as diverse as they are seductive.

 

It might look like a boot, but food-obsessed Italy feels more like a decadently stuffed Christmas stocking. From delicate tagliatelle al ragu to velvety cannoli, every bite can feel like a revelation. The secret: superlative ingredients & finely tuned know-how. And while Italy's culinary soul might prefer simplicity, it is equally ingenious & sophisticated. Expect some of the world's top fine-dining destinations, from San Pellegrino 'World's Best 50' hot spots to Michelin-starred musts. So whether you are on a degustation odyssey in Modena, truffle hunting in Piedmont or swilling powerhouse reds in the Valpolicella wine region, prepare to loosen that belt.

 

Then, there is the country's incomparable artistic treasures, which amount to more than the rest of the world put together. It is hard not to feel a little envious sometimes, but it is even harder not to fall madly in love.

 

From a gondola ride in Venice to the architectural ruins of the Empire, enjoy the classic & traditional milestones and activities of Italy. We take you from the Vatican to the Coliseum, from the canals to the medieval villages. Don't forget to grab a bite & sip a glass of wine along the way!

 

Get a taste of Italian culture with a journey to Lake Como, the Italian Riviera or the Amalfi Coast. Visibly slowed down by comparison to the hustle and bustle of the big cities, these locations provide a balance to the hustle of modern Italy.

 

Our Italy vacation packages offer you the chance to access the significant & enjoyable landmarks & cities of this most historically rich of countries. The opportunities for breathtaking views, adventures on the water, archaeological sites & exquisite cuisine are endless, and we make sure you see it all with our well-rounded vacation packages to Italy.

 

Concerned that you don't speak Italian or have a degree in regional history? Not to worry!  Our local offices are always there 24/7 to offer any assistance you might need. Just sit back, relax & enjoy as you discover history & a unique experience amidst an idyllic scenery and that is just a beginning....... Yep, Italy is waiting, and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World with us

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Italy. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore more options & we will be happy to customise & offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…