Holidays in Italy

What is Italy? Italy — it is a mind-blowing, explosive mix of incredible historical, cultural and artistic heritage, countless monuments, stunning architecture, fiery temperament, picturesque nature and endlessly delicious food. Do you really need anything else to create a recipe for a trip that is perfect in every respect and finally set off for the most charismatic country of Old Europe? Something tells us that this is already more than enough :)

How to get there

Rome

You can get to Rome from Kyiv on direct flights operated by UIA and Alitalia. Thanks to Alitalia, a lot of routes throughout Italy become available to you. A UIA flight paid for in advance may cost you $90+, while with Alitalia the ticket price will be no less than $190.

There are also direct flights from Kyiv to Rome operated by the low-cost carrier Ernest Airlines, with round-trip fares starting from $120. The airline cannot really boast any special onboard service, but at least you will not have to plan your trip too far in advance to pay $90.

From Odesa, a flight to Rome is only possible with connections in Kyiv or in one of the European airports that can be reached directly from Odesa. For example, a ticket for a UIA flight via Kyiv may cost you around $190, while a flight via Vienna will be about $300. Due to the seasonality of some direct European flights from Odesa, not all connection options are available year-round.

Florence

From Odesa you can get to this city via picturesque Vienna with Austrian Airlines for $275. The layovers in Vienna are quite long, but this can be a great excuse to take a walk around the Austrian capital. A flight from Kyiv via Rome with Alitalia will cost you from $300. Which city to visit additionally — that’s up to you. In both cases you collect your luggage at the final destination.

Bologna

You can get from Kyiv to Bologna on Ernest Airlines flights. The flight is direct, and if you book your travel dates in advance, it may cost you only $155. But if you prefer reliable airlines with an impeccable reputation, you can fly to Bologna with Alitalia with a convenient connection in Rome for $255.

Milan (all 3 airports)

UIA operates direct flights from Kyiv to both Milan airports — Bergamo and Malpensa. Flights to Malpensa are more convenient: arrival at noon and departure around lunchtime, whereas in Bergamo you are in for a late arrival and an early morning departure. However, with timely planning you can choose convenient flights at very attractive prices — from $110 for a round-trip ticket. For travelers from other regions this is the best option, since it allows for convenient connections with domestic flights. For residents of Odesa, the cost of a round-trip flight will be about $150.

UIA’s competitor on this route is currently Ernest Airlines, which also flies to both airports. But both of their flights arrive in the evening and depart early in the morning. In this case the choice depends only on your preference of airline: in terms of price Ernest Airlines does not differ much from UIA — the same $110 for a round trip.

As for Linate Airport, you can only get there with connections in Paris or Rome. Prices start from $225 for a round-trip ticket.
Venice (Marco Polo)

UIA operates direct flights from Kyiv to Venice (Marco Polo Airport), which makes this city quite accessible, especially for travelers from other regions. With advance booking, a direct flight from Kyiv may cost you about $200, while for travelers from the regions the price will be around $240. For purists who insist on European carriers, the flight will be considerably more expensive — from $300 per ticket. Unfortunately, there are no flights from Ukraine to Treviso Airport.

Naples

There is a direct flight from Kyiv to Naples operated by Ernest Airlines. It will cost you at least $155. But if you decide to combine your route with another country, then for $235 you can also visit Paris or Amsterdam. From Odesa you can get to Naples via Vienna with Austrian Airlines for $270. A flight via Istanbul will cost $420.

Turin (ski resorts)

Those wishing to get to Turin are advised to book and purchase their tickets as early as possible. The minimum ticket price from Kyiv can go as low as $250, and this will be either a flight via Paris with Air France or via Amsterdam with KLM. Residents of Odesa can also use this route, but in that case the journey will include two connections and will require an overnight stay either in Kyiv or in Amsterdam. The minimum cost of such a trip will be $320.

The islands

Cagliari has a better air connection with the mainland than the rest of the island. For example, Alitalia operates flights from Rome to Cagliari that connect very well with the Kyiv–Rome flight. The minimum price for such a trip will be $380. Olbia, however, cannot be reached by simple through-ticketing: you will have to choose a regular flight to Rome and then combine it with a low-cost Air Italy flight, which will cost you about $150. Unfortunately, even with connections it is not possible to get to Cagliari from Odesa, so you will first have to make your own way to Kyiv.

Sicily

There are two operating airports in Sicily that can be comfortably reached from Ukraine. The cheapest way to get to Catania is via Paris or Amsterdam — for $255. And if you plan to visit both parts of the island, it is better to choose a flight with Alitalia via Rome, since it is the only airline that flies to Palermo. The cost of such a combined trip will be $310. A flight exclusively to Palermo will cost $300.

From Odesa you can get to Catania via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines for $420. A trip via Vienna will be significantly more expensive — about $585. To get to Palermo you will have to fly via Vienna with a refueling stop in Catania for $530, and you will also have to stay overnight in Vienna: all flights from Vienna are in the morning and do not connect with the midday arrival from Odesa.

By car

For an independent trip to Italy by car it is advisable to have at least some experience of driving across Europe. The most rational route to Italy runs from Chop through Hungary and Slovenia.

Cruise ship

Italy features in the cruise itineraries of more than a dozen major international companies. They differ in the range of cities they visit, embarkation and disembarkation points, and, of course, in cost and service level. Among the top cruise lines sailing along Italy’s coast are Oceania Cruises, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and AIDA.

Ferry

Another interesting way to travel to the shores of Italy is by ferry from Greece. Six Greek ferry operators offer a total of 16 different routes from Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Sami and Zakynthos to Brindisi, Ancona, Venice and Bari.

What to see

The list of Italy’s attractions could easily run into the hundreds, but we decided to focus on the main ones. Let’s just say we have compiled a list of the country’s most iconic places, without which Italy would not be itself.

• Lake Como in northern Italy. One of the most romantic and picturesque places in Italy, and also one of the most expensive in terms of real estate. This beautiful lake, with a total area of 146 square kilometers, is surrounded not only by delightful hills, but also by numerous luxurious villas belonging to the wealthy from all over the world.
• St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. One of the most lavish examples of classical Byzantine architecture in Western Europe. Its main feature (aside from the overall splendor of the structure) is its rich decor, mosaics, frescoes and paintings that abundantly adorn the basilica, as well as its perfect acoustics for live music. Incidentally, the relics of St. Mark are kept here, attracting pilgrims from all over the world.
• The Pantheon in Rome. The Roman Pantheon is a magnificent example of monumental ancient architecture. Despite its impressive age, it is superbly preserved, so it is open to all visitors.
• The village of Positano in southern Italy. The charming southern commune of Positano is famous, first and foremost, because Sophia Loren chose it as her place of residence. It is an extraordinarily scenic spot, consisting entirely of narrow streets and colorful houses scattered across steep hillsides.
• The Grand Canal in Venice. If you have not seen Venice’s Grand Canal, you have not seen Venice! It is the city’s main transport artery, along whose banks you will find most of Venice’s most beautiful buildings.
• The Colosseum in Rome. The calling card of Rome, known all over the world. Despite the dilapidated condition of the monument, it is still absolutely worth a visit to see it with your own eyes.
• Castel del Monte in southern Italy. Once you enter this austere octagonal castle, you will immediately feel like a character from a film about knights and fair ladies. Castel del Monte is the most famous of the surviving medieval castles in the world.
• Cinque Terre National Park on the coast of the Gulf of Genoa. Cinque Terre is the epitome of an ideal place for rest of both body and soul. It comprises five charming coastal villages, rocky, pebbly and one sandy beach, picturesque vineyards and historical landmarks.
• Lake Garda at the foot of the Alps. Garda attracts tourists for several reasons. First, it is the largest lake in Italy. Second, it is extraordinarily scenic: here stunning views of mountain peaks are combined with the majestic beauty of fjords in the narrow part of the lake. Third, it is home to many first-class and famous resorts.
• Piazza del Campo in Siena. This square is the focal point of the city of Siena, famous for its huge number of spectacular historic buildings, medieval architecture and the Fountain of Joy, which was built almost 600 years ago!
• The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. To touch Florence’s main cathedral is like touching a canvas of the Early Renaissance! This architectural symbol of Florence is a true work of art that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
• The Trevi Fountain in Rome. The largest and most famous fountain in Rome, the star of countless popular films and an even greater number of unknown romantic stories that definitely deserve to be filmed ;)
• The Val d’Orcia cultural landscape in Tuscany. Do not think that Val d’Orcia is just another Italian valley. It is a UNESCO-listed part of Tuscany, famed for its vineyards and wine. When heading to Val d’Orcia, proceed with caution: the temptation to stay here is dangerously strong!
• Mount Vesuvius in Naples and Mount Etna in Sicily. Two active volcanoes are located on the territory of modern Italy — Vesuvius, considered the most dangerous in Europe, and Etna, which holds the title of the tallest. Life is in full swing at the foot of both volcanoes, which means the climb to the summit promises to be very exciting :)
• The Vatican. The concentration of attractions within the Vatican, the world-famous city-state, surpasses all imagination. Once there, you have the opportunity to stroll through the avenues of the famous Vatican Gardens, climb up to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and, of course, visit the magnificent Sistine Chapel with its frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli and a number of other great masters of the era.
• Milan Cathedral. Milan Cathedral is one of the key symbols of Italy’s fashion capital. Striking in its scale, this magnificent building is a prime example of medieval Gothic at its finest. The cathedral is famous for its numerous statues, of which there are more than 3,000!
• The Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Florence is a true magnet for connoisseurs of beauty! Apart from being extremely beautiful in and of itself, the city is home to the famous Uffizi Gallery, which is considered a mecca for admirers of fine art. The gallery houses original paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo and many other great artists.
• The Spanish Steps in Rome. The wide staircase at the foot of Piazza di Spagna, also known as the Spanish Steps, is considered one of the most romantic places in Rome. It should be especially familiar to fans of the film “Roman Holiday” starring Audrey Hepburn.

What to try from the local food

If we set out to fully describe the incredible diversity of Italian cuisine, we would have to put everything else on hold for about six months. So we had to pick a few of its brightest representatives.

• Arancini alla Siciliana / Arancini. Arancini is one of the most famous dishes of Sicilian cuisine. Visually, arancini are somewhat reminiscent of meatballs with a diameter of 8–10 cm and consist of rice with meat. Sometimes mozzarella, tomato sauce and green peas are also included.
• Pizza / Pizza. Although you can often find good pizza even in the most remote corners of the planet, you absolutely must try it in the historic homeland of the world’s most democratic dish. While by default the most delicious pizza is considered to be in Naples, you can find amazingly tasty and very inexpensive pizza almost everywhere in Rome.
• Gelato / Gelato. Gelato is not quite the same as ordinary ice cream, and once you try it you will understand this forever. Traditionally, this delicate frozen dessert is made from fresh cow’s milk, cream and sugar with the addition of berries, nuts, chocolate and fresh fruit.
• Locally produced alcohol. Few countries can boast such a variety of national alcoholic beverages as Italy. Special attention should be paid to local wines, whose prices will pleasantly surprise you, as well as various liqueurs, including the famous Limoncello, grappa, and different vermouths and signature Italian cocktails based on them.
• Risotto / Risotto. Preparing the perfect risotto is one of those arts that only true Italian chefs have mastered. Accordingly, while in Italy you must seize the opportunity to taste this unique dish with its delicate saffron aroma. The Milan-style version is especially good.
• Tiramisu / Tiramisu. Tiramisu is one of the world’s most celebrated desserts, and deservedly so. This delicate multi-layered dessert is made with whipped mascarpone cheese, coffee, eggs and sugar. Another key role is played by airy savoiardi biscuits, which give the dessert its special charm.
• Cannoli / Cannoli. If there is such a thing as a “mafia” dessert, then the cannoli pastry definitely deserves this status, as it is repeatedly mentioned in “The Godfather”. It is a crispy wafer tube filled with ricotta mixed with various syrups (usually vanilla or chocolate), wine or rose water. The best cannoli are made in Sicily and in southern Italy.
• Prosciutto / Prosciutto. Italian prosciutto, the most delicate ham made from a pork leg rubbed with salt, rivals Spanish jamón in fame. The most well-known variety of prosciutto contains no additional ingredients besides sea salt, although the set of spices may vary depending on the region.
• Pasta / Pasta. Although pasta was invented in Asia about 4,000 years ago, its international success came thanks to the Italians, or more precisely the Venetian traveler Marco Polo. At first Italians ate pasta as a dessert, but over time they began serving it with a variety of savory sauces and dressings. Today there are about 500 registered types of pasta in Italy. Of course, it would take years to try them all, but you should definitely sample at least a couple of varieties :)
• Minestrone / Minestrone. Minestrone soup is the perfect dish for those who want their food not only to taste great but also to look beautiful! This traditional Italian soup is made from fresh seasonal vegetables. It turns out very aromatic, rich and colorful, making it devilishly photogenic!
• Zabaglione / Zabaglione or Zabaione. Another interesting Italian dessert is Zabaglione. It is an egg-based custard with the addition of wine, rum and cinnamon. It is served with sponge biscuits or fresh figs. The combination is very unusual and insanely delicious!
• Tortellini / Tortellini. Think you can no longer be surprised by dumplings? You can, if we are talking about tiny tortellini! They are made from unleavened dough with meat, cheese or vegetables and look like little rings or buds.
• Cacciucco / Cacciucco. And now a bit of Tuscan cuisine. In Tuscany, thick soups with a stew-like consistency are popular, and among them cacciucco deserves special attention. It is a rich seafood and fish soup cooked in a mixture of fish broth, red wine and tomato sauce.

Where to stay

Italy is one of those countries where it is very difficult to judge the quality of a hotel by its star rating, so we recommend choosing based on the purpose of your trip and on reviews, which you can find on sites like Booking.com and TripAdvisor.

Sightseeing holiday

If you are going to explore the sights, choose a hotel with a strategically convenient location. This can be a hotel in the city center, which will allow you to walk almost everywhere at any time of day, or a more budget-friendly hotel in a residential area or suburb with good public transport connections.

Beach holiday

When choosing a hotel at a seaside resort, you should pay attention to several aspects:

• how far the hotel is from the sea;
• what kind of beach the hotel has: rocky, pebbly or sandy;
• the conditions for using beach equipment (sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach);
• whether the hotel has its own section of beach or access to a municipal/private beach.

Staying at a ski resort

• Italian hotels in mountain resorts have a number of features that you should take into account when planning your vacation:
• hotels at ski resorts are relatively small, with a capacity of 10 to 60 guests;
• there are very few five-star hotels at ski resorts, and there is hardly any difference between 3- and 4-star hotels;
• as mentioned above, the star rating of a hotel does not mean much, so it is important to read reviews;
• the peak season is Christmas, February and the Easter holidays; you can save money by choosing early December, January or late March for your trip.

Holidays at thermal springs

If you want to relax at thermal springs on the islands (Ischia and Sardinia, for example), we recommend primarily looking at 5* hotels, which offer a wide range of additional services, including wellness and beauty treatments.

What souvenirs to bring back

If it were possible, we would suggest bringing the whole of Italy back with you! But if we try to put together a more or less manageable list of what to bring from Italy, we would recommend the following souvenirs:

• Authentic Italian products: sweets, pasta, hard cheese, coffee, olive oil, cured sausages, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian marzipan.
• Local wine sets, limoncello and a range of liqueurs.
• Carnival masks from Venice.
• Locally produced leather goods.
• Jewelry, tableware and decorative items made of Murano glass.
• Burano lace.
• Florentine and Sicilian ceramics.
• Venetian lamps made of gilded bronze.
• Italian cosmetics and perfumes.

How to organize the perfect trip to Italy

So, now you know that wherever you decide to go in Italy, in every region you will find a way to have a pleasant and interesting time, pairing your cultural program with wine and local delicacies. Our main recommendation to all travelers is to set your travel goals correctly: your choice of transport and hotel will depend on this.

And if your eyes are already shining and you have lost the ability to think rationally, contact us at Travel-Consult to create the most comprehensive itinerary and organize an unforgettable trip to beautiful Italy! :)