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Italy

La Dolce Vita, living the sweet life!

A land of timeless art, culinary delights, and scenic beauty

Ciao! Passion seeps into all aspects of life here – you can hear it in the opera, taste it in lovingly prepared pasta, and see it in action as the Italians promenade across their piazzas, talking loudly and proudly with their hands. In Rome and Milan, life zooms by on Vespas, while Venice and Florence dazzle with their unique charms. In the countryside, things slow down - ideal for savoring wine, long lunches, and sunflower fields. Enjoy Tuscany’s scenic hills, historic Pompeii, and pastel coastal villages. On the coast, villages washed in pastel colours cling to cliffs; and in the Italian Alps, elegant villas overlook tranquil lakes. No wonder Italy was home to so many inspired painters and composers.

Chat to our Italy travel specialists and let’s start planning your belissimo holiday today!

Flight time.

Flying from Auckland to Italy usually takes around 24 hours, including a stopover. The journey is long, but the art, culture, and cuisine of Italy await you.

Best time to go.

The best times to visit Italy are during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). These seasons offer mild weather, fewer tourists, and the chance to see Italy at its most beautiful.

Time difference.

Italy is 10 hours behind New Zealand, so you’ll experience a substantial time difference upon arrival.

Our favourite things to do in Italy

See Rome or Tuscany on a vespa

Want to explore Rome like a local?

Learn to cook (and eat) like an Italian!

Go for an Italian Cooking class when in Italy!

Attend pizzafest in Naples

If you're borderline addicted to pizza, you're not alone.

Start your day with breakfast at the Vatican

Treat yourself to a VIP experience in Rome!

Head to the markets

Experience Rome's oldest market at the Campo dei Fiori, which serves up fresh seafood, vegetables, fruit, spices and homewares daily from Monday to Saturday.

Live like a local and hire a villa in Tuscany

One of the best experiences in Tuscany is to stay in a villa.

Try the best basil pesto

Explore the stunning villages of Cinque Terre and taste the best basil pesto!

Visit the outer Venetian islands

No trip to Venice is complete without a visit to its prized islands—Murano and Burano.

Hiking the Amalfi Coast

For something active and different - go for this popular hike on the Amalfi Coast!

Live like a local with an Italian Agriturismo stay

Italy

Italy know before you go

From historic cities and stunning countryside to world-famous cuisine and local customs, Italy has something for everyone.

Our top 10 things to do in Rome

Rome is among the world's most intriguing cities, a place where vestiges of ancient history sit alongside icons of stylish modern Europe

93% of customers who book with House of Travel rate us 5/5

"Paul is extremely helpful and friendly. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for him. I changed what flights I wanted several times and he remained patient and kind. He was also able to make some great suggestion for me for my travels. I've booked with Paul several times before and he makes it all very easy."

Kathleen

"He was responsive, listened to my needs, and provided what I needed."

Stacy

"Very kind, helpful and so accommodating"

Danique

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Meet our Italy specialists

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Penni McDonald

House of Travel Auckland City

As the stores resident cruise specialist without a doubt my favorite way to travel is by ship.

11 cruises so far & inspections of a further 20+ ships.

River cruises on the Nile, Danube & Rhone.

Ocean cruises in the South Pacific, Caribbean & NZ.

Penni

Nicole Hogan

House of Travel The Square

I am a cruise specialist who lives and breathes travel, I have a wide range of skills and knowledge.

I love the excitement of sitting down with my clients to share my experiences from around the world and help plan their trip of a lifetime!

Nicole

Rachel Molloy

House of Travel Calder & Lawson

Having been in the travel industry for 14 years, it's safe to say travel is my biggest passion. I love turning up somewhere not knowing what to expect and being delighted by both the differences in culture, cuisine and customs. Part way through my career I took a year off and spent this travelling extensively through central America, Asia and Europe. I'm now fortunate enough to be able to pass on the knowledge I've gained over the years and work with my clients to bring their travel dreams to fruition.

Rachel

Melanie Hubber

House of Travel Ferrymead

I am passionate about sustainable travel for the future.

My entire career of 30 years has been in travel sales and tourism. I have travelled overseas more than a hundred times to over 70 countries and 6 continents for personal holidays, business and leisure.

I've made my home in London, Dorset, Chamonix and Auckland. I settled back in my home town of Christchurch after being away for five years.

I love travel and how it enriches lives and provides a livelihood for people and communities around the globe. I love helping to inspire and inform clients, who care about the impact their choices have on local communities and the environment, and who want to have a great holiday.

Sustainable doesn't mean you can't have luxury! My personal holidays always have a sense of adventure, you will find me on a beach or mountain or taking in a cultural experience to make the most of a destination.

I personally rate train travel one of the best ways to casually explore, there's nothing I love more than checking in at a downtown railway station off to a new destination. I think travel provides new perspectives and respect for different cultures and values are par for the course. We can always find common ground when we are prepared to go out of our comfort zone.

Why book your travel with me? I am a CLIA certified Cruise Master and dedicated to helping you with your travel plans. I have the tools and the networks available to assist with all styles of travel experiences you may be looking for.

Mel