Hotels in Sicily

Sorrento holidays put you in the heart of the beautiful Neapolitan Riviera, with its low valleys, high mountains and hillsides, dotted with groves of colourful fruit. Perched on a cliff along a beautiful stretch of blue coastline, say ciao to one of Italy’s most exclusive holiday resorts. Here, you can delve deep into Italian culture as you explore medieval relics in timeless museums, before getting lost among the market-filled streets in its Old Town. But for heritage in the form of age-old recipes, you must sample Campanian cuisine! And if the key to your heart is through your belly, then the region’s most popular comfort food, gnocchi alla Sorrentina (a baked dish of little Italian dumplings in a tomato sauce) should be your go-to.

Still need convincing? Holidays to Sorrento will see you sipping limoncello at Piazza Tasso’s snazziest cocktail spots. That’s when you’re not making your way through 30 different flavours of gelato at Gelateria Davide, of course! Or exploring the Baroque Church and Cloisters of San Francesco. Plus, when you fancy a day trip you’ve got the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri all at your fingertips. 

Things to do

Away from the lemon-lined cobbles and pizzerias is a serious art scene. The Museum Correale is full of Neopolitan crafts, European ceramics and an incredible collection of paintings themed around the Posillipo district, all housed in an 18th-century villa. Meanwhile, the SyArt Gallery represents new and upcoming artists with a contemporary flair. When you want your history fix, a guided walking tour of Sorrento’s Old Town will place you amidst the spectacularly ancient Valley of the Mills and the San Francesco Cloister.

Head a little further along the Amalfi Coast and you’ll discover the exclusive resort of Positano. Wander through steep streets of elegant boutiques and romantic restaurants. See the town's Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, a 13th-century church with an impressive 1920s dome. Or take a ferry to the striking Greek ruins of Paestum. 

And if you want to tick off multiple resorts in one go, boat excursions to Positano, Ravello, Praiano, Atrani, Minori and Maiori are just some of the highlights. Head further afield to the ancient ruins of Pompeii, which will take at least a full day to explore, but is certainly worth the time and effort. 

Plus, did you know there are three waterparks in the region? Green Island is perfect for thrill-seeking families with its kamikaze drops and black cannon chutes. Those travelling with younger tots should make a beeline for Aquafarm. Kids below 105cm tall go free - do we need to say more? Meanwhile, Valle dell’Orso lies in the heart of the Vesuvius National Park with a wave pool, relaxation zones and anaconda shaped slide.

Beaches

Sorrento’s beaches are made up of small coves with wooden bathing platforms built over the sea, perfect for daredevil divers. Marina Piccola Beach, in particular, is a stretch of volcanic sand backed by a variety of beach clubs mixing up classic Negroni cocktails and providing a VIP sunbathing experience. Head off the beaten track to Regina Giovanna, a beauty spot where the ancient Roman ruins of Villa Pollio Felice still stand. But most importantly, there’s a turquoise-tinted lagoon daring you to take a dip. Families will appreciate the shallow water at the coastal hotspot, Puolo. And for camera-worthy vistas, the bay of Loreto sits at the tip of Sorrento’s peninsula overlooking the island of Capri.

History and culture

It was the Greeks who first founded Sorrento in the 6th century BC - it then became a part of the Roman Empire in the 4th century BC. Today, Sorrento is a popular holiday resort etched into the cliffside with a maze of cobbled streets, traditional buildings and striking rocky landscapes.

Down its narrow alleyways are quaint cafes, pasta-filled restaurants and shops that sell locally crafted goods such as jewellery, leather shoes and clothes, satisfying those curious about the culture. And don’t be surprised to see decorated murals, bell towers and remains of 16th-century defence walls, orginally built to protect the region from pirates.

Nightlife

Sorrento’s evening entertainment revolves around eating and socialising, so you won't find many nightclubs in the area. There are, however, lots of great bars and restaurants open late when you fancy an evening tipple. Think cosy cocktail spots serving up Aperol Spritz, live bands, cabaret and dance performances. The Filou Club is one of them. Set between the ancient walls of Via Santa Maria della Pietà, it hosts a busy line-up of pianists, singers and DJs. 

When you do want to turn the partying up a notch (by a notch, we mean dancing until 3am), head over to Piazza Tasso and follow the sound of chart remixes and techno tunes at Fauno Notte Club. 

More Travel Guides

Check out our other Italy destination guides, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | Florence | Lake Garda | Limone | Malcesine | Rome | Sant'Agnello | Sardinia  | Sicily | Venetian Riviera | Venice

Halfway between Africa and Europe, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and fiercely proud of its unique identity. If you’re looking for a break with plenty of peace and tranquillity, holidays to Sardinia could be just what the doctor ordered! While the mainland is buzzing 24 hours a day, the laid-back attitude is perfect for those holidaying with children or couples sneaking a romantic escape.

Blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, there are plenty of places where you can top up your tan, from quiet, secluded coves with silvery sands, to spacious beaches with water sports on tap. Inland, you can unleash your inner adventurer and take treks on horseback, climb unusual rock formations, and go spotting rare species at La Maddalena Islands Archipelago National Park, or for something a little more laid-back there are a variety of wine tasting tours throughout the area. With so much to see and do, you can make your Sardinia holidays just what you want them to be.

Excellent beaches

Sardinia has some of the best beaches in the whole of the Mediterranean. The north coast of the island is decorated with nearly 80 coves carved into the rocky shoreline. Lovely, long stretches of sand shelve gently into crystal clear waters giving plenty of opportunities for water sports, like boating and snorkelling. Most of the beaches are within a short distance from superb restaurants, cafes and bars. Enjoy the spectacular views of the shimmering coast and unwind, basking in the wonderfully warm weather.

History and culture

Sardinia is a large picturesque island found just off the coast of Italy in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It has an impeccable 2,000km of coastline made up of beautiful sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. The island is drenched in history and tradition, with its historic buildings, bizarre Nuraghi towers and wine vineyards.

The resort hosts a variety of religious and cultural festivals throughout the year with parades, firework displays and huge parties. Italian culture runs through the cobbled streets, join in with the age old tradition of the Passeggiata; a gentle evening stroll where the locals like to socialise after a hearty meal.

Nightlife

Expect a classy affair when it comes to Sardina’s nightlife, with nightly activities traditionally taking place on a terrace of a café or in restaurants. Enjoy a glass of wine or two and enjoy an evening of socialising in the laid back atmosphere by the beachside. If you’re looking for something a little bit more upbeat, you’ll find that areas like Olbia and Alghero have a livelier nightlife. Move from bar to bar enjoying the music and fruity cocktails as you go.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Amalfi | Ischia Porto | Florence | Lake Garda | Limone | Malcesine | Rome | Sant'Agnello | Sicily | Sorrento | Venetian Riviera | Venice

With its golden sands and wealth of family attractions, the Venetian Riviera is Italian beach life at its best. Whether you want to laze away your days with a good book on the beach, or fancy braving the thrilling slides at Aqualandia Caribe Bay water park, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied on holidays to the Venetian Riviera.

And if you want to experience the grand architecture, museums, and fabulous food of Venice itself, you’re only a short ferry ride away. With so much to see and do, families and couples have everything they need for a relaxing, fun-packed holiday.

Things to do

If you’re on holiday in the Venetian Riviera and you're looking to take a break from the beach for a while, then a good bet would be to take a ferry to Venice. To start with, you could explore the stunning Piazza San Marco square, which is overlooked by St Mark's Basilica, a huge Italo-Byzantine church dating back more than 1,000 years. Both inside and out, it's one of the city's most imposing landmarks, and a powerful symbol of the wealth of the Venetian Empire, which lasted 1,100 years. Head to the beautiful 16th-century Rialto Bridge above the Grand Canal, then see a concert or opera at the Teatro La Fenice theatre.

For something extra special for your Venetian Riviera holidays, hire a gondola for an hour or so, which will let you get the best views of the Renaissance buildings from areas that you can’t reach on foot. However, gondolas can be rather pricey, especially in the peak season, and they are by no means essential.

Sometimes, it's just as enjoyable, and arguably more exciting, to explore Venice spontaneously rather than following a strict schedule. If you're eager to get away from the touristy areas, head up to Cannaregio, where you can immerse yourself in traditional Venetian life, see the Jewish ghetto, and explore the lively cafés.

The Lido island is also home to many beautiful Italian Art Noveau buildings and the Chiesa di San Nicolò di Lido, a church dating back more than 900 years.

Golden beaches
Lido di Jesolo is one of the Venetian Riviera’s most popular resorts and if you enjoy nothing more than spending hours relaxing in the sunshine, you’ll love the golden beach here. It’s a 17 kilometre Blue Flag winner with plenty of sunloungers and parasols, perfect for finding your ideal tanning spot. This beach is popular with the kids too as the sea water is just right for them to splash about in and there’s lots going on to keep them entertained. They’ll spend the whole holiday trying to replicate the sand sculptures on the beachfront promenade.

A city of culture
Venice is a must-see during your Venetian Riviera holiday, this enchanting city has sights, shops, restaurants and so much more.  Make your way around the sights, admiring the centuries-old architecture, stop at a local café for some homemade gelato and head for the main canal for a tour of Venice by water.

Splendid shopping
Italy is known for its high fashion and the Venetian Riviera is no exception. Whilst exploring Venice be sure to pop into one of its many designer boutiques and have a browse of the collection of high-end goods.  In Lido di Jeselo, there’s a whole street dedicated to shopping, the Via Bafile. In high season, the shops open from early in the morning and stay open until late at night so no matter what time of the day it is, you can still get that shopping fix. Head to the islands in the Venetian Lagoon to pick up some hand-made Italian crafts.   

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Lido de Jesolo