As I’m sure you’ve seen all over Instagram, Italy was a top tourist destination this year.
From exploring ancient Rome to visiting sprawling Tuscan vineyards to lounging beachside along the beautiful Amalfi Coast, Italy is one of the few locations that truly has something for everyone. If you’re looking to experience Italy in a new light, I’m rounding up the ultimate Italian getaway where I share my top picks as it relates to luxury travel- even on a budget. Throughout this curated itinerary, I’m diving into the top Italian accommodations and attractions- plus, where to find them- to make your next trip to Italy one to remember. I’m also adding my top style tips and where to shop to prepare for your picture-perfect looks.
Keep reading because your next luxurious adventure awaits…
Accommodations
TIP: When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay, Booking.com is a must-try because it conveniently allows me to book and store all of my travel essentials in one place- either on the website or app. From accommodations to activities, it’s easy to locate and book properties that meet my requests, since Booking.com has it all.
Rome
If you’re planning a luxe Italian getaway, one of your first stops should be Rome. The country’s capital features historic architecture, amazing food, and stunning cityscape views. It also features some of the best Italian luxury brands to shop. Booking.com helped us find a beautiful, luxe guest room in the historic old town, labeled Youroom Abruzzi which was rated exceptionally high in areas such as cleanliness and location. This room offered luxurious, modern amenities and features that made our stay one to remember. From the Replica toiletries to the spacious bed and air-conditioned rooms, this property was a luxurious must-stay in the heart of the city.
Milan
No luxury travel itinerary to Italy is complete without a trip to one of the most important fashion capitals of the world- Milan. Booking.com was imperative in helping us book a luxury apartment central to all of the action. Featuring a luxuriously spacious 2-floor layout with a classic design, this apartment came complete with a functional kitchenette making it a treasured find. This was an ideal space to experience the city without compromising on space or style as it offered more than enough room to relax, unwind, and enjoy a cappuccino out on the balcony. Only minutes from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Duomo di Milano, this apartment is a definite must-stay.
Lake Como
When it comes to luxury bucket list locations, Lake Como is a must-add to the list. This is because it’s the ultimate Italian destination for scenic views, celebrity sightings, and quiet, luxurious accommodations nestled in the surrounding sprawling villages. As Lake Como is home to multiple towns, it would be worthwhile to explore various locations throughout the lake, should timing permit you to do so. Bellagio is one of the most glamorous so prepared to be dazzled by the town’s romantic ambiance. Bellano is quieter in comparison, but home to quaint accommodations with stunning views. This is where we discovered a charming bed and breakfast offering gorgeous lakeside views on Booking.com called Villa Marina. On the contrary, Como is a town that offers a vibrant hustle and bustle, where we discovered a bright, modern hotel for our stay- complete with a rooftop terrace, spacious rooms, and luxe amenities called Villa Liberty. Any one of these towns would be ideal for experiencing the magic Lake Como has to offer, and Booking.com was a go-to for locating all of our stellar accommodations in the luxury resort area.
Verona
A must-add stop to your luxury Italian getaway trip itinerary should be Verona, which is an idyllic city that features a stunning combination of history, culture, and artwork. As the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona is known around the world as the city to fall in love with thanks to its historical charm and breathtaking city views. This is definitely the place to get lost and wander around in as there’s so much to see and do. From Verona Arena to Piazza delle Erbe, Verona is an enchanting city you’ll never tire of.
To fully experience the city and all it has to offer, it was imperative for us to be central to all of the action and to find accommodations that enhanced our luxury travel experience. This is why we went with the highly recommended Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel Des Arts, an IHG Hotel. This luxury boutique hotel property is located in the center of Verona and thoughtfully fuses hospitality with art. Hotel Indigo Verona features 62 beautiful rooms that are fully renovated in design. What I love about Hotel Indigo Verona is that it combines refinement with practicality to create a warm, inviting yet stylish space for all guests.
While we had the most incredible, relaxing stay, here are some of our favorite things about Hotel Indigo Verona- Grand Hotel Des Arts:
The guestrooms at Hotel Indigo Verona are a dreamy mix of classic and contemporary when it comes to both comfort and design. Just minutes from the city’s main attractions, Hotel Indigo Verona is a Liberty-style building that dates back to the 1920s. Although the property has undergone a transformative renovation, the city’s enchanting charm is still nestled into the hotel’s decor. The contemporary room furniture is accented by the luxe abundance of in-house amenities, making this a truly unforgettable experience from check-in to check-out. I noted the attention to detail throughout the space and especially loved the letter motifs located above the bed, which pay homage to the city’s claim to fame, as well as Shakespeare’s tragedy.
The property has multiple room options– including Standard, Premium, or Suite-style rooms- all of which include a private bathroom and additional amenities. We found our Standard room to be extremely comfortable, featuring a nod to the famous city with its stylish decor as well as a stunning view into the hotel’s quaint courtyard. This was the most luxurious stay of our journey, in which we were able to truly indulge. Guestroom amenities included bathroom toiletries, an LCD TV with Sky channels and Chromecast, wi-fi, a tea and coffee maker, and a mini bar, as well as air conditioning, making this an incredibly enjoyable stay.
Exclusive to hotel guests only, the Arya Bar & Mixology is the perfect place to pop in for a snack, or a curated selection of drinks. Signature cocktails and tasty dishes make this the ideal space to relax and unwind after exploring the city. We took note of the spacious seating, as well as the designs inspired by Romeo and Juliet’s love story, admiring the way in which luxury meets indulgence at Hotel Indigo Verona. It’s also important to note that guests are able to use the private garden or rooftop terrace to breathe in the city while unwinding from a long day of sightseeing at the most sought-after spot in town. Be sure to leave room in your itinerary to stop for a drink or dish at Arya, as it will be one of the highlights of your stay.
Staff was also incredibly welcoming upon arrival and departure, offering top selects for nearby restaurants and attraction must-sees. There are also member perks if you are a Diamond Member so be sure to inquire with staff if you’re interested in learning more.
Hotel Indigo Verona is an absolute must-stay in the historical Italian city. It will not disappoint when it comes to location, cleanliness, style, functionality, or amenities. This is because we loved the property’s proximity to top tourist attractions such as Porta Nuova, Piazza Bra, and the Arena, as well as the comfortable, spacious, and contemporary room designs. It’s truly a luxurious stay in the heart of Verona that will leave you with an unforgettable experience.
TIP: Be sure to check out the property’s Special Offers page which features deals and exclusive packages designed to make your trip a memorable one.
Dolomites
A visit to the magnificent Dolomite mountain range in northern Italy is the perfect way to end the trip of a lifetime. We booked an incredibly quaint hotel called Hotel Villa Groff with views of the mountains on Booking.com and it was one of our favorite stays of the trip. Featuring a spacious outdoor garden and pool area, this art-nouveau villa offers guests authentic Italian cuisine and comfortable rooms with stunning views. It really is a must-stay in one of the most scenic stops in Italy.
Attractions
Booking.com continues to be a go-to when it comes to finding and booking attractions designed to enhance overall travel experiences. This is because Booking.com is live in over 1,200 cities with over 39,000 curated bookable attractions and experiences. The platform offers attractions such as tours, activities, museums, landmarks, attractions, theme parks, rentals, and auxiliary services so we knew we could rely on it to help us curate the ideal luxury travel itinerary.
We loved scouring the website for top attractions to visit at every stop, which helped make our trip one to remember. One of our favorite attractions we booked on Booking.com was our luxe rental car that we used to navigate our travels from Verona to the Dolomites. Finding and booking our new rental SUV was quick and easy on the platform, and check-in went super smoothly in real-time. Booking.com made the process seamless and we were able to easily navigate from one region to the next thanks to the platform’s ability to offer rental cars in over 50,000 locations across 158 countries. If you’re not into rental cars, Booking.com also offers customers a range of different pre-booked taxi types (vehicles) in over 500 cities, across more than 120 countries to make traveling even easier.
Travel Essentials
When it comes to premium luggage, RIMOWA takes the cake. As a trusted brand in the industry, RIMOWA offers classic luggage and accessories that have been specially crafted with travelers in mind. Built upon notions of style and design, RIMOWA is the epitome of luxury travel and it’s my personal go-to when recommending stylish yet functional travel must-haves that are truly built to last. If you’re planning a trip abroad to Italy, carry-on luggage is essential for easy navigation. That’s why the RIMOWA Classic Cabin is perfect for your next getaway.
Bugatti’s Gin and Twill backpack is also an essential travel must-have because it’s perfect for toting around daily necessities. Whether you’re boarding a plane or walking around Italy, this backpack has all the space you need and more to ensure your travel go-tos are within reach. I love how the modern design merges fashion with function so you can travel in style and comfort!
TIP: This piece was perfect for daily trips and train rides when I needed easy access to things like my phone, wallet, and drinks or food.
Fashion
Traveling In Style – PrettyLittleThing
Italy is your chance to experiment with colour, trends, and silhouettes which is why I made the streets my runway with a collection of stylish yet affordable pieces from PrettyLittleThing. PrettyLittleThing is the ideal hub for curating the perfect Italy-approved looks because it offers a wide array of clothing, accessories, and shoes to take your everyday looks to the next level.
These pieces may be at budget-friendly price points but they look and wear incredibly luxe when it comes to affordability. Here are some of my must-adds to carts for the trip that are officially Italy-approved:
TIP: PrettyLittleThing is great for experimenting with trends. Style trends for this year include; stripes, the color red, and bows.
City Chic – Revolve and FWRD
When it comes to finding stunning pieces fit for the ultimate Italian getaway, Revolve is my go-to for luxe items that are timeless in style and design. The Revolve platform offers the world’s most coveted designer apparel and accessories, in which it features everything you need to enhance your look- from well-known designers and brands to Revolve-exclusive pieces.
My favorite look I sported during my trip to Italy – Rome, specifically- was a two-piece set I got on Revolve from the brand, Lovers and Friends. The Pearl Mini Skirt and Short Sleeve Cardigan Lovers and Friends set features contrasting tones, beautiful pearl button accents, and a knitted design that work together to seamlessly elevate your look.
This was the perfect set to wear as a co-ord or separately to dress up other pieces in my wardrobe. I love how versatile this set is and how it can easily take me from day to night in Italy. Plus, the pieces look and feel super luxe, making them my new closet go-tos.
Below are my top picks from Revovle- in addition to the set above- that are the perfect additions to any Italy-bound getaway.
Prada Sunglasses– A must-have for summer in Italy! These stylish shades are the ultimate staple for any vacay wardrobe.
Tony Bianco Shoes– These shoes are the ideal finishing touch to complete any look. Perfect for Italy- and beyond- these heels can be dressed up or down and will instantly elevate any outfit.
Adidas Sambas – TIP: Adidas Sambas are the hottest sneakers of the season. Since you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing in Italy, comfortable sneakers are a must-have.
TIP: Revolve also has a sister site- FWRD– where you can shop your favorite designer pieces. This is a must-shop when it comes to investing in luxury fashion that you can wear time and time again- whether you’re galavanting around Europe or at home, out and about.
Beach-Ready!
Every Italy vacation wardrobe needs a collection of beach-ready fits that you can wear to the beach or pool. Below are some of my go-to brands for trendy, fashion-forward swimwear, accessories, and designs that are definitely must-haves for any Italian getaway.
Vitamin A Swim
One of my new faves, Vitamin A Swim offers a collection of swimwear essentials with an emphasis on style and sustainability. I love how luxe the styles look and feel, as well as how the brand champions notions of sustainability through its designs. Vitamin A Swim features swimwear and accessories that are timeless, and classic, taking you from season to season in style. In fact, the brand’s luxe colorways and classic patterns allowed me to mix and match different pieces to create an overall cohesive look that made for the perfect beach-ready fit. I could wear each of these pieces together or separately for the ultimate beach or pool day look.
These are my go-to’s from the brand I sported while out and about enjoying the Italian sun:
Blackbough
Blackbough is a forever favorite swimwear brand that offers bold patterns, fun designs, and flattering fits. For this Italian getaway, I opted for a stunning two-piece bikini set that was reminiscent of colorful Italian florals and buildings that paired perfectly with the scenic beach views. The brand’s Alana Top and Bottom swimsuit was my go-to for lounging around the beach while drinking a chilled Spritz.
Below are some other top picks from the brand that would be perfect for the ultimate luxe Italian getaway:
Neena Swim
Neena Swim brand has it all- from swimsuits to cover-ups to stylish accessories, it’s a go-to for trendy beach-ready essentials. From colorful, daring designs to bold cut-outs and shapes, Neena Swim is a must-shop for your next pool or beach getaway. My favorite bikini to sport during my trip was this (sadly, sold out!) Halia Top and Olaga Bottom set because it played into the metallic trend.
Check out some other go-to looks from the brand, below!
-Signature Swim II Top and Bottom Set
-Signature Swim II Swimsuit
There you have it! From planning to prepping, that’s everything you need- and more- for the ultimate luxury Italian getaway.
Published by HOLR Magazine.