Italy | ZHO Travel & Tourism

Every Italian city tells its own story; you only choose where to begin.

The destination

About Italy

Italy wins its visitors over with a rare mix of Roman history, striking landscapes and a cuisine known worldwide. Every city has its own story: the ruins of Rome, the canals of Venice, the Amalfi Coast and the green hills of Tuscany.

Italy holds a long list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, among them the historic centre of Rome, Venice and its lagoon, the historic centre of Florence and the Amalfi Coast. Fast, comfortable trains link the main cities: Rome to Florence in about 1 h 30, Florence to Venice in about 2 hours.

In the north, Milan sets the pace in fashion, and Lake Como, with its villas and gardens, is an hour away; Verona and Lake Garda follow. In the south, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello step down to the sea, with Capri a short boat ride away.

We plan your trip at your family's pace: carefully chosen hotels, private transfers or first-class trains, guides who speak your language, and notes on halal restaurants and places to pray in every city.

Best timeApril to June, September to October

FlightAbout 5 to 6 h direct from Jeddah or Riyadh to Rome or Milan

VisaSchengen visa for Saudi citizens and residents, applied for at Italy's visa centres in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar; Saudi citizens may be issued a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 5 years

CurrencyEuro (EUR)

LanguageItalian

Time1 hour behind Saudi Arabia in summer, 2 hours in winter

Ideal stay7 to 10 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Rome

The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican Museums, in a city with two thousand years of history.

02 · City

Venice

Canals, bridges and palaces on the water, gondola rides and the Rialto Bridge.

03 · City

Milan

The Duomo and its rooftop, Italy's finest shopping streets and The Last Supper.

Florence and the cathedral dome at dusk from Piazzale Michelangelo

04 · City

Florence and Tuscany

Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio, with the green Tuscan countryside around them.

Panorama of the Amalfi Coast and the sea

05 · Coast

Amalfi Coast and Positano

Positano, Amalfi and Ravello on cliffs above the Mediterranean, with Capri a boat ride away.

06 · Lake

Lake Como

Bellagio, Varenna and the lake's historic villas, an hour from Milan.

Verona, the River Adige and the Roman Ponte Pietra from above

07 · City

Verona and Lake Garda

A Roman arena still in use, an old town on the Adige and Lake Garda half an hour away.

Experiences

What to do

Evening light through the arches of the Colosseum

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum with a private guide Rome A walk through the heart of ancient Rome: the world's best-known amphitheatre, the Forum and the Palatine Hill. We book timed entry and a guide who tells the story in your language.Discover

Villa del Balbianello on its headland, seen from Lake Como

A private boat on Lake Como Lake Como A day on the water between Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta, on a private boat with a skipper who knows the lake. Complete privacy for your family.Discover

The Faraglioni rocks off Capri and boats on the blue sea

A private boat day to Capri Amalfi Coast and Positano From Positano or Amalfi to Capri and the Faraglioni rocks on a private boat. A day of clear water and quiet coves.Discover

The spiral staircase of the Vatican Museums from above

Culture and heritage The Vatican Museums One of the largest art collections in the world, ending at the Sistine Chapel. Book ahead and go with a private guide. Read more

The Grand Canal and Santa Maria della Salute from the Accademia Bridge

City and shopping The Grand Canal by water taxi The finest way to see Venice: a private boat along the Grand Canal from the Rialto to the Salute church. Easy for families and older travellers. Read more

Brightly painted houses along a canal on Burano

Culture and heritage Murano and Burano Half a day by boat to two islands in the Venetian lagoon: glass furnaces on Murano, coloured houses on Burano. Read more

Nature A private boat on Lake Como A day on the water between Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta, on a private boat with a skipper who knows the lake. Complete privacy for your family. Discover

Sea and islands A private boat day to Capri From Positano or Amalfi to Capri and the Faraglioni rocks on a private boat. A day of clear water and quiet coves. Discover

A long corridor of the Uffizi Gallery with its painted ceiling

Culture and heritage The Uffizi and Michelangelo's David A morning in Florence's two best-known museums, with a private guide and pre-booked entry. Read more

Cypress trees along a country road in the Val d'Orcia, Tuscany

Nature A day in the Tuscan countryside and the Val d'Orcia A private driver through the Tuscan hills and cypress lines, and the stone town of Pienza. Read more

Marble spires on the rooftop terraces of Milan Cathedral

City and shopping The Duomo rooftop and The Last Supper A day in central Milan: the cathedral's marble roof, then Leonardo's painting at a booked time. Read more

The Scaliger castle of Sirmione on Lake Garda

Nature Sirmione on Lake Garda A town on a peninsula in Lake Garda, with a moated castle, 40 minutes from Verona. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 5 stays

The lit outdoor pool and gardens of Rome Cavalieri at night

Rome Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel City Explore

The garden of Palazzo della Gherardesca with its fountain and flowerbeds

Florence and Tuscany Four Seasons Hotel Firenze Historic palace Explore

Via Gesù in Milan's fashion district, the street of the hotel's entrance (the setting, not the hotel interior)

Milan Four Seasons Hotel Milano Historic palace Explore

The red Gothic front of Palazzo Dandolo, the Danieli, on the Riva degli Schiavoni

Venice Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel Historic palace Explore

Lake Como Villa d'Este, Lake Como Lakeside Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Italian cooking is simple in its ingredients and deep in flavour: fresh pasta, Neapolitan pizza, cheeses and gelato. The large cities have halal Arab and Turkish restaurants, and many vegetarian and seafood dishes suit Muslim diners.

To tasteNeapolitan pizzaPizza napoletana

A bowl of spaghetti cacio e pepe with grated cheese and black pepper

To tasteCacio e pepeCacio e pepe

To tasteGelatoGelato

Insalata caprese with tomato, mozzarella and basil

To tasteInsalata capreseInsalata caprese

Landmark · Rome Trevi Fountain Rome's best-known fountain, completed in 1762. Read more

The minaret and prayer hall of the Grand Mosque of Rome

Landmark · Rome The Grand Mosque of Rome One of the largest mosques in Europe, opened in 1995. Read more

The Ponte Vecchio and the Arno at sunset

Landmark · Florence and Tuscany Ponte Vecchio The old bridge over the Arno, lined with goldsmiths and jewellers. Read more

The glass roof of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

Shopping · Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II A historic shopping arcade with a glass and iron roof beside Milan Cathedral. Read more

The stands of the Verona Arena in evening light

Landmark · Verona and Lake Garda Verona Arena A first-century Roman amphitheatre still used for performances. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

Italy · 7 days

Italy: Como, Verona and Milan

Three Italian destinations in one journey

A self-drive journey through northern Italy: Lake Como, Verona with Lake Garda, then Milan. A rental car from and to Milan airport, with comprehensive insurance and 4-star hotels.

From SAR 2,950 per person in a double room, flights not included View the package

Italy · 10 days

Classic Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice and Lake Como

Four stops and historic hotels in 9 nights

Our signature Italy journey: Rome from a hotel on Monte Mario, Florence from a palace with a great garden, Venice on the lagoon, then rest on Lake Como.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Italy?

Yes. Saudi citizens and residents need a Schengen visa, applied for at Italy's visa centres in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Since April 2024, Saudi nationals living in the Kingdom are eligible for a multiple-entry Schengen visa that can be valid for up to 5 years. We prepare your file and book the fingerprint appointment; the decision rests with the embassy.

When is the best time to visit Italy?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) suit the cities best, with mild weather and fewer crowds. The lakes and the Amalfi Coast are in season from April to October. July and August are hot and crowded in the cities.

Is halal food available in Italy?

Yes. Rome and Milan have halal Arab, Turkish and Asian restaurants; smaller towns have fewer. Everywhere you will find vegetarian and seafood dishes such as pizza and vegetable pasta. Watch for guanciale and pancetta, which are pork. We give you a list of halal restaurants near your hotel.

Where can I pray in Italy?

Rome has the Grand Mosque, one of the largest in Europe, and Milan and other cities have smaller Islamic centres. We send you the nearest mosque or prayer room to your hotel in each city.

How do I travel between Italian cities?

Fast trains are easiest: Rome to Florence in about 1 h 30, Florence to Venice in about 2 hours. If you rent a car, you need your licence with an International Driving Permit or a certified translation, and you should avoid the limited traffic zones (ZTL) in historic centres, which are fined.

Is Italy safe for families?

Italy is generally safe, but pickpockets work crowded sights, stations and public transport. Keep your passport in the hotel safe, carry a copy, and watch your bag in crowds.

What is the currency, and are cards accepted?

The currency is the euro, and cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. Italian cities charge a tourist tax, paid at the hotel for each night.

What should I wear in Italy?

Modest dress is welcome everywhere, and covered shoulders and knees are required in the major churches and the Vatican Museums. Bring comfortable shoes: old town streets are paved with stone.

Italy, from eternal Rome to the lakes and the coast