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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!

Milestone celebration holiday ideas

Whether you’ve got a big birthday coming up, planning a 3G holiday (aka a fun trip with three generations), or making the most of your family time before the kids head out into the world, we’ve got you covered!

Our top 6 wellness experiences for 2025

Wellness holidays are one of the fastest growing travel trends for kiwis. Here are our favourite wellness holidays for 2025.

Hibernate in a cave in Puglia

Italy, Europe

Live like a local with an Italian Agriturismo stay

Italy

Italy: Know before you go guide

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

"Vanessa was very helpful with her recommendations and patient as we selected our accommodation"

Vicki

"She listened to what we wanted, was super efficient and happy to make small changes to ensure we got the best experience and best value for money."

Melinda

"Jenny was so very patient with my son and I. Nothing was too much trouble, she didn't rush us, and she gave us very good advice on how to manage our trip. Jenny also came up with an alternative flight which we would never have considered and which is much more suited to our travel plans. She was recommended to me by a friend and I would certainly recommend Jenny to others."

Lucinda

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Meet our Italy specialists

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Tori Melody

House of Travel Devonport

Welcome all adventure seekers!

As your dedicated travel agent, I want to bring my wealth of passion and expertise to craft unforgettable adventure holidays that go beyond your typical vacation..

Specializing in authentic and immersive experiences for all, I want to ensure each journey broadens your horizons and fosters personal growth.. for I believe travel is not only the way to learn more about the world, but a way to learn more about ourselves!

So, whether you dream of exploring Europe's hidden gems by train, setting sail on a luxurious cruise, or diving into the magic of Disney, I can tailor every trip to any and all unique desires.

Allow me to guide you on a journey that will transform not just your travel experience, but also enrich your personal growth and perspective

Tori

Peter Davies

House of Travel Wellington City

I’m Pete, the globetrotting geek. A passionate traveller who thrives on learning and discovery - Travel provides an endless array of opportunities for this; it’s a way to experience new, ever changing and always exciting places, meet curious people and engross yourself in a different culture or witness wildlife that is truly wild.

Be it museums, historical landmarks, wildlife excursions or gaming havens – I revel in these aspects of adventure and love to share it with others.

To put it in other words.

Whether you seek the wonder of enchanted cities, the solitude of mystical forests, or the thrills of a perilous expedition, I am your trusted companion—your Gandalf, if you will—helping you navigate the world’s vastness and ensuring that your journey is free from worry and full of memories to last the ages.

Let’s together, chart your course through the lands, creating an adventure that will be sung about for years to come. As a wise halfling once said.

“Not all those who wander are lost” – Bilbo Baggins

Peter

Antony Boomer

House of Travel Dunedin

I have been in the travel industry since 1987 as a tour leader, travel advisor, traveler visiting the globe, and now Owner Operator of House of Travel Dunedin City.

My travels have encompassed 105 countries initially using all forms of transport from a double decker bus around Europe to rickshaws in Asia to horses in the Middle East and dugout canoes in Central Africa with camels, elephants, donkeys and bicycles in-between.

I am more than willing to travel in a lot more comfort these days visiting the Pacific, Myanmar, India, Vietnam, Ireland, China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, USA, Cayman Islands, Zimbabwe, Turkiye and Malta in recent years.

I believe the transition is similar for people of my generation who still yearn to visit anywhere and everywhere but enjoy a bit, or a lot, more luxury. As such I have developed an in-depth knowledge of the whole spectrum of travel options and regularly come up with solutions to the most complex of travel plans.

Tony