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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

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Meet our Italy specialists

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Aurelie Johnson

House of Travel Lower Hutt

Born in France, I moved to New Zealand in 2019.

Passionate in travel, I explored Europe from a young age, then decided to go a bit further with my backpack, first in Vietnam for a month, then in New Zealand for a year (that is when I fell in love with Aotearoa).

I started to work in the travel industry by organising safari trips in Tanzania, where I went several times as a tour leader.

Discovering new places, countries, cultures is an amazing way to create memories, that is why I love helping clients to organise their holiday.

There is nothing more satisfying to me than a client popping in store after their journey to tell me all about the adventures they've had.

Aurelie

Petra Otte

House of Travel Wellington City

Having spent 40+ years, 30 owning my own HOT outlet here in the heart of Wellington, in this exciting and ever changing industry you could say that extraordinary resilience is at the top of my skite sheet given the many and varying challenges that have faced travellers over the years.

My clients and colleagues describe me as a passionate people person, who endeavours to get the best out of a traveller's investment.

It is important for me to be inclusive of everyone within a travelling party, to hear the voice of each traveller, and ensure everyone's wishes are met.

Having been to all continents bar Antarctica which is high on my list, I have also travelled in all styles from budget overland backpacking to luxury cruises which allows me to relate to all clients and work with you for what is best for you.

Petra

Hannah Smaha

House of Travel Johnsonville

Creating a holiday to suit your needs and budget is one of my favourite things to do.

Whether it's based on my own experiences or researching an obscure destination that is on your bucket list, I can't wait to help you book your dream holiday.?

Hannah

Jo Coolen

House of Travel Kapiti Coast

For a long time, I've told people I have the best job in the world and I still stand by that.

What could be better than turning peoples dreams into reality? I never know what the day will bring and isn't variety the spice of life?

My travel journey started a bit later in my life, so I haven't been everywhere YET, but I am having a damn good crack at it, gathering local knowledge along the way.