You Orta see Italy- it’s a big year for the land of romance, so Sarah Marshall picks her Italian highlights and urges travellers to step away from the busy streets of Rome to find peace somewhere a little quieter
Regarded as one of the most romantic destinations in the world, there couldn’t be a more fitting place for King Charles and Queen Camilla to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Starting tomorrow, the royal couple will make a state visit to Italy, coinciding with the day they wed – April 9 – 20 years ago. But there are other reasons for the four-day royal tour – 2025 is a Jubilee year in Rome, the Vatican City and across Italy, a celebration marked every quarter of a century.
King Charles and Camilla will be among millions coming to experience celebrations, set to last until the Epiphany (January 6) in 2026. According to online travel agent Opodo, bookings from the UK to Rome have increased by 81% compared to the same period last year, proof that even non-religious travellers can enjoy Italy’s collection of godly attractions, which range from scenic pilgrimage routes to hotels in converted monasteries.
Explore the best sites in Rome
Anyone heading to Rome this year will undoubtedly explore the Vatican. The world’s smallest state is likely to draw even larger crowds than usual, making it advisable to book an organised tour. City Experiences offers The Complete Vatican Tour from £84pp, visiting the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Learn about day-to-day operations as well as papal scandals.
Combine it with a two-and-a-half-hour after-hours tour of the Roman Catacombs (£81pp). Dating back 2,000 years, these ancient burial sites reveal clues about the rise of Christianity in Rome and customs concerning death.
Discover Puglia and Basilicata
Given the huge crowds expected in Rome this year, Ali Butler, product manager for Italy at Explore Worldwide, recommends travelling further afield.
“Puglia offers a quieter yet equally rich alternative for those seeking Italy’s sacred heritage,” she says. “In Bari, pilgrims can visit the Basilica of San Nicola, where the relics of Saint Nicholas rest, while Matera’s ancient rock-carved churches provide a deeply atmospheric connection to early Christian history.
“Alberobello’s Trullo Church, Otranto’s stunning cathedral mosaic, and Lecce’s Baroque masterpiece, the Basilica di Santa Croce, all add to the region’s spiritual significance. Beyond its religious sites, Puglia’s slower pace and coastal breezes make it a welcome escape from the summer crowds of Rome.”
- Explore Worldwide offers an eight-day Highlights of Puglia tour from £1,799, excluding flights. explore.co.uk
Experience the Via Francigena
Italy’s most important Camino is an ancient pilgrimage route used by devotees and soldiers for centuries. Retrace a section of the Via Francigena, visiting significant sites such as Montefiascone’s Basilica Santa Margherita, Rocca dei Papi, once home and office to the nation’s popes, and the town of Vetralla, positioned at the crossroads of important Roman roads.
Ease aching feet in the ancient thermal baths of Bagnaccio and enjoy wines produced on the fertile volcanic slopes surrounding Lake Bolsena. End at Saint Peter’s Square in Rome.
- KE Adventure Travel offers an escorted eight-day trip from £845pp, excluding flights. Departs July 1 and 28 and August 26. keadventure.com
Take a walk on St Francis’s Way
Follow in the footsteps of Italy’s patron saint while enjoying a landscape of fresco-filled churches, secret hermitages, and chapels tucked into olive groves. Starting in Assisi, this scenic section of the St Francis’s Way crosses through Umbria, travelling through woodlands, vineyards and hill-top towns, with opportunities to sample local restaurants and culture along the way. As part of a self-guided tour, luggage can be delivered between hotels.
- Inntravel offers a seven-night trip from £1,060pp, excluding flights. Available April 2 to Oct 31. inntravel.co.uk
Find peace on Lake Orta
Towering over an island in the centre of Lake Orta, the Basilica di San Giulio is an architectural masterpiece for many reasons.
According to legends, in the 4th century, Saint Julius overcame serpents and demons to build the sacred Christian sanctuary, which features a collection of beautiful frescoes and an intricately carved pulpit made of dark serpentine stone.
A Path of Silence winds the Romanesque building, inviting
visitors to embrace the healing powers of nature. Stay at nearby La Darbia, a peaceful hideaway hotel on the lake’s shores, surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and Nebbiolo vineyards.