Robin McKelvie explores regions like Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont and explains why this corner of Europe is ideal for unforgettable Italian group holidays.
Northern Italy is quite simply one of the best group travel destinations in Europe. And it’s not just the excellent flight connections and ease of getting around.
This beguiling corner of Europe stretches from the Ligurian Sea to the Alps with household name regions like Lombardy, the Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont boasting an incredible diversity – backed up by superb food and wines - that makes group adventures a joy as guests enjoy a slice of ‘La Dolce Vita’.
The list of choices is almost endless. In the very north, in winter, there are a slew of snow-based sports to do in the Italian Alps, with hiking in summer. Then there is the spectacular coastline, with beaches and postcard-perfect towns and villages. The cities star too in a part of Italy that ticks all the group travel boxes.
Clifftop towns and lakeside villages
No one forgets their first sight of the legendary Cinque Terre in Liguria (pictured above). The ‘Five Lands’ are a quintet of impossibly pretty, wee villages clinging perilously to the rugged cliffs along the Ligurian Sea. It’s no wonder UNESCO have recognised these colourful oases on their World Heritage list. Vernazza and Manarola both make great bases for groups.
The Italian Lakes are truly remarkable too. Lake Garda is the largest and is brilliantly set up for groups. Make the spa resort town of Sirmione on the easily accessible southern shores your base and you’ve not just got myriad ferry options, but also two railway stations nearby with regular trains to Milan, Verona and Venice.
The most picturesque town on Lake Garda is Malcesine, a timewarp maze of streets that curl from the crystal-clear lake waters up to the fairytale castle. Dining by the lake in Malcesine is glorious too with myriad waterfront options serving dishes made with fresh fish from the lake.
Lake Como is a more under-the-radar option for groups looking for an alternative.
It shares the same jaw-dropping mountainous backdrop, but its lakeside towns and villages are even more beguiling with Bellagio and Varenna - the glamorous, stylish Italy of the movies. The city of Como makes the best base, but it has less of the charm of Sirmione on Lake Garda.
Explore some of Europe’s great cities
For groups, the real stars of the show are the cities. Milan is the city of fashion, football and Formula One, opera, fine food, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and grand architecture too. Milan’s landmark Duomo is one of Europe’s great ecclesiastic edifices, while the canals of the Navigli quarter bring relaxed respite from the daytime crowds and breezes that soothe during al fresco canal-side dinners.
The other big urban hitter is incomparable Venice. Once the fulcrum of a massive maritime empire, this most unlikely city boasts some of the most spectacular architecture you’ll ever see, set on a series of islands built on top of a swamp. Venice marvels at every turn, though it’s definitely at its best in the evening when the day trip crowds ease, so plan at least one night wrapped in its eternal charms. Groups looking for a quieter base should consider one of the islands elsewhere in the Venetian lagoon like Burano, Murano or (sleepy) Mazzorbo.
On to Verona and Bologna
Verona is a must for Shakespeare devotees as you can follow the trail of the world’s most famous star-crossed lovers at the balcony where Romeo proclaimed his love for Juliet, visit Romeo’s family home and even make a solemn pilgrimage to Juliet’s tomb.
Pedants may point out that Romeo and Juliet was a work of fiction, but in reality, Verona is even more romantic than anything the bard could have dreamt up. Verona’s Roman arena is older than the Roman Colosseum – try to plan an overnight when there is opera on at this glorious venue for a sublime experience.
Italians hail Bologna as La Grassa (‘The Fat’). It’s not as unkind a moniker as it sounds as this affectionate nickname for a gorgeous city of arcaded streets and lavish squares is because it is home to some of the best food in the country. And that is saying something in one of the world’s great foodie destinations. Perhaps Italy’s most famous dish – Spaghetti Bolognese – hails from here, though in its home it’s simply called Ragu not Bolognese.
Best for groups
Lake Garda cruise: a cruise from the historic spa town of Sirmione to the Isola del Garda offers a breath-taking introduction to the lake, as well as a fascinating insight into the Cavazza family, who have owned the island for generations. A guide meets groups for a tour of the lush grounds and hot houses before delving into the family’s elegant mansion, which is a lavish Venetian-style gem. Epic views of the lake too, from the trails that snake around the island.
World-class wine tasting: the Agriturismo San Mattia is dreamily located in the vine-clad hills overlooking Verona. They grow all the big Valpolicella favourites, with their Superiore stealing the limelight from the mighty Amarone. They also grow much of the produce groups can enjoy at large outdoor tables after a vineyard tour. It’s a truly sublime setting peering over the vineyards towards the distant city as groups compare notes on the wines and locals arrive for dinner at this quality spot.
A gondola ride: it may be the most cliched symbol of Venice, but a gondola ride is guaranteed to bring smiles to even the most world-weary of groups. For the authentic experience arrive at one of the gondola stations where you’ll join these ancient craft, which each hold up to five people. Prices are set by a co-operative. Optional extras include a singer onboard to serenade delighted guests.
Fine food and wine
The great food in northern Italy is not limited to Bologna. Elsewhere in the Emilia-Romagna region you have the cities of Parma and Modena. The former, of course, is renowned both for its famous dry-cured ‘Parma Ham’, or prosciutto, as well as its delicious and versatile Parmesan cheese. Modena meanwhile stars with its balsamic vinegar.
Properly aged balsamic vinegar is a world away from the watery varieties found in many supermarkets. A cooking course is a brilliant way to bring groups together and to delve under the skin of Italian gastronomy.
Italy is a joy for lovers of fine wines too. A group tour of the Langhe wine region in Piedmont opens up vineyards that have garnered UNESCO World Heritage status. We’re talking mighty reds like Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba and Barolo, the latter one of the world’s great wines. Tour the vineyards, enjoy lazy meals amidst the vines and make time to explore often overlooked towns like La Morra, Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba, oases that typify the joy of a group visit to sublime northern Italy.
