Italy and Spain Tours & Trips

What our customers ask about Italy and Spain Tours & Trips

• What amazing regional dishes can I try in Italy and Spain and where do I find the best spots?

  You'll love the authentic pasta alla carbonara in Rome especially around Trastevere it's got this local vibe that's perfect for really experiencing it. Over in Sorrento the gnocchi is incredible and when you're in Tuscany don't miss their famous Florentine steak and this amazing thick soup called ribollita. Naples is definitely the place for proper wood-fired pizza margherita it's where it all started. In Spain you've got to try paella in Valencia it's this incredible rice dish loaded with seafood or meat whatever you prefer. The tapas scene in Seville is fantastic especially in Barrio de Triana where you'll find these small plates just bursting with flavor. On warm days in Andalusia try the gazpacho it's this refreshing cold soup that really hits the spot and while you're in the region make sure to taste the "liquid gold" their amazing olive oil in Úbeda.

• What local traditions can visitors actually take part in and where's the best place to experience them?

  Getting hands-on with pesto making in Cinque Terre is such a cool way to dive into Liguria's food culture. The flamenco scene in Seville is absolutely incredible especially in Triana where you'll catch the most authentic shows and if you're heading to Granada that's where you'll find the real deal Gypsy Flamenco performances. In Italy there's this lovely tradition called passeggiata it's basically an evening stroll through places like Florence where you can join locals and really feel part of the community. The tapas tours in Seville are fantastic you'll wind through these charming streets popping into lively tabernas it's such a great way to experience their sharing culture.

• How do you get around Italy and Spain what's the best way to navigate their transport systems?

  Both countries have really efficient high-speed trains connecting the major spots like Rome Florence and Venice in Italy or Madrid Barcelona and Seville in Spain with trains running pretty frequently throughout the day. Cities have their own good transport networks you've got Rome's metro Florence's buses and those really cool vaporetto water buses in Venice. For Spain's cities the metro systems work great for getting around. Walking is actually brilliant for exploring the historical centers in both countries especially for places like Cordoba where you can really take in the Mosque and Jewish Quarter at your own pace.

• Which amazing places in Italy and Spain don't get as many visitors but are totally worth checking out?

  There's this lovely lakeside town called Castiglione del Lago in Umbria that's got this incredible medieval feel and the views are just stunning. The San Giovanni in Venere Abbey in Italy is this hidden gem that not many people know about it's got this amazing eleventh-century architecture built right on top of old Roman temple ruins. Over in Spain Peniscola is absolutely gorgeous it's this walled town by the sea with the most beautiful landscapes and historical atmosphere you really feel like you've stepped back in time.

• What are some less touristy routes around Italy and Spain that travelers really love and why?

  The Amalfi Coast route is just spectacular whether you're driving or taking the bus those winding roads give you the most incredible coastal views. The hiking trails through Cinque Terre are amazing connecting these five beautiful villages along the Ligurian coast you get this perfect mix of dramatic scenery and local culture. In Spain the Caliphate route going east from Seville through Andalusia is fantastic you'll pass endless olive groves and see all this beautiful Moorish architecture on your way to Granada it's really special.