2026 February’s Top Travel News! / La Dolce Vita Delivered! / By Susan Skelly / Publisher Luxurytravelmag

An elegant new itinerary reveals Italy’s timeless treasures — with space to savour every moment

From the lakes of the north to the lemon-scented Amalfi Coast, this 18-day journey through Italy is a masterclass in slow travel. With five-star stays, immersive experiences, and generous free time, Italian Splendour is designed for travellers who appreciate the finer things — and the freedom to enjoy them.

Italian Splendour draws on the best parts of the Grand Tour. From Milan to Rome, the thoughtfully designed itinerary winds through Italy’s most beloved regions — Tuscany, Umbria, and the Amalfi Coast — with a relaxed pace and a focus on authenticity.

Groups are limited to 20 travellers.

Enjoy private boat rides on Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Venice’s iconic canals. Cruise the colourful coastline of Cinque Terre, explore the island charm of Capri, and uncover the secrets of Pompeii. Along the way, indulge in regional cuisine, sample olive oil at a Tuscan farmhouse, and stay in handpicked five-star hotels that reflect the character of each destination.

You’ll stay four nights at the Grande Hotel des Iles Borromées, Stresa; two nights at Villa Franceschi Hotel & Resort, Mira; five nights at the Hotel Montecatini Palace, Montecatini Terme; two nights at the Sina Brufani Hotel, Perugia, in Umbria; three nights at the Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi; and your final night in Rome is at the Hotel d’Inghilterra Roma.

Italian Splendour is one of the exceptional additions from Albatross Tours, departing from Australia in Spring next year.

One of its attractions is the “my time” mandate, an itinerary with plenty of free time – up to five nights in the one town – to maximise holiday memories.

A drop of heaven in the Italian lakes

Lakeside luxury

The Italian Lake District is rich with promise: visit Villa Carlotta with its Italianate gardens, the irresistible town of Bellagio on Lake Como, with its villas, food and browsing, and the mountain village of Macugnaga, popular as a film location.

In Lake Maggiore are islands such as Isola dei Pescatori, or The Fishermen’s Island, with its cobbled streets, multi-storey houses and seafood restaurants.

The intensely blue Lake Garda, at more than 50km long, is the largest of the Italian lakes and surrounded by lemon and citrus groves.

At the southern end is Sirmione, a town dominated by Rocca Scaligera, a fortress dating back to 1300AD. Bathe in the hot springs here, be pampered at one of the town’s lakeside spas, or sunbathe on one of the beautiful beaches.

Soak up the Venice vibe with a local guide and then meander through the narrow, water-lined streets and alleyways spanned by the city’s signature bridges.

Four of the best Italian regions for luxury travellers

Time out in Tuscany

Five days in Tuscany is ample time to experience its food, medieval architecture, villages and the spa town of Montecatini Terme.

See the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Field of Miracles and pick up some olive oil and local wine to take home. A whole day of free time has been factored in.

In Florence, find extraordinary Italian, Florentine and Renaissance works of art. Yes, there will be Michelangelo’s David. And free time for espresso, gelato and the Ponte Vecchio.

Enjoy San Gimignano, famous for its 13^th– and 14^th-Century fairytale towers. Browse picturesque Siena with its Gothic town hall and Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race is held twice yearly.

Colourful Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a clutch of five old seaside villages that cling to cliffs in Liguria in Italy’s north-west. See them on a coastal boat ride and explore the towns of Portovenere and Monterosso.

Monterosso is the northern-most and largest of the five villages and is known for its sandy beach. Portovenere,just south of the Cinque Terre, is a waterside town with a fortified wall and a medieval gate. The return journey to Levanto is by train.

From Perugia to Pompeii

In Perugia, the capital of the Umbria region, expect to indulge in chocolate, history and frescoes. See the dramatic Rocca Paolina, the subterranean ruins of a 500-year-old fortress.

This “underground city” of vaulted tunnels was built by Pope Paul III in the 16^th Century.

Indeed, free time in Perugia – the home of the Baci chocolate – is a chance to sample some signature Umbrian treats: strangozzi al tartufo (thick pasta with truffle), gnocchi with goose sauce, pesto, cured meats such as ciauscolo (a spreadable pork sausage) and pecorino cheese. 

And, of course, award-winning wines and olive oils. Perugia is famous for its complex red wines, in particular Montefalco Sagrantino and Torgiano Rosso Riserva.

On the way south past Vesuvius, explore the legacies of Pompeii, the city buried under ash in 79AD, among them paintings, furniture, mosaics, sculptures, graffiti and even loaves left baking in ovens.

More recent discoveries include a sumptuous bathhouse in a private residence, exquisite artwork, and a huge plunge pool.

The Amalfi Coast is a winding coastline along which pretty villages and towns hug cliffs and craggy coves. On this leg of the trip, savour Capri, Positano, and – for centuries a haunt of artists and composers – Ravello.

Little epitomises the splendour of the Roman Empire like the imposing heritage site, Villa Adriana, in Tivoli, on the outskirts of Rome.

It claims to be the most well-preserved ancient Roman villa in the world. Created in the 2nd century AD, this exceptional complex of classical buildings is named after the Emperor Hadrian who loved Greek and classical art and was also an architect, poet and musician.

The Albatross difference

European touring experts, the Brisbane-based Albatross Tours has been tempting Australian and New Zealand travellers for more than 30 years.

Travel on the escorted Italian Splendour tour is by first class, air-conditioned coach, with a maximum of 20 people. With just one exclusive departure each year, this is a truly limited-edition experience.

The trip includes free wi-fi, expert guides, five-star accommodation, genuinely inclusive pricing, 30 meals, including a complimentary drink with every dinner, plus hotel porterage and personal audio.

Italian Splendour departs 27 September 2026 and wraps on 14 October 2026. Rates are from AUD$22,987, twin share, and from AUD$32,487, for solo travellers.

For more information: albatrosstours.com.au/ or ask your Travel Advisor for Albatross Tour