Get a Fresh Taste of Italy on a Cosmos getaway

With a host of new Italy holidays for 2018-19, holiday adventure company Cosmos is inviting travellers to see and experience the destination’s hidden gems in three distinct ways .

Italy’s rolling vineyards, Roman ruins, fashion hubs, chic beaches and sleepy fishing villages have beckoned new and repeat travellers for centuries. Curating the country’s best undiscovered treasures, escorted holiday specialist Cosmos invites travellers to go off-the-beaten piazza and into the heart of authentic Italian culture on a host of new tours in 2018-19.

Accommodating a wide range of travel styles and budgets, the company and its sister brand Globus dishes out la dolce vita in three distinct ways: Cosmus escorted tours, Globus escorted tours and Escapes by Globus. No matter the type of traveller, an escorted adventure makes it easy for guests to spend more time doing the things they love, such as exploring the hidden nooks and crannies of ancient cities, sampling sublime local food and drink and meeting new friends along the way.

“Whether you are a first-time visitor to Italy, or you think you’ve seen it all, our three holiday styles unlock exclusive experiences that travellers won’t find on any other type of holiday, such as enjoying a risotto lunch in the Vercelli Rice Factory,” said Giles Hawke, CEO of Cosmos.

“On each of our tours, new and best-selling holidays alike, we will take you to undiscovered places in Italy that you might not have known existed if you went on your own – one of my favourite hidden gems being the natural wonder of Castellana Grotte. These caves, which began forming more than 90 million years ago, are truly a sight to behold.”

Cosmos Escorted Tours

Ideal for those who want to see it all, Cosmos escorted tours are a great value way to explore Italy, with the perfect balance of included guided excursions and leisure time to make the most of time spent abroad. Departing year-round and led by knowledgeable and friendly Tour Directors, the escorted holidays include stays in comfortable, conveniently-located hotels rated at least three-star or above.

Sample Tour: Gourmet Tuscany

A culinary adventure that introduces foodies to local wine makers, farmers, butchers and bakers who have been using the same techniques for centuries. Exploring lesser known Chianti vineyards and travelling into the heart of the Tuscan countryside, guests learn how to prepare Italian food and sip regional wines in traditional farmhouses and estates. Six-days priced from £1,415 per person, including VIP private home pick up service, flights, transfers, services of a tour director, accommodation, selected meals and excursions. Departures beginning May through to September 2018.

To book, visit www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/gourmet-tuscany or call 0800 4402797.

Globus Escorted Tours

Operated by Cosmos’ sister company, Globus escorted tours unlock even more authentic local experiences, featuring amazing food and special VIP access that create unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. These holidays include accommodation in highly-rated hotels near the top attractions as well as more includedsightseeing in the price of the holiday.

Sample Tour: Northern Italy’s Highlights and Cinque Terre

New for 2018: Combining cosmopolitan cities and sparkling coastlines with gastronomic specialities, this epicurean pilgrimage through Northern Italy reveals the region’s most beautiful natural scenery, Romanesque architecture and unrivalled food and wine. 10-days priced from £1,747 per person, including VIP private home pick up service, flights, transfers, services of a tour director, accommodation, selected meals and excursions. Departures available in May, June, August and September 2018.

To book, visit www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/northern-italys-highlights-with-cinque-terre or call 0800 4402797.

Escapes By Globus Tours

Run by its sister company Globus, Cosmos offers a new way for guests to experience all the highlights of Italy and beyond, but with more time and space to enjoy it out of season. Departing from November 2018 through to March 2019, the new tours offer great value off-season prices and include highly-rated centrally located hotels as well as visits to the major attractions and must-see sights with special VIP access. Knowledgeable Tour Directors lead culture vultures right to the front of the line and through the door of the world’s most awe-inspiring places, such as Rome’s Colosseum. Escapes by Globus guests can really make the most of every stop knowing that every detail of their itinerary has been expertly curated.

Sample Tour: Sicilian Escape

Brand new for 2018: Featuring all the beauty, cuisine, and history of Sicily, but without the crowds of the busy travel season, this week-long tour takes in Palermo’s Capo Market, the baroque features of the Church of the Immacolata, the 12th century Norman Cathedral with its treasured Byzantine mosaics and the brooding Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. In Syracuse, the birthplace of mathematician Archimedes, guests enjoy a guided visit of the 5th century Greek Theatre, Garden of Paradise, Ear of Dionysus, Altar of Hieron II, Roman Amphitheatre and the Cordmaker’s Cave. Seven days priced from £955 per person, including VIP private home pick up service, flights, transfers, services of a tour director, accommodation, selected meals and excursions. Departures available throughout November 2018.

To book, visit www.cosmos.co.uk/tours/sicilian-escape or call 0800 4402797.

For more information about undiscovered Italy holidays, please visit
www.cosmos.co.uk/destinations/mediterranean/italy.