The heel of the famous boot-shaped nation, Southern Italy languidly surpasses according to its own leisurely rhythm. There’s an old-world appeal to this region, one that treasures a slower pace of life. Visit the homeland of the modern pizzas as well as the Margherita pizzas in Naples, the latter a favourite of King Margherita of Savoy as it brings up the green, white and red of the Italian flag. Your best of Southern Italy Tours are designed to show you the elegance of the beach, landscapes, and wonderful places set across the ancient landscapes. You can still see the zenith of Mount Vesuvius lingering in the distance from the Pompeii quite roads. The Blue Grotto in Capri glows with a unique light glowing within the water. The standard glories of Rome project from the Colosseum and the cottages beautify the landscapes that once belonged to celebrated emperors. A remodelled restaurant conceals in a traditional cavern, where residents have lived for years and years.

Explore the fabled background social secrets of the Vatican, as well as Rome’s Imperial and Renaissance treasures – such as spectacular St. Peter’s and Tauck’s unique after-hours advised trip to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel! Balance structural attractions with the organic appeal of the Region of Capri’s strong shoreline, and the beach towns and coves found along the Amalfi Shore. Findings consist of a trip to the traditional site of Herculaneum – maintained under volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 decades – and touring via sports convertible car on Capri. Enjoy a unique session on modern Italian community with high-speed boat and train, and catch the views from glorious private villas on Tauck’s south part of Italy Tours to the Amalfi Shore, Capri & Rome.

Gripping History

At the crossroads of civilisations for thousands of years, southern Italy is scattered with the detritus of different and gilded ages, from Greek and Roman to Saracen, Grettle and Language. From fiery Carthaginian invasions and power-hungry kings to the humble hopes of Roman slaves and gladiators, every frescoed structure and every designed rock informs a tale,. Here, traditional Ancient temples are older than Rome, Byzantine mosaics attest to cosmopolitan encounters and elegant castles outsize Versailles. In Southern Italy there is no less than 13 Unesco World Heritage cultural sites and each place is glorified with stories of success, failing and amazing humankind.

Places of Interest

You may book your southern Italy holiday land-only or take advantage of our all-inclusive southern Italy tour packages with air travel included. All consist of South Italy’s first-class resorts, guided around southern Italy’s travelling features, transport between locations, delicious meals, and much more. And the best part is these southern Italy trips offers are great values. For the wide-ranging escorted tour, Southern Italy is the perfect location because it is filled with traditional and cultural sites that are difficult to see individually. The areas of Calabria, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata are off-the-beaten-path Italy tour destinations. If you think Rome is full of action wait until you travel south of Rome. With Rome’s enjoyment Naples and Bari are the region’s two biggest places on par. Meanwhile, drowsy laid-back places like Lecce, Otranto, Capri, Ravello, Positano, Alberobello attract all visitors. With expert tour guides you around southern Italy’s brilliant and sometimes disorderly areas you won’t skip any touring features. Expert southern Italy guides will educate you on the various societies that populated these areas over the hundreds of years.

Take off on an exciting journey down Italy’s hardly ever visited heel, getting to know another side of this enchanting nation. Think about the attractiveness of Amalfi, enjoy however you like among the sophisticates of Trani and trip the Roman ruins, baroque churches and whitewashed alleyways of Lecce. Walk among the peculiarly formed houses of Alberobello, wander the hillside dwellings of Matera and discover the old town’s life around Bari’s Basilica di San Nicola.

Natural Highs

Rugged hills, fantastic volcanoes and electric-blue grottoes – southern Italy seems like one massive experience play area waiting to be handled. Turn up the heart rate rafting down Calabria’s river Lao, climbing Europe’s most active volcanic, Stromboli, or snorkelling into ancient sea caverns on Puglia’s Promontorio del Gargano. You can do slow pedalling across Puglia’s gentle countryside, immersing in Vulcano’s healing geothermal mud or simply boating along the Amalfi Shore. The options may be many, but there is one constant: a landscape that is gorgeous, different and just a little heavenly.

This Italy tour is sure to please with amazing landscapes. You’ll visit Sorrento and Capri—both offering spectacular views of the crystal-clear, blue sea. Spend some time staring at the enchanting water, shop at the stores, and have dinner at the fantastic restaurants visited by celebrities.

In Italy’s north, there may have the dollars, but the south has the spirit. This is Southern Italy at its most well-known, complicated and contrary.

The name of Japan evokes wondrous images and sensations. While in popular imagination Japan is associated with Anime and Sushi, there is so much more to this beautiful country. Whether it is the visually enthralling play of pink and crimson of Japan’s national flower, the cherry blossom or the succulent umami flavours of its popular street food, ramen, Japan has a plethora of experiences that could turn an ordinary holiday into an extraordinary life experience. Irrespective of your budget or time constraints, Japan offers something for everybody: history, architecture, spirituality and loads more. So waste no time in packing your bags and get ready to soak up the culture on a Japan tour.

While there are innumerable adventures to partake of in Japan, here is a list of some of the most quintessential Japanese experiences:

Trot in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the busiest and most bustling cities in the world. There are a lot of fun activities to choose from in this vibrant city. Kids will specifically enjoy trips to the Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. A particularly thrilling attraction is a ride in Japan’s famed bullet trains that run at a speed of 200 km per hour. Tokyo is also a land of dreams for electronic aficionados, bursting forth with the very best of Japanese electronics. If one tires of sightseeing, one can always sit down and marvel over the variety of mindboggling architectural specimens.

Closer to Nature

Japan boasts of exquisite natural beauty and with good reason. Be it playing with monkeys in Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama or taking a climb up to Mount Fuji, if forging a closer bond with nature is your goal, Japan will not disappoint. If you are looking to indulge in something a bit more serene, there’s nothing like watching cherry blossoms bloom, in a quiet park, away from the madness of a city life.

History, Spirituality and Culture

While on a tour of Japan, it is imperative to allow its history, culture and spiritual dimensions to take over your soul. Visit shrines like Tosho-gu in Nikko, Todai-ji in Nara, Oku-no-in in Koya San and, Izumo Taisha in Izumo to get a sense of Japan’s multi-faceted spiritual inklings. Places like the Hikone Castle, Himeji Castle and Miho Museum offer a treasured insight into Japan’s unique art and culture. But perhaps the most overwhelming experience can be visiting the Peace Park in Nagasaki and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, a solemn reminder of the most devastating of tragedies in the history of Japan.

Off the beaten track

If unconventional ventures are your forte, Japan can satiate those needs as well. How about a trip to explore the Japanese national sport, Sumo? A visit to a Sumo stable will reveal the exemplary details of what goes into the making of these fantastic wrestlers, ranging from their training and practices to their distinctive diet of a one-pot wonder called Chanko. Another eccentric adventure to embark upon would be a trip to the Abashiri Prison Museum that uses the very best of technology to exhibit the history of the prison complex as well as the lives of its prisoners, some of them notorious, others national heroes.

Food, glorious food

It was perhaps through Miyazaki’s films that Japan’s culinary repertoire became famous in the rest of the world. From the husky taste of miso to the wonderfully fierce wasabi to the subtle tastes of seaweed, Japanese food is like a festival inside the mouth. While in Japan, lose yourself in the delicate broth of ramen, the fluffy crunchiness of tempura fries and the rich spiciness of yakitori.

Melbourne is a city full of excitement and intrigue. Immerse yourself in nature or out on the ocean, or perhaps you prefer city sights and fine dining. During summer (when the days are longer, and you might not always be able to think of fun ways to fill them) there’s always an event or a new adventure to experience, so you can make the most of those extra daylight hours. No matter what your budget or interest, Melbourne’s got something for you.

First things first – make sure you find a hotel that suits your needs!

Here’s our list of great things to do, places to see and events to check out in Melbourne this summer.

Cool off and beat the heat

Melbourne’s top-rated Aquarium, SEA LIFE, offers you a once in a lifetime experience, Shark Dive Extreme. Get the chance to come face to face with a mouthful of teeth as one of their gorgeous (and harmless) Grey Nurse Sharks swim by. Spot the sea turtles and watch as graceful rays glide past. You’ll be surrounded by multi-coloured fish and other marine life– it’s definitely one way to beat the heat and get your heart pumping.

Alternatively, hit the water with Kayak Melbourne and enjoy a sunset paddle and moonlight tour of Melbourne with exquisite views of the city lit up at night. Get some happy snaps and enjoy this urban adventure as the sun goes down. A fish and chip dinner is included, along with all your gear and a bottle of water. It’s perfect for every experience level from a beginner who’s never paddled before right through to those salty old sea dogs with years of experience on the water.

There’s lots of other ways to cool off in the city – head to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a walk under the trees or take the hop-on and off train. You could go punting on the lake, gliding along in your own gondola punt for a tour of the bays and islands of the Ornamental Lake. Peaceful and relaxing, it’s easy for you to get up close and personal with abundant birdlife and all manner of aquatic plants and animals. Perhaps afterward enjoy high tea or stick around for some laughter with fairies as you watch A Midsummer Night Dream in the gardens.

Day trips from the city

There are lots of places to visit within a short distance of the city. Here are some options if you feel like venturing out of the Melbourne metro area.

Yarra Valley Wine and Winery Tour

From the big estates down to the small boutique wineries, jump on the Australian Wine Tour Company’s bus for a day of exceptional wine tasting in one of Australia’s top wine producing regions. Savour fine wines, fine food and expand your knowledge as well as your palate while you learn the ins and outs of wine from the best in the business – the growers and winemakers themselves!

Visit Penguins

Watch the sweetest little fairy penguins from a boardwalk or a secluded beach as they emerge from the ocean and waddle right past you on their way to retire for the night at Phillip Island. Go West Tours provide you underground or above ground viewing and experienced guides to answer all of your questions on this moonlit parade of the tiniest penguins you’ve ever seen.

Great Ocean Road

Located along the spectacular coastal cliffs to the south-west of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is one of most spectacular drives in Australia. The road winds its way along a stunning coastline full of tall cliffs, secluded coves, beaches and charming towns to visit, making it a long but exciting day trip from Melbourne. Hire a car or join a bus tour to explore the region.

Free Stuff to Check Out

In a city this size, there are enough free activities to keep you occupied no matter when you visit. And there’s nothing better than finding free stuff…am I right!?

Loop Project Space and Bar hosts a plethora of free artsy activities year-round. Watch free screenings of movies, celebrate house music or find out about the insanely cool style of photography that is light painting. All your artsy loves and interests in one place, and it’s free.

Rebalance your Zen by getting back to nature and enjoy free walks and talks as you explore Melbourne’s green spaces and gardens hosted by Green Break. An experienced guide takes you on a nice little stroll, and you’ll learn about different plants, how old trees are and even the names of the birds sitting in the trees watching you pass by. Normally less than an hour long, you could even do it in your lunchbreak and put some balance back into your day.

National Gallery of Art

Showcasing International art and design from over 100 countries and with free entry, this is a must see. Spend hours wandering around enjoying the classics like paintings, sculpture and drawing for the traditional art lover, but remember there is so much more to see. It also holds performance pieces, architecture, fashion design and even robotics. Plus, it’s fun to play with the water wall and take photos of each other walking past to create your own art. Like this…

Theatre and Shows

Brazen burlesque, blockbuster musicals, cabaret’s and magical acts – be transported to another world with Melbourne’s culture scene.

Melbourne Theatre Company keeps it interesting with new productions and ever-changing themes to suit every taste. Classics are there, like The Ideal Husband and Twelfth Night, right alongside newer shows. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, but they are all worth checking out.

The possibilities are endless during a Melbourne summer. Whether you jump in with the sharks at SEA LIFE, take a friend to the Loop Project and catch a free screening or see one of the many productions from the Melbourne Theatre Company, your summer will be brighter ticking some of these off your list.