Comprising the stretch of peninsula encompassing the regions that form the lower end of Italy's "boot", Southern Italy is a dream destination for many.

Brimming with rich history, striking architecture and wild beauty, this wonderfully photogenic corner of Europe has plenty to offer visitors. With the addition of the warm Mediterranean climate, superb cuisine and famously friendly and expressive locals, it's not difficult to see why Southern Italy tours are so coveted.

Southern Italy holidays provide the chance to explore a wonderfully diverse mix of destinations, from rugged mountainous landscapes and rustic villages to bustling cities and elegant coastal resorts. Explore unspoilt countryside in Calabria, relax on a picture-perfect beach in Puglia or discover ancient ruins in Campania. Whether you opt for the historic grandeur of Sicily, the elegant resorts of Sardinia or the national park-filled landscapes of Abruzzo, our Southern Italy escorted tours offer the very best of the region's history, scenery, attractions and cuisine.

While hard cheeses such as provolone and caciocavallo are the most common in the region, there are exceptions, such as the famous Campania mozzarella.

With influences from Greece, Spain, and the Middle East, Southern Italian cuisine has been perfected over centuries of migration. In terms of traditional dishes, look out for melanzane ripiene al forno, a Southern Italian favourite composed of baked aubergines stuffed with capers, tomatoes and olives.

Don't miss the opportunity to get a caffeine fix at a coffee bar with the locals. The coffee in Southern Italy is rich and bitter in flavour, and best enjoyed with a pastry such as a cornetto, a croissant-like treat often filled with cream, jam or chocolate.