Gap 360 is now Adventure360. New name, same great adventures.
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Ignite your passion for Europe in Italy and have a gap year full of incredible experiences. Get inventive in Venice, where winding waterways make for a magical mystery tour, or see the might of the Coliseum in romantic Rome then stop off and see the spectacular Sistine Chapel. Find yourself in flawless Florence and grab some gallery time on a Grand Tour, or stay in stunning Siena and see the sensational sights of this medieval city.
Lose yourself on lazy days by the Italian Lakes, or pick up some Italian flavour in Pisa’s piazzas then stop off for a pizza or two. Take time out in Tuscany or mingle with the fashion pack in Milan, then snooze away summer in the sunny south in Sardinia. Italy is a country of culture and charisma and its seductive charms will capture the heart of any gap year traveller, so have a uniquely European experience on your gap year and get going to Italy!
The Eternal City makes a powerful impression. Home to the Colosseum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Italy’s capital is a heady mix of alluring ancient ruins and classical architecture woven into the hilltops. Trace the historic footsteps of gladiators by day; dive into the sensational nightlife by dusk. When in Rome!
Venice's charm is one-of-a-kind. Picture yourself gliding along the canals on a traditional gondola, uncovering a labyrinth of backstreets packed with hole-in-the-wall gems or indulging in foodie traditions like Cicchetti (Venetian tapas), exclusive to this city. Experience everything that this unique destination has to offer on our Italy tours.
One of the “Big Four” fashion capitals of the world, Milan embraces the finer things in life. From rooftop bars to wellness spas and nightclubs for every vibe, this modern city is ten steps ahead. Shopping is a sport here, offering everything from designer labels to up-and-coming brands... you're sure to find a few souvenirs.
The Amalfi Coast is all about living “La Dolce Vita” (“The Sweet Life”) and with views like these, it feels like second nature. Rocky cliffs, sapphire grottos, sunkissed little coves and a sugary Limoncello scent that fills the air… This slice of Mediterranean paradise is calling your name on our Italy trips. Aperitivo drinks at sunset await!
Pisa’s iconic bell tower was never intended to be, well, leaning. But it turned out to be one of the happiest of accidents in disguise. Pisa is an unmissable day trip destination on our Italy group tours, so get your cameras out and optical illusion poses ready for taking photos with your new mates. The more creative, the better!
Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is bursting at the seams with inspiration. Satisfy your wanderlust by exploring the city’s treasure trove of galleries with masterpieces proudly on display. Lose yourself in the live music and sink your teeth into the heavenly food scene, from sumptuous truffle to velvety gelato - it was actually invented here!
A string of colourful fishing villages along the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre (“Five Lands”) promises adventure at each turn. Travelling the towns is one of the greatest joys, whether you’re taking the hiking trails by the ocean edge or a scenic train ride. When you’re not kicking back on a beach, be sure to try pesto pasta: a regional specialty.
There is something in the air in Lake Como. Pastel villages float around like little islands inside the picturesque valleys covered in forest. Stroll along the waterfront promenades’ stunning stretches, glide along the sparkling, sapphire waters or endlessly explore those cobblestone laneways, leading you to the cutest boutiques.
Get a taste of Naples on our Italy tours. Home to the best pizza in the world, mouthwatering street food that turns heads and an addictive café culture, Naples embodies everything to love about Italy. When you’re not soaking up the sunshine by the harbour, dig into nightlife. Who knew one of the oldest cities in the world could be so alive?
Looking to tick the smallest country in the world off your bucket list? The Vatican City is like a living museum housing some of the finest artwork in Europe - including Michelangelo’s legendary ceiling murals and the “Giudizio Universale” (“The Last Judgement”). Perfect for a day trip from Rome, the Vatican City has plenty of pinch-me moments.
Italian cuisine is hailed as one of the finest and most delicious in Europe, and Italian cooking prides itself on its simplicity. Relying on the quality of the produce, Italian cooking uses only a few ingredients to create fresh and sensational meals. Pizzas are thin-based and sparing with the cheese, whereas pasta is served just cooked, or ‘al dente’ and comes in endless shapes, from swirls of fusilli to strings of spaghetti. Potato dumplings known as gnocchi are also popular, as are regional specialities such as the Venetian risotto, a rice-based dish, or the maize meal called polenta. Fresh seafood, tomatoes, meat and onions are common ingredients on any Italian menu, as are cheeses, including parmesan, ricotta and mozzarella.
Italian suppers start late and are leisurely affairs, with each morsel being savoured at a slow pace. Often consisting of several courses, meals include tasty antipasto starters, pasta or risotto, followed by a meat and a cheese course, topped off with some true Italian coffee and a scoop of delicious gelato (ice cream). Follow with an Italian liqueur and you’ll be enjoying a gastronomic feast well into the night!
Italy is a country of climate contrasts, with the image of the Italian Riviera giving the idea that Italy is all about long hot summers. The reality is somewhat different, with winters being long and harsh in some areas, such as around the Alps. Florence is sheltered and swelters in summer, as does Rome, where temperatures skyrocket in the summer months of July and August, which are also the busiest tourist and holiday season.
Venice can be humid in summer, due to its watery location, and can have bright and biting winter days. If you head south to areas such as Sardinia or Sicily then winters remain mild and summers are long and leisurely. Italy is a great year-round destination due to the varied climate, and its historic sights and cultural charisma can be enjoyed whatever the weather.
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Italy set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Italian Embassy in the UK.
Italy follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
If your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document. You cannot use a police report to leave Italy.
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:
The requirements for working in Italy are different.
If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.
If you cannot return to the UK before your visa-free limit expires, contact the nearest local immigration office (‘questura’) (in Italian).
Until the Entry-Exit System (EES) is fully rolled out, make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit (read ‘New Schengen entry requirements’).
If you’re a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.
At Italian border control, you may need to:
To stay longer, you must meet the Italian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You’ll need to apply and then book an appointment.
If you’re in Italy with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Read about entry processes if you live in Italy.
The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.
On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.
If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years.
Read more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area.
The Italian authorities recommend that dual nationals with Italian citizenship enter and leave Italy on an Italian passport.
There are temporary border checks at Italy’s border with Slovenia. Allow extra time for crossing the land border. Be ready to show your passport or residency card if you are asked by the border police.
Hotels and accommodation providers in Italy have a legal duty to register your passport details with the police. When checking into your accommodation wait until hotel staff have registered your passport details. Do not leave your passport for later collection. If the hotelier takes a photocopy of your passport, ensure it is either returned to you or destroyed.
If you’ve come from another Schengen-area country and you are not staying in a hotel or facility that registers your stay, you must declare your presence (‘dichiarazione di presenza’) to the local immigration authority (‘questura’) within 8 days of arriving. The ‘questura’ will give you a form to complete.
You can get more information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Italian police force.
If you’re aged 17 or under, you cannot check into hotels or holiday accommodation without an accompanying adult.
British people aged 17 and under travelling without their parents or guardians do not need any authorisation stamped by the Embassy, even if they are resident in Italy. Only Italian children travelling without parents or guardians need such a document stamped by the local police.
See further advice on travelling abroad with people aged 17 and under, or travelling to the UK with people aged 17 and under.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Italy guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Italy. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special food or pet feed required for medical reasons.
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.
As a European country, Italy does not differ greatly from the UK in its culture and customs. Italy is a predominantly Catholic country and in religious sites and churches, it is customary to cover your shoulders and not to wear shorts or short skirts. When you get to know people in Italy, you may be greeted with a kiss on both cheeks and hospitality is also very important, especially around meals and Italian food.
Life passes on Italian time, which is leisurely and not always punctual, so expect everything to run a little late. The British love of queues is largely ignored in Italy so expect to be elbowed aside on occasion!
Healthcare is good in Italy, and for British travellers, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card before you travel, which entitles you to emergency medical treatment in Italy. You must also make sure you have appropriate travel and health insurance in place before you go.
Italy is generally a very safe location to travel to, but be alert for pickpockets and petty crime, especially in the larger cities such as Rome and Florence, and in tourist areas. Rental cars can be targeted so don’t leave valuables in your car, and public transport is another common target. Begging can also be a problem in bigger cities. Don’t buy goods from illegal street vendors who are to be found on most city streets. See our general guide to safety when travelling for further advice.
We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.
