Trying to decide about touring holidays to Italy?
Italy is a very popular destination with 6.4 million visitors travelling there in 2022. That means there is plenty of choice when it comes to Italian coach holidays.
In this article, I’ve compiled a side-by-side comparison of all the coach holidays to Italy available from two of the main holiday companies in the UK – Saga and Travelsphere. (Saga Holidays are now the same as Titan Holiday).
Read on to compare coach trips to Italy and find your favourite trip quickly and easily.
Touring Holidays to Italy with Saga Holidays
Are Touring Holidays to Italy Worth Considering?
Touring holidays can cover more ground and fit in more activities than you could cover on your own. Add to that the fact that someone else does the driving. There are many options available so there is a touring holiday to Italy to suit everyone.
Saga Holidays are for those aged 50 and over. They also tend to travel in the ‘shoulder season’ – slightly out of the main holiday season to give better value.
Professional Traveller Note;
You can travel on a SAGA holiday if you are 40 and over, as long as you are travelling with someone who is 50 or over.
That said it might not be out of season where you are visiting. In August for example many Italians take their own holidays so destinations can be busier.
Here are some things to consider when thinking of booking SAGA Holidays;
- All holidays generally include VIP transfers from home. This is a small vehicle with up to 3 or sometimes 5 other travellers. They will pick you up from your home address, or that of a friend or family member if you prefer.
- Alternatively, you can travel by rail to the airport or have complimentary airport parking if you choose to drive yourself.
- The car service is particularly good at the end of the tour. If there are any flight delays or issues it doesn’t matter as your driver will be there to meet you.
- SAGA generally uses UK Tour Managers who fly out and back with the group.
- Holiday insurance is generally included with SAGA holidays. This can be cheaper than getting your own insurance policy.
- The prices of the optional excursions are sent with the final booking information which you will receive two weeks before your departure.
| Holiday Name | Scicilian Escape | Southern Shores of Lake Garda | Scenic Lake Orta | Puglia Heel of Italy | The Essence of Tuscany | Sorrento & Amalfi Coast | Hidden Treasures of Sardinia | Secrets of Southern Italy and Scicily | Scicily Jewel of the Mediterranean | Grand Tour of Italy from Venice to Scicily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Nights | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 15 |
| Earliest Date | Sept 2023 | Sept 2023 | Oct 2023 | Sept 2023 | April 2024 | June 2023 | Oct 2023 | Oct 2023 | Sept 2023 | Sept 2023 |
| Latest Date | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | Sept 2024 | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | June 2024 | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | Oct 2023 | Oct 2024 |
| Cheapest Cost & Date | £1175 Sept 2023 | £1785 Sept 2023 | £1869 Oct 2023 | £1875 Sept 2023 | £1895 Apr 2024 | £2019 June 2023 | £2045 Oct 2023 | £2169 Oct 2023 | £2299 Oct 2023 | £3129 Sept 2023 |
| Cost per night | £254 | £255 | £267 | £268 | £271 | £288 | £256 | £217 | £255 | £208 |
| Cheapest Single Supplement | £200 | 0 | £166 | £480 | £200 | £300 | £610 | £300 | £600 | |
| Lowest Price Departs From | London Gatwick | London Gatwick | London Heathrow | London Gatwick | London Heathrow | London Heathrow | London Gatwick | London Gatwick | London Gatwick | London Heathrow |
| Transfer to Airport Included | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP | VIP |
| Regional Departures Available | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| UK Tour Manager | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nights in 3 Star Hotels | ||||||||||
| Nights in 4 Star Hotels | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 15 |
| Nights in 5 Start Hotels | ||||||||||
| Breakfasts Included | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 14 |
| Lunches Included | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | ||||||
| Dinners Included | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Excursions Included | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
| Optional Excursions | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Total Cost of All Optional Excursions | N/A | |||||||||
| Porterage Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Rotation on Tour | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bookable Front Seats | ||||||||||
| Maximum Group Size | ||||||||||
| Review Score | ||||||||||
| Insurance Included | £40 | £40 | £40 | £40 | £40 | £40 | £40 | £100 | £100 | £100 |
| Pace | Leisurely | Leisurely | Leisurely | Escorted Moderate | Escorted Moderate | Stay and Explore | Escorted Moderate | Escorted Moderate | Escorted Moderate | Escorted Moderate |
Touring Holidays to Italy with Travelsphere Holidays
Travelsphere caters for guests that are over 18, although the age of travellers is generally higher.
They also have a great selection of Italy coach holidays due to the popularity of these trips.
Here are some things to consider when thinking of booking Travelsphere Holidays;
- No transfer to the airport is included. This means you need to make your own way to the airport. There will be additional costs for this and depending on your flight time you may need an extra overnight stay.
- Regional flights are available for some tours.
| Holiday Name | Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum | Grand Tour of Italy | Puglia & Basilicata | Amalfi Coast, Pompeii & Capri | Treasures of Tuscany & Florence | The Best of Sicily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Nights | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Earliest Date | Sept 2023 | Aug 2023 | Sept 2023 | Aug 2023 | Sept 2023 | Jun 2023 |
| Latest Date | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | Oct 2024 | Sept 2024 |
| Cheapest Cost & Date | £1449 multiple | £2449 Oct 2023 | £1399 multiple | £1449 mar 2024 | £1299 may 2024 | £1499 apr 2024 |
| Cost per night | £207 | £175 | £200 | £724 | £185 | £214 |
| Cheapest Single Supplement | £555 | £655 | £655 | £755 | £555 | £755 |
| Lowest Price Departs From | London Heathrow | London Gatwick | London Gatwick | London Heathrow | London Heathrow | London Gatwick |
| Transfer to Airport Included | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Regional Departures Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| UK Tour Manager | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Nights in 3 Star Hotels | ||||||
| Nights in 4 Star Hotels | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Nights in 5 Start Hotels | ||||||
| Breakfasts Included | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Lunches Included | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Dinners Included | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| Excursions Included | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Optional Excursions | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Total Cost of All Optional Excursions | £207 | £237 | £104 | £105 | £192 | |
| Porterage Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Rotation on Tour | ||||||
| Bookable Front Seats | ||||||
| Maximum Group Size | ||||||
| Review Score | ||||||
| Insurance Included | ||||||
| Pace | Classic Touring | Classic Touring | Relax and Discover | Relax and Discover | Relax and Discover | Relax and Discover |
Itinerary Review Service
- I’ve spent 36 years working as a coach holiday Tour Manager for Travelsphere, Titan, Saga and Newmarket Holidays
- Let me do a review of the holiday you are interested in, giving you much more detail on what to expect alongwith things you might want to check before booking
- Don’t risk spending all that money on a holiday that might not be right for you.
- Want to see an example? Check out my review of a Douro River Cruise, Lake Garda Holiday, Highlands of Scotland Railway Tour, Azores Holiday
Touring Holidays to Italy Summary
- Travelsphere and Saga both have a good selection of touring holidays to Italy available, covering a wide selection of destinations in the country.
- SAGA has a VIP car transfer service (or regional flights, train or parking).
- Travelsphere does not include transport to the airport.
Other Articles You Might Like
If you have found this article about Touring Holidays to Italy useful you might also like;
Things To Know Before You Book a Coach Holiday – my essential guide
My in depth review of a Coach Holiday to Lake Garda
11 Coach Holiday Hacks – for an even better holiday
You can find lots more article on my Coach Holidays page
Further Reading
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- Azores Island Hopping Review
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