Though Sicily and Sardinia are by far the biggest Italian islands there are many other picturesque and tiny Italian islands that are worth discovering. The islands can be visited by direct flights, or by flights to a major Italian city that conduct cruises and cruise holidays to specific islands.

For some tourists, a trip to the beautiful Mediterranean region would be incomplete without a stopover along some of Italy's most well known islands. These are renowned not only for the beauty of their natural resources but for their rich history and culture, delicious cuisine and the warmth and hospitality of the Italian people. A cruise holiday is a fantastic way to get around and explore Italy's hidden island paradises.

Situated off Italy's southern coast is the island of Sicily. It is the largest island in the whole of the Mediterranean Sea and is the home of the famous and volcanic Mount Etna.
West of the Italian mainland is the island of Sardinia, of which a quarter is environmentally protected. An ideal place to visit for lovers of nature, Sardinia has three national parks and is Italy's second biggest island.

Elba is the third largest Italian island, but is small enough to be seen in a day. Made famous for being a place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, Elba is renowned for producing wine and is situated off the north west coast of Italy.

Stromboli, just north of Sicily, is an island in the Lipari Islands group and has an active volcano. Also in the south of Italy is Capri, which is a famous island in the Bay of Naples. Capri is known for its wine and Blue Grotto, which is a sea cave illuminated by sunlight on the water inside the cave.

Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and is a city made up of islets. Tourists can travel around Venice via its impressive canals and the city itself is one of the great cultural delights of European civilization.

Italy is also famous throughout the world for its mouthwatering dishes and is one of the largest producers of fine wines and vintages. Italian cuisine is revered worldwide and people agree that the freshness of the ingredients and unique style and flair of Italian cooking all contribute to the popularity of their Italian dishes the world over.

There are various groups and establishments who offer wine tasting and culinary tours throughout Italy. This way you get to explore and sightsee across the country while getting to know more about the wonders of Italian food and its many varieties of fine wines and vintages.