Italy Overland Holidays, Tours & Italian Road Trips

Italy overland holidays have it all! From rocky coasts to volcanic peaks and Alpine passes to rolling idyllic fields there’s some of the most picturesque roads in Europe. The shape of the country is ideal for lengthy Italian road trips, with everything from skiing to scuba diving, kitesurfing to climbing and hiking to biking to try along the way.

Italy has great car hire facilities and many national and international firms will be happy to hire you a vehicle that you can leave at the other end of the country. All you need is an international driver’s license, a sense of adventure and a good map (or your smartphone with data) you’ll be ready for an incredible road trip!

Italy Overland Holidays and Tours

Italian road trips from Scilly through the mainland to the Alps are perhaps the ultimate driving experience this country offers. Taking in fabulous countryside, often seen from some of the best road viaducts in Europe. Visiting famous and ancient cities succ as Venice, Rome and Verona, there’s no where better to overland in Europe.

The E45 route traverses the length of Italy and carries on through Europe ending in northern Norway. Perfect for Italy overland holidays, it takes you from the south of Sicily, across the ferry to the mainland then up the west coast of Italy to Rome. It then heads east towards San Marino and Verona, before heading into the Alps above Trento where you can explore the beautiful Dolomites.

The E45 continues out of Italy through Austria, Germany, Denmark and up through Sweden before briefly entering Finland and ending in Norway. While a Norway to the southern tip of Spain is considered one of the best overlanding routes in Europe this north/south tour comes a close second.

Best Italian Road Trips

Of course the E45 is just one route and has the disadvantage of being mainly highway. For the best overlanding in Italy you are better taking the back-roads through Italy’s rolling Tuscan and Umbrian hills and along the less developed coasts.

The eastern coast from Lecce to Trieste is perfect for this type of trip and offers the chance to experience some of the cultural highlights of the country. Family run roadside restaurants offer some of the best real Italian food meaning you’ll never go hungry on a road trip in Italy.

One of the highlights of driving in Italy is the tiny roads in many medieval cities that are almost labyrinthine in complexity. Try them without the aid of satnav or a map and you may get stuck there for ever.

Of course part of the fun of any overland trip is getting lost. And where better to do it than a culturally rich country like Italy where great food, incredible scenery, and exciting Italian adventure activities are never far away.

We hope you count this guide to Italy overland holidays and tours useful. Let us know your favourite routes in the comments below and check out our Italy adventure holidays page for plenty more ideas.