Citalia shares top 10 spots and expert tips for selling Italy

The Italy specialist also shared its top 10 destinations in the country for 2024, which include classic cities Rome and Venice, along with Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, lake region hotspots Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda and Lake Como, Tuscany and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

The guide is divided into five broad themes of Coasts, Islands, Lakes, Countryside and Cities, giving a clear overview of key destinations. Each section spotlights the best places to stay, dine, learn and explore followed by a breakdown of regional multi-destination tours and local hotels or villas offered by Citalia.

Peppered with quotes and insider insight, recommendations include venturing to Viareggio, an art deco town on the Tuscany coast with six miles of beach. The guide also advises clients travelling to Piedmont to visit the small town of Bra, home to the global slow food movement and a closely held secret for food lovers. For visitors to Rome, the advice is to spend a night in the bohemian Trastevere quarter to enjoy a local alfresco meal.

Other tips agents can use include arranging an e-bike city tour or walking tour for first-time visitors to get acquainted with Verona, or using the hydrofoils and car ferries that criss-cross Lake Maggiore to get around.

Citalia’s guide also offers up recommendations for self-drive holidays and rail tours and provides self-drive and train itineraries to inspire clients to take a road or train trip.

After a 25% increase in demand for Citalia’s escorted tours in 2023, the operator has introduced more multi-destination tours for 2024 including a Villas and Gardens of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore itinerary and a Walking Tour of the Amalfi Coast.

The operator has also added more than 20 new hotels to its portfolio for agents to book in 2024. These include Villa Rosa Hotel in Lake Garda, Palazzo Giovanelli in Venice and Hotel Plaza Opera in Sicily.