Beat post-holiday blues by dreaming up your next Italian holiday...

Fortunately, there is a very easy cure for post-vacation sadness: planning your next trip to Italy. Whether you crave a city break, beach life, a lakeside sojourn or want to escape to a rural retreat, the right Italian holiday is waiting for you with the help of Gruppo UNA.

City breaks in Italy.

Almost everyone has their favourite Italian city, but there is no better way to stave off post-vacation stress than to make plans to discover a new favourite. Perhaps it could be Rome: a city that is not only quintessentially Italian but, thanks to its far-reaching Roman legacy, also quintessentially European. Exploring the remnants of the once-mighty Roman Empire via the likes of the Colosseum and the Forum offers an unparalleled glimpse into the past.

Meanwhile, the Vatican City offers a cool retreat from hot city streets, and no trip to Rome could be complete without pausing in wonder before some of the world’s finest works of art. Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes top the list for many visitors. And, when it comes to finding somewhere to stay, the UNAHOTELS Decò Roma enjoys an unparalleled location for convenient access to public transport and major attractions such as the Colosseum.

Alternatively, why not explore Roman Italy in greater depth with a visit to Pompeii, on the slopes of the famous Mount Vesuvius? You can admire the frescoes in the Villa of the Mysteries, stand amid the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, try to spot original Roman graffiti or simply wander the stone streets and imagine the bustling city of 2,000 years ago.

Nearby Naples, overlooking the beautiful blue Bay of Naples, is the perfect spot to adjourn to after a tour of Pompeii. As well as plenty of its own history, the city’s Botanical Gardens provide a cool, green place in which to relax, while several Funiculare, or “inclined railways” take passengers uphill to admire the view from spots such as Vomero. Pizza-lovers should also note that Naples is the home of the Neapolitan pizza.

Venice is another wonderful option for an Italian city break. Car-free, this city of canals, gondoliers and bridges has been inspiring poets, artists and couples for centuries, and it is still the perfect place for a trip away with that someone special. The city is also ideally located to act as a springboard for a visit to the elegant, cultured and always fashionable city of Milan.

Beach life in Italy.

Whether it is swimming, diving, sunbathing, strolling or enjoying the local seafood cuisine, Italy has a beach for everyone. More than that, it is impossible to suffer from a post-vacation hangover for long with an Italian beach holiday hovering on the horizon.

The rugged Amalfi Coast is home to some of Italy’s best-loved scenery. Pretty fishing villages, sheer cliff faces, lemon groves and the warm climate combine to form a coastline that has been recognised by UNESCO as an outstanding Mediterranean landscape.

Off-shore, although it is always hard to beat Capri and Sicily, it is well worth considering a trip to the volcanic island of Ischia. Larger than nearby Capri and favoured by Neapolitan natives, Ischia is something of a secret among tourists from overseas. With many of its beaches accessible only from the sea, it also retains a calming air of relaxation and solitude. UNAHOTELS Napoli is an ideal location for a trip out to Ischia, as well as for exploring Naples itself.

 A lakeside sojourn in Italy.

As well as boating, swimming, sunbathing and enjoying lakeside cafes, a unique microclimate makes hiking, mountain biking and horse riding pleasure in the Italian Lakes. There are also plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, such as a boat trip to see the Villa Balbianello on Lake Como, a film location for both James Bond and Star Wars. UNAHOTELS Varese is a leisurely hour’s drive from Lake Como through the picturesque Lombardy countryside.

Rural retreats.

For many people, Tuscany encapsulates their idea of the Italian rural idyll, and with good reason. The 16th-century  Villa le Maschere | UNA Esperienze, for example, offers matchless contemporary comforts, including a spa and wellness centre, in one of the country’s most beautiful settings. Its proximity to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, provides an opportunity to explore treasures like the Uffizi Gallery.

How to overcome the post-vacation blues by returning to Italy with Gruppo UNA.

Gruppo UNA provides the ideal remedy for post-holiday blues. Whatever Italy means for you, our wide selection of hotels, villas and resorts across 19 destinations in the country is sure to cheer you up and leave you eagerly anticipating your next Italian holiday.

Check out our other articles for tips, city guides, and suggestions for when you're planning your next vacation to Italy.