Hi Andy,
We organise escorted tours only, so I can't help you much with ideas about booking yourself and doing your own thing. However I can give you a list of our solo tours to Italy that depart in May next year, and perhaps one of them will take your fancy.
Walking in Tuscany, departing on 12/05 from Manchester or Gatwick. A nice mix of guided walks in the charming Tuscan countryside, and escorted visits to medieval towns such as Siena and Perugia, as well as a farm and cheese producer visit.
For more details see
https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single- ... travellersLake Maggiore, Orta & Como, departing on 21/05 from Birmingham and Manchester. Visit three of the most popular of the Italian lakes on this 8-day tour, along with visits to the Borromean islands, the Villa Taranto Gardens, and Zermatt with its views of the iconic Matterhorn.
For more details see
https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single- ... travellersClassical Italy, departing on 31/05 from Birmingham and Heathrow. If this is your first visit to Italy then this is a great option as we will take you to both Florence and Rome. See the Uffizi Gallery, the Vatican and the Coliseum, amongst other iconic Italian landmarks.
For more details see
https://www.rivieratravel.co.uk/single- ... travellersWe also have two Italian tours in the first week of June, one to Lake Garda and the other to Sicily.
Hopefully that has given you some ideas, though feel free to ask more questions or call up our helpful reservations team to discuss your options and preferences.
Kind regards,
Erik.