Timbuktu Travel, the Cape Town-based tour operator named #1 in the world in 2024 and #2 in 2025 by Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, today announces the launch of Italy, its first European destination.

Long regarded as a specialist across Africa, South America, Asia and beyond, Timbuktu has built its reputation for designing extraordinary, deeply personalised journeys to some of the world’s most compelling, complex, and far-flung destinations, from remote wilderness in Antarctica to culturally rich global cities in Brazil and Japan. Its expansion into Italy marks a decisive new chapter: a considered move into Europe that brings the company’s distinct perspective -- one defined by insider access, effortless luxury, and seamless execution -- to one of the world’s most culturally rich and sophisticated destinations.

The timing of Timbuktu’s expansion is significant. Italy in 2026 sits at the intersection of several powerful shifts in global travel behavior: a move toward slower, more immersive journeys, a renewed emphasis on heritage-led exploration, ancestry tourism, and sustainable luxury. Travellers are increasingly prioritising depth over density, seeking meaningful engagement with place, craft, and regional identity rather than traditional sightseeing alone. 

Italy has also been named the happiest destination for American travellers in 2026 by Travel + Leisure, with consistently high satisfaction scores driven by its cultural richness, scenic diversity, and enduring sense of la dolce vita. Across the country, demand is rising for more tactile, experience-led travel, from artisanal workshops in leather and tailoring to culinary immersion and regional storytelling through food and wine.

Timbuktu’s Italy collection is positioned precisely for this moment, reframing the classic itinerary for a more discerning traveller. Each journey is entirely bespoke, shaped through the company’s interactive planning platform and refined by expert specialists to deliver private access, meaningful local encounters, price transparency, and a seamless sense of flow throughout.

Timbuktu Travel Italy sample itineraries include:

• Icons of Italy (10 nights): A refined journey through Italy’s most celebrated cities and landscapes, combining Rome’s ancient grandeur, Florence’s artistic treasures, the rolling vineyards and Renaissance towns of Siena and the Val d’Orcia, and Venice’s enchanting canals. Expect privileged cultural access, exceptional food and wine experiences, and a seamless balance of iconic landmarks and slower moments immersed in the Tuscan countryside.
• Italy’s Highlights for the Romantics (12 nights): A beautifully paced itinerary designed for couples, weaving together some of Italy’s most evocative settings. From the timeless glamour of Lake Como and the vineyard-cloaked hills of Tuscany to Rome’s atmospheric streets and the pastel-hued harbour of Portofino, this journey is filled with private experiences, scenic moments and unforgettable settings crafted for two.
• Fun for the Whole Family in Italy (12 nights): A family-friendly adventure that combines Italy’s most iconic destinations with engaging experiences designed for all ages. Explore Venice’s waterways, discover Florence through interactive cultural experiences, uncover the stories of Ancient Rome and end on the spectacular Amalfi Coast. With hands-on activities, private guides and a relaxed pace throughout, it’s a journey created for shared memories and effortless exploration.
• An Adventure in Northern Italy (11 nights): A dynamic exploration of Northern Italy, blending cosmopolitan culture with outdoor adventure and extraordinary scenery. Beginning in stylish Milan, the journey continues through the shores of Lake Garda and the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites before concluding in Venice. Expect active experiences, alpine landscapes, lakeside tranquillity and understated luxury set against some of Italy’s most spectacular natural backdrops.
• Little-Known Italy (10 nights): An immersive route through some of Italy’s lesser-explored regions, revealing the country beyond its classic highlights. From the vineyard-covered hills of Piedmont and the elegant shores of Lake Maggiore to the medieval heart of Umbria and the sun-drenched landscapes of Puglia, this itinerary celebrates authentic local culture, exceptional food and wine, and distinctive experiences far from the traditional tourist trail.

Timbuktu’s new Italy itineraries also offer a signature selection of accommodations, ranging from the iconic classics to true-and-tested, in-the-know havens that reflect the destination’s array of experiences.

Signature Properties Include:

• Casa Monti (Rome): A stylish, intimate boutique retreat in the vibrant Monti district.
• Hotel de Russie (Rome): The legendary icon overlooking the Spanish Steps, with its celebrated terraced gardens.
• Belmond Hotel Caruso (Amalfi Coast): A magnificent 11th-century palazzo in Ravello with commanding sea views.
• Monastero Santa Rosa (Amalfi Coast): An intimate clifftop former monastery known for serenity, gardens, and exceptional spa.
• The Place (Florence): An elegant townhouse hideaway with the feel of a well-connected private residence, offering a relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
• Grand Hotel Victoria (Lake Como): Elegant 19th-century lakefront grandeur in Menaggio.
• Il Sereno Hotel (Lake Como): A striking contemporary masterpiece with direct lake access and a sophisticated infinity swimming pool.

Additional handpicked properties feature across Tuscany, Venice, Portofino, the Dolomites, Puglia, Piedmont, and other regions.

“Italy has always sat at the heart of the global imagination. It is a place of extraordinary beauty, culture, and craft. Bringing it into Timbuktu’s world feels like a natural but incredibly exciting evolution for us. This launch marks a major milestone in our journey as a company, and we’re thrilled to be opening up Europe in a way that stays true to what we do best: creating deeply personal, intelligently designed travel that goes far beyond the expected. Italy is just the beginning of an entirely new chapter for Timbuktu,” says Johnny Prince, co-founder and CEO of Timbuktu Travel.

Timbuktu Travel’s Italy collection is now live, offering travellers a fresh, elevated way to experience the country with the same service and attention to detail that has earned it its place among the world’s finest tour operators.

Image courtesy of Timbuktu Travel