Best Time of the Year to Visit Italy
By Tully Luxury Travel | 06-24-2024 |
You’ve very likely been to Italy before, either for work or pleasure, with family or just by yourselves. Chances are it was a great time – but the teeming masses put you off, or the temperatures soared beyond belief, or the value just wasn’t there.
Now, it’s time to do things right. Let your Tully Travel Designer help you determine the ideal time of year to visit Italy, so you tick all the boxes in your own way.
Traveling to Italy at any time of year brings with it a few logistical preparations by the Tully experts. Our luxury vacations to Italy, including our popular Rome vacations, are easily managed and fine-tuned to suit the amount of time you have to travel and the specific Italian destinations on your list.
But when it comes to the best month to visit Italy, you can take your pick of May and June or September and October – spring and fall, the shoulder seasons. In a nutshell – just as we mentioned off the top – the crowds will be at their thinnest, the weather quite pleasant and the prices lower in every regard.
Avoiding the extremes of peak season
During high season in most all of Italy, you have to wait in line to get into things like popular attractions and museums. Peak season is not only crowded and expensive, it is very hot, with temperatures reaching well past 100º F.
Spring in Italy is a magical time, the weather just hitting it perfectly every day. Though there may be a shower or two, the average temperatures are just right. The weather makes it a better time to visit archaeological sites outdoors, as you won’t tire out as quickly with the aid of a cool breeze. May is also the month for blooming gardens everywhere you go in Italy.
Spring and fall are also the best times to visit museums and galleries, because there are no lineups to endure. This makes your time visiting attractions more efficient, because you will be able to see things more quickly. And when it comes time to take a break, you will find that there is lots of room on the outdoor patios. This flexible availability also extends to securing that hard-to-book table at the Michelin-star restaurants in Italy.
Italy in September sees things pretty much back to business – the children are back in school and the Italians themselves have returned from their summer vacations. There’s a bit more breathing room at this time of the year. The weather in Italy in October is perfect for exploring the different wine regions, with the gorgeous hillsides resplendent in fall foliage. Crush season is made all the more delicious by the fresh fall air.
If you do find yourself having to travel during the summer – due to your work schedule or family holiday timing – plan to go sailing to avoid the crowded beaches or take time to explore the Italian Alps, lakes and meadows.
Don’t rule out a visit to Italy in December
Escaping your regular routine during the winter months can be exciting, despite you having to pack heavier clothing. Winter in Italy brings cold weather, but along with that comes holiday cheer. The twinkling lights of the renowned European Christmas markets offer Yuletide merriment and festive foods, Christmas trees and sleigh rides.
For those ready to hit the slopes, skiing in Italy is generally more peaceful than it is at the resorts in France or Switzerland. The Dolomite Alps in northeastern Italy are a great destination for skiing – and for sitting by the fire afterward.
Let us get you on your way to Italy
Whether it’s a trip to Venice, a trip to the Amalfi Coast or a visit to Florence, peak season or not, the professionals at Tully Luxury Travel would be delighted to help you plan the agenda. The best time of the year to travel to Italy is easily designed, so you can make the most of your Italian vacation, wherever it takes you.