October is one of the prettiest months to visit Tuscany. With few visitors, experience the changing foliage throughout the country, the Casentino National Park being a great place to start. Plus, the Tyrrhenian Sea is still warm enough for a dip.
Outside the height of peak season, September makes for a great time to visit Tuscany. Toward the end of the month, the crowds have lessened, the weather is not blazingly hot, and the Tyrrhenian Sea remains inviting. Read on to learn more.
Tuscany, like most of the country, is hot and crowded. It's the peak of tourist season, but this monthly guide can point you in the right direction—to less-crowded beaches and cooler locales.
July is high season in Tuscany, and with sunny, hot weather, it's a perfect month for getting outdoors to bike, hike, and play in the water. The whole region is waiting to be explored, so take advantage of the fine weather and the slew of festivals that take place throughout the month.
June marks the beginning of the high season as crowds start to infiltrate one of Italy's most popular regions. The sun and sea beckon visitors to flock to the Tyrrhenian coast, the mountains are waiting to be traversed, and the Chianti and Siena wine provinces are waiting to be explored. Drink in Tuscany as you learn what to do and where to go.
May offers the perfect time to visit Tuscany. The weather is sunny with fewer bouts of rain and the Tyrrhenian Sea is just about warm enough to swim. There's still a month before the foreign tourist onslaught and shoulder season bargains are still to be had. Read on for more tips on where to go and what to expect in Tuscany this month.
Spring is well underway in April, offering mild, sunny days, blossoming flowers, and religious events—with the entire country coming out for Easter festivities. Tourist numbers are low and prices for accommodation and flights remain attractive, making this an ideal time to sightsee less crowded popular attractions as well as take advantage of outdoor activities.
Visitors to Tuscany in March will catch the earliest glimpses of spring and though the weather is a little temperamental, you can catch the best of both winter and late spring seasons. This is a great month to hit the slopes, explore the cities, and experience uncrowded popular attractions. Find out what to do and where to go with this March guide.
February is the last full month of winter in Tuscany, offering plenty of snowy adventures and lively festivals, as well as fewer tourists and lower prices. Ski season is well underway in the mountains, the resorts and their respective slopes bustling with activity. Meanwhile, the rest of the country celebrates the coming of spring with Lent and one of Italy's liveliest religious events: Carnevale.
Tuscany's first month of the year is also its coldest. But with the chilly weather comes fun snow activities, the start of carnivale season, fewer crowds, and lower costs than other times of the year. The snow and ice add an additional enchanting quality to already captivating attractions like Casentino National Park, the Apennines, and the Garfagnana mountains. Find out what to do and where to go with this January guide.
Featuring two weeks of cycling through beautiful and diverse landscapes in northern Italy, you'll also pedal along the Slovenian and Croatian coastline. Begin your journey in Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites, and work your way south to Peschiera before turning east to Venice and following the Adriatic Sea around the Gulf of Trieste, where you'll end along the Istrian coast in Croatia's Poreč. Discover romantic Verona, marvel at architectural masterpieces in Vicenza, and soak weary muscles in thermal waters in Padua.
Sitting romantically astride the Arno River, topped by terracotta-tiled domes and medieval towers that lift the gaze skywards and bathed in painterly light—Florence is one of Europe's most captivating cities. The Tuscan capital has enough Renaissance art and architecture to keep you coming back for a lifetime, but in just one day, you can get a taste of what makes the city great.
Often overshadowed by Tuscany, its culturally mega-rich neighbor, Umbria is brimming with treasures of its own. Think gorgeous medieval hill-towns, plenty of art, and olive-growing and wine industries that have been thriving for thousands of years.
Made famous in a number of Shakespeare's masterpieces, Verona is as charming as you would expect. Come here to see Juliet's (fictional) house, and stay for an old Italian city marked by wide, photogenic piazzas and landmark bridges spanning the River Adige; pretty churches and the biggest wine exhibition in the world. Learn more about what to do, see, and eat in "fair Verona" below.
Italy is a country made for slow touring: whether you’re cruising through vineyards and silver-green olive groves that dip to the sea in sun-baked Puglia, negotiating hairpin bends on a cliff-hugging road skirting the dramatic island of Sardinia, or making an epic drive along the coast of Sicily. Wind down the window, breathe in the scent of wild herbs on the breeze, crank up the radio and get ready for five of our all-time favorite coastal road trips.
For pure Mediterranean beauty, nothing beats Italy's Amalfi coast. The scenic drives and pebbly beaches are well known by this point, as are the romantic grottoes that dot the rocky coastline. There are still some secrets to be discovered, though, and below we reveal the most romantic hidden grottoes, coves, and secluded beaches of Amalfi, from one end of the region to the other.
By summer, beaches in Italy's popular coastal areas engorge with both tourists and sun-seeking locales. Where does one go, then, to find those stretches of sand that are not only beautiful but relatively undiscovered? The answer is the southern region of Puglia—Italy's "heel of the boot"—which abounds with secluded coves and golden beaches fronting crystalline waters reminiscent of the Caribbean.
The only place to find all of Rome's globally celebrated gastronomic creations under one roof is at the city's public food markets. They offer everything from pizza and pasta to cured meats, cheeses, pastries, and much more. Let this guide direct you to the very best of Rome's myriad markets.
From the cinematic coastline of Amalfi to the canals of Venice, Rome’s lavishly frescoed Sistine Chapel to Florence’s treasure-trove Uffizi Gallery, Italy's classic stops are worth visiting again and again. Read on for the inside scoop on seven Italian must-sees.
After you've marveled at the Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square, what's next? A short boat ride from central Venice, the island of Murano has long been famous for its glass. Lace is the claim to fame of tiny Burano, and bucolic Torcello contains the huge Basilica di Santa Maria dell’Assunta. Learn more in our guide to island-hopping in Venice.
If you have eight days to spend in Italy, you don't have to limit yourself to one region. Take a classic tour of Venice, Florence, and Rome, cycle the clifftop roads of Sardinia, boat around Lake Como, discover Sicily's antiquities, and sip wine in Chianti. Here are five unique itinerary suggestions.
Many travelers with 10 days to spend in Italy choose to explore two to three cities or regions—you can easily see the top sights in Venice, Florence, Rome, adding the Amalfi Coast for good measure. Or, take a food-focused trip that includes detours to Chianti and Parma. Another option? Immerse in the culture and nature of one region with a tour around Sicily or a hiking adventure in the Dolomites. Read on for five unique itineraries.
With nine days to spend in Italy, travelers have enough time to see three major cities and add an additional region to explore—or, have a truly immersive experience in one area. On these five unique itineraries, you'll wander medieval towns in Tuscany, enjoy the beaches of Puglia, hike past craters on Mt. Etna, and share pizza and gladiator classes on a family-friendly tour of Rome.
With one week to explore Italy, you can focus on the country's must-see highlights while hopping between Rome, Florence, and Venice. Or, swap in the Amalfi Coast and a day trip to Capri if you're eager for a slice of idyllic coastline. If you're a traveler who enjoys the freedom of a rental car, you'll find Tuscany the ideal road-tripping destination, while Sicily and hiking in the Italian Dolomites are a great fit if you're seeking a more specialized trip.
If you have five days in Italy, it's best to focus on one city or region—otherwise, you'll likely feel like you're spreading yourself too thin. On these five unique itineraries, you'll discover northern Italy's food scene, explore a corner of Sicily, road-trip between coastal villages on the Amalfi Coast, cycle through Tuscany's wine roads, or get to know the Eternal City.
Venice is crammed with attractions, but if this is your second visit or you’re here for a week or more, head across to the mainland. Beyond the causeway lies the Veneto, a vast, historic region rich in culture, vineyards and intriguing medieval towns. Though this was once part of the Venetian Empire, it feels very different from the city: visit Palladian mansions, stand on Juliet’s balcony, and sample bubbly prosecco with these great day trips.
This packed getaway itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to see a different side of Italy but are short on time. Spend 6 days on the UNESCO-designated Cinque Terre coastline, where you'll stay in small fishing towns, eat fresh seafood, and sunbathe on rocky beaches. Explore the historic area on foot (no cars allowed in the old villages!) then end your trip in Pisa to climb the famous leaning tower.
Spend a week on the Cinque Terre coast, exploring the small towns and rugged cliffs that make this region such a popular destination. Stay in Manarola and Portofino, two of the UNESCO-designated region's old-world villages. Hike along the coast, snorkel in the clear blue water and eat delicious fresh-caught seafood. End your trip in Pisa where the famous leaning tower and richly decorated medieval churches await.
From rocky beaches to fresh-caught seafood and medieval fortresses, this 8-day trip to the Cinque Terre packs the adventure in. Stay in small fishing villages, hike along steep coastal trails, and snorkel to see the haunting Christ of the Abyss statue near Portofino. End your trip in Pisa to climb to the top of the leaning tower and eat the perfect cone of creamy gelato.
Climb Pisa's leaning tower and discover old-world villages on this incredible 9-day getaway itinerary. Start in the town of Manarola and enjoy an evening sunset cruise. Hike on coastal paths and sunbathe on rocky beaches, then head to Portofino for a boat tour and 1,000-year-old fortresses. End your trip in Pisa, where world-famous architecture and delicious gelato await.
From the small villages that cling to steep cliffs to the medieval architecture and blue water, this 10-day trip to the Cinque Terre coast has something for everyone. Stay in the tight-knit community of Manarola where you'll go hiking & swimming, then learn to cook Italian fare from a local. End your trip in the port city of Pisa, where the Campo dei Miracoli and narrow streets offer endless opportunities to explore.
Spend eleven days hiking between small fishing villages and exploring Pisa on this getaway adventure. Start in the tight-knit community of Manarola, one of the Cinque Terre's many towns, to explore 1,000-year-old fortresses and rocky beaches. Continue to Portofino where elegant summer villas dot the steep hills to explore the coastline from the water, then end your trip in Pisa to climb the famous leaning tower.
If spending 12 days exploring the rugged scenery and medieval fishing villages of the Cinque Terre sounds good, this trip is perfect for you. Start in Manarola, a small community with a big heart, for coastal hikes & a chance to learn traditional cooking from a local. Continue to Portofino for medieval fortresses and sunset kayaking, then end your trip in Pisa to see world-famous architecture and the Tuscan countryside.
Fare tredici (Italian for 'hit the jackpot') with this amazing 13-day itinerary of the Cinque Terre coastline. Hike between small villages on a stunning coastal path, snorkel to see the incredible Christ of the Abyss statue and sunbathe on rocky beaches in Portofino. Explore Genoa's maritime history & medieval downtown, then end in Pisa to climb the famous leaning tower and go wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside.
Spend two weeks exploring the Cinque Terre to your heart's content on this packed itinerary. Start in the medieval village of Manarola where you'll learn traditional cooking from a local, then head up the coast to the beautiful town of Portofino to explore the rugged coast from the water. Continue to Genoa for medieval alleyways and a food tour, then end in Pisa to learn why, exactly, the famous tower leans.
Explore the small villages, rugged coastline, and the incredible scenery of the Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera on this comprehensive 15-day trip. Stay in old-world towns where you'll hike cliffside paths, visit coastal medieval fortresses, and learn to cook in a local's home. Visit Genoa for the food & old town, then end your trip in Pisa to climb the famed tower and hunt for truffles in the Tuscan countryside.
Welcome to Bologna, home of the world’s oldest continually operating university, not one but two "leaning towers," and some of the best food in Italy. Many tourists overlook this historic city in favor of Italy's other highlights—but Bologna is a can't-miss for culinary hounds and anyone who appreciates the artistry of grand Italian churches. Find out what to do, see, and eat below.
Have just one day in Venice? Plan on starting early. It is possible to get a decent taster of the city's art and architecture—and still have time to explore the back alleys and quieter canals that make "La Serenissima" so special. From riding the "vaporetti" to finding that special masterpiece by Titian or Tintoretto, here's the best plan for spending 24 hours in Venice.
If you’re coming to Sardinia for the flour-white beaches sloping into glass-clear turquoise seas, you’ll find them in abundance. But this island is more than a one-hit wonder, with a forest-cloaked mountainous interior to explore, uplifting clifftop trails to hike and Bronze Age remains to uncover. Historically, culturally and gastronomically, this wild and ravishing Italian isle is a one-off.
Few countries can hold a candle to Italy when it comes to Western art, where creativity has flowed freely since time immemorial. This is the country that gave the world Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and many more besides. From major cities like Florence and Rome to the hidden hill town of Urbino, find out what artists and major works not to miss—and how to incorporate them into your Italy itinerary.
With two weeks in Italy, you can see many of the country's top sights in one trip—Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast—or spend your time exploring a particular region in depth, like Tuscany or Sicily. On these four unique itineraries, you'll take a pizza-making class in Naples, road-trip around Sicily, explore the wine-growing region of Chianti, or get a taste of several Italian cities, moving quickly between destinations on the country's network of high-speed trains.
This incredible Italy itinerary packs a lot into five days but doesn't skimp on the luxurious details. Explore Venice to see wide city canals and ornate palaces and feast on fresh seafood, then head to Florence for a private tour of the Accademia Gallery with an art historian and a romantic sunset cruise on the Arno River.
This short itinerary is perfect for travelers who are short on time but love indulging in luxurious travel experiences. Explore the City of Water to see medieval palaces and a traditional gondola boatyard and view Michelangelo's "David" statue in Florence, then head to Rome for exclusive access to the Vatican and a private tour of the city sights.
Spend a captivating week exploring the artistic masterpieces and ornate architecture of Italy's most mesmerizing cities with a luxury tour that whisks you from elegant Venice to the art-filled streets of Renaissance Florence and, finally, the Baroque majesty of Roma. You'll feast in Michelin-starred restaurants, sip cocktails, and watch the sunset over the Colosseum before ending your tour in style with private access to the world-famous Vatican museums.
From the wide canals of Venice to the sunny lemon groves of the Amalfi Coast, this luxurious 8-day itinerary is Italy like you've never seen it before. Tour Florence's world-famous art museums with an art historian, learn to cook Italian food in Rome and discover ancient Roman history at the Colosseum. Round out your trip with a helicopter flight over Pompeii and a tour of the sunny Amalfi Coast.
Get exclusive access to world-famous historical sights, dine on incredible food, and experience Italy's renowned hospitality on this luxurious 9-day itinerary. Ride a gondola in Venice, go wine-tasting in Tuscany, and learn to make traditional Italian food in Rome. Round out your trip with a dive into ancient Roman history and two days on the sun-soaked Amalfi Coast.
If spending a week and a half exploring the best that Italy has to offer sounds like your dream vacation, this luxury-infused itinerary is your perfect match. Start in Venice, where citywide canals, ornate palaces, and famously fresh seafood leave you wanting more. Continue to Tuscany for world-famous art and medieval architecture, then head to Rome for exclusive access to the Vatican. End on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea to see Pompeii's ruins and the dramatic Amalfi coastline from a private helicopter.
From busy streets of Rome to the sunny beaches of the Amalfi Coast, this luxurious 11-day itinerary has everything you're looking for. Dine on fresh seafood and tour ornate palaces in Venice, see Florence's medieval architecture and Michelangelo's 'David', and discover ancient Rome on a private tour of the Colosseum. End your trip on the coast where old-world fishing villages, a luxury yacht trip to Capri, and a helicopter tour of Pompeii will leave you wanting more.
Spend 12 days indulging in Italy's finest artwork, cuisine, and scenery on this luxurious itinerary. Explore Venice on a private guided gondola tour, dine at 3-star Michelin restaurant in Florence, and go wine tasting in the scenic hills of Tuscany. Travel to Rome to see the Sistine Chapel before the crowds arrive then head to the Amalfi Coast for old-world fishing villages and a luxury yacht trip to the famed island of Capri.
Explore the best of Italy's culture and history on this luxurious 13-day trip. Begin with the City of Water to dine on famously fresh seafood and visit a gondola workshop, then head to Tuscany for world-famous artwork and a stay in a luxurious countryside Relais. Tour Rome on a private city tour and dive into ancient history at the Colosseum, then end on the Amalfi Coast for old-world fishing villages and a helicopter flight over Pompeii.
