Rome
The Colosseum and the Forum, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and long dinners in Trastevere. Three nights is a good start; it’s hard to leave.
Best for First trips, history, food
Why Italy
Italy never runs out of reasons to return: Rome's history, Florence's art, Tuscan vineyards, the Amalfi Coast and Venice at dusk. We plan the pace, the drivers and the tables worth booking.
Highlights
- Rome and the Vatican
- Florence and Tuscany
- The Amalfi Coast
- Venice and the Dolomites
Where to go in Italy
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Getting around the classic route
- Rome to FlorenceAbout 1.5 hours by high-speed train
- Florence to VeniceAbout 2 hours 15 minutes by train
- Rome to NaplesAbout 1 hour 10 minutes by train
- Naples to the Amalfi CoastAbout 1.5 hours by car
- Milan to VeniceAbout 2.5 hours by train
- Milan to Lake ComoAbout 1 hour by train or car
Florence & Tuscany
Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi and the Duomo in town, then cypress-lined hills, Siena, Montalcino and the Val d’Orcia just beyond.
Best for Art, wine, villa stays
Venice
Canals, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, with the glass and lace islands of Murano and Burano a short boat ride away. Stay a few nights for the quiet evenings.
Best for Couples, romance, slow wandering
Amalfi Coast & Capri
Positano, Amalfi and Ravello stacked above the sea, with a boat day to Capri. Lemon groves, long lunches and views from every terrace.
Best for Honeymoons, sea views, summer
Lake Como
Lakeside villas, terraced gardens and boat rides between Bellagio and Varenna, about an hour from Milan.
Best for Couples, gardens, relaxing
Puglia
The heel of the boot: whitewashed towns, the trulli of Alberobello, baroque Lecce and fortified farmhouse hotels called masserie.
Best for Second trips, food, beaches
Sicily
Taormina above the sea, Mount Etna, Greek temples at Agrigento and Palermo’s markets. A world of its own, with its own cooking.
Best for History, food, return visits
The Dolomites
Jagged pink-gray peaks, alpine meadows and cable cars, with Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val Gardena as bases for summer hiking or winter skiing.
Best for Hiking, skiing, mountain views
When to go
April to June and September to October bring warm days and fewer crowds.
Spring and fall are Italy’s sweet spots, with warm days and lighter crowds. Summer belongs to the coast, the lakes and the mountains.
- JanQuiet cities, ski season up north
- FebCarnival in Venice
- MarSpring arrives, fewer crowds
- AprEaster, gardens in bloom
- MayWarm days, coast in season
- JunLong days, lakes and coast
- JulHot inland, best on the water
- AugHottest, Ferragosto on Aug 15
- SepHarvest begins, warm sea
- OctHarvest, golden light
- NovOlive harvest, coast closes
- DecChristmas lights and nativity scenes
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan2.6″
Feb2.5″
Mar2.3″
Apr2.7″
May2.2″
Jun1.2″
Jul0.8″
Aug1.2″
Sep2.6″
Oct3.5″
Nov4.3″
Dec3.9″
Jan2.3″
Feb2.5″
Mar2.4″
Apr2.7″
May2.5″
Jun1.8″
Jul1.0″
Aug1.4″
Sep2.6″
Oct4.1″
Nov4.5″
Dec3.2″
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Spring
April and May bring mild days, blooming gardens on Lake Como and the start of the coastal season. Easter week is busy in Rome and Florence, so we plan around it or book well ahead.
Summer
June is lovely everywhere. July and August are hot inland, with Florence averaging around 90°F, so we lean toward the coast, the lakes and the Dolomites. Many Italians take their own holidays around Ferragosto on August 15.
Fall
Our favorite season. September’s sea is still warm, and from September into October the countryside celebrates the grape harvest. October is golden and calmer, and the coast winds down by early November.
Winter
Quiet museums, short lines and Christmas lights in the cities. February brings Carnival to Venice, and the Dolomites are made for skiing. Most of the Amalfi Coast closes until spring.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Italy trip we plan is built around you.
Classic Italy
Rome, Florence and Venice by fast train.
Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast
Vineyard stays followed by the coast at a slower pace.
Where you'll stay
Historic palazzos, Tuscan villas and cliffside hotels. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you arrive.
Book the big sights ahead
The Vatican Museums, the Uffizi, the Accademia and Leonardo’s Last Supper in Milan all use timed tickets, and the best slots go early. We reserve them, along with private guides who make the visits come alive.
Trains, simplified
High-speed trains link Rome, Florence, Naples, Milan and Venice in comfort, with reserved seats. If you take a regional train on a paper ticket, validate it in the machine on the platform before boarding.
Driving and ZTL zones
Most historic centers are limited-traffic zones, watched by cameras that send fines home after your trip. Italy also requires an International Driving Permit with your U.S. license. A private driver skips both.
Dress for churches
St. Peter’s, the Vatican and many churches ask that shoulders and knees be covered. A light scarf in your day bag solves it.
Dining and tipping
Many restaurants add a small cover charge, the coperto, per person. Tipping isn’t expected the way it is at home; rounding up or leaving a few euros for great service is plenty.
The coast has a season
The Amalfi Coast and Capri run roughly from April through October, and many hotels close in winter. For summer stays, the best rooms book well ahead.
Italy questions
When is the best time to visit Italy?
April to June and September to October bring warm days and fewer crowds.
How long should I spend in Italy?
Most of our travelers spend 10 to 14 days in Italy. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Italy?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Italy is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
Tell us about your Italy dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164