Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With that in mind, it’s important to plan ahead for your trip to be sure you are going at the best time of year to see the things you want to actually experience in this Mediterranean country.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Italy has something of an unpredictable nature. The summer months tend to be hot and dry in the middle and southern parts of Italy. The northern Italian Alp region is much cooler, thanks to altitude. The winter months up north are snowy and very cold – the perfect weather for skiing, but not much exploring. The south is more accessible in the winter, but it can be very dreary with rain and some ice. However, for this reason, it’s also much less crowded in the winter months.
The spring is rainy, but warmer and the fall is cooler, but tends to be dry. While the summer months are the prime travel time for many people, those who have more time o make decisions decide often to visit Italy in the fall months when the air is crisp and the weather is generally dry, although it can be rainy as it gets closer to winter.
Crowds and Lines
The crowds of tourists that show up in Italy are all part of the charm of this particular trip. When you plan to visit Italy in the heart of the summer months, you should plan to move more slowly through your top destinations simply because they are everyone else’s top destinations, too. When you can, buy tickets online for the museums and stops on your trip.
This will not only save time otherwise spent standing in the ticket lines, but also guarantee you a spot as many of the tours and events sell out weeks, or even months in advance. The winter months are less crowded, but buying tickets ahead of time online or through a travel agent is always a good idea.
Touring Italy for the First Time
If you’re on your first trip to Italy, at least part of your travels should be an organized tour. The tours may be a bit cheesy at times, but going along on a guided tour will let you into places you might not otherwise be able to visit thanks to the crowds, and being a on a tour will let you worry more about seeing Italy and experiencing as much as you can while spending almost no time or attention worrying about driving in the cities or finding the right hotels.
