Where does one begin with Italy? Italy is the land of mouthwatering meals that last all night, heady wines to drink underneath olive trees, pastel villas built into sheer cliffs above the crystal blue Tyrrhenian Sea, and Renaissance paintings and marble sculptures that leave you awestruck and inspired. It is everyone’s dream to travel to Italy, and for good reason. Whether you are heading to the beach or to the mountains, to the vineyards or to the cities, there are endless possibilities for exciting Italy travel. Check out Travel + Leisure’s Italy travel guide to decide what to eat, where to stay and what to see.
A good place to start is the capital city of Rome, the birthplace of Western civilization and the site of many epic historical events. All the regions of Italy are different and cater to different kinds of vacations—from skiing in the Dolomites to sunning on the Aeolian Islands.
Things Not to Miss in Italy
• Take a gondola along the canals in Venice
• Climb to the top of the Duomo in Florence
• Tour the volcanic city of Pompeii
• Hike through the five cities of Cinque Terre
• Swim in the Blue Grotto on Capri
• Take a bike tour through the vineyards of Tuscany
• Catch an opera performance at Teatro Massimo in Palermo
When to Go to Italy
Italy’s Mediterranean climate makes it a year-round destination with thrilling activities for every season. In general, the summers are hot and dry, and the winters are cold and damp. In general, the best months to visit Italy are April to June and September to October when the weather is comfortably warm. July and August can be stiflingly hot and muggy, and most Italians go on holiday in August, shuttering many shops and restaurants.
-
Tourist Couple Faces 6 Years in Prison for Stealing Sand From Italian Beach (Video)
A French couple who stole sand from their Italian beach vacation is facing up to six years in prison for their illegal souvenir.The white sands of... Read More
-
These Are the World's Best Restaurants: Asia, Australia, and Europe
y express the culture of each country, city, or region.The list was curated by James Beard Award-winning writer Besha Rodell, who has been reporting on... Read More
-
You Can Stay Overnight In One of Rome’s Best Contemporary Art Galleries
Staying at the Rooms of Rome is about as close as you can get to spending the night in a contemporary art museum. The new apartment-hotel can be found... Read More
-
What Travelers Need to Know About Venice’s New Cruise Ship Regulations (Video)
The Italian government has had it with cruise ships. On Wednesday, officials announced they will start rerouting the massive boats away from the... Read More
-
Sitting on Rome's Spanish Steps Will Now Cost You $450 — and Police Mean It This Time (Video)
The Spanish Steps have always provided a welcome — and iconic — resting point for visitors to Rome, but now, taking a moment to sit and kick back on the... Read More
-
Heidi Klum and Husband Tom Kaulitz Celebrated Their Wedding on the Same Yacht Jackie O and Grace Kelly Had Their Wedding Receptions
Heidi Klum and husband Tom Kaulitz set sail on their wedding festivities on one of the world’s most romantic luxury yachts.The couple chartered the... Read More
-
These Are the 15 Best Cruises From NYC
Picture it: trading in the hot, crowded subway for fresh, open air. Losing the skyscrapers for the rippling expanse of the ocean.The Big Apple... Read More
-
This Boozy Jeep Tour Through Tuscany Includes 15 Wine Tastings and Lunch (Video)
Touring the Italian countryside by vintage Jeep is a great way to spend the day — add in multiple wine tastings and Tuscan lunch and you’ve got the... Read More
-
The Best Bars Around the World for an Aperol Spritz
It’s a special year for Aperol, as the Italian liqueur is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2019. Aperol was created by brothers Luigi and Silvio... Read More
-
These Are the Cheapest Times to Fly to Italy
The sun was starting to wane one fall evening, and while the air had a slight crisp bite to it, we had settled at a table on the balcony in Milan anyway... Read More
-
The Best Theme Parks in Europe
If you’re taking a trip to Europe with kids, don’t just drag them around to the major cities. Spice things up and make a stop at one of the continent’s... Read More
-
The Best Places to Travel in February
With the holiday rush behind us, and summer still a long way off, February is the perfect month for planning a truly far-flung retreat. After all, the... Read More
-
This Month-long European Vacation Takes Travelers to 9 Countries in 26 Days (Video)
There’s nothing reasonable about NYC rent. On average, New Yorkers pay over $4,000 a month for a modest space, according to data pulled by RENT Café, an... Read More
-
Redesigned Five-star Hotel Reopens Steps From Rome's Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps
Travelers to Rome can have it all — a completely renovated five-star hotel and a location that’s steps from some of the ancient city’s most iconic... Read More
-
Take 30% off Stays at the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese
T+L launched Operation Vacation to inspire workers to use their days off and get away, offering exclusive travel discounts as incentive. For the latest... Read More
