So you’re craving to visit Italy and don’t know where to begin?

Italy is a beautiful country that is rich in history, art, and culture and filled with wonderful people. It’s no wonder why it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world! You’ll enjoy Italy even if you jumped on a plane tomorrow with nothing but a backpack and a good map. However to make the most out of your trip, don’t delay – start planning today! There are so many things to see and do in this amazing country, you’ll want to make sure you have enough time to fit everything in. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the stunning coastline of the Amalfi Coast, Italy has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity – plan your trip to Italy today!

This post will provide a general overview of things to consider when visiting Italy. In other posts, I will provide information on specific cities and sites.

WHERE TO GO?

The most popular destinations in Italy are listed below.

You need at least 3-4 days at each city you visit. A common mistake people make is trying to cram too much in and spend 2 nights in each city. Instead, select a few cities and spend quality time in each place.

You can also consider picking a central location with a lot to see and make it a hub for your hotel. Utilize Italy’s high-speed rail system, public transportation, do a tour or hire a car service for day trips to other cities.

For example, we stayed several days in Florence and spent one of them “day-tripping” to Pisa and Lucca. Lucca ended up being one of my favorite Tuscan towns!

• Major cities – Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples
• Tuscany – a large region in central Italy known for its rolling hills, beautiful countryside, hilltop towns, and wineries. Home to famous cities such as Florence, and Siena, but also many smaller and magical towns like Pisa, Lucca, Cortona, Volpaia and more. The true magic in exploring Tuscany is driving the winding roads by car and enjoying the landscapes of Val d’Orcia
• Cinque Terre – consists of 5 old cliffside fishing villages located on the beautiful Italian Riviera
• Amalfi Coast – stunning coastal views and seaside towns make the Amalfi Coast a popular tourist destination. Located in southern Italy not far from Naples and Pompeii, which are good day trip potions. Some popular stops are Positano, Sorrento, Ravello and Capri (where you will find the famous blue grotto)
• Northern Italian lakes – the major Italian lakes in the north are Como, Lugano, Garda, Iseo, Maggiore, and Orta.

BEST AND WORST TIME TO VISIT ITALY?

The “best” time to visit Italy depends on what is important to YOU.

BEST TIMES TO VISIT

**April/May (apart from Easter) and September/October/early November are considered the best months**

The weather is milder, crowds are manageable, and flight and hotel accommodations are more reasonably priced.

We visited for 3 weeks in May and enjoyed beautiful weather and smaller crowds the entire trip. Just a few weeks later, those same cities were packed with tourists dealing with a sweltering heat wave. What a difference a few weeks can make in the enjoyment factor of your special trip.

For wine lovers…

September and October is grape harvest season and something unique to experience.

Florence and Rome are popular all year round.

Florence is a truly walkable city, where you can see all of the sights and attractions on foot. The narrow streets and alleyways are filled with charming shops, cafes, and museums. You can easily spend a day or two roaming around Florence and taking in all the city has to offer. There’s no need to worry about getting lost – just follow the flow of other tourists and you’ll be fine!

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation where you can wander at your own pace, Florence is definitely worth considering. Just be sure to pack comfortable shoes so you can enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer.

If you’re planning to focus primarily on museums and galleries, you may consider the less crowded (but colder or rainier) months of November through March. I personally wouldn’t choose this timeframe if it were my first trip to Italy. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers in Spring were truly magical. However, if I were visiting Italy for my 2nd or 3rd time, the winter months might be an option to consider.

We visited both Rome and Florence in May 2022 and the crowds were fine.

April, May, September, October are likely still be the best time to visit these popular cities if that works for you.

Florence is a very safe and walkable city which makes it one of the most wonderful things about visiting.

Rome is the capital of Italy and home to ancient ruins, delicious food, and world-famous landmarks. Rome is a city that is walkable and historic. The cobblestone streets, ancient ruins, and lively piazzas make for an enchanting experience. No matter where you turn, there is always something new to see. From the Colosseum to the Trevi Fountain, Rome has something for everyone. So if you’re looking for a city break that offers plenty of culture and history, be sure to put Rome on your list! Many of the historical sites are outside and the weather elements may factor into your consideration if traveling during cold, rainy, or very hot months. As an example, June/July 2022 were extremely hot in Rome and caused cases of heat stroke to the unprepared.

“LESS-BEST” TIMES TO VISIT

(because there is never a bad time! 😊)

Summer is peak season – Cities with the most popular tourist attractions will be crowded and more expensive.

• June, July, and August are the busiest (and hottest) months to visit.
• In August, many Italians and people all over Europe take their vacations and flock to Italian coastal towns or other in-country destinations.
• Holidays – Christmas and Easter are crowded.
• February – Carnival of Venice brings large crowds to the city
• Most beach locations and coastal towns are closed during the winter months.

If you are traveling with school-aged children and can only travel during summer break, you will make it work. Better to have unforgettable memories with your family and deal with crowds than not go at all! 

Maybe you’ll get lucky and have a “sweet spot” travel week in May or September if your local schools are out. Many United State Universities are done late April or early May, making Mid-May the perfect time to go with older kids.

How to Dress

Each person’s definition of “dressing for Italy” is sure to be different, but there are a few basics that will help you fit in with the locals, no matter where in the country you happen to be. Start with classic pieces like dark denim jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black blazer – all of which can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Be sure to pack comfortable shoes too, as Italians love to walk and see the sights. And finally, don’t forget to bring a sunhat and sunscreen – it’s always sunny in Italy!

• Below are additional things to consider:
• Check the temperatures a week before your trip. Pack a jacket, a scarf, or a few things you can layer. This works well if it’s hot during the day and cool at night.
• Southern Italy can be much hotter than Northern and Central Italy in the summer months so pack for the regions you are visiting.
• Shoulders and knees must be covered when visiting churches and Vatican City.  

Style Check: It’s commonly said that Italians dress fashionably well even when casually dressed (they really do 😊) and that Americans do not. I don’t know how this perception of Americans developed. On my last 3 international trips, some of the sloppiest or most casually dressed people I saw were not American, or native to the country I was visiting.

The bottom line is to dress in what makes you feel good regardless of what anyone else is doing.

I hold the mindset of putting a little extra effort into fashion choices for travel. There are still 350+ days in the year to wear my sweatpants and ripped T-shirt, I can certainly class up my act for a week or two in Europe 😊  

My personal “Do’s and Don’ts”

Outfits that work

Day…to Night

DO:

• Pack stylish and comfortable casual attire options that can go from day-to-night and be appropriate for dinner.
• Women: Skirts, dresses, neutral tops, nice jeans or slacks are versatile choices.
• Men: Nice shorts, casual slacks, a collared shirt, and plain neutral Tees are great to mix and match. A pair of khaki slacks and a plain T-shirt can transition to a nice dinner outfit by putting on an inexpensive blazer.

DON’T:

• Bring heavily ripped jeans, frayed shorts, sweatpants, and workout clothes for sightseeing. I love my dozens of graphic tees from my favorite TV shows or logos of my favorite sport teams, but they are better off at home than on my dream vacation.
• Be a victim of pickpockets. Invest in a money belt, crossbody bag or small backpack that can be worn on the front. Open purses and wallets or phones in your back pocket are at high risk for theft.

DRIVING IN ITALY

Driving in any Italian City is confusing and dangerous if you don’t live there. 

If you’re planning on driving in Italy, be prepared for some hair-raising experiences. Italian drivers are known for being aggressive and reckless, so make sure you know the rules of the road and how to handle yourself in a tight spot. If you’re not comfortable driving in Italy, consider renting a car with a driver or using public transportation instead. With a bit of caution and common sense, however, you’ll be able to navigate Italy’s roads like a pro. Just remember to stay calm and take your time – the locals will undoubtedly be hounding you to get out of their way!

ZLT zones ( ‘Zona a Traffico Limitato’, or Limited Traffic Area) Rome’s ZTL zones, or Limited Traffic Zones, are in effect 24/7, 365 days a year. If you’re not familiar with them, they can be pretty confusing to navigate. What ZLT zones mean for tourists is that there are specific areas where you cannot drive your car. The restrictions include all forms of motorized vehicles but also bicycles and even scooters so it’s important to be aware of the rules before you visit Rome or you could end up with a hefty fine.

Most people should not try to drive in Rome or Florence – Period. For those of you who have never driven in Rome, let me give you a little heads up on what to expect. The streets are narrow and congested, the drivers are aggressive and there’s always someone trying to cut you off. If you must drive in Rome, avoid Rush Hour (8am-10pm and 5pm-7am). Get acquainted with the city’s layout. Rome is divided into zones and each has their own speed limit.

To make your trip to these big cities as pleasant as possible, utilize taxis, car service, public transportation and Italy’s excellent rail system to take high-speed trains between towns for day trips or on to your next destination. 

Using Taxi Service – In most large Italian cities, you will hire a cab at a taxi stand. To ensure the proper fare and your safety, only use official taxi companies ideally from a taxi stand or called by your hotel.

Taxis in Rome and Florence are all white, with a taxi roof sign and taximeter.

Check the flat fee fares that are set for airport trips and make sure you aren’t overcharged.

Rome is notorious for having some official taxi drivers who will try to rip off tourists. You may have luck hailing a taxi but don’t be surprised if you are charged an excessive amount. On one occasion we hailed a cab, he didn’t turn on the meter. When we were dropped off, the amount was much higher than expected and he refused credit card – wanted cash only. We were bamboozled. Lesson learned! We should have gone to the taxi stand.

Also…if you’ve never been to Rome, you will realize in 2 seconds renting a car and driving in the city it would be a Big Mistake. HUGE. I’ve never seen anything like it. Picture  NYC driving on steroids.

You’ll have a much better time using public transportation, official taxis, a hired car service, or reputable ride-sharing apps if available at your destination.

The one place I highly recommend renting a car and exploring is throughout Tuscany and the countryside

If there’s one thing that Tuscany is known for, it’s its stunning countryside. Rolling hills blanketed in vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees are a common sight, lending the landscape a painterly quality. While much of the rural area is now protected as part of Italy’s picturesque Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park, there are still plenty of ways to explore the region on horseback or by car. So if you’re looking for a beautiful getaway, consider spending some time exploring Tuscany’s rustic charms. If you plan to stay in any of the small Tuscan towns, you can’t really do it without a car. You’re in the Italian countryside with towns miles away from each other and not much taxi/ride share service.

I picked up a rental car outside of Florence and drove to our accommodations in Montepulciano. We were able to enjoy a scenic drive throughout the Tuscan hillsides and explore other towns by making day trips to Cortona and Montalcino.

Driving the back roads, getting lost, and stumbling upon an unexpected field of poppies in bloom, are some of my favorite memories from our time in Tuscany.

To drive in Italy, obtain your International Driving Permit before you leave the US. This can be easily and quickly done at AAA.

PLANNING YOUR TIME WISELY

Hi, my name is Cindy, I’m a Type-A personality and an over-planner 😊

I may go overboard in planning, but would anything be worse than finally going on your dream vacation just to find out the one place you were dying to visit was closed? I would NOT be happy.

Italy is one of those countries you do have to plan. 

Many tourist attractions close at least one day a week, and it’s not always on Sunday. Across Italy, many major museums and other attractions are closed on Sunday or Monday.

If you are going to be passing through Rome on those two days only, check the attraction websites in advance for operating hours.

Riposo – ITALY’S MIDDAY SIESTA

In America, unfortunately, we live to work. In Italy and other European countries, they work to live.

How they approach the work/life balance and a slower more enjoyable pace of life might be one of the reasons visiting Italy is so wonderful. 

Workers have riposo to slow down, take a long lunch, nap, or just unwind. By allowing everyone a long break, employees feel refreshed, and happier, and businesses tend to be more productive.

During riposo, many shops, businesses, and many restaurants close for a few hours every afternoon. There will be exceptions depending on the city.

This Italian custom usually occurs in the early afternoons and varies from business to business. The time of closure can be anywhere within the Noon to 4 pm window and last anywhere from 90 minutes or up to 2-3 hours. I found 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm to be the most common time places were closed in the towns we visited.

In the smaller Tuscan towns, a larger percentage of stores closed for riposo whereas, in Rome and Florence, more businesses remained open or only closed for a shorter period of time.  

SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS “NOT-SO-FUN” DAYS

On Sundays, you will find many shop and restaurant closures. Even in larger Italian cities that draw the most tourists, you will see museum and gallery closures on Sunday.

In some cases, Mondays can even be worse than Sundays.  Many restaurants are closed entirely on Monday as well as some of the most desirable museums. If there is a restaurant or museum you are dying to visit, make sure you plan your time and reservations accordingly.

You will also find restaurants that are closed on Wednesday for example or are only open for lunch on certain days. I can’t stress the importance of mapping out your “must-see” list and checking their days and hours of operation.

There are lots more things to consider when planning a trip to Italy, but these ideas should give you a good starting point.

Enjoy every moment you can in this beautiful country!

Pease, love, happiness, health, travel!

Cindy