Italy Travel Guide
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Very few places on the planet elicit such visions of culture and history like Italy does. This boot-shaped peninsula in Southern Europe has grown in popularity throughout the years in a ruthless, unwavering manner, thanks to it world-famous cuisine, fashion, luxury sports cars, beautiful landscapes, and the practically ubiquitous nature of art and historical monuments across the country. However, Italy’s rich offering to the traveler extend far past that which adorns the cover of countless guidebooks published on it. Whether you find yourself island hopping around Sicily or sleeping in a modernized farmhouse, odds are you’ll leave your Italy vacation with even more excitement than you arrived with.
On the whole, the ideal time (at least weather-wise) to schedule an Italy vacation is between the months of April and June, when sunny weather doesn’t yet translate into oppressive heat, and the spring resurgence of color to the land is in full swing. In contrast, the months of July and August are quite possibly the most trying times to visit. While this is actually fairly good time to find discount airfare to Italy, it’s also when many Italians take to the road for summer holiday, bringing with them higher prices and crowded attractions, not to mention their famously passionate tempers. The culturally-minded should note that while local and national festivals are to be found at almost any time of the year, they are at their peak starting from about June and into September.
An exceptional variety of accommodations is in no short supply when it comes to Italy, especially in and around the major tourist destinations. The one exception to this is backpacker hostels, which aren’t nearly as prevalent as you’ll find in most other parts of Europe. Camping is a good alternative, but younger groups will want to call ahead and reserve their spot at the grounds; last minute arrivals for Generation’s X&Y often met with trepidation over potential problems they might cause. An accommodation of emerging popularity throughout the country is the farmstay, where travelers can relax in an assortment of rooms while experiencing local traditions and cuisine, along with opportunities for activities such as horse riding and wine tasting, or whatever is typically considered recreational for the area. Basically a bed and breakfast on a working farm, with all the possibilities inherent therein.
There is such an abundance of things to do and places to see in Italy, odds are first-timers will want to start with one of the larger cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice; the three of which are often known as “The Holy Trinity” for being the top destination cities in the country. These are also good places to start for those with a rampant desire to absorb as much of Italy’s art and culture as possible. Although realistically you’re just as likely to find a representative piece of this in whichever part of the country you visit, as Italy is home to 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than anywhere else in the world. No matter what the focus of your Italy vacation is, do and try to stay open to those unexpected moments of serendipity – stumbling across a local festival you hadn’t been aware of, or having a chance to go truffle hunting through the region of Umbria – these “off the map” experiences are at the very heart of vacationing.
Italy is well-covered by a network of train, bus, and ferry service that even extends to some of the more remote regions of the country, with the added bonus of being both cheap and efficient. The deep-pocketed and/or short on time traveler can rest assured that domestic air service is equally efficient, though obviously not when it comes to cost. A car might be more appropriate for sojourns to the countryside, but not particularly the best idea for foreigners in the city; gas and tolls are somewhat cost prohibitive, and trying to park even a sub-compact car in any major Italian city is assuredly prohibitive to ones sanity.