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Renowned for its fabulous food, historic ruins and enviable cultural heritage, Italy is easily one of the world’s most universally loved destinations – and for good reason. Whether you have your eye on the fashion-forward north, the labyrinthine canals of enchanting Venice, the Roman grandeur of the Colosseum or the eerie remains of Pompeii, Italy offers all travellers a taste of la dolce vita and a dash of romance at every turn.
There’s never a bad time to visit Italy, whether you’re looking for winter magic or summer sun. While the summer peak (June to August) is certainly appealing with its long, warm days, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are quieter, with wonderfully mild weather and some bucket-list events to boot. The renowned Venice Biennale alternates annually between art and architectural exhibits, running right through summer to the end of autumn. In trend-setting Milan, Fashion Week marks the start of spring and autumn each, while Rome is brought to life by warmly lit Christmas markets scattered throughout the cities many charming piazzas.
All roads lead to Rome, as they say, and so should yours. From the ruins that dot the city to the humbling ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, romantic streets pulled right out of classic films to sensational food being served on every corner – the pizza, pasta, coffee and gelato have never tasted better than this – this city has it all. In picturesque Tuscany, Florence offers world-class dining with artisan atmosphere, while Naples in the south is your gateway to the solemn ruins of Pompeii, the breezy streets of Sorrento and the sigh-worthy Amalfi Coast. Those seeking a taste of Sicily can visit the centuries-old sights of Palermo.
With so much coastline to explore, it’s no wonder Italy has some truly stellar beaches. Along the picturesque Amalfi Coast, countless coves and pebble beaches offer visitors the chance to take a dip in the famously crystalline waters. In Sicily’s scenic southeast, sandy beaches place you close to UNESCO World Heritage-listed towns like Modica and Ragusa, and on the coast of Puglia, travellers have their pick of spectacular shores with numerous dreamy, white-sand beaches. Away from the mainland, Sardinia boasts nearly 2,000-kilometres of spectacular coastline, with beach caves and grottos that appear as though straight out of ancient mythology.
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