Mountains and a lake in the Alps

Moreover, there is less of a difference during the summer. If you are looking to visit Italy and stay in some of their largest cities in the coastal region, expect that you will have hot and dry summer, and not too much of the winter season.

The western side of the country on the other hand will have enough rain showers. The eastern part can also be chilly because of the bora wind that is coming from the central part of Europe.

Seafront of Salerno, Italy

In general, the climate in Italy is said to be unpredictable. It can change and vary year per year. In fact, Italy can show sunny days and warmer weathers even during the supposed winter season.

The months of July and August may not be the best time to visit Italy, particularly the southern part. This is because you might not be able to tolerate the heat that can last until September. You might not enjoy strolling and exploring the beauty and landscapes of the city since it will be very uncomfortable for you to walk on summer’s heat. Nevertheless, the best time to visit Italy is during the months of April, May, and October, where the climate of the country in most locations is highly bearable by tourist.

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2. Italy Time: Hours, days, months and seasons
3. Italy Weather – Pick your Season

Lake Garda, Italy

For centuries people have flocked to Italy to admire its beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture and enjoy its rich art and history. Not to mention sample the delicious culinary delights. Italy offers something to suit everyone’s tastes and interests.

History

Italy is home to some of the most famous monuments in the world and full of sights of historical importance.

Since the Roman Empire, Rome has always attracted visitors. They were drawn by its power and influence but even after the fall of the Empire, when Rome was no longer the epicentre of the political and cultural world, religion ensured that Rome remained amongst the most visited places. Base of the papacy, Rome is Europe’s greatest religious centre and continues to draw pilgrims from all over the world.

Pisa in Tuscany, Italy

People have come here for years to admire the architecture of the Coliseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the canals of Venice and many more important and beautiful early structures throughout the country.

Art

Birth place to some of the worlds most distinguished artists, Italy offers an enormous assortment of paintings, statues and other fine masterpieces.

Greats like Michelangelo have contributed to numerous structures across the country with their talent displayed in museums, fountains, churches and other buildings.

Laocoön and His Sons - Michelangelo

Gastronomy

Italy’s culinary expertise is known and praised world wide. The richness of Italian cuisine lies in its diversity. Each region has its own specialities and gastronomic traditions. So whether you try the Pizza in Naples or Spaghetti all’ Amatriciana in Rome or get spicy with chilli-peppers in Calabria, Italy offers you an unforgettable treat for your taste buds. Don’t forget to sample the Chianti wine zones of Tuscany.

Fashion

Boasting stylists of international fame like Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Roberto Cavalli and Versace to name a few, Italy offers a treat for the fashion enthusiast.

Fashion is almost a national passion. The major fashion shows take place in Milan and Milan Fashion Week is attended by celebrities and fashion lovers from all over the world in search of the latest trends.

Via Condotti on Piazza di Spania - Rome, Italy

Tourists are also draw to the big name designers that can be found on famous streets like Via Condotti in Rome.

The Country

The landscape alone draws thousands of tourists to Italy every year. It’s blessed with one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe but also breathtaking mountains and countryside. Not to mention the volcanoes in Naples and Sicily.

Conero Mont - Adriatic Sea, Italy

Cultural artefacts are scattered throughout the country thanks to historically important periods like the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Northern cities can use the Alps as an attraction for winter sports while coastal southern cities have the Mediterranean sea to draw tourists looking for sun. Italy is also home to an impressive 44 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why so many tourists continue to come here year after year.

If you are arriving by air, you have a few options. Recently upgraded, Amerigo Vespucci Airport now services over 2 million passengers every year. It only services direct flights from limited European destinations, though. International travelers need to get a connecting flight from Rome. Yet another option is to land in Pisa and take a short train ride into Florence. Amerigo Vespucci Airport (also called Peretola Airport) is only about 2 miles southwest of the city center, so transportation into Florence from the airport is both quick and cheap. There are taxi stands just outside the arrivals area that will whisk you to your hotel within about 15 minutes. If you prefer, there are also regular shuttle bus services to the central railway station of Santa Maria Novella.

Unlike in America, trains are a major mode of public transportation in Italy, including Florence. If your plane lands in Rome, for instance, you don’t need to worry too much about train schedules, since there are 52 trains per day from Rome to Florence. However, bear in mind that not all train trips are alike. If you want to save money, then take an “IC” or “Inter City” train. It will take about twice as long, but will also be much cheaper than the “E” or Express train. Neither the “IC” nor the “E” trains require reservations, but the “ES” or Eurostar Italia first-class train does. Depending upon which service you choose, the ride from Rome will take between 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours.

A good place to find information about how to get to Florence Italy by car, train or by air is from the official Dipartimento di Sistemi e Informatica website. It only gives the basics, but also includes links to timetables and other valuable independent information. Another good source of information about everything Florentine, including how to get there, is the aptly named Visit Florence website.

WHERE TO STAY IN FLORENCE

Once you have arrived in Florence, your next hurdle will be finding a place to stay. That in itself is not a problem, since there are hundreds of places to choose from – everything from cheap backpackers lodges to 5 star hotels. Start by choosing your price range and then explore your options. If you ask a taxi driver, he is likely to try to take you to his preferred accommodation (the one that pays him a commission). Then again, the majority of online accommodation sites also work on a commission basis, so you should avoid most of those as well. So where do you look?

If you are looking for a hotel room, a good source is the official Florence Hotels Association website. This site includes many price ranges and also includes a number of B&Bs. If it’s a backpacker’s hostel you’re after, check out Backpackers World. While we’re on the subject: backpackers hostels have a reputation for being for young travelers only. They’re not. Some of them can be noisy party hostels, but others have quiet single rooms for budget prices and even dorms for families.

GETTING AROUND IN FLORENCE

On foot is the best way to see Florence, because it is such a beautiful city. Be sure to keep a business card from your accommodation with you. Then, if you get lost, you have something to show people when you ask for directions. If you happen to have a GPS device, you can download a Florence map and find directions from wherever you are to wherever you happen to want to go. Failing that, consult Google maps before you set out on your journey and take notes. Then there is the ever-popular Lonely Planet guidebook. Finally, there is the option of just getting temporarily lost and discovering all the ancient streets and alleys of Florence with no particular destination in mind.

EXPLORING FLORENCE

Now it’s time to unpack your bags and start exploring the city. This will be your biggest challenge. Give up on the idea of seeing and doing everything and focus on getting oriented first. One way to do that is to go to Piazalle Michelangelo. Every panoramic photo of Florence you have ever seen was taken here. Getting there is a no-brainer, since it’s the highest point in Florence, everyone knows where it is and there is plenty of public transportation to get you there if you don’t want to walk.

If you’re feeling up to it and happen to be in the vicinity of the Arno River, which bisects the city, a great walk up to Piazalle Michelangelo is “via” (Latin for “way” or “road”) Via di San Niccolo. It’s not a direct route, but it is only half a mile and you shouldn’t be in a hurry anyway. Another nice thing about this route is that there are numerous bars and cafes along the way. Any way you approach it on foot will finally lead to Via Piazza Poggi. This winding road bears the name of its designer, Giuseppe Poggi. who also designed the Piazalle Michelangelo.

If there is one must-see gallery in Florence, then it has to be Uffizi Gallery. Give yourself plenty of time and be ready to be swept away by the magnificent works of art by the superstars of the Renaissance. These are guys like Raphael, Da Vinci, Rubens and Botticelli – and that’s just for starters. Words can’t begin to do it justice. Just go. It’s on the opposite side of the river from Piazalle Michelangelo. One nice way to get there is via the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, which is lined with fashionable shops. If you’re looking for a new Rolex or some gold “trinkets,” this is a good place to go.

HOW TO GET TO FLORENCE

There are so many sights to see in Florence that you can’t possibly take them all in. A much better idea is to choose a few and savor them. The Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Bargello National Museum and the Accademia (where you can see Michelangelo’s David) all rank high on any “must see” list of Florence sites. Instead of trying to cram them all into a day, take them one at a time. Afterwards, spend some time savoring the city itself. Let it seep into you. Then, when you finally have to leave, Firenze (Florence) will stay with you forever.

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3. When Is The Best Time to Go to Florence, Italy?

You will see some stunning moments captured in Florence, Pisa, Siena and Populonia while listening to some of the best Italian music hits from the 80′s

Enjoy!

Famous also for being the birth place of Christopher Columbus, Genoa is a melting pot and an important center for culture and scientific research.

Portofino Genoa, Italian Riviera

The name “Genoa” comes from the loyalty to the roman empire: Janus was the double-faced god of the roman’s paganism, and Genoa, which looked the mountain from the back and the sea from the front, was called in this way, rendering homage to the god.

A Few Words of History

Genoa was led for about eight centuries by many types of government: republic, oligarchy, dukedom, and doges. The neutrality led the republic to fund a commercial empire that controlled the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, from Iraq to Palestine and from North Africa to the Spanish coasts. Genoa was able to control the economies of important empires: Swabia, of the Habsburg and Byzantine, until the rise of Napoleon that conquered the republic and looted the Bank of San Giorgio, the national institute and the eldest bank in the world.

The flag of the Republic is the famous Union Jack, used nowadays by the Royal Navy. In 1190, due to its authority in the Mediterranean Sea, the King of England asked the permission to the Doge to hoist the genoan flag on his ships to prevent the pirates’ attacks.

The famous Union Jack, used nowadays by the Royal Navy

What to see in Genoa

The old city of Genoa is a must-see, with its narrow alleys (carrugi) and little squares; one of the most famous areas is named “Boccadasse”, with its multicoloured boats and the long promenade, sprinkled with ice cream kiosks. Another interesting spot is the fountain of Piazza De Ferrari, the core of the town. And don’t miss a visit at the Aquarium, the second largest in Europe, built in the Expo Area in 1992 and inaugurated for the Colombian Celebrations 500 years after the journey of the famous navigator who discovered the New World.

One of the many narrow alleys called 'Carrugi'

In the suburbs there are two locations, Nervi and Pegli, respectively the Gates of the Eastern and Western Riviera.

The Palazzo Ducale, old headquarter of the Lords of the city, now a cultural center, is worth a visit; the old port and the Carlo Felice’s Theatre, damaged during the Second World War, was restored in the 90′s.

The Promenade Anita Garibaldi a path through the rocks above the sea, is absolutely wonderful. It leads the visitor along the three villas, Grimaldi-Fassio, Serra-Saluzzo and Gropallo, which are all connected to create a stunning park.

Witnesses of the ancient role of the city, Genoa has many forts: Forte Diamante, Forte Begato, Forte Tenaglia, Forte Giuliano, Forte San Martino, as well as others.

Fine Italian Ice-Cream

Some of them are totally abandoned, while some were transformed into cultural centers or used for the rock concerts and other musical events.

Ever wonder where the ice cream came from?

Genoa is the homeland of the Italian habit of aperitives, of the blue-jeans (jeans comes from Genes, the french name of Genoa), the national game of lotto (a national lottery). The Genoans are also considered the inventor of the ice cream.

Genoa is the native country of the Italian pesto, a kind of sauce for pasta obtained by mixing pine kernels, garlic, pecorino cheese, basil and olive oil; moreover, it was the homeland of soccer in Italy. James Spencer, a British doctor, founded the Genoa Cricket and Football Club in 1909, a legendary team that won nine Championships and one National Cup after the Second World War.

Panoramic View of Bologna

The geographic position has always been basic for its economic role: the large number of canals (now buried), the short distance to the sea, and the presence of the biggest plain in Italy, made Bologna a sorting center for this part of Europe. The old downtown is perfectly conserved and the presence of traditional arcades was used to facilitate the markets and the promenades, also considering the tough weather conditions on winter.

A residential building in Bologna

Bologna has always been considered a cultural center. Founded by the Etrurians and inhabited by the Celts as well, Bologna became a big city during the Roman Empire and, after the barbarian invasions, was annexed by the French emperor Carlo Magno. During the Middle Ages Bologna founded one of the most important universities, the “Alma mater studiorum”, with a famous law school managed by two great jurists, Irnerio and Pepone.

Bologna paid a grievous tribute during the Second World War, becoming a symbol of the resistance against the Nazi army.

The historical area of the town is very well conserved: in piazza Maggiore there is the gothic Basilica of San Petronio (XVII century), with an arcade decorated by Jacopo Della Quercia; it’s also possible to admire the biggest sundial in the world, projected by the mathematician Cassini.

In the same square we can see the Palazzo Podestà , the Palazzo Comunale (the old head office of the municipality) and the Fountain of Neptune.

The Fountain of Neptune

The Archiginnasio, the old venue of the university, built by Antonio Morandi, with its anatomic theatre, (the anatomic lab), is a must-see and now transformed into the Public Library.

Other valuable sites are the church of San Domenico, the French-gothic church of San Francesco and the stunning Santo Stefano’s complex, also known as “Seven churches” due to the number of buildings connected in the same area and separated with gardens and cloisters.

And don’t forget to visit the Basilica of San Petronio, the gothic San Giacomo Maggiore, and the basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi, with paintings by Cimabue.

Anyway, the most famous portraits of Bologna are the ancient towers of Asinelli and Garisenda. During the Middle Ages Bologna had about ninety towers; nowadays there are only seventeen.

The San Petronio Basilica with its unfinished facade

Dante Alighieri in his Divina Commedia – Inferno, mentions the Garisenda Tower. While the tower of Asinelli was used by the physicist Guglielmini for his experiments about gravity.

Bologna has also a wall complex built by Federico Barbarossa.

The EU declared Bologna Capital of European Culture in 2000; in 2006 UNESCO as capital of music rewarded the city also.

Bologna is also the capital of some traditional Italian dishes: the tortellini, with the shape inspired by the navel of Venus, and the tagliatelle, homage for the hairs of Lucrezia Borgia, according to the legend.

In October the municipality organizes the Tortellino Day, with contests and tasting of this kind of pasta.

Other bolognese symbols are the tomato sauce, known as ragù (bolognese sauce), the cheese Certosino and the mortadella.

Panoramic View of Lake Como

The lake, shared by the municipalities of Como and Lecco, has been attracting people since the Roman Era: Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Winston Churchill, Vincenzo Bellini, Lord Byron, Alfred Hitchcock, the directors of movies like 007 – Casino Royale and Star Wars – The Phantom Menace, just to give you an idea of this impressive location, rewarded by UNESCO as World Heritage in 2003.

Sneak a peek at Villa Olmo

Also known by the name of Lario, the lake area has a lot of cities and villages on its coasts: the biggest is Como, an important town of the Risorgimento (the historical period of the Italian independence), with beautiful churches like the Cathedral (with the annexed Palazzo del Broletto, the ancient office of municipality), Santa Caterina, Santa Margherita, San Marco and San Nazzaro, built in the Middle Ages, and the neoclassical Villa Olmo, owned by the Odescalchi’s family (the same property of  Bracciano’s Castle, near Rome).

Villa Olmo

Another valuable place is the funicular from Como to Brunate, which offers a wonderful panoramic view of the whole area.

Heading to the West, we find Cernobbio and Moltrasio, with many neoclassical mansions like Villa d’Este and Villa Erba. Then there’s the Lavedo peninsula with the gulf of Venus and Villa Balbianello, one of jewels of the area, rewarded by the FAI (Italian Environmental Fund).

Villa Balbianello along Lake Como

On to the north part of the lake, there is Rezzonico, where Benito Mussolini was captured at the end of the Second World War, and Gravedona with the unique Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Tiglio.

In the middle of the lake there’s also a small island, Comacina, totally abandoned after the rebellion of the local people against Milan, in 1127.

Comacina Island

Heading to the north some more, we meet Varenna, where the roads fall straight into the lake and small pebble beaches. Leaving from here is a ferry service to Bellagio, probably the most beautiful and famous village of the area, placed on the promontory that divides the three branches of the lake.

It is also possible to travel on the two-centuries-old steamboat Concordia on the route from Bellagio to the other destinations.

The whole area is a good place for the hiking lovers: the mountains of Grigna have plenty of interesting paths.

Try the Italian dried missulit

Do not forget to taste the local food: the smoked trout, the eel and fish soup, the dried missulit (local fish) with the polenta and the asparagus, the cheese (taleggio and ricotta), and the salumi are all to die for. And for dessert, the “resta de comm’” and the Miascia, a cake made by cooking stale bread, butter and honey.

Grand Canal Venice

Venice: A city to get lost in

Street Shops

The advantage of getting lost was that one found so much. Every few yards there were surprises. A dark passage-way opens onto the wide brilliantly lit expanse of a square enclosed by houses of different heights with narrow steep shuttered windows in grey peeling walls. At each corner a calle leads out of the square. I do not know which to consider the continuation of the one by which I have entered. Nor I do care. On one side of the square there is a shop, with a window full of toys. In the square itself there is a booth where a few vegetables lie on a bench under a striped awning. Choosing at random my way out of the square I go along a calle which leads to a bridge over a canal.

St Mark’s Square: the heart of Venice

My wanderings throughout the years brought me always back to St Mark’s Square, which has been compared to a ball-room, but which to my mind is more like the central chamber, interior cavity of a body, containing the heart. For St Mark’s Basilica truly is the hollow centre of Venice, with its great arched porch, and two attendant porches on each side.

St Mark's Square

One never forgets on Venice that the city is completely unlike anywhere else. Venice is a marble lung at this end of the Adriatic which breathes in and breathes out each day, according to the tides, the sea.  The harbor has entered into every crevice it the city, become its very existence. Thus transport in Venice means the sea – traditionally the gondola. This introduces into it an element or condition which is like a different dimension of time. To recognize this, one only has to consider, for example, the effect upon New York if all the streets and avenues of Manhattan were excavated and made into canals!

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Rooftops of Florence, seen from the Duomo

Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, which finally pulled Europe out of the Dark Ages. Industry grew, as did philosophy, the arts, language and architecture. Famous artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci worked here, and a new era of learning blossomed.

Today, Florence is considered a global treasure and a world heritage site. The heart of the city is a landscape of lovely buildings, with the city’s trademark orange tiled roofs. Millions of tourists come to Florence every year to soak up the city’s beauty and culture, not to mention the wonderful food and wine of the entire region of Tuscany.

When touring the history, art and architecture of this breathtaking city, one name keeps repeating itself again and again; the Medici family.

The Medici – The most powerful family in Florence

The House of Medici was one of the most important families in all of Italian history.  Over generations, they shaped the city of Florence, the country of Italy, and even Western civilization. Some scholars argue they were the most important family in the world. Today, you can see the legacy of this powerful family all around Florence.

Towards Pitti Palace while walking through the main axis of Boboli Gardens

The Medici family came to have great influence over banking in Florence in the late 1300s. Founding the Medici Bank, the family helped redefine banking practices, reinvent the use of currency, revitalize industry and strengthen the economies of all of Europe. The family bank grew to become the largest bank in Europe by the 15th century, making the family the wealthiest on the continent and putting an enormous amount of power into the Medici hands. Four popes were from the Medici family.

Renaissance Art and The Medici family

The statue of Neptune in Piazza Signoria

With the wealth and power of the House of Medici, the family was able to sponsor the arts and education in Florence. Today, the evidence of their influence and patronage can be seen all around Florence, and at some of the city’s most important sites.

Start off with a visit to the imposing Medici Palace, built in 1444 in the heart of the city. The Medici coat of arms can still be seen in its beautiful Renaissance courtyard.

Opposite the palace, the tombs of the Medicis can be found in the Church of San Lorenzo. The family died out in the early 1700s, and they are entombed here. Their books and manuscripts can also be found here in the Laurentian Library.

The Medici family commissioned hundreds of works of art which can be seen in a number of convents around Florence. In the middle of the city, Medici Street runs through the Old Market, where the family first settled in the early days of Florence.

Sculptures in the Piazza Signoria, under the Loggia, and in the Palazzo Vecchio pay tribute to the power of the Medici dukes. At the height of their influence, the Medici family shaped several iconic Florentine buildings, including the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Pitti Palace. The Pitti Palace was where the Medicis ruled, in their grand building surrounded by the ornate Boboli Gardens.

Outside the city

The Tuscan countryside

Don’t forget to travel outside the city into the beautiful Tuscan countryside to visit one or more of the country Medici villas at Careggi, Poggio Imperiale or Cafaggiolo.

The House of Medici was one of the greatest families in the world, influencing the course of human history from their home in Florence. When you visit this world treasure and walk its picturesque cobblestone streets, or sit sipping a glass of chianti in one of its charming restaurants, take a moment to think about the family that ruled the world, and left an incredible legacy behind.

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A trip to Italy is simply not complete without spending some time exploring the highlights of this area. Here are 6 things you won’t want to miss on your trip to Naples, Italy.

Have Pizza

Mouth watering pizzas of Naples

Naples is where pizza was invented. You simply can’t come here and not have some. Make sure to order pizza vera napoletana, which is Naples style. It must be made in a wood burning brick oven. The dough must be made the day before, and allowed to rise for at least ten hours.

Note that pizza makers here (pizzaoili) must complete a two-year apprenticeship before they are allowed to make your pizza. Go to Da Michele. They make only two kinds of pizza here (margherita and marinara) and have been doing it for nearly 150 years.

Step Back in Time

Visit the Historic Center of Naples. Just grab a map, and wander the streets. The city was founded around 500 BC, and flourished as an independent kingdom for centuries.

The narrow streets and religious appeal give the historic district of Naples a unique feeling that many compare to Jerusalem. Walk down the Spaccanapoli, or the Via San Biago, which is the street that runs right through the heart of the district. It’s crammed with great shops and restaurants.

The narrow streets of Naples

Cappella Sansevero

Make sure to visit this incredible chapel in the heart of the Historic District. It dates back to 1590, and is home to some of the most incredible works of art from the 18th century. The “Veiled Christ” was carved in the late 18th century by Guiseppe Sanmartino. Visitors say the veil covering the statue’s face looks as if it is made of thin fabric, instead of stone, and no one who looks on this sculpture remains unmoved.

Go to the Opera

The Teatro San Carlo in Naples is famous for its perfect acoustics. It’s also the oldest opera house still in operation anywhere in the world. Even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy the opera, it’s worth going once, and here is the place to do it.

Visit Pompeii and Herculaneum

Naples is the best place to stay if you plan on visiting one of Italy’s most popular and most tragic tourist attractions. In 79 AD, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were wiped out by a volcanic eruption that lasted for two days. Pompeii is the more popular, but Herculaneum is just as spectacular and much quieter. It is possible to see both in one day.

The catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius froze both of these cities in time, offering millions of visitors today a glimpse of a day in the life of a Roman city. The plaster casts of the volcano’s victims are haunting echoes of thousands of lives cut short.

Go South

If you’re not planning to venture south to Italy’s breathtaking Amalfi Coast, change your plans. You can’t come home without at least a day or two in one of the stunning coastal towns of Positano, Maiori or Capri.