The Best Places to Visit in Italy Each Month, According to a Luxury Travel Expert
Italy is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty, offering myriad travel experiences that vary with the changing months. For the discerning traveler seeking the crème de la crème of Italian destinations through the year, a thoughtfully curated itinerary by a luxury travel expert can make all the difference.
January: The Italian Alps
Begin your Italian voyage in the snow-covered peaks of the Italian Alps. January is prime time for skiing in upscale resorts like Cortina d’Ampezzo or Courmayeur. After a day on the slopes, indulge in the warm comfort of gourmet mountain cuisine.
February: Venice
February in Italy calls for romance and mystery. Venice, with its mist-enveloped canals and the enchanting allure of Carnevale di Venezia, offers an experience straight out of a fairy tale. Don your mask and take part in the centuries-old tradition.
March: Florence
As spring begins to blossom, visit Florence for its Renaissance art and architecture. It’s less crowded at this time giving you more space to admire Michelangelo’s David or Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery.
April: Rome
Celebrate Easter in Vatican City with its solemn processions and Papal Masses. In April, Rome’s historic magnificence shines under the gentle sun making it perfect for exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon.
May: The Amalfi Coast
May heralds warm weather perfect for Amalfi’s cliffside villages. Luxury villas in Positano or Ravello provide breathtaking views over the Tyrrhenian Sea, while Capri enchants with its Blue Grotto and chic piazzettas.
June: Tuscany
The countryside of Tuscany is resplendent in June. Stay in a restored farmhouse or wine estate; enjoy wine tasting tours in Chianti or Montepulciano and savour regional gastronomic delights under the Tuscan sun.
July: Cinque Terre
The five picturesque villages of Cinque Terre are best enjoyed before peak tourist season hits full swing. Hike between Monterosso al Mare and Riomaggiore, with luxuriant stops at secluded beaches and vineyards.
August: Sardinia
Escape the mainland heat to Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda for crystal-clear waters and exclusive beach resorts. This is jet-setter heaven with stunning private yachts docked alongside vibrant nightlife spots.
September: Milan
Fashion week in Milan is an unmissable event for luxury enthusiasts each September. Experience global high fashion firsthand along with Milan’s impressive Gothic Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
October: Piedmont
With autumn comes truffle season in Piedmont. Partake in truffle hunts led by expert ‘trifolau’ and their dogs, followed by wine tasting sessions that feature world-renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wines.
November: Sicily
Enjoy Sicily as it quiets down with autumn charm — visit ancient Greek temples at Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples or explore Palermo’s Arab-Norman architecture all without the summer crowds.
December: Naples & The Italian Lakes
End your year back up north celebrating Christmas amidst Naples’ storied pastries and presepe traditions, or choose a tranquil retreat to Lake Como or Lake Garda where serene beauty meets snow-tinged Alpine vistas.