Best time to visit Italy

Tuscany is well-known for its wineries, rolling countryside and its beautiful capital, Florence. Most travellers choose a trip to Tuscany to enjoy its farmhouses and vineyards, renowned for their great quality wines and fresh produce. Furthermore, Tuscany was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The best time to visit Tuscany for sightseeing in Florence is during the autumn and spring. At this time of year, there are fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. You'll be able to see the Duomo basilica, Michelangelo’s "David" statue and admire the city's historic streets without competing with the crowds.

On the other hand, if you want to visit its beautiful farmhouses, summer is a good time to visit. Many travellers choose to stay in an 'Agriturismo'. These are traditional farms that accommodate guests and provide fresh, local produce for an authentic experience of rural Italy. Therefore, the summer is the best time for staying in the countryside as you can enjoy warm sunny days by the pool and long evening walks in the vineyards.

Sicily and Sardinia are two of the largest islands in the Mediterranean and both popular European travel destinations. These Italian islands boast beautiful beaches, delicious food and wine, charming small towns, archaeological sites, and warm sunshine. Sicily is famously the home of Mount Etna, Europe's highest volcano, whilst Sardinia is known for its paradise beaches, grottoes and bronze age ruins. The best time to visit these Italian islands is between April and June. At this time of year, you can enjoy the spring flowers in bloom, swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean and go sightseeing. Furthermore, the beaches will be less crowded, unlike during the peak season, when Italian mainlanders flock to the islands for their annual summer holidays.

Some of the best beach destinations in Italy include the Italian Riviera, Puglia, the Amalfi Coast and Rimini on the Riviera del Sole. The best time to visit Italy for a beach holiday is during the summer. At this time of year, the beaches are lined with sun loungers and the Mediterranean sunshine is at its strongest. If you travel to Italy in the summer you can expect high temperatures and humidity. Therefore, it's best to plan any sightseeing excursions in the cooler mornings or evenings. The rest of the day can be spent sunbathing on Italy's white-sand beaches and diving into the delicious national cuisine. The further south you travel, towards the 'boot' of Italy, the higher the temperatures. If you'd prefer milder weather, head to the north of Italy, where resorts such as Lido di Venezia and San Remo, escape some of the searing heat.