Italy
Italy
Dolce vita, hilltop villages and food
Italy never needs an introduction. A perfect espresso on a deserted piazza, a coastal road through the lemon groves of Amalfi, a plate of pasta that brings a tear to your eye. Here, la dolce vita isn't a cliché: it's a way of life.
At a glance
Exchange rates and flight times are approximate.
Why Italy
The Italian table
From Alba truffles to Puglian seafood, by way of the family trattorias of Bologna. Every region has its masterpiece.
Hilltop villages
Cinque Terre, Positano, Matera, the Dolomites: places of almost unfair beauty, and we know which ones to visit off-season.
Rome, Florence and Venice, differently
We take you to the neighborhoods tourists never see. The real addresses, the real moments.
The right season for Italy
April-May and September-October: ideal temperatures (20-25°C), moderate crowds outside Venice. June-August = mass tourism + heat (30-35°C), best avoided. December-February = mild winter but packed museums (Christmas/New Year).
Varied climate: mild winters in the centre and south (8-14°C on the coasts), colder and snowier in the north and the mountains (Dolomites, Alps); hot, dry summers. The southern coast (Sicily) = hotter. North/Dolomites = risk of snow in winter. Pack light in summer, a sweater/jacket in the shoulder seasons.
The must-sees
Cinque Terre (Liguria)
Five villages clinging to the cliffs, dizzying coastal trails, small fishing harbours. Very popular: favour April-May/October and the early morning hours to beat the crowds.
Amalfi & Positano (Campania)
A winding coastal road, small hilltop villages, pebble beaches, aperitivi overlooking the sea. The essence of la dolce vita.
Matera (Basilicata)
A UNESCO cave city with white facades carved into the rock. A medieval town frozen in time, rock churches, dinners in narrow lanes.
The Dolomites (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Pink-orange limestone massifs, alpine lakes, Tyrolean villages. Short hikes, charming rifugios, truffle & speck.
The Aeolian Islands (Sicily)
Seven volcanic islands: Stromboli (active volcano), Panarea (exclusive), Lipari (archaeology). Black beaches, crystal-clear water, unspoilt seclusion.
Bologna & Modena (Emilia-Romagna)
Gastronomic capitals: tortellini, ragù, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano. Medieval porticoes, a studious university atmosphere.
Local flavours to try
- Fresh egg pasta (tagliatelle, pappardelle, tortellini) and ragù bolognese, the emblematic speciality of Bologna and Emilia-Romagna.
- Saffron risotto alla milanese & osso buco: a delicate, rich northern speciality.
- Frutti di mare (seafood pasta) & branzino on the Amalfi Coast: the freshness of the Mediterranean.
- White truffle from Alba (autumn) & speck from Tyrol: simple luxury, intense flavours.
- Tiramisu & panna cotta: dessert classics, ultra-simple, utterly memorable.
- Artisanal gelato (pistachio, amarena, crema): silkier than any ice cream you've ever had.
Practical tips
- Transport: a rail pass (Trenitalia) is handy for linking regions: regional trains are cheap, the Frecciarossa is modern. Roads = high tolls, city parking = a trap.
- Money: EU/EUR, cards accepted everywhere. Small notes for markets/trattorias. Tipping optional (5-10% in smart restaurants) but welcome.
- Riposo: in the south and in small towns, many shops (and some churches) close from around 1pm to 4pm. Major museums and sites do stay open all day, but check opening hours case by case.
- Apps: Citymapper (cities), Omio (trains/buses), Google Translate (menus and signs are often Italian-only). A local phone/SIM is essential (Vodafone/TIM €5-10/week).
- Pickpockets: watch out in train stations (Rome Termini, Milan), crowded transport, tourist hotspots. Keep your bag zipped, wallet close, and stay alert even with a day bag.
- Museum entry: book online (skip-the-line is crucial, +€2). Churches = free but with strict etiquette (knees/shoulders covered, silence).
Frequently asked questions · Italy
How long do you need to really get to know Italy?
7-10 days = 2-3 regions (Rome/Florence/Venice OR the Amalfi Coast/Cinque Terre). 14-21 days = Italy in depth (north-west + centre + south). A lifetime = never enough. The key: depth over surface.
Best time to avoid the crowds without sacrificing the weather?
April-May (late spring) or September-October (early autumn). Temperatures of 20-25°C, breathable museums, hotels at normal prices. Avoid June-August (heat and huge crowds) and December-February (cold + closures).
Do you need a car to get around?
Not required in the cities (Rome, Florence, Venice = public transport + walking). A car is useful on the coastal roads (Amalfi, Cinque Terre; book a small vehicle because the streets are narrow). Expensive petrol, heavy tolls. Trains = simpler for a north-south journey.
Is Italy really expensive?
No, if you eat like a local: trattoria at €12-18, pizza at €8-12, gelato at €3-5. Tourist traps, on the other hand, will fleece you (€50 for a plate of pasta, €4 for an espresso). Our rule: be wary of terraces that live off the view alone.
Rome-Florence-Venice or off the beaten track?
All three cities are unmissable (skip none of them), but the real journey begins when you add a less-visited region: Emilia-Romagna for the food, the Dolomites, Matera or Puglia. Each has its own culture, cuisine and landscapes. It's by mixing them that you truly discover Italy.
Safety for a solo (female) trip?
Very safe compared with many places. Tourist cities = reliable by day, lively bars in the evening. Standard precautions (isolated streets late at night, never leave your drink unattended, taxi/Uber rather than the metro after 11pm). Italians = charming, rarely aggressive, though macho flirting = normal, and a simple brush-off is enough.
Italy is the place you always come back to. Let us show you why.
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