Of course, you can read in the guidebooks that Italy is a destination that is in demand at any time of the year, to study when the high and low season in Apennines, to coincide with a trip to some event. And it is possible to approach from the other side, asking one simple question: "OK, so when is the best time to visit Italy?"
There is no simple answer to this question. After all, what is good for some does not suit others at all. Therefore, we will offer a wide focus from different points of view (budget, weather and holidays), and making the decision will remain your prerogative. Indeed, than following the guidebook, it is always better to weigh the pros and cons and come to the conclusion that is most suitable in your particular case.
So, as elsewhere in the World, in Italy there are seasons slightly more expensive and slightly less expensive. This, in turn, largely depends on the cost of the hotel and air travel. And although the charters agreed upon by tour operators make their amendments, traditionally high seasons in Italy - this:
- Summer is the longest and highest season in Italy. And not only in terms of prices, but also in the physical number of tourists. In some places this is an exception, but the exception, as you know, only confirms the rule. The most peak month of summer in Italy is August, when most Italians themselves leave the city and go to the beaches.
- Late May and early September - in recent years it has become a tradition that the high season in Italy extends not only to the summer, but also affects the neighboring months. Therefore, do not be surprised that the cost of a hotel, for example, in May is almost the same as the cost of the same hotel in August. In some regions this trend is not so noticeable, however, the more popular the tourist route, the more pronounced price stability.
- Christmas (according to the Catholic style) - although towards the middle of the low season (winter) prices in Italy sag significantly, however, Christmas is a period when Europeans and Americans often leave their homes to travel. The law of supply and demand on the Apennines is instantly triggered, which is why prices for the Christmas holidays in Italy are also traditionally higher than in other off-season times.
- Easter is another holiday causing a short-term jump in prices. This is explained by a long weekend, which many Italians try to spend, going on a visit, as well as an influx of tourists to one of the most zealous countries in the Catholic world.
In addition to the periods listed above, keep in mind that in many years and regions of Italy, regional holidays and events, sometimes large enough to cause a significant influx of tourists, also cope. Such local events include, for example, the Carnival in Venice, Palio in Siena or the chocolate festival in Perugia. We will return to this topic a little lower, but for now just take into account that the cost of visiting a particular region can rise significantly even, it would seem, in the low season.
For many people, a vacation is not a vacation unless it is accompanied by clear and sunny weather. If you are also inclined, then the best time to visit Italy is from May to September. Of course, as we mentioned above, this is the most expensive season too.
Someone thinks that November in Rome is not a good idea, but it's a good time for a budget tour.
At the other end of the weather spectrum is winter, which can be either wet or snowy, depending on where exactly you plan to be. Skiers will be more interested in visiting one of the many Italian ski resorts, while budget travelers will be able to benefit from the low prices of the off-season. If you belong to the second category, then take note that visiting Appenin in winter is not the best time for planning hiking or long romantic trips in the streets of Italian cities.
What can help plan your trip better in this case is to study the historical temperatures and precipitation in the city you are about to visit. Taking into account that weather in Milan and, say, in Palermo they are different at any time of the year - this will help to better prepare for the conditions that may await you on the way. It is clear that just before the trip it will be useful to take a look at the weather forecast, since modern technologies have greatly simplified this issue.
We already mentioned the impact of the holidays when we talked about the price of the trip. However, if price is not an argument for you, then of course you can ignore this aspect. On the other hand, regardless of the price issue, getting into a holiday can have other consequences. Moreover, they are both positive and negative.
The positive aspects include the fact that Italians are true masters of the holiday. And regardless of whether it is a small holiday or a big one, it is often accompanied by parades, fireworks, music and, of course, food. Even if the festival has nothing to do with the cuisine, scrupulous Italians almost always provide some kind of dish as its invariable attribute. From that point of view visiting Italy during the holidays and festivals threatened with a mass of positive emotions and warm memories.
However, the fact that Italians are completely devoted to the holiday can mix cards very hard, especially if you travel around the country with short stops in each city. So, the consequence of the holiday is often closed shops, shops, restaurants and museums. And, if you come to Florence for one day during Good Friday, you are unlikely to implement the intended cultural program.
Having appreciated all the pros and cons, the reasonable question that may arise is where is the middle ground. Well - this is very subjective. In our opinion, the best period for planning a trip to Italy lies exactly between late September and early November, as well as late March and early May. As a rule, at this time the weather pleases with sunny days, and prices are still far from peak.
Of course, you need to take into account the vagaries of the weather. And the same March can turn out to be both unusually sunny and super-rainy; beaches and skis are also outside this solution. But these are the nuances. However, you decide.
P.S. A lot of interesting and useful information about Italy can also be found on the OTZYV.Ru website. Probably one of the best in RuNet collections of information about tourism.
Photo by Giampietro Italy
P.S. If you have chosen the time for a trip to Italy, think about the excursion programs that are most interesting to you. Moreover, choosing excursions in Italy is very simple - you just need to get acquainted with the proposed routes and place an order.
