When you think of Italy, you can imagine walking through the cities with their picturesque streets and incredible monuments, or along the coastline with beaches under the summer sun. Yet it is also an ideal destination to visit in winter, the landscape is changing, there are fewer tourists and many events are organised, allowing you to discover a new facet of Italy.
Italy has very different winter weather, so depending on where you are, you can go skiing in the north or enjoy the sun and mild climate in the south. So you're bound to find your dream destination for this winter.
So come on board with us and discover the 6 reasons why Italy is the perfect winter holiday destination.
1) Avoid crowds and long queues to visit the most beautiful monuments.
Italy is full of magnificent monuments and places of interest, but they are often taken by storm by tourists during the summer season. In winter there are far fewer tourists, so this is the ideal time to visit Italy's most beautiful places, such as the Colosseum and Villa Borghese in Rome, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, or the Duomo in Florence. However, remember to book your tickets in advance to save time.
2) Discover the gastronomic delights of the region
Italy is one of the best places for lovers of great food. And between winter and summer, Italian gastronomy is different. Of course you will find typical dishes such as pasta and pizza, but in winter you will be able to discover some dishes served only during this period and thus broaden your knowledge of one of the most renowned cuisines in the world. For example, you can taste "Pasta e Ceci", pasta with chickpeas, or "Minestra", vegetables and pasta soup for example, but note that each region has its own specialities of winter dishes ranging from polenta to soups, risottos and meat dishes. As Christmas approaches, try the Panettone, a sweet bread with sultanas and citrus peels
3) Be enchanted by the Christmas and festive atmosphere
The end-of-year festivities are one of the best times to visit Italy. Being a country known for celebrating holy festivals, you will find in every town from north to south decorations and illuminations to celebrate these festivities. Moreover, if you like Christmas markets and other entertainment, you will be delighted, as the country is full of them, mainly in the big cities, ideal for finding gifts and other winter delicacies. Head to Florence for its famous Christmas market in Piazzale Michelangelo, or to Rome to attend the magnificent Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and watch the giant Christmas trees in the Vatican. If you are a lover of nativity scenes, visit Naples and its famous Via San Gregorio Armeno, also known as the "Christmas Alley", dedicated to the world of nativity scenes and Christmas decorations.
4) Celebrate its fabulous carnival
Italy is the essential European country for celebrating Carnival! It is celebrated from the beginning of February in all regions of the country, dressed in traditional costumes. While the Venice Carnival is the most famous, with its costumes, masked balls and other activities, you can celebrate it in many Italian cities. In Tuscany, for example, don't miss the one in Viareggio with its huge colourful floats and parades of paper-mâché figures in the streets. You can also go to Turin for the Ivrea carnival and its famous battle of oranges, or to Puglia to Putignano. So get out your best costume and come and celebrate carnival in one of Italy's cities!
5) Enjoy a mild climate
If you prefer to get some warmth in the sun to escape the cold of winter, go to central or southern Italy. With temperatures that don't drop below 10 degrees, this is the ideal time to visit beautiful places such as the Amalfi Coast, Puglia or Sicily. Of course, it will be a bit cold to take your bikini and flip-flops with you, but you can enjoy the sunshine, pretty picturesque streets and beautiful scenery.
If you like skiing, head to the Dolomites in the north of the country to hit the Italian slopes. Of course, you might think that you don't need to cross the Italian border, as it is possible to ski in the French Alps. But these are the Alps on the Austrian border, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering breathtaking scenery. You will be spoilt for choice between downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoe trekking and other mountain activities, in the beautiful resorts of the region such as Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or the Valtellina.
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