The Best Of Bel Paese
The Best Of Bel Paese
Planning a trip to Bel Paese, or the ‘beautiful country’ of Italy can seem overwhelming at first, but with the right timing and knowledge of your own tastes, it is more than possible to plot the trip of a lifetime! Are you yearning to explore the vineyards for the best wines or wishing to explore the bustling cities? Are you on a limitless budget or looking to backpack on a shoestring? Do you want to celebrate a special holiday in native Italian fashion? The options are endless regardless of what your tastes may be!
Spring, summer, and autumn, as long as you arrive early in the season, are commonly referred to as the best times to visit Italy. If you are planning a trip later in the spring and summer seasons, you may become lost amongst a sea of tourists and vacationing Italians where beach amenity rentals can be expensive with many of the hotspots overcrowded.
For the budget traveller, Meridiana Airlines offers extremely affordable round trip flights between May and October from New York City to Rome, Naples or Milan for less than $500.
If you are looking to take advantage of the booming wine industry in Italy, Villa Cappelli offers wine tastings with regional sommeliers, cooking classes, and cultural tours of Puglia. If you plan on visiting in the autumn specifically, Venissa, a small boutique resort on the islands of Mazzorbo and Burano, will be celebrating the harvest of their Dorona vineyard where owner, Matteo Bisol, hosts wine dinners and tours of the oldest church in Venice, The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Photo: Isoladiburano.it
If you would like to travel the very popular region of Tuscany, November - April are considered off peak months, and will provide you with a less crowded experience. By booking a reservation at the Monteverdi (for those with a larger budget), which is an easy day trip from destinations like Pienza and Florence, travelers can experience truffle hunting, wine tasting, and cooking classes.
Photo: Monteverdituscany.com
Rome, like Florence, is flooded with tourists almost anytime of year except for the winter months. Despite the occasional bout of rain, the city’s main attractions are easily accessible during this time of year. If Naples is on your radar, inexpensive tickets can be acquired from Rome if booking online in advance. Native Italians make the trek just for the Christmas markets (some of the largest in Europe) during this most wonderful time of the year.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about when and where to explore The Best Of Bel Paese! Want to forego the translator app when making your trip? Our native instructors and immersive group classes will ensure you are prepared to enjoy Italy, no matter where your tastes take you!