Italy Bike Tours

When is the Best Time to Visit Italy?

Depending on the region, spring & fall (central & southern Italy), or in the summer (northern Italy’s mountains ranges).

Italy by the Seasons

Italy, much like most of Europe, has four distinct seasons, and the weather is dependent upon your elevation and latitude. Depending on the type of vacation you’re looking for and the activities you’d like to partake in, the best time to visit Italy will differ from one traveler to another.

• Spring (April to June): Spring begins in April and the entire peninsula – except for the mountain regions – begins to bloom. For walkers and cyclists, May is a perfect time to travel, as the weather is warm but not too hot. The summer season kicks off in June and temperatures go up quickly.
• Summer (July to Sept): School is out in July and August, and Italians leave the cities, heading for the beaches and the mountains. The prices rise in accordance with the temperatures. August is hot and crowded: probably a month you wish to avoid, also because many businesses and restaurants close during this month. September, on the other hand, is one of the best months for travel in Italy: pleasant temperatures, al fresco dining. The harvest season, and grape harvest in particular, add to the scene.
• Fall (Sept to Nov): During late-September, the entire month of October, and going into November, the days still radiate with late-summer warmth, especially in the south of Italy. The beaches are empty, and invite for a walk.
• Winter (Dec to March): Al fresco living has come to an end. The Alpine resorts in northern Italy are open for the ski season. The coastal resort towns are deserted and shut. By March, the weather is rather unpredictable: sun or rain or wind, or all of the above. Many wildflowers in the south, while the northern Italian gardens show off their tulips and other bulb flowers.

Wondering What to Pack on Your Italy Vacation?

Packing for adventure vacations can be tricky. On the one hand, you want to make sure you’re prepared, but on the other, you don’t want to be toting around more supplies than you need. But fear not – we have you well on your way to being prepared for your Italy vacation.

1. Pack for the Weather.
   Italy experiences distinct seasons: cool winters, pleasantly warm spring and fall seasons, and hot, sunny summers. Even so, the weather in Italy can vary, especially if you visit different regions in this long-stretched country – this means that you have to always be equipped with a diverse set of clothing options. The best way to do this is to plan on layers: a base layer, insulating mid layers, and an additional shell. Learn more about layering for adventure travel.
2. Pack for Activity.
   If you’re booking an adventure vacation with us, you’ll know exactly what types of activity your trip will include. Use your itinerary to inform your packing decisions – for cycling, bring padded shorts; for hiking, bring proper hiking boots and thick socks; for the hotel pool, bring a bathing suit.
3. Pack Sensible Footwear.
   Regardless of the amount of activity planned for your Italy vacation, never underestimate the importance of solid footwear. Running sneakers or cycling shoes, and hiking boots and proper socks (including extras!) are a staple on almost any adventure vacation. It’s all about comfort.
4. Pack Skin Protection.
   Nothing ruins a vacation experience like painful or irritated skin. We always provide the proper aid should you get a blister. We recommend bringing sunscreen. The sun can take a toll on skin that is not used to the climate and being outdoors for an extended period of time.
5. Additional Items for Your Trip.
   If there’s room in your bag, it never hurts to have a few additional items to make your adventure that much more enjoyable. These items include: a camera, a backpack, binoculars, sunglasses, and a hat and cycling gloves.

Travel Tips for Visiting Italy

Italy has been popular with tourists ever since the days of Wolfgang von Goethe (who wrote a whole journey book on his “Italienische Reise”). Culture and art in all of its forms are married into a unique combination.

No matter what time of year you choose to explore Italy and all of its treasures, keep these travel tips in mind to ensure you have the best vacation possible!

1. Diversity.
   You could spend a lifetime in Italy and not see everything. During each visit, pick only one or two regions to do them justice: Piedmont & the Italian Riviera, Milano & the Lake District, Trento & the Dolomites, Venice & Veneto & Friuli, Florence & Tuscany, Umbria, Rome & Lazio, Naples & Campania, Puglia and the south, Sicily, Sardinia.
2. Etiquette.
   Shake hands and say buongiorno (good day) or buona sera (good evening) to strangers; kiss both cheeks and say come stai (how are you) to friends. Use lei (you) in polite company; use tu (you) with friends and children. Only use first names if invited. Say mi scusi (excuse me) to attract attention; and say permesso (permission) when passing someone in a crowded place. Draw the attention of a waiter by saying per favore (please). When visiting churches, cathedrals and other religious sites, dress modestly (covered shoulders and thighs), please be quiet, and never forget to turn off your cell phone.
3. In the restaurant.
   East spaghetti with a fork, not a spoon. Eating bread with your pasta is considered a bit strange, but using it to wipe the remaining sauce from your plate is fine. If you want vegetables with you main course, you will need to order it as a side dish (contorno) because the meat of fish often comes by itself. Splitting the bill is common enough, though itemizing it is not done. If there is no service charge added to the bill, consider leaving a 10% tip.

Italy – with all of its many, distinct regions – offers incredible adventure and sightseeing opportunities outside of our itineraries and our Adventure Travel Consultants would be happy to help you add on more days of activities or travel.