While today at Flavours Holidays we are discussing our favourite Italian destinations and the best time to go on a cooking, painting or Pilates holiday we thought to ask some experts advice! Here is what the travel consultant Victoria De Maio has to say about when is the Best Time to Take that Trip to Italy.
As a travel consultant, one of the most
frequently asked questions I am asked is “when
is the best time to go to (fill in a destination)?” And, the other is “what will the weather be like?” And I
have to smile because the truth is, even if I had a crystal ball or some magical
meteorological foresight, I still wouldn’t hazard a forecast! The best any of
us can do is take an educated stab at what Mother Nature will have in store for
us.
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| When is the best time to travel to Italy? |
And, in fact, yes, there are “seasons” and
each season has its advantages and disadvantages. There are definitely
preferable times to travel, but the weather is only one determining factor. And
when traveling to one of, if not, the
most popular destination in the world, bella
Italia, there are several other considerations.
Ask the experts and they’ll tell
you...well, they may not tell you the same thing! If you check out Frommer,
Fodor, and Italy travel blogs, the general consensus is that the “shoulder seasons”, April to May and
late September and October are ideal – in other words, now! However, If you ask Rick Steves, he thinks summer
is great. Hmmm, not my choice. And, let’s face it, Rick gets to go often any time.
If this is your first trip or that “trip
of a lifetime”, you want to take your best shot.
In summer, sure the days are longer but it’s
more crowded, more expensive and, along with the heat and all those students, well,
I can tell you from my own experience during a heat wave in Italy (in the
Veneto and Tuscany) last June/July, it was HOT! Unseasonably hot! Really hot! Like sweaty, exhausting
hot...not my style and the last time I go there anywhere near summer.
It can be so hot in August, that 70% of the Italians (and much
of the European population) head for the beaches and the islands. That should
tell you something, not to mention that you’ll find many smaller family-run
businesses closed as well.
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| It can be very hot in the summer! |
For my money, the shoulder seasons are prime time for travel in Italy. You can avoid
extreme temperatures and (somewhat) avoid the crowds. During those shoulder
seasons (late spring/early fall) weather, prices, and availability are usually far
more agreeable. However, traveling during the shoulder or off peak season is no secret and is, in fact,
extremely popular. With the growing population of retired boomers and empty nesters, couples
and singles with no kids, flex-time
workers and widely varying school vacations, shoulder season travel will continue increase. But for most, they
remain the preferred travel windows.
Other considerations when planning that
trip to Italy are which regions you plan to visit (weather can vary
dramatically from one to another) as well as when certain cultural and special
events happen. If there is something you have your heart of seeing/attending, e.g.,
festivals, concerts, exhibits, harvest, local events, etc., then that is an
important factor and many are held during the summer months. Remember, too,
that if it’s something that you have your heart set on doing, then the odds are
that there are a lot of other people who want to be there, too. So it’s best to plan ahead, be prepared for
the crowds, and enjoy!
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| You can always cool off with some gelato |
Finding that “perfect” travel window takes
some research and planning. And sometimes you just don’t have a choice – you have
to work around your work schedule, your family’s schedule, the kids schedule
and whomever else you’re traveling with.
The bottom line?. The best time to travel
is when you can! Whether you’re limited or not to any particular season, the
key is to make the best of it and to travel smart! And remember, timing is everything!
More about Shoulder Season Travel and Making the Best of
High Season Travel on Victoria's blog.
So what are you waiting for? Have a look at Flavours Top 5 Autumn Cooking Holidays here.
About Victoria and Postcards from Travel
PiZazz
La dolce vita for me! And for you!
Victoria De Maio, travel consultant, blogger, writer, (and yoga teacher!) loves
sharing her passion for travel - especially travel to Italy! On her blog, www.Postcards
from Travel PiZazz.com, she offers no-nonsense travel tips, advice, insights
and inspiration – with a lighthearted twist.
Find Victoria on: Postcards from Travel PiZazz,
Italian Notebook, YouTube, Twitter , Facebook, and Pinterest. You can also contact
her directly: postcardsfromtravelpizazz@gmail.com
1 comment:
Thanks Victoria, great info for those who have not travelled in Italy...we have been there in both "shoulder" seasons and couldn't agree with you more...OMG, I could not take that heat! Would have to find somewhere air conditioned and stay there until time to fly home!
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