Italy Things to Do

Italy may be at its tourism peak in the summer, but the country is open for business year-round. No, you aren’t likely to be lying on the beach or frolicking in the Tuscan hills when it’s cold outside, but visiting Italy in the winter offers a chance to see and do some things that aren’t available in the summer months. Here are just a few suggestions for things to do in Italy in the winter.

For visitors to Italy who are interested in getting beyond the usual Venice-Florence-Rome itinerary without an hour-long train ride, a stop in Bologna is an excellent option. This city has everything you’re looking for – grand piazzas, historic attractions and exceptional food – without many of the trappings of a tourist city. What’s more, Bologna is on Italy’s high-speed train line, making it easy to include it on an itinerary in the northern part of the country.

While most travelers head for Italy during the summer to take advantage of the nice weather, there’s something to be said for spending Christmas in Italy. Any place is especially fun to visit when it’s decked out in its holiday finery, and the added bonus of experiencing Christmas traditions that may be new to you can make your trip even more exciting and memorable. Here are a few of the things to know about planning a trip to Italy during Christmastime.

For many, Verona conjures up images of Shakespearean ill-fated lovers – and there are certainly attractions related to Romeo and Juliet in the city. Verona is much more than the setting for the famous (though fictional) family feud. This beautiful and historic city makes an excellent home base for exploring the Veneto region, or the perfect day trip from nearby Venice.

With as much coastline as Italy has, it’s not surprising that it’s a major destinations for Mediterranean cruise ships. Not every popular tourist city has its own cruise port, however, and some aren’t even located on the sea. Therefore it’s important to look into the ports of call that are included on your Italian cruise before you get off the ship. That way, you can make better decisions about how to spend your time and money.

The city of Genoa may not be among the must-see stops on most Italian itineraries, but this historic port city is a treat to explore – not least because it’s not on most must-see lists! Genoa (Genova in Italian) has a busy cruise port, so you may find yourself with just a day in the city, or you may opt to spend a few days as you work your way along the Ligurian coast to the famed Cinque Terre. Either way, here are some of the things to do during your stay in Genoa.