Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world all year round. In summer, Italy is an international playground, with visitors from all continents mingling with the locals in famous resorts. Spring comes early to Italy and autumn lingers – and so will the wise traveller wishing to enjoy the art centres at a more leisurely pace.
Italy’s beaches are sunny for most of the year, with 8,546 kilometres of shoreline bordering Italy and its islands. History is always in season: choose any time of year to tour historic buildings and view the world’s greatest art treasures, for this is a land that has been writing and preserving its history for over three thousand years.
Spring and autumn are also ideal seasons to enjoy the large cities and holiday resorts such as those in the Lombardy lake region. In winter, the Italian Alps are famous for scenery and skiing. Northern Italy has some of the world’s most renowned winter sports resorts. This region is easily reached from Turin, chief city of the Piemont region; from Milan, hub of the central mountain and lake district; and from Venice, leading city of the eastern region.
Skiing is also a summer sport in the Turin Alps and the lofty mountains surrounding the Aosta Valley. From the sunny southern slopes of the Alps to the lush orange groves of Sicily, Italy offers enormous variety in its natural scenery and historical backgrounds.