How to plan a trip to Italy

04.08.2023 - 05:53 / roughguides.com

​Radiating vitality from its natty north to its stylish southern heel, there are plenty of reasons Italy attracts a remarkable range of traveller types. Given its fabulous food, sun-soaked coastline, picture-perfect panoramas, and all those extraordinary ancient sites, it’s no wonder Italy sparks a desire to return. There’s simply too much to see — and fall in love with — during a single trip, and planning a stay in Italy can be overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to planning a trip to Italy — to help you make the most of your time in this perennial stunner. These simple steps will help you decide where and when to go, and where to stay. Crucially, we’ll also show you how you’ll stay connected while you’re away.

This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Italy — your essential guide for travelling in Italy.

Let’s start with the obvious. After honing in on what you most want to see and do during your trip to Italy, you’ll need to decide which destination(s) you’ll visit.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to explore world-celebrated ancient sites. In which case, say ciao to Roma, Pompeii and Herculaneum!

Alternatively, if you fancy indulging your appetite for la dolce vita (and we mean literally), head to the Amalfi coast for limoncello, gelato and seafood, Naples for pizza and buffalo mozzarella, and Tuscany for wine.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking to absorb awe-inspiring art, make your merry way to Florence or Venice.

Want to be charmed by lesser-visited villages and towns? Exploring Emilia Romagna — Tuscany without the-crowds — might be your glass of Romagna Albana (that’s one of the region’s star wines).

The good news is, many places in Italy offer a mix of ancient wonders, glorious grub, fine wine, and undeniably breath-taking vistas, which means you might not have to choose one over the other.

Still undecided? Dive into our gallery of the most beautiful places in Italy.

Riomaggiore of Cinque Terre, Italy © Shutterstock

If you have the time and budget to visit Italy for longer (lucky you), you could look to plan a trip that takes in a few destinations.

Independent travellers will be delighted to discover that getting around Italy is pretty easy. Travelling by train is a veritable breeze, and beautiful with it. The Italian system is pretty efficient and remains one of Europe’s least expensive rail networks.

That said, be wary of trying to cover much. With a nod to the fact that Rome wasn’t built in a day, don’t try to see everything in a single trip.

What’s more, you’d also be wise to factor in time to seize the day and enjoy spontaneous experiences — more on that later.

Choosing when to go to Italy will, of course, depend on what you want to do, and your budget.

As a general rule, it’s