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5 things to do in Italy in the Winter

It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of thinking winter in Italy equals skiing — after all, there are more than 300 ski areas to choose from. But look beyond the Alps and you’ll discover a plethora of activities away from the slopes; head further south and you’ll find a mild climate and quiet towns outside of the peak tourist months. Go hiking Sure, you’ll have to wrap up warm — but hiking along the Amalfi coast or in the Dolomites is far more enjoyable in the winter than in the hot summer months. Not only is it far quieter, but the views are — dare we say it — nicer. You’ll get that spectacular winter wonderland feeling amongst the mountains, and the crisp freshness of evergreens by the coast. Combine with a hearty Italian lunch; what more could you want? Be a culture vulture The big advantage of heading to Italy during the winter is that it’s a lot quieter than during the hazy summer months. You won’t have to queue for museums and exhibits, and you’ll find the bucket-list-worthy areas far less crowded than they would be in the blazing sunshine. The major attractions don’t tend to close, except for a few days over Christmas, so you’ll be able to tick them off your list — and get some unobstructed photos too. For smaller museums and galleries, it’s worth checking in advance. Some may operate on reduced hours over the winter months. Take a cookery class You don’t need us to tell you that Italian food is some of the best on Earth. But picture this — there’s snow on the ground, but you’re snug in a room with a roaring fire, freshly cooked Italian food, and filled with like-minded foodies. Oh, and there’s more red wine than you could shake a stick at. If cooking isn’t really your thing, you could always arrange your own personal chef to cater for you at your villa. You’ll get a truly personal service you won’t find in a hotel, and you won’t even have to leave the house to experience gorgeous, local food. Shop ’til you drop It might not be the most high-brow pursuit but you’ll find the best bargains in the shops during the winter months. The sales typically start in early January, and you could find yourself venturing home with a heavier suitcase than when you left. Visit an opera Opera season runs throughout winter and into early Spring, which makes it the perfect time to head to one of the many theatres in Italy to revel in some of the classics (or even discover a new favourite). Whether you’re an opera aficionado or a complete newbie, there’s something magical about watching a performance in the country where the art form was born. Jo Mackay is Owner of Bookings For You. Bookings For You is a company offering apartment and villa rentals in Italy and France. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Jo Mackay

Jo Mackay is the owner of Bookings For You. Bookings For You is a family run company specialising in apartment and villa rentals in Italy and France. The company currently have over 300 holiday rentals in Italy including villas in Puglia, the Italian Lakes, Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche as well as villas to rent in Provence, Normandy and Acquitaine in France. The company pride themselves on their high levels of customer service.

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5 Comments

  1. No mention of skiing…?! It was quite a few years ago now, but we went skiing in the Dolomites one Winter. Had great snow and were treated to some fabulous views. Whilst I’m not a hugely competent skier, I would definitely try that again.

  2. Hi…. skiing in Italy is wonderful. There are over 300 ski areas to choose from in Italy and it’s what most people think of when they think of travelling to Italy in the Winter. But we just thought we’d highlight some of the things that may not immediately have sprung to mind that you can also enjoy in Italy in the colder months of the year! Thanks for taking the time to read our post! Hope you enjoyed it!

  3. What I like about this article is that it focuses on the simplest of pleasures available in Italy. Something I’ve found surprisingly fascinating is people-watching especially in the lesser-known areas of Calabria where it can be difficult to spot a fellow tourist, especially in the middle of Winter.

  4. Skiing is really an incredible experience, throwing snowballs at friends is a thrilling experience during winters. Italy is really fantastic place to indulge in water sport activities. I have been to Rome in 2013, along with my friends, truly it was a memorable experience. Definitely, I will visit Italy this year in 2018, if everything works well. I am not going to miss this year.

  5. Culture, food, and shopping — three magical words in my vocabulary. I’ve been to Italy in the Amalfi Coast and absolutely love the sights and the food. A little less shopping for me, except for limoncello, which I loved so much. I just knew I had to take it home somehow. I mostly spent on food and tours, going as far south as Cosenza. It was beautiful with very few tourists back then. Rustic, idyllic, and perfect for walking tours — not quite the hiking you suggested here, but close. Still a bit undiscovered, though I wonder if more people have found new interest in it.

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