Most of the attractions are outdoors and need decent weather.Yes,it is not freezing cold..but it is grey,rainy and dull. 15 Best Places to Visit in South Italy Southern Italy is a vast region that contains the provinces of Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Molise and Sicily – Sardinia is also sometimes included in this region but this island has less in common with the rest of Southern Italy and has differing culture and traditions. Italy is the land of the most incredible food in the world (PIZZA), Da Vinci and a whole lot more. Throughout the month, Christmas markets are held in city and town plazas; one of the most famous is the toy market in Rome's Piazza Navona. The Best Places to Visit in Italy in December. Travel Tips ... turns damp and chilly and temperatures become cooler in the southern region, Italians … Weather. Read this first. Oh Bej!, held daily at the Sforza Castle. For information on December celebrations and events, Frommer's Whatsonwhen website offers a calendar that can be searched by date or location. Airline fares and hotel prices do dip in early December from their summer highs, except, of course, for the country's Alpine ski resorts. At the end of the day, Italians embrace the season with their usual passion, choosing to celebrate the arts with vigor, shop with flare and feast on dishes flavored with the season's harvest. 12 Best Places to Visit in Italy Last updated on October 8, 2020 in Italy 19 Comments Located in Southern Europe, this boot-shaped country is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations for a number of reasons that include art treasures, charming towns, passionate people and top-class cuisine. The attractions and sites are quieter, and the air clearer than during the summer when pollution and crowds can detract from the surroundings. See & Do The Best Hiking Trails in Italy. Sawday’s new Special Places to Stay: Italy is priced £15.99. more, Get answers to your questions about Italy, Thinking of renting a car? Milan might be a little wet and chilly in December, but the shopping in Italy's design center reaches fever pitch. Even popular tourist destinations like Venice, Florence, and the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria can get a … Be sure to pack a raincoat or umbrella and, if driving, watch out for heavy fog on highways in northern Italy. Robin Thornley has been a successful writer for more than 25 years, penning articles for national magazines, newspapers and websites. And note the National holidays when public transport is limited, and you would expect closures. I would like to spend some time in the south, especially since it is winter. When the weather in northern Italy turns damp and chilly and temperatures become cooler in the southern region, Italians head indoors to museums and theaters, or don a fashionable topcoat while strolling the shops and Christmas markets set up in town plazas. Just hearing the name conjures up some of the most famous landmarks in the world…the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican. Not only are there fewer tourists and shorter wait times at the museums and monuments, but there are many unique festivities and traditions only found this time of year. Central Italy: 5 to 13 C / 40 to 55 F; Southern Italy: 10 to 16 C / 50 to 60 F; Must Read: Do Not Forget To Visit These 10 Incredible Castles In Italy On Your Next Trip! The Christmas season lasts from December 8th, the date of Immaculate Conception of Mary, to January 6th, the day of the Epiphany. Ultimately, the best places to visit in December are the Alps and their marvellous ski resorts and villages. The Dolomites from December to February is a pure heaven for addicted to winter sports. I like to see cultural and artistic sites and to have the opportunity to do multiple things in one day. Italy’s southern regions are almost always warmer than their northern counterparts, but December still brings cold temperatures to the south. The Best Time of Year to Vacation in Italy, Context Travel: Favorite Warming Winter Meals: Florence, "Italy" Magazine: Christmas in Naples; November, 2010, "Gourmet"; Tuscan Holiday; David Leavitt, December, 2003, The Best Time of Year to Go to San Miguel De Allende, The Best Places to Visit in Italy in December, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. Any one hoping to travel to Italy in September? Of course this means that if you want to go skiing in Italy you will have better chances if you visit the Dolomites. It’s a great spot for cocktails and enjoying the lovely c… December 25 isn't the biggest holiday of the winter season in Italy -- that's Epiphany, in early January -- but it's still a great time to go. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187886-s208/Sicily:Italy:Weather.And.When.To.Go.html. Italian churches are decorated with nativity scenes and flower wreaths, and Christmas lights illuminate cobbled streets. Any suggestions or things to consider about traveling to southern Italy in winter, especially at Christmas? All the above figures are probably correct,but IMHO (and i live in Southern Italy) January is by far the worst time to visit. In Trentino Alto Adige there are the best Christmas markets of the country and they can be visited since the beginning of the month. Best Places To Visit In Italy In January. My husband really wants to visit Sicily so that's probably a keeper but we aren't stuck on the coast or Napoli. From gondola rides to beautiful baroque architecture and fabulous food and wine, Venice has something for everyone. I have been to western (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You'll find a festive atmosphere in every corner of the country. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. The sea from the summit of Mount Conero – picture taken on OCTOBER 15TH! He has never been to Italy. See & Do The 7 Most Beautiful Italian Roadtrips. Here are our ideas so far: fly into Rome, travel to Sicily then to the Amalfi Coast, Napoli, and back to Rome. Florence's famed Piazza Santa Croce is home to a Christmas market throughout the month, part of the citywide Florence Noel festival that features a variety of Christmas decorations, parades and celebrations. My husband and I are planning a trip to southern (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76462056', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sicily in the winter (ie Feb not in Dec). Here is a look at some of the top destinatio… More about I'd really like to hear what people think about our choices. Cliffs rise dramatically above the sea and picturesque villages cling to the cliffs, making for spectacular scenery. Each weekend in December the city also hosts the Brocantage Antiques Fair. Christmas also is a time for Italian families to gather, so reservations for Christmas week should be made well in advance. December avg high: 57°F/14°C; December avg low: 41°F/5°C; December avg precip: 3.5″/8.8cm; If you are planning a general Europe trip in December you are obviously prepared for cooler temperatures and maybe a bit of rain. While I have been to Italy before, I spent most of my time in northern Italy and Rome. Our summer is particularly long so in Sicily you can easily go to the beach even in November, while in Naples we usually start getting some cold only from December. We like to travel a little differently which makes planning difficult. While I'm not worried about finding good food in Italy are there particular cities we should stick to if food is important? Winter in Italy is the perfect time for accommodation deals! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Faster Than Skip-the-Line: Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Tour, Colosseum Underground Guided Tour with Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Access, Skip the Line: Colosseum Small Group Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html, 77th anniversary of the allied landing in Anzio. We viisted Erice (great ceramics and views), Zingaro Nature Preserve, Mozia, Marsala, Selinunte, Segesta, Trapani, and Agrigento. The country's most famous nativity scenes are made in Naples and a large Christmas market is set up near the Via San Gregorio Armeno, home to many of Naples' nativity workshops. Rome also celebrates the season with a citywide Romaeuropa festival with dozens of musical, dance and theater offerings in venues throughout the city. Thank you in advance! I’ve said that for a long time – Le Marche are the new Tuscany. Pageants, parades and special masses are the order of the day. There are a few areas, however, that seem to take the holidays to another level. You will probably still go through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are leaving for Rome in late November and will be in Italy for ~3 weeks. She specializes in a variety of topics, including business, politics, lifestyle trends, travel and cuisine. 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