We're looking at taking our first trip to Italy next year. Most likely Rome and Northern Italy. We'll probably go about 2 weeks.

Any preference for time of year to visit? We don't have to worry about kids/school/etc.

My wife has been looking a Perillo Tours - any experience w/that company?

Thanks

I've been in March several times and more recently in late June. I would avoid the summer months at all costs. The crowds made some of my favorite cities unbearable. I will never return at that time of year again. Most say that April/May or September/October are the best times to go. Lighter crowds and nice weather.

My wife's aunt lives close to Cinque Terre. She works as a travel agent in typically the "luxury travel" sphere. Feel free to DM me if that's something your interested in.

Personally, we like to travel in the shoulder seasons (times either before or after peak travel season) just usually have to worry more about weather.

https://www.yourownitaly.com/

Built our own itinerary each day and had private tour guides each day, Rome for 5 days and then Florence for 4 days. Regardless of who you pick visit the US cemeteries. One outside of Rome, and one in Florence. There is an Aggie Medal of Honor at Florence. We went to Rome but I got sick and missed going to Florence.

https://cemetery.tspb.texas.gov/pub/user_form.asp?pers_id=11075

Pic is from the one at Rome….

In my opinion, the best part of Italy is exploring the country side. Coming across small towns and finding out if the way restaurants and castles/wineries and fields of red poppies. Rent a house as a home base in Tuscany and venture out each day to new destinations.

I would do a guided day tour in Rome and perhaps Florence. I would go either April/May or September/October

I'm here right now. My Tuscany view:

I would strongly recommend passing on the group tours and use a private guide instead if your budget allows. We used a husband/wife couple called Loving Italy Tours and had a tremendous experience.

I'm thinking about the week before Christmas, maybe Rome and another town. What are y'all thoughts. Is this a bad time?

I agree we rented a house in Cortona and just drove to all the small towns in Tuscany. We had a blast. If your in the area go see Dave at: https://www.lacortedeipapi.com/

Even if it's just for dinner.

Also spend a day in Montepulciano with the locals.

That's awesome! We are planning our next trip while still on this one. We hit Cortina our first time here a few years ago. We are trying to see new cities this time around, but this looks awesome.

I highly recommend a stop in Chianciano Terme. We rented a place there for about a week prior to covid. It was a great base and not full of tourists like some of the other well known towns. It's about 15-20 minutes from Montepulciano and Montalcino. It's also easy to bike around to nearby towns. One day we rode our bikes to Monticchiello and another day hung around Chianciano and went to the thermal baths. There is a great restaurant named La Torretta. I think we ate there 3 times. Overall, a great town that you will have all to yourself.

I'm going in October

We loved Arezzo, Assisi, Orvieto and Castiglion Fiorentino. Visited in September 2019. Amazing trip with friends.

We went to Rome right before the pandemic and spent the week of Thanksgiving there. You risk there being some rain, but we lucked out and had great weather the whole time. It was mostly in the 50's / 60's the whole week and only 1 brief shower. Bonus was that it wasn't during tourist season, so there were practically no lines at any of the things we wanted to see.

We stayed in a 3 bed/2 bath AirBNB that was about a 15 minute walk from the Vatican and was away from the touristy areas. It was nice to experience every day Roman life. We'd get produce from the little stand that set up out front every morning, coffee at the little shop across the street, pastries next door. Since it was a non-touristy area, the prices for everything were extremely reasonable.

Thanks all! Part of the fun of travel is trip planning and this has been a great start.

We traveled Rome in February. We are becoming more accustom to cold weather travel to avoid crowds and it is cheaper. Yea sometime things are closed and Northern Europe can be a challenge but it has not been to much of a problem.

That said this summer should be a good time to go as mainland Chinese still seem to be restricted in travel.

CS4LIFE said:

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We loved Arezzo, Assisi, Orvieto and Castiglion Fiorentino. Visited in September 2019. Amazing trip with friends.

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Loved Assissi/Orvieto

Tagging along to this..

Any specific tour companies used or cooking class groups for a family pasta or pizza making class in Florence?

What about tour guides (private is preferred) for the Parma/Modena region?

If you had an extra day in Florence what would you see or what did you feel like you missed? Anything just really unique to that area that we should try and see. Two kids in tow, ages 6 and 9