Although many tourists head to Italy during summer months, Bel Paese is truly a four-season destination offering something special all year round. Here are a few suggestions on what to do in Italy in winter on Italy’s Private Tours.
Enjoy winter sports
The Italian Alps attract throngs of winter sports enthusiasts; however, the country has hundreds of ski areas, including lesser known in Sicily where you can ski on Mt Etna and the Apennines. From December through March, you can go skiing, snowboarding, Nordic walking, snowshoeing in spectacular locations.
Bask in the winter sun
The further south you go the warmer the weather will be. Rome, Naples, Capri, anywhere in Sicily are famous for their mild winters and blue sky. The small coastal town of Cefalù in Sicily is a year-round destination with beautiful sandy beaches, stunning architecture and delicious food.
Watch carnivals
February is the time of colourful carnivals in Italy. The most famous carnival, Carnevale di Venezia, is hosted in Venice with spectacular balls, costumes and masks. Another one that is worth a visit is Carnevale di Viareggio. At the Carnevale di Ivrea you can see of the biggest food battles in Europe where the locals throw oranges at each other.
Go shopping
Christmas markets are a wonderful experience and a chance to find delightful Italian artisan-made souvenirs. Winter is also the best time to head to upmarket designer boutiques during the season’s sales, which start on the first week of January and last until the end of February. You can find real bargains at Armani, Prada, Gucci, Versace and many other big designer stores. In Milan head to Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga; in Rome Via Condotti and Piazza di Spagna have some of the best high-end boutiques; Via Tornabuoni in Florence is a heaven for Italian fashion lovers.
Visit La Scala
During winter, opera and ballet seasons are in full swing, so head to the recently refurbished La Scala. It is one of Europe’s oldest opera houses where you can enjoy outstanding performances by international stars. The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is also renowned throughout the world for its fine shows.
Photos via Flickr by: Nick Webb, Matt Northam, Paula Soler-Moya.
