Weather-wise, the best time of year to visit Italy is during the months of April and May when the flowers begin to bloom and spring is definitely in the air or in the latter part of September and beginning of October when the bright colors of vineyards and deciduous trees shine brightly in the sun. During these four months, the nights tend to be cool with mild days perfect for sightseeing.

SPRING is one of the nicer seasons to visit Italy. Mass tourism has not really started yet and the temperatures are generally very comfortable. Unfortunately this is one of the wetter periods of the year, although by May the rainy day normally becomes a rarity. The countryside is beautiful in the spring - bright green fields dotted with colourful wildflowers. The days are beginning to lengthen, and in fact during the month of May one can expect about 10 hours of daylight. The average temperatures for this season are between 65° and 75°.

SUMMER is the busiest time to visit Italy. The weather is a predictably sunny and it can get very hot. There is also a high humidity factor, especially in the cities. Expect to wait in long lines for any museums, unless you have reservations. In the first weeks of August the cities usually empty out while the seaside resorts do a booming business. If you would like to plan a seaside holiday during this period, it is advisable to book many months in advance. The average summer temperature varies between 80° and 90°, sometimes reaching the 100° mark, but the evenings are usually quite comfortable.

AUTUMN is a beautiful season to have an Italian holiday. The weather up until the end of October and sometimes into November is lovely. The grape harvest is done in this season and seeing the vineyards in "full bloom" is really a treat. There is less tourism than in the summer months and the average temperatures of 75° to 70° is very comfortable for those who enjoy a more active type of vacation like walking or hiking. The autumn light is beautiful although the daylight hours are only about 8 to 9 hours a day. Early autumn is usually fairly dry - the wetter season starts around mid-November.

WINTER is a good time to visit the major cities. Although the northern cities can get cold - the average winter temperature is around 50° - this season is sometimes wet, but one can also expect many lovely sunny days. There are many advantages to visiting during the winter months. Lines for museums are generally non-existent and it is easy to find reasonable accommodations for better prices. There are not many hours of daylight in December, but by February the days have lengthened considerably.