Dive-in and discover how to choose the Italian vacation destination that’s perfect for you!
Suffering from overload trying to decide where to go on your next trip to Italy?
Wondering, what are the best places to go?
What to include?
And what to leave off the list?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the possibilities, you’re not alone. When it comes to planning a trip to Italy, it’s hard to know where to begin.
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Choosing The Perfect Italian Vacation Destination
Italy is one of the top travel destinations in the world.
Iconic places like Rome, Florence and Venice appear on millions of people’s itineraries every year. And that’s not to say anything of the 99.9% of Italy that remains. All of which is worthy of a wander!
In fact, people ask me this question more than any other.
Or similar things like…
What is the best part of Italy to visit?
What is the prettiest place in Italy?
Where should I go?
Rome or Florence?
Is Venice really worth it?
The good news is, that after more than 20 years of living in Italy, I’ve learned a thing or two about traveling around the boot. And as a wellness travel coach, I’ve also learned the value of planning in harmonizing expectations and outcomes.
So, today I am sharing some simple ideas to help you start the planning process. That way you can choose the destinations that best match your travel dreams.
This article won’t tell you where to go. But, it will empower you with a simple step-by-step approach to help you decide for yourself.
Ready? Let’s talk about how you to choose the perfect Italian vacation destination.
Consider Your Travel Dreams
Let’s start with the basics.
When you close your eyes and envision yourself wandering Italy, where are you?
- Is it the iconic cities of Italy? Like Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice or Milan.
- Or the small villages dotted along the landscape? Like in Tuscany or Umbria.
- Perhaps it’s somewhere in between? The towns with local flare that reflect the regional history & culture. Like Modena and Ferrara.
Whatever your heart says, use these inspirations as your place to start.
Only you know what your travel dreams are, so go where the heart calls you to explore.
Determine Your Travel Motivation
Knowing your why is an important step in planning the trip that is best for you!
We all travel for different reasons.
Each and every time we plan an adventure, we come to it if from a different place, with various needs, wants, and desires.
Knowing what you want to experience and why is a key part in planning a vacation that meets your expectations and brings you joy.
Here are three things to consider:
- When it comes to Italy, what are your travel dreams?
- What are your personal motivations?
- Are there any health goals you want to support?
For example, let’s say you want to plan a wellness-oriented vacation to recharge the batteries. Then of course, you would align your trip with locations and activities that support your well-being. Ideas like:
- Those seeking to commune with nature might choose the Alps or Sardinia
- Wine lovers might flock to Piedmont or Tuscany
- Slow travel lovers might consider the less traveled regions of Friuli or Molise
Rest assured that if you are traveling to avoid burnout, like many other Americans, Italy is the place to be. The relaxed lifestyle will recharge you & leave you inspired to incorporate more well-being practices into your daily life.
Decide When You Want to Go
The time of year you visit Italy makes all the difference in the world.
That’s because many events and activities are seasonal, so this may have a great impact on when you decide to visit.
For example, if you want to lounge on the The Amalfi Coast beaches, then summer would fit the bill.
Or perhaps you don’t really like hot weather, then you’d want to avoid July and August. If you want to hike The Dolomites, then winter would be a no go. Unless of course, you love to ski too!
You get the idea, consider some of the experiences you wish to have, then align the time of year with what works best for you.
Know Your Budget
In truth, your budget can be a major consideration in when you visit Italy.
If you are looking to to stretch your budget further and are not set on a specific time of the year, then visiting in the the shoulder seasons will extend your resources.
Which in turn, can mean more tours, food experiences or fun adventures! Or even a longer vacation!
But, if you’re set on visiting during high season, consider looking for more affordable accommodations, such as:
- An Agriturismo (farm stay) can ground you in local culture
- A Monastery stay will less expensive and a more quieter option than a hotel
- Rent an apartment with a kitchen so you can save money by cooking some of your own meals
Think About Transportation
How you want to get from point A to B, will ultimately influence you itinerary.
If you want to rent a car, then small villages and off the beaten path places are very accessible.
If you want to stick with trains, then moving between cities and towns is very doable. However, small villages become harder to access because bus transportation may be more limited and it takes more time to travel.
So in the end, you may decide that within your time constraints, that certain locations are not doable.
In addition, a slow travel approach (where you stay in one place longer) would also influence the time and resources you spend on transport.
Seeing the Big 3 (Rome, Florence & Venice) in 10 days is doable yet fast-paced. But don’t forget to calculate transport times.
More time in transport means less time to drink wine and eat gelato!
Which leads us to the next consideration in choosing the prefect Italian travel destination.…
Research & Plan
Ahh, the good part…the joy of travel planning!
OK, so here’s the deal. At this point, you’ve got to get real and think practically about your adventure.
You will never see and do it all. A lifetime would not be enough. So, once you are clear about your travel dreams and motivations, consider this…
If this is your one and only trip, what do you really want to experience?
Gathering feedback and ideas from others is a great place to start, but at the end of the day remember that it is your trip to craft and enjoy.
Be mindful and make it the one you want it to be, not what others think it should be.
Listen to what your heart wants and plan from there, and don’t forget to work in a bit of self-care, so you can relax and unwind!
Planning Resources
Let’s fill your travel toolkit with some great planning resources.
A good place to start is at with Italy’s Official Tourism website. Easy to navigate, this site will definitely get the ideas rolling.
Then dive into blogs, guide books and most importantly, talk to others who’ve visited Italy. Personally speaking, many of my most memorable adventures have come courtesy of friends and family!
More Resources:
- All Things Italy Travel Page gives you a good overview of our resources
- And of course, you can find lots of ideas on the blog
Now, are you ready to try out these steps to use and choose your perfect Italian vacation destination?
Rest assured that wherever you go, you’re certain to create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. And don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Italy too!
until the next time…
…live well – travel well – be well
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