How to Plan a Perfect Vacation to Italy

Planning from Start to the End

Italy has the shape of a boot; you can start at the top and head south, checking it city by city. You should always pick an itinerary that gives you experience around the country: Starting from Rome, Florence, Venice, and ending the trip in Milan. These are some of the most prominent tourist attractions, and a must travel for getting the all-around experience in Italy. If you plan to have a two week trip to Italy, you can include some exciting short trips to famous places like- Pisa, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Naples, the birthplace of pizzas. Exploring these small towns and cities is a must if you want to experience the real Italy.

The next thing to talk about before finalizing the trip is the best time to visit. However, there is no such thing when it comes to Italy. Talking about the weather, Italy does not have a pleasant year-round climate where some parts have tropical weather, while others may have a cold and misty climate. However, there are a few months that are perfect for a vacation like April, May, June, September, and October. August is not a preferred month for a holiday in Italy. A National Holiday, Ferragosto falls on August 15, and most of the shops and restaurants close for almost a month. Other than that, the inland becomes quite hot at that time of the year. And most of the local population migrates towards the beach areas.

Bologna - A must stop vacation spot

Bologna is not always on the list of vacation spots for many tourists; however, it can make for a fascinating side trip when you near Florence. Bologna, the historic capital city of Emilia-Romagna, is an ideal place to experience the medieval and renaissance art and architecture. 

In the center of the Bologna, you will find the Fountain of Neptune. The fountain shows some impressive arched colonnades that can be viewed from different angles to grasp its full charm. You will also find lots of outdoor cafeterias around the fountain to enjoy the city bustling and view. 

Not just the view, you can even dwell yourself in some of the finest cuisines, the city has to offer. The famous Bolognese sauce that originated in the city of Bologna is a must-try in the city. If you prefer staying outdoor and having a quick bite, you should check out the city's open-air market and try some of the famous cheese and pasta dishes along with lots of Bolognese sauce. 

Tuscany - A kaleidoscopic landscape

Tuscany is famous for its diverse landscape, which includes the hills, seashores, vineyards, olive groves, and mountains. The varied landscape has inspired artists for centuries and looks like something out of a dream. A 2-day trip may seem like too much for you now, but wait till you land in Tuscany, the picturesque view will surely take your breath away and will make you want to explore it more. Its famous structures dating back to the Roman Era will be a hit among you. You can check out the rural churches, castles, and historic structures. Well now if you are in Tuscany don't forget the wine. Tuscany's wine is among the best in the world. The first grape cultivation began around 3000 years ago, and ever since then, the crop yield increased year after year. 

The most famous grape of the Tuscan region is the Sangiovese grape. The different winemaking techniques used by the winemakers lead to the unique taste, which is why you will never find the same wine flavor in any other winery. If you a red wine lover, then don't miss out on Chianti, the only place that makes the best red wine Chianti, from a specific variety of Tuscan grapes. 

Florence - A land of an unmissable vibrant heritage

Florence, a city to be explored on foot, is a vibrant place to view Italy's rich culture and art. It also has some of the most recognizable structures of art in history. 

You can check out the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the famous painting masterpieces from the renaissance era. You can check out some of the priceless artwork of well-known artists such as Rembrandt's "Self portrait as a young man," Cimabue- Santa's "Trinita Maestà," Michelangelo's "The Holy Family," Leonardo da Vinci's "The Annunciation," and many others. 

Adjoining the Uffizi Gallery is the famous outdoor museum, Loggia Dei Lanzi, or the Loggia Della Signoria, which showcases some of the fantastic architecture craftsmanship from the 14th century. Wide arches, clustered pillars, along with some finely detailed statues, form this impressive museum. The next must-watch is the Duomos, the Italian term for the Churches. Florence contains some of the notable churches of Italy which are highly decorated, containing beautiful structures, artworks, and bells.

Cruises to Reach your Destinations

After exploring the city landscapes, you can check out the country's coast. If you are moving from one city to another, you will probably waste a lot of time traveling. So to make up for this, you can try the Italian cruise. You will not only reach your destination faster but will also get a chance to check out the waterways and adjoining coastal towns like Cagliari, Bari, Portofino, Livorno and Genoa, the ports of Florence and Pisa. 

Finding the Best Travel Deals

You may think the trip to Italy will be an expensive affair, well you don't always have to go by the book and pay. Check out some of the ways you can save a lot on this trip.

• Avoid peak season travel. 
• Call the airlines, cruise lines, and hotels for a prebooking at a low cost. 
• Plan your trip around the time that offers low prices on flights, of course, ruling out the month of August. 
• Check out for holiday packages.
• Get help from the travel agents.
• Use travel coupons and credit card points.

Last but not least, get help from the internet. Check out the promotions, reward points, and select credit card discounts. You can even avail exclusive discounts for first-time travelers. Planning your trip while keeping all these points in mind will surely let you explore Italy on budget.