Winter holidays in Italy (where the locals go)

With its cultural charm and iconic architecture only heightened by the cold weather, a winter holiday in Italy is the perfect choice for a getaway in 2018.

A recent survey has revealed the trends in travel during the winter season and given an insight into where the Italian locals go for a winter holiday in Italy.

Among the top Italy winter destinations were Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice and Naples, followed by Verona, Turin, Bologna, Madonna di Campiglio and Livigno. Interestingly, as well as attracting local Italians, the travel survey also showed that a winter holiday in Italy is a popular choice for British, German and Spanish holidaymakers. In fact, these nationalities accounted for 33% of tourism in the winter period in Italy.

Winter Holidays in Italy

With attractions that are just as wonderful in the cold as they are in the summer, Italy is the perfect choice for a winter holiday in 2018. If you’re thinking of an Italy multi-centre holiday, here are some of our top combinations featuring the most popular winter destinations in Italy:

Rome, Florence and Venice

These three destinations are perhaps the most famous cities in Italy. With their diverse and iconic attractions, it is perhaps no surprise that these three cities were in the top five destinations in Italy for a winter holiday.

The winter scenery in Rome only serves to make the Colosseum and Roman Forum seem more magical. But if you want to step in from the cold, we recommend enjoying a day trip to the Vatican Museums, where you can admire masterpieces and see the magnificent Sistine Chapel ceiling fresco famously painted by Michelangelo.

Meanwhile, in Florence, you can enjoy a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere at the famous Accademia and Uffizi art galleries – during the peak summer months, these galleries get very busy, but during the winter they are much more peaceful, allowing you to enjoy the art at your own pace.

As the finale to your winter holiday in Italy, you can visit the Floating City of Venice. February, in particular, is a wonderful time to visit the city as this is when the Carnevale di Venezia is usually held. During this festival, there are plenty of street events to enjoy, as well as operas, theatre performances and much more!

Milan and Lake Maggiore

For a mixture of chic city vibrancy and beautiful mountain scenery on your winter holiday in Italy, we think you’ll love the combination of Milan and Lake Maggiore.

Milan is known as one of Europe’s fashion capitals and winter is a perfect time to visit the city to take advantage of the seasonal sales. Milan’s attractions also look delightful set against the crisp winter sky, especially the Gothic Cathedral.

Meanwhile, Lake Maggiore brings natural scenery that looks simply delightful during the winter months as the lake’s mountain backdrop takes on an ice-capped appearance. We recommend staying in Stresa during your winter holiday in Italy as it has plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy.

Campania multi-stop holiday

If you would prefer to discover the south on your winter holiday in Italy, then consider a touring holiday of Campania. This South Italy region is home to Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast, making it the perfect winter destination if you want to reconnect with nature in a coastal setting.

It’s worth noting that some hotels in these resorts are seasonal, with closures during the winter. So, we recommend booking your Campania multi-stop holiday through a professional tour operator, who will be able to recommend the best hotels, day trips and tours for your winter holiday in Italy.

A Tailor-made Winter Holiday in Italy

If you are thinking about a winter holiday in Italy but would prefer to avoid the stress of arranging all the travel details yourself, let one of our travel experts handle all your travel plans. As a part of our expert service, we can arrange all aspects of your winter vacation, including:

• Return flights (from your choice of airport)
• Private airport transfers
• Accommodation to suit a range of budgets
• Winter activities, such as skiing
• Day trips and tours
• Entry tickets to the popular attractions (so you don’t have to wait in the queue in the cold)
• Car hire
• Restaurant reservations

To find out more, please click here to browse our Italy multi-centre holidays or contact a friendly member of our travel team on 01223 637331. You can also send an online enquiry by clicking here.