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Tuscan vineyard

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Italy weather, climate and geography

Weather & climate

Summer temperatures in the south are far hotter than in the north – especially in the mountain regions which have heavy winter snowfalls. The north has the most rainfall, with the wettest months being October to December.

Best time to visit: 

Italy is a great destination to visit year round, particularly if taking a city-break, though for the warmest and most reliable weather April to June is the prime tourist season. Most Italians take their holiday in July and August so prices, and crowds, can soar during these months. If you’re keen to avoid the main scrum of peak season but still banking on mild weather, late September to October’s a good choice.

Required clothing: 

Lightweight clothes are worn during the summer, except in the mountains. Winter demands light- to mediumweights in the south, but warmer clothes elsewhere. Alpine wear is advised for winter mountain resorts.

Geography

Italy is situated in Europe, with a long coastline stretching into the Mediterranean Sea and a mountainous northern border adjoining France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. This northern Alpine region contains some of the highest mountains in Europe and is a good area for winter sports. In central Italy, Tuscany has a diverse landscape with lush countryside and a long sandy coastline. To the east is Umbria, known as the ‘green heart of Italy'; hilly with broad plains, olive groves and pines, and Le Marche - a region of gentle mountains, rivers and small fertile plains. Further south lies Rome, Italy's capital city. Within its precincts is the Vatican City. The south is wilder than the north, with cool forests and rolling hills. Puglia, the ‘heel of the boot', is a landscape of volcanic hills and isolated marshes. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia lie offshore to the south-west and west respectively.

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