When to Go & Travel Tips
April to June and September to October are the months I would aim for. The trains, airports and entry notes for Canadians are here too.
When to go
Spring (April to June)
Mild days and long light, and the cities at their most walkable. Easter week in Rome is busy, so book that one early.
Summer (July and August)
Hot, especially in Rome and Florence, and the coast is at its most crowded. Many businesses in the cities slow down in August.
Autumn (September and October)
Still warm, with fewer crowds than August. A strong window for a first trip. Rain becomes more likely as October goes on.
Winter (November to March)
Quieter and cooler, with Christmas lights in the cities. Venice is more likely to see high water in late autumn and winter. The coast is very quiet.
Getting there
- Most trips from Canada connect into Rome Fiumicino (FCO) or Milan Malpensa (MXP). Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and Naples (NAP) make sense when that city is the first base.
- Florence’s own airport is small. The usual way in is the train from Rome or Milan.
Getting around
- The fast train from Rome to Florence takes about an hour and a half, Florence to Venice about two hours, and a direct Rome to Venice train about four hours. Trenitalia and Italo both run that corridor. Seats are reserved, so book the departure you mean to take.
- A car is a poor fit in Rome, Florence and Venice. It can be the right tool for a countryside base, and sometimes for the Amalfi Coast. You do not want one in the Cinque Terre villages.
- In Venice you walk, or you ride the vaporetto. The historic centre is not a driving city.
Practical notes
- The currency is the euro. Plugs are type C and F, 230 V. Cards are widely accepted; carry a little cash for smaller places.
- Many cities add a tourist tax to the hotel bill. I include it when I compare stays, rather than letting it turn up as a surprise.
- If the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi or the Accademia are on your list, book them before you fly.
- Canadians do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days in the Schengen Area, with EU Entry/Exit System registration at the border. ETIAS is not in operation yet.
Entry rules and advisories change. Before you book and again before you fly, check travel.gc.ca.
Italy planning questions
How many days do I need in Italy?
A week is enough for two bases, usually Rome and Florence. Add Venice, the coast or the countryside and you want about 10 nights. Seven nights is not enough for all three cities and a coast.
Can I see Rome, Florence and Venice in a week?
You can, and it will feel like a timetable. I would drop one city, or add the nights. Venice in particular suffers when it is only a long day at the end.
When is the best time to go to Italy?
April to June, and September to October. July and August are hot and crowded. Winter is quieter, with a higher chance of high water in Venice.
Do Canadians need a visa for Italy?
Not for a holiday of up to 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen Area. You will be registered in the EU Entry/Exit System at the border. ETIAS is not in operation yet. Check travel.gc.ca before you book and again before you fly.
Should I rent a car in Italy?
Not for the cities. Trains are the way between Rome, Florence and Venice. A car earns its place on a countryside stay, and sometimes along the Amalfi Coast.
Let’s plan your Italy trip
Tell me who is travelling, how long you have, and whether you want cities, a stretch of coast, or a slower countryside chapter. I’ll plan the bases, the trains and the timed tickets worth booking before you fly.
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