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From the Alps and Dolomites of northern Italy to Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy’s winters are known for spectacular mountain scenery and and some of the best ski slopes.
But non-skiers as well can find loads of reasons to travel to Italy through the cooler months.
Italy is a pleasure to visit year round, filled with outdoor and indoor activities — and fewer crowds. Here are five alternative experiences to to enjoy during the off season. Think of what you enjoy doing, and you’ll probably find it — and you can build a getaway around it.
Relax in a hot spring: Thermal baths, mud pools and natural hot springs are numerous throughout the country. For example, travelers can enjoy a break from cold weather with a few hours of complete relaxation at the Saturnia baths in the Tuscan hills or the volcanic springs on Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, all while taking in stunning scenic views.
Relaxing in a healthy mud pool in the Aeolian Islands near Sicily, Italy
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Visit a Sagra: Winter brings some of the country’s most mouth-watering food festivals, known in Italy as a “sagra.” These local or regional festivals are dedicated to showcasing types of cuisine prominent in the area. Along with food, travelers can enjoy historical pageants, or sporting events like jousts and horse races. Some of the more popular sagras include the White and Black Truffle Festival in Tuscany, the Chestnut Festival in Piedmont, and the Grape Festival outside of Rome.
Chestnuts in a roasting pan over the fire during the Chestnut Festival in Feldthurns, Trentino-Alto … [+]
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Celebrate Carnevale: Similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnevale pre-Lenten festival takes place in the weeks leading up to Easter, and is deeply rooted in Italian tradition and culture. Venice may be the most grand celebration, but every major Italian city has its unique version, highlighted with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music, and parties. Mischief and pranks often occur during the festivities – the popular saying is a Carnevale ogni scherzo vale: Anything goes at Carnevale.
Carnevale di Venezia
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Tour uncrowded museums: Low season is the best time to enjoy Italy’s extraordinary museums and galleries without the hassle of long lines and overwhelming crowds. Travelers can experience Italy’s rich, world-famous artistic heritage and cultural legacy, including Renaissance masterpieces at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, or ancient Greco-Roman works of art at the Vatican Museums in Rome.
Vatican, Rome, Italy
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Take a cooking class or food tour: Cooler weather offers the perfect time to indulge in hearty Italian cuisine and a glass or two of fine wine. Food and wine tours are ideal ways to discover the traditional, seasonal cuisine and varied vintages of each region, with expert guides and taste tests at each stop. Cooking classes led by local chefs are also a popular cold weather pastime. Travelers can learn how to make Italy’s traditional winter comfort food dishes including pastas, breads, desserts, sauces, and more. A delicious souvenir!
Making pasta during a cooking lesson in Bologna, Italy.
(For more info on Italy, listen to Episodes #13 and #37 of my award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember. Follow on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or on my website.)
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