Bell'Italia! Italy has Europe's richest, craziest culture. After all, this nation is the cradle of European civilization — established by the Roman Empire and carried on by the Roman Catholic Church. As you explore Italy , you'll stand face-to-face with some of the world's most iconic images from this 2,000-year history: Rome's ancient Colosseum and playful Trevi Fountain, Pisa's Leaning Tower, Florence's Renaissance masterpieces (Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Venus), and the island city of elegant decay — Venice. Beyond these famous sights, though, Italy offers Europe's richest culture. Traditions still live within a country that is vibrant and fully modern. Go with an eye open to both the Italy of the past and of the present. Italy is best seen slowly so don’t rush it in one visit and try to do too much. Relax, take in the scenery, and enjoy a latte. This Italy travel guide combines years of experience to help you plan an even better trip to Italy! When to Go to Italy There’s no wrong time to visit Italy! Peak season is July and August, but June is also busy. Summer is June-August, where temperatures can soar as high as 38ºC (100ºF), and popular cities like Rome and Florence experience a huge influx of visitors. Prices increase during this time as well. But the overall atmosphere and weather is great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season. However, I think the best time to visit Italy is shoulder season in the spring and fall (March to May and September to October, respectively). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. It’s also easier to meet locals! This is a particularly great time to hang out on the Mediterranean. Where to Stay in Italy Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Italy: Palazzo Riccucci (Montappone) Ostello Archi Rossi (Florence) Hostel Gallo d’Oro (Florence) The Yellow (Rome) Hostella (Rome) Dimora Il Veliero Romantico (Venice) Generator (Venice) Hostel of