Italy Travel
6 Reasons To Plan Your Spring Break in Italy
Thanksgiving is now behind us, but more Winter holidays are around the corner! Despite the festive spirit, I still find myself dreaming about warmer weather while I’m bundled up in my warmest blanket. If you can relate, I am going to let you in on a little secret. There is an easy way to have winter go by faster: by planning your Spring break in Italy. While Italy is the perfect destination all year round, there is a whole lot to be gained by taking a trip during spring season.
6 Reasons to Plan Your Spring Break in Italy
1. Weather
With daylight saving on March 25, you will enjoy 12 hours of daylight. On top of that, the temperatures will be in the 50s, with occasional lows in the upper 40s. Even so, it’s advisable to dress in layers, so you will be able to comfortably walk around and enjoy the cities in warmer weather as well as rainy days.
2. Easter Holiday and more!
While Spring Break dates vary, they usually go from early March to May. This time of year, Italy always makes a big celebration for Easter (which is considered the second most important holiday after Christmas). We all know Italians take their holidays very seriously, but you might not know that the celebration goes beyond Easter Sunday (which will be April 1).
Easter festivities extend to the following Monday, called Pasquetta (“little Easter”). This is usually a day in which Italians take a chance to gather with family and friends and – unsurprisingly – have a big feast together. While some places could be closed because of the holiday, you will get to enjoy amazing alternatives and take in the festive atmosphere! Other national holidays in this season are April 25 (Liberation Day) and May 1 (Labor Day).
3. Spring Colors and Flowers
Probably the best added value of planning a Spring Break in Italy, and certainly my favorite perk, is that the country is in full bloom during this time of the year. You will walk around as Italy comes to life with pops of colors – in the parks, streets, marketplaces, and shops. Your memories – and your pictures – will be even more unforgettable.
4. Off-peak Season Perks
As with Fall – another great time to visit Italy – Spring is considered “off-peak” season. Therefore, there will be more availability in every luxury accommodation in the Bel Paese, so you can pick the perfect place to stay, and at a competitive rate. And even though the popular cities will certainly still have plenty of fellow visitors, they will be far less crowded than in the summer. Making it a much more pleasant experience. No one likes standing in line under a blistering sun for hours just to get into one museum. You’ll be able to move around with greater ease, and enjoy the highlights.
5. Seasonal Food
Food is notably a huge component of any fully-fledged trip to Italy. Spring is the perfect time to enjoy seasonal produce, like artichokes – especially the carciofi romaneschi, a Capital City staple – in season from February to May. You’ll also find incredibly tasty strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, and lemons. Whether you actually buy produce or not, walking around a marketplace will still be a delight for your eyes. Also, warmer weather means you can walk around holding a mouth-watering gelato! On this topic, check out the best updated gelato spots in Italy.
6. Unique Tailored Experiences with Olive Tree Escapes
As we just mentioned, in Spring you won’t have to make your way through hoards of other tourists. One thing to note about Spring though is that the most popular seaside destinations (as well as many attractions in the northern Lake region) will most likely be closed, as these are very seasonal areas. This is a good thing, though. You will have plenty of room to enjoy the major cities, as well as less popular but equally charming ones – such as Bologna, Naples, and Turin – and have unique experiences. For example, how would you like to stand in the Sistine Chapel before opening hours, and have a moment of awe all by yourself? Or have an authentic pizza tour in Naples? Or a private tour at the Colosseum’s Belvedere? All you need to do is imagine your dream trip, then let us do all the planning.
What is your favorite Spring Break destination in Italy?
Natasha Zicarelli holds a Master\'s Degree in Conference Interpreting from the University of Bologna. Originally from Italy, she began dreaming about the United States when she was very young. During college, she was able to live in Los Angeles for a year on the UCLA Study Abroad Program, and she loved her American life so much she didn\'t want to leave. Now, four years later, she is finally back in the US, living and working in Chicago. She loves travel, fitness, engaging novels, and good food, especially when enjoyed in good company!