Italy: kingdom of la dolce vita, home of the Renaissance and the birthplace of the Romance languages.
September/October is a perfect time of year to visit, after the bulk of the tourists are back at work or school and the sun is slightly cooler. But not too cool! In Calabria and Sicily, the temperature stays well into the 20s until late October and the crowds are long since back at their desks.
Here are five tempting destinations for a late summer or autumn Italian course:
Tropea
Photo: Simo0082
On the metatarsal bone of Italy’s boot, Tropea is a gorgeous Calabrian town where the sun stays hot late into the year. Famous for its sublime seaside location and gorgeous beaches, the late summer is a great time to visit as most of the Italian holidaymakers have gone back northwards.
The volcanic Aeolian Islands are nearby and can be reached by boat, but be sure to make it back to the cliffs of Tropea for sunset, which is best enjoyed from one of the many little cafes that line the seafront.
Find out more about our Italian courses in Tropea
The Amalfi Coast
Photo: FrankMaurer
Salerno, the largest town of the Amalfi Coast would be considered a jewel in almost any other European country. But in Italy, the famous university town and port is often overlooked.
It provides easy access to the quieter nooks and crannies along the nearby coast, which is truly breathtaking. A journey along the winding coastline will take you past lemon trees and olive groves, classical villas and sublime villages, not to mention exceptional beaches without the mid-summer crowds. No wonder it has attracted Hollywood royalty since the 1950s.
Find out more about our Italian courses in Salerno
Venice
Venice is spectacular at any time of year, with its distinctive palazzos and piazza, churches and towers. But it can feel a little crowded and sweaty during the peak summer months, with the throngs of tourists around St Mark’s and the Rialto Bridge. September and October are much quieter and the temperature rarely drops much below 20°c until late October. If you wait until the winter, don’t forget to bring your wellies.
Find out more about our Italian courses in Venice
Taormina
Photo: RickPayette
Sicily’s most cosmopolitan town is glorious once the temperatures start to cool. Two stunning, sandy bays are perfect for relaxing while revising your tenses. The streets of the old town contain an enticing mix of historical sites and modern shops. And Mount Etna looms to the west… the slightly cooler weather makes exploration possible. So much so, in fact, that there are craft fairs on the mountain every weekend throughout October.
Find out more about our Italian courses in Toarmina
Rome
Photo: alessandro silipo
Rome during July and August gets hot. Really hot. Once the locals return to work and the tourists return from whence they came, the city becomes a bit more accessible and a lot more enjoyable. The locals say that mid-September until October is the best time to enjoy their town, and they would know!
Find out more about our Italian courses in Rome
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