However, from snow-capped mountains to hints of the warm Mediterranean sun, the country takes on a distinctive charm during the winter months.
Besides the off-season attractions of its major cities like Rome, Venice and Florence, Italy has wonderful skiing villages, mountain and country retreats and balmy southern towns to enjoy at reduced prices and without the crowds.
Take a journey through these five Italian winter wonderlands.
Bolzano
An autonomous province in northern Italy, South Tyrol promotes itself for the winter with a great combination of wonderful skiing and local food.
This city of Bolzano is a charming unity of the Mediterranean and northern Europe.
Established in 1027, the city floated between Austria, France and the Kingdom of Italy before finally becoming part of modern-day Italy.
The city’s culture, traditions, cuisine and architecture reflect its rich history.
Take the city’s cable car through the surrounding Dolomites and soak up scenery that seems too stunning to be real.
The destination at the top is Soprabolzano.
It is a tiny village with local food shops, a few hotels and views of a lifetime.
Enjoy some local specialties, such as canederli dumplings, roast pork with sauerkraut and apple strudel with full-fat local cream.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, this glorious ski resort is a must for snow lovers.
Located in the the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site, Cortina d’Ampezzo has a thousand-year-old history and a long tradition as a tourist destination.
It became a popular location for snow sports after the Winter Olympics in 1956.
Cortina is part of the Dolomiti Superski, one of the world’s largest ski circuits with 745 miles of slopes across 12 ski regions.
You can even try your hand on the Olympic Bobsleigh run if you grow tired of the slopes!
After a day on the piste, indulge in local dishes such as puccia (a type of bread perfumed with aromatic herbs), casunziei (ravioli stuffed with beetroot) and apple strudel.
Turin
The main city of Piedmont, Turin is surrounded by picturesque mountains and blessed with plenty of attractions.
In the winter months, the city is renowned for holiday lights.
Suspended over streets and strung between buildings, the twinkling and glow make you feel the magic in the air.
There is also a strong food and coffee culture in Turin, and the city has the greatest number of cafés per capita.
One local institution that you cannot miss is Caffe al Bicerin, named after a local drink made of hot espresso, chocolate and cream.
Other seasonal treats to try include homemade pasta served with mushrooms or truffles and bagna cauda, a garlic, oil and anchovy dip served with veggies.
Aosta Valley
Still in the northwest of Italy, the Aosta Valley is a small region bordering France, famous for the beautiful views of its mountains.
Mont Blanc is the king, being the tallest mountain in the Alps at 4800 metres.
Though far from Rome, the Aosta Valley has almost as many ancient ruins as the Italian capital.
There are also around 70 castles dotting its landscape, making for a fairytale setting.
Some must-sees include Fénis Castle and Issogne Castle, as well as the impressive Fort Bard (pictured below), which was built in the 19th century by the House of Savoy.
Lake Como
For a romantic winter wonderland, one needs to look no further than the gorgeous Lake Como.
The lake – which never freezes – is set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Alps, making for a magical setting.
Quaint and quiet, winter tends to be the perfect time to experience Lake Como like a local.
If you are an avid skier, you will be spoilt for choice here – there are numerous ski towns all within driving distance.
Sample the delights of warm, hearty soups, fragrant pasta dishes, freshly baked bread, toasted polenta, and a delectable selection of local cheeses and wines, then enjoy the easy-going local way of life in the enchanting villages that hem the lake’s shores.
