With summer coming to an end, it’s not too late to plan a fall getaway to Italy. Autumn is a lovely time to visit, as the crowds of summer have subsided, and temperatures have cooled. During the fall months, there are many unique events to participate in, that give you a real taste of “la dolce vita.” These include the “vendemmia” which means grape harvest and “sagre” or food harvest festivals. Depending on your interests, we have several suggested itineraries for enjoying Italy this fall.

For the wine lover, head to Piedmont and Tuscany, two of Italy’s top producing wine regions. Piedmont is home to some of the top wines in the world, including Barolo, Barbera and Barbaresco. Most red wines in this region are produced from the Nebbiolo grape, which produces lightly colored red wines with high tannins and notes of cherry, raspberry, tar, truffle and tobacco. Spend three nights in the region, enjoying daily winery visits. Truffle lovers are in luck, as starting in September, black and white truffles start to be harvested and served at restaurants across the region. From October 5 to November 24, head to the town of Alba to attend the “Fiera Internazionale Tartufo Bianca d’ Alba” or International White Truffle Fiar in Alba. Here you can witness top chefs create dishes before your eyes, sample the plates, purchase truffles at the truffle world market, and witness folklore events such as the historical parade and donkey palio. If you wish to attend the fiera del tartufo in alba you must plan at least 6months prior to the event as hotels sell out well in advance.

To continue the vinicultural tour, head south to the region of Tuscany. This region is home to Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and Super Tuscans such as Sassicaia, among others. Tuscany is a great base for sightseeing, where you can explore the charming towns of Lucca, Siena and the Chianti villages with a private licensed historic guide. In addition to winery visits, soak up some culinary knowledge with a cooking class in an authentic Tuscan kitchen. Top off the trip with a trip to Florence, where you will enjoy a private guided tour of the city, ending at the Accademia museum to see the famous David by Michelangelo in 1501.

For the outdoor enthusiast, head to the Dolomites. This region is home to the southern limestone Alps, a stunning mountain range that is ideal for a plethora of outdoor activities. Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking or rock climbing, the Dolomites will not disappoint. For the history buff, explore the WWI tunnels and mountain huts that were created during the Great War. The front line between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces ran through the Dolomites, and today you can visit the open-air war museums to learn about the history of battle. Continue your trip with a visit to Verona, the town of Romeo and Juliet. Don’t miss the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheater built in the first century, which today hosts concerts, opera and other open-air performances.

For these reasons and more, the fall is an ideal time to visit Italy. Don’t wait, contact the Italian Concierge today to start planning your dream vacation!