Paestum is one of the best places in Italy to see Greek ruins. For information on renting a car, including rental car fees, drop fees, and things to know ahead of time, take a look at our article Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Europe. Spend the remainder of the day in Sorrento. If you have seen photos of Puglia, most likely you have seen Polignano al Mare. Before making a decision to stay in Positano, check hotel prices and make sure you are OK with the increased travel times to get here and around the Amalfi Coast on the day trips. Morning fog in the vineyards and autumn light make it a good time for photographers to visit.Post-harvest, stop in a winery to sample local wines. Verona with kids Verona is one of my favorite cities to visit in Italy with kids, well able to keep them busy even on a rainy day! Rent a whole house and have a beautiful view of Castelmezzano. Train Travel: To travel from city to city, train fares range from $15 to $65, depending on the distance traveled and the speed of the train. Visiting Italy in October: all you need to know to plan a trip! Towns to consider include Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. Hiring a driver for the day is another popular way to visit the Amalfi Coast. You can avoid the 5 fee by using Trenitalia.com, but this website is more difficult to use. Small centers with a strong Franciscan vocation are likely to have special festivals or markets to mark the occasion. Locals gather in piazzas for sagre and wine festivals, and were all squeezing in the last few outdoor meals before chillier weather arrives. is a writer for TPG and TPG UK covering travel, news, points and miles and more. Capri is easily accessible from Sorrento and Positano by ferry. Serious truffle enthusiasts (or simply hungry travelers) should plan to stop at the Truffle Festival (October 9 to December 5, 2021) in Alba, a town famous for the rare funghi. November 1st is a national holiday. The villages and their wonderful food will be, however, well able to keep you busy in October too! Our apartment was spotless, quiet, and very comfortable. Its better to take the ferry. It is a 5-minute drive from Castelmezzano. And, with Europes many discount airlines competing for your s, you may find excellent deals. Youll be there for the olive oil harvest check out Italys oldest olive trees (some are over 1000 years old!). Each one adds 3 days to this itinerary. Mount Vesuvius sees the snow on the peak from time to time, making the scenery magical and unbelievable. In January, you can also find snow on the Etna Volcano, which makes the nearby city of Catania incredibly beautiful. Regional trains can take twice the length of time to cover the same distance as a high-speed train, and cost half as much, but you will be sacrificing sightseeing time. It last erupted in 1944. Rent a car (or hire a driver!) Purchase a guidebook that is for sale at ticket booth to get the most out of your visit. If you are active and adventurous, one of the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast is hike the Path of the Gods. Please send me information and pricing on your 10 day southern Italy road trip. October in Tuscany evokes long walks in hilltop towns followed by dinners in local restaurants indulging in local wine and a platter of cheese. To get from Naples to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, you have a few options. With three additional days, you can add on southern Puglia. If you have less than 10 days, it gets very hard to shorten this itinerary. This means that you can head up into these hills to see the changing leaves and enjoy some beautiful autumn hikes. This page contains affiliate links. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Weve visited plenty of times in October. Guests can go hiking in the park, drive 10 minutes to the beach or visit the nearby medieval town of Cefal. The towns in Puglia are relatively small so it is possible to visit two or three on a day trip from Alberobello. While not traditionally an Italian holiday, Halloween has well and truly arrived as a festivity, especially for kids. You can still visit markets, have a seafood meal, and enjoy the towns. Best Places To Visit in October But the Veneto region offers a lot more than just Venice. This itinerary is written as a 10-day road trip with two options to add on 3 more days to visit different areas of Puglia. I would like to leave June 13. There are numerous ways to plan your day trip to the Amalfi Coast towns. Also known as the Dolomites, the Italian Alps are located in the northern Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy. We followed the guide in Rick Steves Guide Book, which was sufficient, but I think we would have gotten more out of our visit if we took a guided tour. If you want to put together an epic trip through Italy where you visit both southern and northern Italy, including the popular spots in central Italy (Florence, Tuscany, Rome, etc. After a long, hot summer (and they always are) in Italy, were ready for things to cool off! Crowds are smaller (but not non-existent) and food and wine festivals are plentiful. See all Venice must-see sites, making the most of the slightly smaller crowds. Also, some of the cities are perfect for a trip, such as Rome, Milan, Turin, or The Quarry Resort is located in Sassi di Matera and looks out over Murgia Materana Park. The mild October weather makes exploring the town and hiking in the natural parks a pleasant experience much more so than in the heat of summer. Spend the middle part of the day exploring this beautiful town. Average temperaturesare usually around 17 C (63F). Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano on the mainland of Italy. White Truffle Festival . Ultimate Southern Italy Road Trip Itinerary: 2023 Guide To visit Mount Vesuvius, purchase your ticket online in advance (and if you will have a car, purchase your parking pass online in advance). A month of transition, October looks very different in the north of Italy and the South and the type of experience you are going to have will depend largely on your exact destination. It is closer to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast so you will have less travel time today. Travel time by train ranges from one to three hours, depending on the speed of the train. If you are a truffle addict, you should really be thankful Check out our posts:Best Things to Do in Florence + What to Skip Where to Stay in FlorenceThings to Do in Tuscany. Start in Locorotondo, which is just a 15-minute drive from Alberobello. A scarf will also come in handy in October. You can learn what makes October in Rome special here. Plus, with the alternating license plate program, you will be limited to which days you can drive here. If you can get to Puglia be early October, youll probably have some beach weather for the kids. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, on Visiting Italy in October: all you need to know (2022 update). At the end of the itinerary, we list two ways to extend your time in Puglia. If youre looking for something specific, check out the Table of Contents below so you can jump ahead to what youre looking for. View all stories. This itinerary can be done all year, but we think the best time to do it is in May, June, September, and October, when the weather is pleasant and crowds arent at peak levels. Villages to check out include: You can day-trip to many of the villages from Florence, or base yourself in the countryside If you visit in late October, you may be able to participate in the olive oil harvest. I always recommend booking advance tickets to popular museums and sites:The Last Supper (Milan)The Uffizi Gallery (Florence)The Accademia (Florence)The Colosseum (Rome)The Vatican Museums (Rome), Weather its the number one thing people ask me about when theyre thinking of visiting in October. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Its time to bid farewell to the Amalfi Coastbut in my opinion, the best places are still to come. Three Days in Sorrento, Italy | Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast, How to Travel from Rome to Sorrento, Capri & the Amalfi Coast, 10 Days in Italy Itinerary: 5 Amazing Ideas for Your Trip to Italy, 15 Beautiful Places to Visit in Puglia, Italy. Its a nice time to visit outdoor sites (like the Temple of Apollo in Siracusa and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento) without the summer heat! From where we live in the USA, it is much easier for us to find direct flights to Rome versus Naples. Its also more expensive than Sorrento. candice[at]mominitaly[dot]com. Expect more rain and cooler temperatures in the evening. Wonderful things to do in Venice in October include: They come in several forms, with meat/fish/seafood/vegetables and they are a wonderful excuse to sit indoors and have a rest when the sun starts to go down or rain threatens to ruin your plans. This B&B also gets exceptional reviews. 6. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The reason Cala Gonone qualified as one of our best Italian coastal towns for couples is that it is the adjacent town to some of the most beautiful beaches on Sardinia. Whats Going On:The celebrations are focused on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Assisi, in Umbria. Plus, there's nothing more relaxing than the beautiful reflection of leaves changing tones in the rippling lake waters. Please note:this is a seasonal travel guide about Italy in October, meant to help you decide the best time of the year for your visit. Plus, when you are ready to pick up your rental car at the end of this section of the itinerary, you can do so in Sorrento. Not only do you get to avoid the traffic on the roads, but you can also relax on the boat, sip on prosecco, enjoy the views, and zip up and down the Amalfi Coast faster than any car, bus, or ferry. Central Italycan go either way in October sunny days or scattered rain showers. It is famous for its coastal cliffs and beaches. The open cellars initiative involves wineries all over the region and is a great opportunity to go wine tasting in Tuscany with kids. Theyll point you in the direction of the best ones which are often the small ones that are only advertised with paper signs on the walls of surrounding towns. After the summer heat (that extends into September), the entire peninsula gets a dose of mild weather and occasional rain showers. Book in advance if planning on traveling at that time. End your trip by visiting a few more towns in Puglia before heading home. MID-RANGE CAVE HOTEL: B&B Al Convento. Trying to decide when to visit Italy? This southern Italy itinerary includes some of Italys most popular places to visit as well as some hidden gems. Travel time from Naples to Positano can be as quick as an hour and fifteen minutes (by private driver or by car) or as long as two to three hours (Campania Express train + bus, ferry, or driver). Temperatures in January in southern Italy are all about 7 C to 12C (44F to 53F). Tonight, you will sleep in Castelmezzano. Although you may have a rainy or cool day, it's still possible to have some sunshine (maybe even beach weather) well into autumn along this southern Italian rugged coastline. Just for fun! At this time, I love to base myself in Bolzano and explore locally. ), then you can combine this southern Italy itinerary with the 10-day itinerary that includes Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre and Venice. If you come to hike the trails (which most visitors do), you risk missing out due to trail closures and rainy muddy trails. Make sure you pack rain gear, as showers are likely in October. But the lake region, which is in the north of the country, is home to some of the largest and most beautiful. At the beginning of this trip, you can add 2 days in Rome. The best places to visit in Tuscany in October are: Find here >>> our complete guide to Tuscany in the fall. Even if you dont want to spend time at the beach, its a wonderful time of year to be in Puglia with kids. But you will have a choice to make: pick up the rental car the first day of this itinerary (at the arrival airport) or pick it up in Sorrento just before driving to Castelmezzano. These can be great fun for kids find here >>> a list of kid-friendly pumpkin patches in Italy. Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites Here are a few tours of Pompeii, some of which include your transportation from Sorrento. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Check out our Venice posts:16 Best Things to Do in VeniceVenice at NightVenice With Kids. If youre traveling long distances, look into flying. Finally, taking a tour is another popular way to day trip to the Amalfi Coast. Here are a few recommended hotels. You can see a longer list at the end of our article Best Things to Do in Matera. Will you be alone in Piazza San Marco in October? If you start the zipline experience from Castelmezzano around 10:30 am, you will finish around 12:30 pm. This is where we stayed in Matera. Polignano al Mare is located on the coast, just a 30-minute drive from Alberobello. You can actually head out in the forest (a gorgeous plethora of autumn-hued trees) to forage for them, or simply enjoy these seasonal delights at restaurants. Day 1: Getting to Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast Day 2: Pompeii and Sorrento Day 3: Amalfi Coast day trip Day 4: Capri Day 5: Paestum & Castelmezzano Day 6: Castelmezzano & Matera Day 7: Matera Day 8: Alberobello Day 9: Puglia day trip from Alberobello Day 10: Fly home, Southern Italy Itinerary map (map adapted from Google). We have so many cool places to share with you. Home to three ancient Greek temples dating back to 450 BC, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is often an overlooked destination in Italy. All Saints Day, on November 1st, is the celebration of, you guessed it, all saints. If youd like to visit during the Festa di San Francesco, its best to book your accommodation early. The weather is hit and miss and you will have less daylight hours than if you came in the spring. From Rome, take the train to Naples. A visit here typically lasts two to three hours. 2022-2023 | All rights reserved | Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions Italy's most romanticised region, Tuscany is tailor-made for art-loving bon vivants. There are fewer route options in October than during the high-season months, but youll still have quite a few options. Its still fairly warm in Italy in October during the day, but the evenings can be chilly, and they definitely are up north. Thanks to the lovely autumn weather in Italy in October, visitors can enjoy many places in the country that Outside of the busy summer time, in October you will be able to visit Sicilys stunning archaeological sites without melting in its torrid sun and you will still be able to enjoy beautiful sea views. And where should you go on a day trip to the Amalfi Coast? While the weather is never guaranteed in October in Italy, this is a reasonably good time to visit with kids. You will be choosing between southern Puglia and northern Puglia. 10 Most Romantic Italian Coastal Towns for Couples For this southern Italy itinerary, you will get around by rental car and possibly by train, ferry, bus and/or private driver on the Amalfi Coast. Finally, taking a tour is another popular way to day trip to the Amalfi Coast. You really can't go wrong with a visit anywhere in Italy this autumn, but there are some spots that may be just a little more beautiful than others. Its a wonderful time to be at the beach in Puglia because the summer crowds have disappeared and you may have an entire beach club to yourselves. I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to Italy in October. Our family starts heading back out to some of the more popular towns that we take a break from during the busy summer (San Gimignano, Chianti towns).We do see more rain in Florence in October, so you may have fewer playground visits, but there are museums with kids programs and other indoor activities (like cooking school) to keep kids engaged and entertained. You will stay in Matera for two nights. The best October destinations for good weather and natural beauty. Have drinks with a view at Crialoss Bistrot or the Quarry Resort Lounge and then have dinner. Your goal for today is to get to your hotel in Sorrento or on the Amalfi Coast. From Alberobello, it takes one hour to drive here. Tuscany with kids October has the perfect temperature for hilltop town hopping with kids. I recommend checking both DiscoverCars.com or AutoEurope.com and the individual car rental companies for the best prices and vehicle availability. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you want to extend your visit in Puglia, here are two options. In October, Italy typically sees mild temperatures and sunshine. Some hotels also start to close its their break before the busy winter season begins. Some themed events are organized in city museums and parks and costumes (any theme, not just scary ones) are encouraged. Florence with kids always lovely with children but way too hot in summer. This is going to have quite the range. Dive into the Greek era in the Temple Valley (Sicily) What: the so-called Temple Valley is a large archeological park located Let them witness the olive harvest, join a mozzarella-making class, and visit Puglias unique towns like Alberobello and Ostuni. Bring close-toed shoes with good tread. If youre looking for beach weather, head south to Puglia and Sicily. Doing This Itinerary in the Opposite Direction, Day 1: Getting to Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast, How to Travel from Rome to Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast. Today, you will drive to the region of Basilicata and you have the option to add on Paestum, another important archaeological site in Italy. If you choose to stay in Positano, rent your car at your arrival airport (you will not be able to rent a car in Positano). You may not have heard of these towns before, but they could be one of the most memorable places you visit on this itinerary. Sandals can be tempting, but youll want your toes covered on cooler evenings. Kochia flowers in Hitachi Seaside Park, Hitachinaka (Shutterstock) If youre willing to embrace autumn, rather than fight it, then travel to Japans Kanto region to see some spectacularly colourful leaves. In the morning, visit Pompeii. The area, which borders Switzerland, is known for skiing -- and you may actually be able to at the end of November when a few of the ski lifts open for the season. This property gets decent reviews but it is a good option for those who dont want to spend a lot of money on a hotel in Matera. Best Times to Visit Sicily | U.S. News Travel The problem is the rain. If youre not interested in winter sports, Rome is an excellent option for families visiting Italy in December. Rental car fees change constantly so I cant predict which one will be cheaper for your trip. Things to do in Italy in October. These range from small group boat tours to tours that include both a drive on the Amalfi Coast and a quick boat ride, like this very highly rated tour. Furthermore, they only sell 50 tickets for each 10-minute time slot. But autumn is one of the best times to explore this Mediterranean country as you'll encounter fewer tourists while admiring the foliage change and you can enjoy the local wine and food harvest festivals. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. The mild weather is perfect for sightseeing and the bright sky of this season, with the occasional cloud coverage, always strikes me as the perfect backdrop for Tuscanys Medieval and Renaissance gems. We had a wonderful lunch at Osteria Piazzetta Cattedral. Naples International Airport is more convenient. Then follow our instructions above about traveling from Naples to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, or read our guide about How to Get to the Amalfi Coast. Read more about the city in our Complete Guide to Visiting Matera. Lets get started. You get one of the best views of Matera from this park. Be prepared for rain. Make sure you have layers! In fact, the country has special highlights year-round, like the summer beach scene, mild winters and blossoming springs. You will spend two nights in Alberobello. It is located on Via Roma, in Castelmezzano, so it has a great location if you prefer to stay in town. For dinner, we recommend Al Becco della Civetta (a Michelin-starred restaurant with great views of the town). Spend your first few days on the Amalfi Coast, visiting Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, and several Amalfi Coast towns. Especially if going towards the end of the month, double-check the schedule for ferries if you are counting on going to the islands and be prepared for the occasional rainy day. October is a quiet month for holidays in Italy. Attractions that need advance booking are: Last Supper (Milan) The Last Supper tends to book out quickly. Sorrento is the most convenient town. Dont miss some of my favorites: October on the Amalfi Coast brings pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. You will have most of a day here, which means that you can thoroughly explore Alberobello. I cant predict the weather, but I can tell you that the weather in Italy in October is generally pleasant and doesnt interfere with exploring the country. Both of them are beautiful to visit and fun to explore. Meals: Meals cost $10 to $30 per dish, depending on the restaurant. Plus, there's nothing like walking along the Tiber on a brisk autumn morning. This southern Italy itinerary is a point-to-point trip. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, all of Romes beautiful piazzas will be easy to visit and the crowds will be large but not as overwhelming as at other times. in October Kids dress up in the evening (but not at school).Triora, in Liguria, is known as the city of witches (and the Ligurian Salem) because of the 1800s interrogation of over 300 women that were accused of witchcraft. In terms of clothing, October is a time for long pants, long sleeve shirts and light jackets although in the central hours of the day, especially in the South, you may get temperatures so mild to allow for short sleeves. Many popular destinations (like the Blue Grotto of Capri) see a dramatic reduction in tourists in October. While these Italian lakes are popular summer vacation destinations, autumn sees less action, even though you can still enjoy boat rides, lakeside strolls and the general ambience of peace and tranquillity well into autumn or even early winter. Besides seeing the autumn colors, Italy's seasons are often marked by specific foods and wine, so make sure to enjoy all of these culinary delights when visiting this autumn, too. In this case, it could be cheaper to return the rental car to your starting point. Rooms can accommodate two people and breakfast is included. It is challenging to get around Basilicata and Puglia without a car since public transportation is limited in this part of Italy. The official website provides opening times, costs, the link to purchase your entry ticket, the link to purchase your parking pass, directions to the parking areas, how to get there via a combination of train + taxi or train + bus, etc. Take a boat tour to see the cliffs and sea caves, stroll through the town, spend some time on the beach, and dine in a cave. During the summer months (July and August), southern Italy will be hot and the Amalfi Coast will be packed with tourists. Before leaving Paestum, grab a bite to eat. Traveling by car gives you the most freedom, but can be pricey by the time you add up the rental cost, gas, tolls, and parking. But you need to have patience, as buses rarely run on schedule, are often crowded, and get stuck in traffic jams along Amalfi Drive. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If going to Italy in October, you can easily enjoy Rome at its best. Nearby Pompeii is much more pleasant without the crowds and heat of the summer months. Octobers an excellent time to go to Italy the weather is mild and pleasant, which is nice for sightseeing and the occasional outdoor meal. While you, Youre hoping to hit the ski slopes. You will have to price out both of these options. Best Places to Visit Best Places to Travel in October From Castelmezzano, it takes an hour and fifteen minutes to drive to Matera (85 km). If you plan to stay on the Amalfi Coast (for example, at Positano), the best way to get there is to drive, hire a driver, or take the train to Sorrento and from Sorrento, take the bus, hire a driver, or take the ferry.