HOW IS THE WEATHER AND WHEN TO VISIT ITALY?

. Like most of Western Europe, early spring and autumn are the best times to visit and travel around Italy.

. Northern Italy (Milan, Bologna, Verona and Venice) looks totally stunning in spring, its winters are mild and occasionally very foggy, while summer is hot, dry and humid.

. Southern Italy has warm, dry weather in September. The climate is almost always sunnier than northern Italy. July and August can be very hot and humid.

. The best months to visit the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Verona, Bologna, Naples and the Amalfi Coast (in Southern Italy) are November or March.

. The most crowded periods are Easter, May and June, October and Christmas. July and August have become less crowded in recent years, but the summer can be fun despite uncomfortable heat.

In the Apennines and Alps, winters are long and cold, while summers are short and cool. The ski season can last from December to April.

. Summer is Italy's high season when the country is at its busiest.

. If you want to go shopping, consider that many shops and restaurants close in late August when their owners go on holiday.

. Easter, Christmas, and other religious holidays are busy times for Italy and the larger cities and towns put up their prices during these occasions.

. For best value, late spring and early autumn are the optimum times to visit Italy, with the weather at its mildest and the crowds at a minimum.