Italy in the Fall: The Seven Best Places for Your Vacation

Immerse yourself in the joy of life of the Italians, mingle at festivals, sip the finest rosé, taste regional specialties, and smile at the still shining sun on deserted beaches or recharge while hiking. Beautiful Italy offers varied and wonderful travel destinations for all the senses beyond the crowded summer months. These six destinations have something for every travel heart.

In Bolzano in South Tyrol, you will find pure Alpine romance in the fall. The provincial capital of South Tyrol exudes true autumn mood with its bright orange hills and air that smells of harvested grapes.

Right now, many vintners are enticing with wine tours including tastings. Meat lovers, however, will get their money's worth on the old town tour with an integrated Speck Safari.

For mountain friends, we recommend a guided hike in the Dolomites. Known as the Pale Mountains, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer an impressive color spectacle in the light of the evening sun during the fall.

It's fall, but you still long for a summer vacation? Calabria, Italy's southernmost region, offers dreamy beaches, hidden little coves, and picturesque towns. One of them is Tropea, a town of just under 7,000 residents, built on cliffs, not yet overrun by mass tourism.

This year, Tropea was awarded the 'Village of Villages' prize. The coastal town of Tropea is located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, offers a wind-protected bay, and beach fans can still find optimal conditions in the fall: Thanks to its subtropical climate, the sea remains over 68 degrees Fahrenheit in October. It's not without reason that Calabria is considered the Caribbean of Italy. And if the sea is too rough on a windy fall day, you can immerse yourself in the charm of Tropea's beautiful old town.

Sheltered by the Alps in the north and caressed by warm Mediterranean air, Lake Garda offers a pleasant climate even in the fall. The town of Bardolino has around 7,000 inhabitants, lies on the eastern side of Lake Garda, and impresses with picturesque house facades and excellent wine bars.

The wine town offers not only its excellent rosé wine but also a wine and olive oil museum. For 34 years, the Festa de Novello has taken place here at the beginning of November. It's a small festival at the harbor in Bardolino. The reason for the festivities is the 1987 DOC certification awarded to Bardolino Novello. Celebrated with new wine and regional specialties, it's La Dolce Vita at its purest!

Are you a truffle fan? Then head to Alba in the fall. The city, with its population of about 30,000, is located in the northwestern Italian region of Piedmont and is surrounded by extensive vineyards inviting extended walks. Alba is globally renowned for its white Alba truffle.

The truffle season begins in mid-September and extends at times into January. Therefore, the entire fall is full of culinary festivals around the world's most expensive food. There are even travel offers where you can accompany truffle hunters and their dogs. From truffle honey to truffle butter, visits to hazelnut producers and vintners: Alba offers you the whole range of culinary delights.

Rome is the ultimate tourist magnet. The city is home to three million residents, yet 15 million tourists visit Italy's capital every year. That's why traveling to Rome in the fall is especially recommended.

The city is not as crowded, and there's a calmer atmosphere than in the hot summer months. In the fall, the Eternal City, as Rome is also called, is bathed in golden light, and your vacation photos will no longer be marred by crowds covering the subject.

The university city of Bologna, with over 390,000 residents, boasts more than 40 museums, a medieval cityscape, and Europe's oldest university. No wonder it is also called 'La Dotta,' the learned one. Bologna is also at the forefront of the culinary scene, as it is considered the home of tortellini, and the mortadella should definitely be tried as well.

In the fall, the city transforms into a hotspot for jazz enthusiasts. From October 28 to November 16, the city hosts the Bologna Jazz Festival with countless concerts, and entire streets are turned into dance floors.

The grape harvest in Tuscany begins - depending on the weather and grape variety - at the end of August and lasts until October. The smell of must is in the air at the wineries, everywhere are baskets filled with grapes, and the vineyards glow gold due to the changing leaves. Is there a better reason to travel to Tuscany?

The region is also famous for its enchanting towns nestled in the picturesque hillscape and brimming with sights. One of these towns is Siena - the capital of the province of the same name and considered one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany.

Since 1995, the old town has belonged to the UNESCO World Heritage list, extending around the city's most important square: Piazza del Campo, which looks a bit like a shell from above. From there, you can discover highlights such as the Cathedral dominated by black and white marble, the 102-meter-high bell tower Torre del Mangia, the former pilgrim's hospice Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala, and the fountains.

By the way: You can even go underground. Siena has a tunnel system with a 25-kilometer-long path that has brought water to Siena's houses since the 12th century. It can be visited upon request in spring and fall.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.