Italy is the grand tour that never disappoints: Rome layered with empires, Florence and the Renaissance, the canals of Venice, the vineyards of Tuscany and the lemon-scented drama of the Amalfi Coast — with the world's most beloved food at every stop.
A week does the classic trio; two lets you slow down. Here's our short brief on timing and route.
Best time to go
April – JuneSpring — warm, green and glorious before the summer crowds and heat.
September – OctoberAutumn — harvest season, still warm, softer crowds; ideal for Tuscany and the cities.
July – AugustHot and busy, and the cities empty in August as locals head to the coast.
What not to miss
RomeThe Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican and a coin in the Trevi Fountain.
Florence & TuscanyRenaissance art, the Duomo, and vineyard hill towns like Siena and San Gimignano.
VeniceCanals, St Mark's and getting happily lost in the back lanes at dawn.
Amalfi CoastPositano, Ravello and a boat to Capri along the cliff-hung coast.
The foodRegion by region — carbonara in Rome, bistecca in Florence, pizza in Naples.
Visas & entry
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Malaysians and many nationalities visit visa-free for up to 90 days (with ETIAS rolling out); others need a Schengen visa. We'll confirm and help you prepare.
Visa & OCI servicesPractical tips
- Book the Vatican, the Colosseum and the Uffizi ahead — skip-the-line tickets save hours.
- Fast trains link Rome, Florence and Venice in a couple of hours — far better than flying.
- Cover shoulders and knees for churches, including St Peter's.
- Coffee is drunk standing at the bar; a cappuccino after mid-morning marks you as a tourist (but no one minds).
