Italy has officially earned its place as the top destination for American travelers in 2024 and 2025, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the US Tour Operators Association. But honestly, with its stunning villages, Renaissance masterpieces, ancient ruins, and irresistible lifestyle, it’s no wonder everyone seems to be flocking there.
From the Etruscans to the Romans, Byzantines, and beyond, each civilization has left its unique mark, turning Italy into an open-air museum of architecture and history. And in summer, the country’s relaxed vibe hits its peak piazzas bustle, beaches fill with umbrellas, and life feels like a perpetual celebration.
As Ruben Santopietro, CEO of Visit Italy, puts it, “Italy doesn’t ask you to be a tourist; it invites you to feel something. It’s where chaos meets elegance, where a quiet mountain village can be as powerful as an opera at La Scala. You can visit ten times and still find new old treasures. Italy doesn’t entertain you; it transforms you.”
While most travelers stick to popular spots, a recent study by TourismA shows that these cities only cover about 1% of Italy’s vast territory. So, why not explore more of the country this summer? Here are some of the best ways to see the other 99%.
Experience history at Siena’s Palio, a medieval horse race held on July 2 and August 16, or indulge in culture during Milan Fashion Week and Verona’s opera season. Sports lovers can catch the Giro d’Italia from May 9 to June 1, or visit the Imola and Milan Formula One Grand Prix races in spring and late summer.
Pro tip: With over 30 million pilgrims expected at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome during the Jubilee year, the city will be overcrowded. To enjoy Rome without the crowds, visit from October to March, avoiding Easter, December 8’s Immaculate Conception, Christmas, and January 6’s Epiphany.
For a peaceful escape, head to the Dolomites. This mountain range across Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia offers spectacular skiing and hiking without the throngs found in Rome, Florence, or Venice.
Fiorenza Lipparini of YesMilano notes, “Limited time is an issue. There are no close international airports and accommodations are scarce in these small villages.”
And of course, no trip to Italy is complete without tasting its regional cuisines. In Rome, try pasta alla carbonara at Da Teo in Trastevere or cacio e pepe at Felice a Testaccio. In Florence, indulge in a bistecca alla fiorentina at Trattoria Mario. Venice offers cicchetti small seafood or meat bites at Bar All’Arco. And in Milan, savor ossobuco and saffron risotto at Trattoria Masuelli San Marco.
In short, Italy isn’t just a destination it’s an experience that keeps surprising and transforming every visitor. So, whether it’s your first visit or tenth, the country’s timeless charm makes it feel like everyone is there right now.
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