The classic tourist routine - breakfast followed by a full day of sightseeing and an early dinner - is no longer the smartest way to experience Italy. Because, with summer temperatures in cities like Rome, Milan and Florence regularly topping 40C, the relentless heat can mean an exhausting holiday.
So why not do as the locals do, and embrace Italy's natural rhythm? Instead of baking under the sun, spend the hottest hours enjoying a leisurely lunch, visiting an air-conditioned museum or simply slowing down. Then, as dusk falls, from the traditional evening passeggiata, when families gather in squares and restaurants spill onto the streets, Italy comes alive. Monuments glow under dramatic lighting and evening e-bike tours, food walks and after-dark visits mean exploring in cooler temperatures and with fewer crowds.
There is no doubt that climate change is reshaping travel, but it also offers an opportunity to travel better. Those who insist on sightseeing through the hottest part of the day will remember the heat. Those who swap midday queues for moonlit streets will never forget their Italy holiday. And want to return.
Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor
