Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are the most balanced times to visit. You get moderate weather, manageable crowds, and better pricing compared to peak summer.
Summer (July–August) is the busiest and hottest time. Cities can feel crowded and slow-moving, especially in places like Rome and Florence. Coastal areas are popular, but you’ll need reservations well in advance.
Winter (November–March) is quieter and more affordable, especially in cities. Northern regions are colder, and some coastal or rural areas slow down significantly, but major cities stay active.
Explore Rome’s historic sites, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City. These are spread out but walkable with planning.
Walk through Florence’s historic center, focusing on the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and nearby museums. Everything is relatively close together.
Visit Venice’s canals and neighborhoods, moving between major landmarks like St. Mark’s Square and quieter areas on foot.
Take a train between major cities. High-speed trains connect places like Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice efficiently and are often easier than flying.
Drive through Tuscany or the countryside to access smaller towns, vineyards, and local restaurants that aren’t connected by train.
Visit the Amalfi Coast for coastal views, but plan for slower travel times due to narrow roads and traffic.
Explore Lake Como or Lake Garda for a different landscape—more structured, less crowded than major cities (depending on timing), and easier to navigate.
Italy has several major international airports, and the best one depends on your itinerary.
Direct flights from the U.S. are widely available to Rome and Milan, with seasonal routes to Venice.
If you’re visiting multiple regions, it’s often easier to fly into one city and out of another instead of looping back.
Trains are the most efficient way to travel between major cities. High-speed trains are reliable, comfortable, and reduce the need for a car.
Within cities, walking is often the easiest option, especially in historic centers where driving is restricted.
Public transportation (buses, trams, metro) is available in larger cities like Rome and Milan, though it can be slower than walking in dense areas.
Renting a car is useful for rural regions like Tuscany or for exploring smaller towns that aren’t well connected by train. It’s less practical in major cities due to traffic, restricted zones, and parking limitations.
Power Outlets
Type C, F, and L plugs — bring a universal adapter
Time Zone
Central European Time (CET), 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time
Tipping
Not required in the same way as the U.S. Service is often included, but rounding up or leaving small cash is common
Dining Schedule
Lunch is typically 12:30–2:30 PM, dinner usually starts around 7:30–8:00 PM. Restaurants may close between meals
Water
Tap water is safe to drink, and public fountains are common in cities like Rome
Dress Codes
More structured than in the U.S., especially in cities and restaurants. Comfortable but put-together works best
Reservations
Recommended for restaurants, trains, and major attractions—especially during peak season
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
