When to Go

When to Go

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Tuscany, when the weather is mild and the volume of tourists comparatively low. In summer try to start your days early and hit major sights first -- that way you'll beat the crowds and the often-oppressive midday heat. Rising early isn't hard, as Tuscany is not about late nights; most restaurants and bars close well before midnight. Come winter, you'll meet with rain and chill. It's not a bad time to visit the cities -- museums and monuments are uncrowded, and locals fill the restaurants. In the countryside, though, many restaurants and hotels close in November and reopen in the spring.