September Holidays in Italy

Rome is busy throughout the year, but it can get especially hectic during the summer months. In September, some of the crowds begin to clear, and you'll have more space when you visit top attractions like the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica. There are churches filled with breathtaking renaissance art around every corner, and you can stop off at one of the many on-street cafes for a traditional gelato.

A favourite holiday destination of many northern Italians, the Dolomites are a mountain range with scenic trails for hiking and cycling. There are also lakes for fishing and swimming and many pretty villages that serve tasty dishes such as pumpkin ravioli and polenta with venison.

Not far from the Dolomites is the cosmopolitan city of Milan. It's one of the fashion capitals of the world, and you can shop 'till you drop at Milan's many designer stores. As well as the big-name fashion outlets, there are Michelin-starred restaurants and stunning architecture with buildings like the huge Duomo cathedral.

A series of colourful villages set into the hillsides, Cinque Terre is still warm well into September. In each village, steep steps lead down to beautiful harbours where you can watch the world go by, or take a boat tour up and down the coast to see the beautiful scenery of the area.