Weekend Destinations Students at Universities in Italy Should Try During the Winter

January 24, 2020

Living and studying in Rome means that you are just a few hours away from some of Europe’s top travel destinations. Whether you’re passionate about art, history, or food, there is a wealth of culture just on your doorstep.

Many people think that the best time to travel is during the summer months, and if your dream trip is lying on a beach soaking up the sun, then maybe yes. However, if you really want to soak up the culture Europe has to offer, winter can be the best time to do it. You can benefit from cheap deals on travel and accommodation during these quieter months, and also enjoy destinations without fighting your way through crowds of tourists.

Stroll Through Milan, Europe’s Fashion Capital

Hop on a train heading north of Rome, and you’ll find yourself in Italy’s second biggest city: Milan. The three hour train ride is also a great opportunity to marvel at the vast Italian countryside.

After a few months studying in Rome, you will probably be familiar with the tradition of ‘aperitivo’. ‘Aperitivo’ actually originated in Milan in the 1920s, and the tradition remains essential to Italians across the country. That’s why when visiting Milan, you might want to enjoy a beverage accompanied by some delicious light Italian snacks between the hours of 6pm and 8pm.

Milan is home to some of Italy’s most jaw-dropping architecture, so make sure to check out the gothic architecture of the Duomo di Milan while you’re there. For those interested in fashion, Milan is widely regarded as the fashion capital of Europe. You can explore the stores of Valentino, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and people watch some of the best dressed individuals in Europe.

See the Birthplace of the Renaissance in Florence

Florence is one of the most popular cities for tourists in Italy, and attracts millions of visitors each year. It’s just an hour and a half away from Rome by train, so it’s a must see for those studying at a Rome university. If you don’t have a free weekend, the city is close enough that you can just go for a day trip!

Florence is known to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with impressive architecture against a backdrop of rolling hills. Florence’s buildings are so valued that the city has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The city has a wide selection of museums and galleries, so you can hide from the elements during the colder winter months. Home to Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, and Galileo, there is no shortage of history to discover!

Float Along the Canals in Venice

Venice is another must visit for anyone traveling through Italy. Located in the North East of Italy, you can travel by train which takes just under four hours, or jump on a flight and be there in an hour.

Venice is famous for its canals, and you can still enjoy these during the winter months. Temperatures tend to stay around 8°C, so you can still enjoy a gondola ride through the city. Throughout the winter months, a mist covers the canals, making for a magical and unforgettable experience.

As one of the most visited cities in Italy, going in winter means you can avoid the crowds and truly appreciate everything that Venice has to offer.

Travel from Your Rome University to the Baths in Budapest

If you want to take the opportunity to explore Europe outside of Italy, you may want to travel to Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Students can travel from Rome to Budapest and back for as little as $100, and a flight takes less than two hours.

The city has around 80 geothermal springs, which have been used to create thermal baths for tourists and locals to enjoy and warm up in during the colder months of the year. The Szechenyi Baths in Pest are some of the most popular, with 21 pools of varying temperatures of water. Guests can make their way through the more cooled pools to the natural saunas. These stay open in the winter months and are considerably less crowded.

Tourists can also enjoy a cruise down the Danube River at night. Budapest was once two separate cities, Buda and Pest, separated only by the Danube River.

Enjoy Paris, the City of Lights

Paris is a must see for any traveler or student passing through Europe. The city has a unique culture and history that can only really be appreciated in person.

In the winter, tourists can see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre museum, visit the Sacre Coeur cathedral, the Notre Dame, and enjoy modern art at the Centre Pompidou. Students can also enjoy the hundreds of bars and restaurants the city has to offer.

Are you interested in studying at universities in Italy?

Contact John Cabot University to find out more!

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