Destinations

March is when Greece turns: Clean Monday on 15 March 2027, the Independence Day parade on the 25th, the clocks forward on the 28th, and the islands starting to reopen. Athens at 16C on winter prices.

February is the quietest month in Greece and the start of Apokries carnival – which in 2027 runs late, because Orthodox Easter falls on 2 May. Athens at 14C, free state sites on the 7th, islands still shut.

January is the cheapest month in Greece: Athens at 13C with no queue at the Acropolis, free state sites on the first Sunday, the Epiphany blessing of the waters – and most of the Cyclades closed until Easter.

November is Italy wettest month and its best eating month: white truffles in Alba, new olive oil in Tuscany, free state museums on 7 November, and the art cities emptier than at any time since February.

August is when Italy goes on holiday: the coast at peak price and peak crowd, the cities half shut and half empty. Ferragosto on 15 August 2027, the Palio on the 16th, and where the month actually works.

July is Italy hottest and driest month: Rome at 31-33C with almost no rain, the Palio di Siena on the 2nd, the summer sales from the 3rd, and a coastline that finally works if you plan the day around the sun.

April 2027 has no Easter crowd – Easter falls on 28 March – and both 25 April and 1 May land at the weekend. Rome near 19C, the coast reopened, and Milan sold out for Design Week 12-18 April.

Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027 – the same day the clocks go forward – so Italy March has three cheap quiet weeks and then Holy Week. Rome, Florence, what reopens and what it costs.

February is Italy last cheap month: empty art cities, the best snow of the winter, almond blossom in Sicily – and the Carnevale di Venezia from 30 January to 9 February 2027.

January is the cheapest and emptiest month in Italy cities: Rome at 12C, free state museums on 3 January, the winter sales from the 5th – and most of the coast closed until Easter.