Enjoy reliable snow coverage across the Dolomiti Superski circuit and, on clear days, the famous enrosadira alpenglow at its most spectacular.

While the north of Italy is rather icy, its southern regions enjoy streaming sunshine and virtually no crowds. It’s also peak blood orange season in Sicily, its markets overflowing with scrumptious fruit.

January is one of the few months of the year when Rome’s major sights aren’t filled with tourists, though the Colosseum still requires advance booking.

Acqua alta, the high tides that flood Venice’s lower streets, is at its most dramatic. It’s rather amazing to witness but be sure to pack suitable footwear.

Taking place in the two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday (this can fall in late January), the Venice Carnival is a spectacle of note with elaborate costumes and processions. Do be aware that the crowds are immense.

Soak up the first signs of spring as almond trees blossom in clouds of white and pale pink, especially glorious against the ancient Greek temples in Agrigento.

Skiing in the Dolomites is wonderful with reliable snow and rapidly longer days. Traversing the Sella Ronda circuit is one of Europe’s skiing greats.

Bathed in beautiful spring light, Rome is a joy in March with manageable crowds (compared to summer) at its most iconic sights. The Roman artichoke season also begins and you can enjoy them served up in every imaginable way.

Still free of the summer rush, the Amalfi Coast is genuinely lovely with fragrant herbs filling the air along the ‘path of the gods’ and dazzling views.

Sardinia’s interior is enveloped by springtime blooms and hiking trails reveal stunning landscapes as golden eagles soar overhead.

The Tuscan countryside is a patchwork of colour and cycling through the Chianti hills, stopping for olive oil tastings and a glass of wine, is simply sublime.

As the snow recedes in Gran Paradiso National Park, the Alpine ibex descend to lower meadows and are often seen near to hiking trails.

Italy’s major lakes are on top form with idyllic scenery and shimmering views, perfect for cycling and boating excursions.

Sicily is carpeted in wildflowers, its coastal waters are exceedingly swimmable and Mount Etna usually opens for the first walks of the year.

Enjoy the marine life of the Ligurian Sea, which includes the enthralling blue whales as well as fin whales and striped dolphins.

Italy’s lakes are at their most beautiful, surrounded by ethereal gardens, and island-hopping is possible for the first time since winter.

The Cinque Terre’s coastal paths offer incredible, sunlit views of the sea below and it’s usually warm enough for a dip.

In late May (and into early June), evenings in Central Italy are turned into a light show, put on entirely by nature. Wherever you are, watch fireflies zoom through the fragrant, balmy air.

From mid-May, the Dolomites’ hiking trails begin to open along with the hillside rifugi (mountain huts) – and they’re still pretty crowd-free.

Led by expert marine biologists, daily whale and dolphin-watching excursions run from Portofino and the Cinque Terre.

By June, the snow has cleared from most of the via ferrata (fixed routes) in the Dolomites, surrounded by picturesque meadows and peaks.

The Puglia Coast is rather glorious with golden light shimmering on the Adriatic, which is warm enough for a swim, followed by a tasty plate of seafood.

By July, all high mountain rifugi (mountain huts) are open, as are the via ferrata routes, making this one of the most rewarding months for hiking in the Dolomites.

Mount Etna puts on quite a show, best enjoyed during dawn or midnight climbs, while boating between Sicily’s Aeolian Islands is wonderfully scenic.

This is a fantastic month for watching the gravity-defying antics of ibex in Gran Paradiso National Park as golden eagles soar above.

15 August marks Ferragosto, Italy’s great national holiday, when major cities empty out as locals make a beeline for the coast or mountains. Expect lots of closures, jam-packed beaches and a unique atmosphere.

Enjoy Sardinia’s quieter beaches, which are idyllic for swimming, snorkelling and sailing on the sky-blue water.

While the trails are at their busiest, hiking in the Dolomites is absolutely stunning with shimmering lakes and towering peaks – the light and lack of tourists is especially good at dawn.

From Sicily to Tuscany, September means Italy’s Grape Harvest begins in earnest, along with plenty of celebrations. Enjoy ‘working stays’, spending mornings picking and afternoons with the winemaker in the cellar.

The Amalfi Coast is in tip-top condition with shimmering sea views, balmy waters and thinning crowds.

Autumn brings a distinctive beauty to Italy’s lakes, the water turning a deep cobalt-blue, chestnut trees beginning to turn and delightful villa gardens.

October marks white truffle season in and around Piedmont where mornings involve joining a truffle hunt and dishes only get more delicious.

From the vales of Tuscany to the lofty Dolomites, Italy is dressed in its very best autumn colours and everything becomes rather photogenic.

Visit the medieval hill city of Perugia to indulge in the creations of its Eurochocolate Festival, which takes over the centro storico for a week in October.

Rome is especially lovely in autumn with fewer crowds, unique food markets and cooler evenings.

Venice in November promises a unique experience as the acqua alta flooding is in full force, the fog rolls in and crowds are nearly non-existent.

The south is rather lovely at this time of year. Enjoy Puglia’s olive harvest and people-free wanderings, or admire the temples and cathedrals of Sicily.

With cooler temperatures and a lull in tourists, sightseeing in Rome is a real pleasure.

If you’re in the mood for mulled wine and strudel, peruse the Christmas markets of South Tyrol – they’re rather enchanting.

Wonderfully free of crowds and with plenty of sunshine, this is a perfect time to explore the sights of Sicily.

A delightful, festive time for skiing in the Dolomites, December brings good snow but fewer crowds than later in the season.