WITHER WINTER?

Should you plan a winter city break to Italy in spite of the cold and short daylight hours? Family physician and society personality Iroshini Chua recommends taking advantage of the low tourist traffic to enjoy the best of the popular cities of Venice and Florence.

- Iroshini Chua

On the back of the global travel resurgence, many are already planning their next vacation. Especially in tourist hotspots like the major European cities, demand for hotel rooms have sky-rocketed, while air tickets are getting snapped up quickly. Unless you’re gunning for a ski or snow-based getaway, the choices for a year-end trip to the continent aren’t great. The main gripe is, of course, the gloomier weather and short daylight hours.

However, Iroshini Chua discovered the charms of a quieter, sleepier but more intimate Italy during her family driving holiday last December. Travelling with her family, she flew into Milan and covered a regional itinerary that included Venice and Florence.

“Winter is devoid of the heaving crowds in popular destinations. You can explore the cities at a slower pace like a local and have a truly immersive experience. In December, there is always the magic of Christmas with fairy lights everywhere and street festivities,” she says, adding that nearby mountains such as the Dolomites, where she had also visited, are perfect for those who want to squeeze a little action in. “Snow-capped mountains and skiing activities are only a few hours away. The spectacular cloudless sunsets alone during this time of the year are worth the journey!”

Here, she spotlights the joys of winter travel in Venice and Florence, and how best to take advantage of the season.

VENICE