Travel to Sardinia, Corsica & Puglia: Discover the Mediterranean’s hidden gems

In our opinion, the best time to travel to Sardinia, Italy, is as soon as possible. The weather on the island is mild and pleasant year-round, with average highs ranging from the upper 50s F in winter to the upper 80s F in summer. Even in the winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing, so there’s never a bad time to go. Locals and travelers flock to Sardinia’s welcoming beaches in the summer, while winter months are cooler (with temperatures hovering in the mid- to high 50s F) but less crowded. If you want the best of both worlds—warm seas and fewer people—visit in the shoulder season from May to June or September to October.

When you travel to Sardinia, you may notice that the culture here is different from mainland Italy. In addition to Italian, many of the locals speak the regional language, Sardinian, and you may even hear lingering Catalan dialects in Alghero. The locals’ strong sense of community, active lifestyles, and fresh Mediterranean diet—think local sheep cheese, fresh seafood, and unrefined grains—have made the region one of the world’s famed “Blue Zones,” regions where people regularly live past 100. Some culinary staples include lamb with artichokes, slow-roasted suckling pig, or porceddu, and panadas—savory, meat-filled pies.

Sardinia is also known for its array of festivals peppered throughout the year. From religious celebrations like the Feast of Sant’Efisio, which honors the patron saint of Cagliari every May, to Autunno in Barbagia, which focuses on local craftsmen and artists in the fall, and the Mamoiada Carnival, with ancient pagan roots honoring the coexistence of humans and nature in January. Pair all of that with a rugged landscape and Catalan-influenced architecture, and you’ll quickly see why Sardinia stands apart.

Like most Mediterranean islands, Corsica’s climate is pleasant year-round. Summers are hot and stretch into October with temperatures peaking in the mid- to high 80s F. Visit in the spring (when temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-70s F) to see the island’s maquis shrubs in full bloom. Or, go in the winter, when daytime highs hover in the low to mid-50s F, to see glittering snow blanketing the mountains and experience the island at its most tranquil.

Corsica’s culture bridges two worlds. You’ll taste French refinement in the wine, hear Italian cadence in the language, and feel both influences in the easy rhythm of life. Its coastal villages cling to cliffsides above turquoise coves, while emerald mountains rise dramatically inland, reminding you that this is a land shaped as much by nature as by culture.

In our opinion, the best time to travel to Puglia is whenever you’re ready to savor Italy at its most authentic. Summers here are hot and lively, with temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s and beachgoers filling the Adriatic coast. Winters are mild and quiet, with temperatures typically ranging from the upper 40s to upper 50s F—perfect for exploring towns without the crowds. And in the shoulder seasons, when highs sit comfortably in the 60s F and 70s F, you’ll find the olive groves lush and full of life. “It felt special to walk the property and see the olives growing on the trees that will become the olive oil visitors taste,” said staffer Marina after learning about where to try the best olive oil on a tour of Italy.

This is Italy, but with its own rhythm. With more coastline than any other region in mainland Italy, Puglia is tailor-made for travelers who want to balance history and culture with plenty of time by the sea. You’ll find coastal towns like Ostuni, where whitewashed walls glow under the southern sun, ancient olive groves that stretch as far as the eye can see, and the cone-roofed trulli houses of Alberobello that look like something from a fairy tale. It’s no wonder that Puglia is one of our favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations.