It's an unpleasant place. Very isolated in character and practical terms from even the closest neighbours. Suspicious and dismissive of anything other than their own very local way of thinking, even within the country. People are angrier and ruder than in most other places you know, based on your list. Let's not get started on daily life in Rome and other filthy, permanently badly managed Italian cities -- of which M…
( Sorry for the harsh reality check. Think of it this way; your family migrated for a reason. )
this is really great.
My advice to the original poster: skip winter at all: best in May, June, July, and best the centre and south
I would also advise to take the intense irrational reality you'll find as the best part of your trip: spend a lot talking to old ladies (65 and over), since they have no fear to talk openly
you'll be surprised by how conservative are the youngster: it is impressive.