adventureseeker

We'll be in Italy Oct. 11-28 visiting (in order) Venice 4 days, Florence 3 days, Cinque Terre 3 days and Tuscany 7 days.

Question: How much outerwear will I need?

I'm planning on:
1)light down vest
2)medium-weight windbreaker w/ lining
3)light merino wool sweater

Besides layering & thin wool/cashmere shawls....Will I also need a medium-weight wool coat?

My goal is to pack light, but it's a challenge for a gal who wants to be stylish on her first trip to Europe!

Sarvowinner

We were in Italy for the first two weeks of October last year. People were swimming in the Cinque Terre, Florence was very warm, our kids were swimming in our villa's pool in the hills around Lucca - water a bit too chilly for us but we sunbathed and we wore sleeveless tops in Rome (with a pashmina for the churches). I would make sure you have enough warm weather gear. I think the cool weather gear is more than enough.

adventureseeker

Thank you Sarvo. I was hoping that travelers who were in the same destinations last year could give me a heads up.

quokka

Temperature-wise your 1-3 list sounds all right to me. I hope, though, that your windbreaker is a rainproof jacket?

StCirq

I also was in Italy for 2 weeks late October last year and never needed anything but a light sweater in the evening. We had no rain, but you might, so just make sure you have an umbrella or some light rain gear.

Sarvowinner

Enjoy your trip Adventureseeker.

Pack light and if you need some extra clothing - well - if one must shop

tuscanlifeedit

2 and 3 sound useful to me. I don't think you could need a down vest. A windbreaker with lining, a sweater and shawl: more than enough. No wool coat.

I have been cool in Venice at night in October, but I was without any of the items you mention above. Had I a cardigan, or a shawl, I would have been fine. And actually, you probably don't need all three of those, but I think the windbreaker would be nice in heavy rain.

Can you take an unlined, instead of a lined, windbreaker? Would make for even lighter packing. And with the cardigan and a long sleeved tee underneath, you would be warm enough for any weather you are likely to encounter.

I don't think you should take the down vest, light or not. Where in Tuscany?

adventureseeker

tuscanlifeedit,

I checked out my windbreaker (w/ hood) and it is more light than medium weight. It also can be easily packed. I think that is a must in case of rain.

In Tuscany, we're based out of Sogna (near Rapale) and we're mainly focusing our day trips in Val d'Orica & Chianti.

I think you're right about nixing the down vest. It's a chocolate brown quilted Kenneth Cole which is more fashionable than functional. I did warn you that I was caught between making practical than stylish choices!

SeaUrchin

I would take the vest, you could wear it if it is a bit cool instead of the windbreaker. Sounds like it is cute and the Italians are always wearing vests. Have fun.

kfusto

I pack twin sets for Italy that time of year. This give me lots of flexibility.

I leave on the 17th of October for 2 weeks in Venice, Florence and Rome. I will pack a pashmina for cooler days and warmer evenings, a mid thigh lightweight Totes rain coat in case of rain, a dressy cardigan for evenings that goes with everything and a lightweight cotton jersey jacket for days. I like silk ribbed turtlenecks and bring both sleeved and sleeveless.

Weather that time of year can vary widely. I also pack an umbrella.

adventureseeker

Grazie for all your advice.

The vest is back in!

Kfusto,

Twin sets and turtlenecks are great suggestions. I have a matching tank for the merino sweater that I'll be sure to pack.

tuscanlifeedit

ads:

If the vest is for style I guess I reconsider. Reading your list, I pictured something more outdoorsy.

I want one! Is it like this? Or doesn't it have the collar?
http://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole-R.../dp/B000HTD6EQ

Ju

I'll also be going to Italy and Paris this October - last 2 weeks.

Oh dear.. it seems that there isnt a need for a wool coat? But reading that the temperature in Oct is an average of 8 - 21 degree C (betweem Rome up to Paris), me and my hubby had already bought our Wool Coats.

We are from a country right smack on the equator (hot sunny days) so we want to be prepared for the cold. I have a low tolerance for cold.

i hope our wool coats wouldnt be a waste

SeaUrchin

Where in Italy? There are mountain and hill towns where it will be breezy and nippy. I think a light wool coat would be fine if you get cold easily, I do too.

Ju

We will be going to Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris. 18 Oct - 31 Oct.

LoveItaly

The only time I didn't have a coat with me after the end of September in Italy I thought I would die from being so cold. I would absolutely bring your new wool coat Ju. Wear it onto the plane and then you can take it off but if you get chilly on the plane you will also be glad you have it with you. And have a wonderful trip!

travel2live

I personally cannot imagine ever needing a wool coat in Italy but then I like cooler temps. Compared to northern Canada where I live Italy is very warm, even in the winters. We're the dorks who are wearing short sleeves while others around us wear quilted jackets. As soon as the temps are above freezing in April we wear shorts.

adventureseeker

tuscanlifeedit,

Mine is not so down filled and is a quilted (smaller square) pattern than this one. It also has a short collar and is chocolate brown. I really like the collar on the photo you linked.

bob_brown

Wool coats, for Italy? Ypou sound like an Arctic expedition.

You folks ever hear of Polarfleece?
Even for Canada hiking above the tree line in sleet storms, all I ever needed was a Goretex shell and a Polarfleece pullover.

travel2live

Agree with you, Bob. Whenever we are in Italy (or anywhere in Europe for that matter) and see folks all bundled up in coats while we are in short pants and short sleeves we have to giggle to ourselves. We have yet to take anything but fleeces and rain jackets to Europe and we have been there in all types of weather. Many cannot grasp what cold truly is!

We have had many, many people apologize to us for the "cold weather" (especially the UK). Little do they know...

I guess that's what happens when you are used to -40 to -50 Celsius and snow for six months of the year.

Sorry - didn't mean to turn this into a rant! Just a rather Canadian observation.