Scootoir

I haven't been to Italy in 30 years and DH has never visited. We are considering a trip to Rome and Venice in 2014. We like to focus on one or two destinations and usually travel to northern Europe in Sept/Oct. Eliminating the summer months and dates around Easter (April 20, 2014) we would love to hear your recommendations and why you like that time of year to make a 2-week trip. Thank you very much for your help.

happygirl73

We spent 9 days in Venice and Rome a few years ago at the end of September/first week of October. Weather was incredible - low 70's the entire time and we didnt find anything to be very crowded (except the Vatican and Sistine Chapel - but is that ever not crowded?).

adrienne

I like traveling in May for the good weather and long days.

jamikins

We just got back from two weeks in Italy and it has been really rainy socked in weather in most of Northern Italy for the past week, and set to continue. We have been in Sept and will definitely choose to go back earlier in Sept next time to hopefully get more consistently better weather.

annhig

The only disadvantage of travelling in autumn is the day length, IMO. you get much longer days in late april/May.

Easter Sunday in 2014 is 14th April so after the 21st it should be less crowded.

Whatever you choose, I'd urge you to spend some time in the countryside - i always find that i can take in the treasures of the great museums and galleries much better when I've given my brain a break.

KL467

We went to Venice, Florence, and Rome this past November, and the weather was absolutely perfect.....then a few days later the big flood hit Venice.

nytraveler

may - long days, long opening hours for sights, good weathers and kids are still in school.

Scootoir

Leaning toward May. Like the idea of long days and it will be well past Easter. Thanks for your input.

karencita

We spent three weeks touring Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence and Rome in late November of last year and the weather was fantastic! We did have some rain while in Florence and Rome was colder than anticipated but nothing we hadn't prepared for. We are going back to italy in late January 2014 for our anniversary and returning in early autumn with my husband's sister for her first visit. I'm really looking forward to the fall trip.

BrunoTraveling

Me and my family did a italy trip this past summer 17 days total, venice 4 florence 4 positano (gorgeous by calm place) 4 then ended rome 4. Every place was so beautiful and lovely.

In Venice: We just walked around took i squares. It is verey romantic. We did a day trip to borano with the colorful houses. I think three full days is enough in Venice.

In FLorence: We took the train from Venice to Florence easy ride. We liked florence but wasnt our favorite. However We did a wine tour with this company our fav day in florence by far and ate at a winery where they made us homemade cooked food and paired with wine. The driver of the company organized for us i would strongly suggest doing this. The owner Luca was our tour guide so knowledgable about everything. We also did stop at s giminango Luca per HILLS AND ROADS

In Positano: We took train from Florence to Naples then hired a car thrugh hotel to pick us up and drive us to positano. On way to positano we did the tour of pompei with our drive they wait for you for 1 or 2 hrs 1 hour was enough for us. It is very hard to drive in almafi coast it is really windy small roads so i would suggest the route we took. We stayed in this great hotel that had wonderful vinity pool and view. http://www.marincanto.it/ Positano was beautifuly quaint relaxing place the views were magnificent. I think 3 days is enough here. Chez black was delicious restaurant we ate at. We rented private yacht and drove to capri (island of capri itself we found boring i thnk because we were having so much fun on boat and swimming in sea) but drive and blue grotto was magnicent.

Rome: We then hired car to drive us back to naples and then trained to Rome. We were pleasantly surprised with Rome. We stayed near Piaza Navona/Pantheum area which was wonderful area. Lots of cute restaurants and cafes near pantheon but also this one block near piazza navona has great line of little places eat/drink. As far as the best area/restaurants for Rome they were on this one block that this restaurant was locaated on with lots cute wine bars/good cafes.
Cul De Sac ( walk up this block onto Via De Governo Vechio and it has lots of great restaurants/cafes)
Piazza di Pasquino, 73 00186 Rome, Italy


Very important by your tickets beforehand to get into the Acccademia in Florence to see the david online we didnt have to wait in the long line cause we already had our tickets. Also look into buying your tickets to see Sistine Chapel ceiling online so you can avoid the hour lines outside.
Have a great time! Enjoy

BrunoTraveling

I thought you wrote where to go not when to go lol. I would DEFINETLY NOT go in summer it was extremely hot and when they say there is no shade in Rome they mean it. So spring/fall i would vote for.

Scootoir

Thank you Bruno, I appreciate all the suggestions. We almost never travel in summer because of heat and crowds and it is difficult for me to get away from work.