2 weeks in italy in early december
Jul 6th, 2010, 03:11 AM
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2 weeks in italy in early december
Hi folks ,
I am planning to visit italy in first 2 weeks of december. But i m doubtful about the weather at that time. Is it ok to visit italy during that time and still have fun. is the cold bearable ? What kind of activities can be planned in italy at that time and what places we should target to visit in tht period. ? A rough itenary would also help . Thanks in advance.
I am planning to visit italy in first 2 weeks of december. But i m doubtful about the weather at that time. Is it ok to visit italy during that time and still have fun. is the cold bearable ? What kind of activities can be planned in italy at that time and what places we should target to visit in tht period. ? A rough itenary would also help . Thanks in advance.
Jul 6th, 2010, 03:22 AM
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Without any information of your interests and why you want to go to Italy, posters can't really help you.
The first two weeks in December can produce clear skies and fairly mild days throughout most of Italy except the mountainous north. However, you could also find yourself faced with chilly rains that last for days, and even icy conditions on roads in some hilly areas. Days will be getting shorter and shorter, cutting into driving time if you were thinking of renting a car.
Most coastal areas will be extremely quiet, and some restaurants and many tourist shops will be closed. Many places in the countryside hills will be completely closed, and without heat.
All that said, it can be an ideal time to visit Pompeii, Rome, Florence, Venice as well as a hundred other destinations that are usually overrun with tourists. It's also a great time to visit areas like Piemonte, which have truffles, very robust food and wine that is best in cool weather. It can be a fabulous time to go to Naples and enjoy its preparations for Christmas. It is opera season, so a destination like Bologna -- which has many porticoes that shelter walkers from the rain plus a grand opera house -- can be wonderful.
So what do you want from Italy? If it is beaches and boat trips, and wandering around all day outside in historic cities "soaking up the culture," you could end up soaking in the rain. But if you enjoy cities and indoor activities, you can have a great time, and might even get great weather from some selected day trips to fabulous sights.
The first two weeks in December can produce clear skies and fairly mild days throughout most of Italy except the mountainous north. However, you could also find yourself faced with chilly rains that last for days, and even icy conditions on roads in some hilly areas. Days will be getting shorter and shorter, cutting into driving time if you were thinking of renting a car.
Most coastal areas will be extremely quiet, and some restaurants and many tourist shops will be closed. Many places in the countryside hills will be completely closed, and without heat.
All that said, it can be an ideal time to visit Pompeii, Rome, Florence, Venice as well as a hundred other destinations that are usually overrun with tourists. It's also a great time to visit areas like Piemonte, which have truffles, very robust food and wine that is best in cool weather. It can be a fabulous time to go to Naples and enjoy its preparations for Christmas. It is opera season, so a destination like Bologna -- which has many porticoes that shelter walkers from the rain plus a grand opera house -- can be wonderful.
So what do you want from Italy? If it is beaches and boat trips, and wandering around all day outside in historic cities "soaking up the culture," you could end up soaking in the rain. But if you enjoy cities and indoor activities, you can have a great time, and might even get great weather from some selected day trips to fabulous sights.
Jul 6th, 2010, 03:57 AM
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Thanks for a really useful response. I am planning to go to italy on a honeymoon with my wife. We are looking for a little coldish weather ( 5-10 degrees is fine) but that should be bearable and allows us to step out of our hotel at ny time and explore the cities, dine out etc. We wouldnt mind lil bit of rain and snowfall as well. However continuous heavy rains would make it difficult. We would be interested in seeing the historical monuments , njoy the natural beauty of the country, visit romantic places, njoy the night life and absorb the italian culture - christmas festivities, opera as u mentioned. Walk along the beaches would be nice to have but we wudnt mind missing out on boat rides or getting tanned on the beach in the sun. I guess now i can expect even more useful posts. Thanks in advance.
Jul 6th, 2010, 04:15 AM
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You can't rule out continuous rains in that time period, no matter where you go in Italy.
Honeymoons usually mean upscale hotels, booked well in advance. But if you and your fiance can be flexible, you might have a better time in Italy during those two weeks only booking your first couple of nights and then letting the weather dictate your subsequent choices.
I would start out in Rome, since it has so much to offer, rain or shine -- but after that, simply follow the sun to the places you most want to see. In the first two weeks of December, you won't have any trouble booking accommodations in all price categories. You won't have trouble booking train tickets, or renting a car.
You might consider booking a flight out of another city: My pick would be Bologna, since it is so central to everything. I would plan on spending my last two nights there, one to go to the opera, one to enjoy a final wonderful meal. Bologna is a wonderful town, rain or shine.
But in between, weather permitting, you could visit the great art cities of Umbria and Tuscany, or the Tuscan hills, or dip down to Napoli and Pompeii before heading north again. Or you could head up to Venice for several days, then head off to Verona, Mantova, Milan and Parma before heading to Bologna. Or just extend your time in Rome. You get the picture.
Honeymoons usually mean upscale hotels, booked well in advance. But if you and your fiance can be flexible, you might have a better time in Italy during those two weeks only booking your first couple of nights and then letting the weather dictate your subsequent choices.
I would start out in Rome, since it has so much to offer, rain or shine -- but after that, simply follow the sun to the places you most want to see. In the first two weeks of December, you won't have any trouble booking accommodations in all price categories. You won't have trouble booking train tickets, or renting a car.
You might consider booking a flight out of another city: My pick would be Bologna, since it is so central to everything. I would plan on spending my last two nights there, one to go to the opera, one to enjoy a final wonderful meal. Bologna is a wonderful town, rain or shine.
But in between, weather permitting, you could visit the great art cities of Umbria and Tuscany, or the Tuscan hills, or dip down to Napoli and Pompeii before heading north again. Or you could head up to Venice for several days, then head off to Verona, Mantova, Milan and Parma before heading to Bologna. Or just extend your time in Rome. You get the picture.
Jul 6th, 2010, 04:53 AM
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Italy in December will be chilly, could be rainy and will have short days. I think cities are better in that situation because you can spend time inside of museums, churches, etc, if the weather is bad and outside during nice weather. Have you been to Italy before? If not, you might consider Rome, Florence and Venice for your trip.
Jul 6th, 2010, 04:59 AM
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No , this is my first time to europe infact. And i choose italy as my first destination as i knw its a beautiful country to visit. I was only concerned abt the timing. But thts the only time i cn take a vacation.
Jul 6th, 2010, 05:08 AM
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I've been to Italy twice in early December. To the Rome area in 2008 and to Naples/Sorrento in 1999. Both times I only wore a blazer with a light sweater while the Italians were wearing winter coats. It depends what weather you are used to but for me I would still go to a city even if it were around 20 degrees farenheit. Why let a little cold stop you?
All you really have to do is look at the historical temperatures and decide for yourself if that is too cold for you.
All you really have to do is look at the historical temperatures and decide for yourself if that is too cold for you.
Jul 6th, 2010, 05:11 AM
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Jul 6th, 2010, 05:25 AM
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I have checked the historical temperatures. What i understand is that only in the northern part the temperature may go below 0 degrees. Central and southern italy should be fine i guess. ?
Jul 6th, 2010, 11:54 AM
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mamacalice -- you don't know what you are talking about! Period!
I live in Italy and the first two weeks of December are NOT necessarily "chilly" or rainy. They might be. They might not be.
tarunmn1982,
You simply cannot go by the past to predict the weather for the two weeks you will be here. You are right that if you head for the northern lakes and mountains, your chances of encountering freezing weather are pretty high. But you could also get a COLD SNAP in Napoli.
If this is the ONLY time you can travel, do the best you can to pick locations that interest you and will be not be ruined by cold outdoor weather.
I live in Italy and the first two weeks of December are NOT necessarily "chilly" or rainy. They might be. They might not be.
tarunmn1982,
You simply cannot go by the past to predict the weather for the two weeks you will be here. You are right that if you head for the northern lakes and mountains, your chances of encountering freezing weather are pretty high. But you could also get a COLD SNAP in Napoli.
If this is the ONLY time you can travel, do the best you can to pick locations that interest you and will be not be ruined by cold outdoor weather.
Jul 6th, 2010, 12:26 PM
#14
I agree there's no way to predict weather or temps.
I'd stick to main cities with lots of indoor attractions (museums, churches, villas, etc.), but I'm an admitted city girl who loves museums so that would be a great trip for me.
If "enjoying the natural beauty" you mean exploring the countryside, that would probably be best left to another trip at a different time of year. But you could easily train through the countryside to a medium or small town with its own attractions (Perugia/Assisi come to mind, but there are many others).
If opera is important, you need to start looking for performances and tickets NOW and likely plan your itinerary around what's available. (I think you're going to find more ballet than opera scheduled in December.) If you just want to hear classical music and perhaps some vocal performances not necessarily in an opera house, then you can probably wait until you get wherever you're going and see what's on.
Forget any beach and IMO the lake area. Too cold with too many hotels and restaurants closed for the season.
I'd stick to main cities with lots of indoor attractions (museums, churches, villas, etc.), but I'm an admitted city girl who loves museums so that would be a great trip for me.
If "enjoying the natural beauty" you mean exploring the countryside, that would probably be best left to another trip at a different time of year. But you could easily train through the countryside to a medium or small town with its own attractions (Perugia/Assisi come to mind, but there are many others).
If opera is important, you need to start looking for performances and tickets NOW and likely plan your itinerary around what's available. (I think you're going to find more ballet than opera scheduled in December.) If you just want to hear classical music and perhaps some vocal performances not necessarily in an opera house, then you can probably wait until you get wherever you're going and see what's on.
Forget any beach and IMO the lake area. Too cold with too many hotels and restaurants closed for the season.
Jul 6th, 2010, 12:40 PM
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Italy is small country and you can make spontaneous forays for countryside lunches or walks or drives if the weather is nice. And it can be nice. I have experienced early Decembers in Italy where I ate lunch outdoors by the sea. But I was staying in a city -- like Lucca or Pisa -- and when the weather turned nice, I went to the sea for lunch. I had to wear my sweater and jacket, even in then sun, and I ate warm soups and drank coffee. But it was sunny and fun.
You can't count on that. It also rained buckets in Lucca on some of those days. But those were the day I visiited Pisa and Florence, and saw the insides of museums and churches.
In many cities in Italy like Rome, Florence and Milan, the outdoor cafes have outdoor heaters so you can still sit outside.
Put your heads together and decide what indoor things would be fun. If you like cars and movies and wine, go to Torino. If you like fashion, go to Milan and Rome. If you like history, try the great art cities. Chocolate? Head to Perugia, and from there see Assisi and many other treasures. If you like pizza and surprises, go to Napoli . If you get beautiful weather, hire a driver or hop a train and have lunch by the sea that day, and visit Pompeii the next day.
Like I said, if at the last minute you want the honeymoon suite at the best hotel in Napoli, you can probably get it the same day in December.
You can't count on that. It also rained buckets in Lucca on some of those days. But those were the day I visiited Pisa and Florence, and saw the insides of museums and churches.
In many cities in Italy like Rome, Florence and Milan, the outdoor cafes have outdoor heaters so you can still sit outside.
Put your heads together and decide what indoor things would be fun. If you like cars and movies and wine, go to Torino. If you like fashion, go to Milan and Rome. If you like history, try the great art cities. Chocolate? Head to Perugia, and from there see Assisi and many other treasures. If you like pizza and surprises, go to Napoli . If you get beautiful weather, hire a driver or hop a train and have lunch by the sea that day, and visit Pompeii the next day.
Like I said, if at the last minute you want the honeymoon suite at the best hotel in Napoli, you can probably get it the same day in December.
Jul 6th, 2010, 05:29 PM
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We have visited Italy twice in winter. First trip was for three weeks and a bit, arriving 27th December. Venice/Verona/Como/Florence/Assisi/Rome. Como was pretty flat, other cities were great. Certainly it was chilly in Venice, in Florence we had the most perfect sunny day. The weather in Rome was OK, but we had to buy a five Euro umbrella which survived for all of three hours!
Second trip was mostly Venice, for a couple of months, from early December to early Feb. It was very cold – even the locals were commenting on the cold. It’s manageable, though, as long as you dress for it. A hat and gloves is a good idea. After New Year, the daily temperature hovered around two or three degrees C for a week.
But don’t be put off by the weather. We weren’t, and we’re going back again this Christmas. I’ve bought a new hat!
Comments about our time in Venice are here (along with a bit of Rome):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm
Second trip was mostly Venice, for a couple of months, from early December to early Feb. It was very cold – even the locals were commenting on the cold. It’s manageable, though, as long as you dress for it. A hat and gloves is a good idea. After New Year, the daily temperature hovered around two or three degrees C for a week.
But don’t be put off by the weather. We weren’t, and we’re going back again this Christmas. I’ve bought a new hat!
Comments about our time in Venice are here (along with a bit of Rome):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm
Jul 6th, 2010, 07:20 PM
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I loved Italy in December. I prefer walking and touring in cool weather to sweating. With a good coat and hat, you can stroll in comfort.
We found Venice cold but lovely- crisp air with wisps of fog floating around, not crowded with tourists, and overall a wonderful time to be there. We saw an excellent chamber orchestra in a very, very old church. We also loved seeing the chic Italian dogs in their fancy coats out for walks, especially the Burberry jackets many of them were sporting!
Florence was warm- in the mid 50s and sunny. We had a great time there and actually had to leave our coats in the hotel.
We experienced a cold snap in Bologna. This made the rich bolognese food taste sublime during long lunches with lots of rich red wine which we then walked off in the frigid air. The porticoes did provide a great place to walk in the snow as someone mentioned above. One tip we learned- we chose a budget hotel in the suburbs to save money. It was clean and comfy but the long walk into the center of town was prohibitively chilly in the evenings (it was miles and we were too cheap to taxi but hadn't discovered the ease of local busses at that point in life). We wished we stayed closer in so that we could head home for a warm nap in the early evening when everything shuts down and then head back out for a late dinner.
Here is a romantic cold weather idea for your honeymoon: We always look for hotels or apartments with nice looking bathrooms with tubs when we travel in winter. On our first day, my husband always buys me a bottle of fancy bubble bath (great toiletries like this in Europe everywhere). I love warming up with a glass of wine in a hot bubble bath before a night on the town, and then when we return home I have the rest of the scented bubble bath to remind me of our trip whenever I use it.
Winter can be a magical, romantic time to travel if you dress right and don't end up in deserted, off season beach resorts but stick to cities and towns that are still bustling. In December you might also hit the Christmas markets. We loved those, along with the skating rinks in the town centers in many places.
Oh yes, my final tip: Italian hot chocolate is fabulously decadent and perfect for a quick warm up in a cafe.
We found Venice cold but lovely- crisp air with wisps of fog floating around, not crowded with tourists, and overall a wonderful time to be there. We saw an excellent chamber orchestra in a very, very old church. We also loved seeing the chic Italian dogs in their fancy coats out for walks, especially the Burberry jackets many of them were sporting!
Florence was warm- in the mid 50s and sunny. We had a great time there and actually had to leave our coats in the hotel.
We experienced a cold snap in Bologna. This made the rich bolognese food taste sublime during long lunches with lots of rich red wine which we then walked off in the frigid air. The porticoes did provide a great place to walk in the snow as someone mentioned above. One tip we learned- we chose a budget hotel in the suburbs to save money. It was clean and comfy but the long walk into the center of town was prohibitively chilly in the evenings (it was miles and we were too cheap to taxi but hadn't discovered the ease of local busses at that point in life). We wished we stayed closer in so that we could head home for a warm nap in the early evening when everything shuts down and then head back out for a late dinner.
Here is a romantic cold weather idea for your honeymoon: We always look for hotels or apartments with nice looking bathrooms with tubs when we travel in winter. On our first day, my husband always buys me a bottle of fancy bubble bath (great toiletries like this in Europe everywhere). I love warming up with a glass of wine in a hot bubble bath before a night on the town, and then when we return home I have the rest of the scented bubble bath to remind me of our trip whenever I use it.
Winter can be a magical, romantic time to travel if you dress right and don't end up in deserted, off season beach resorts but stick to cities and towns that are still bustling. In December you might also hit the Christmas markets. We loved those, along with the skating rinks in the town centers in many places.
Oh yes, my final tip: Italian hot chocolate is fabulously decadent and perfect for a quick warm up in a cafe.
Jul 6th, 2010, 10:41 PM
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I think that you will struggle to find rooms at 50 to 60 Euros a night. An apartment might be possible.
www.venere.com is a hotel booking site that we used for our first trip to Italy.
www.venere.com is a hotel booking site that we used for our first trip to Italy.
