Is April very rainy? Will Venice still be under water in April? Is May preferable?

We were thinking of arriving on Easter sunday and spending 2 weeks (April). Is Easter a bad time?

BUT, our dates are totally flexible (depending on when we can use miles to get there) and have heard that the weather might not be good in April (and that Venice might still be under water!)

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

THANKS!

It may rain more in April but Italy on Easter can be enjoyable too. I dont believe there are any bad times to visit Italy, except some places in August. I have been in northern Italy where you seem to be headed in April when it was cool and foggy and in May when it was the same.
After my rambling message, I would say .....either.

If you plan to use miles for your flights, you may want to book as soon as possible...and travel when you can get the flights. I tried booking a trip last week for May and there was nothing available the dates we wanted to travel.

I posted too soon. Wanted to add that we've been in Italy April and May and had good weather both trips.

Hi Laura,

Late April would be very nice.

Venice is never completely under water. Sometimes there is flooding in the lower areas - San Marco Plaza - but the city still remains above the high water line.

I agree, late April is fine but I would avoid Easter crowds. The flooding in Venice has more to do with tides and is worse in the winter months. Book your FF dates now--that is your gating factor

Yes, definitely try to avoid the Easter crowds, but also the crowds on the long Ascension weekend (May 20-May 23) and then the Whitsuntide weekend at the end of May.

There's a big government holiday in late April (April 25?) and many Italians will take advantage of the long weekend to travel. Make your travel plans accordingly.

We were in Florence in early May (I avoided May 1, as it is a holiday) and Venice two weeks later. The weather was fine in both locales, with no hint of flooding in Venice. Many museums in Florence had free days while we were there, which was a nice bonus, but I don't know if that is peculair to May.

WE have been late March early April and had great and terrible weather. More importantly we ran into numerous groups of school kids out for a week at a time. They can and do overwelm smaller towns. Next time we go in the fall.

I too traveled to Italy for 2 weeks in April of 2002. Our weather was amazing. It was sunny and fair almost every day. It was not Easter time so crowds were non-existent. We also ran into school groups, but as I had my 3 children with me this was a definite plus! Kids make friends the world over even without language skills.

Just a point of clarification about Venice - - its "flooding" has little or nothing to do with rainfall. It's not from rain coming down and failing to drain to a lower elevation. It's about the sea coming up since the city sits on wooden stakes driven into the lagoon with stone laying over the top of them.

Venice is like a colander sitting in a kitchen sink. No amount of water coming in the top causes a puddle to build up - - but water rising in the sink itself does - - for a few hours. And then it too drains out.

Best wishes,

Rex

I was in Venice many years ago over the Easter weekend, which was in late March that year. The weather was cool but sunny and dry. No flooding. However, because it was Easter, not only were there crowds of people about but also many tourist sights and businesses were closed. It is best to avoid holidays if you can. Other than that, dress in layers so that you are prepared for whatever weather, bring an umbrella just in case, and enjoy your visit!

I have no idea what the average rainfall is like in April compared to May in Venice. All I can say is that when we were there for seven days in mid-April last year it rained about half the time. Annoying at times, but it had little impact on our overall enjoyment of Venice.

We were in Italy this year from April 25 to May 24 and had beautiful weather. It rained one day in Firenze but that was all. Early April might be rainier.
The crowds were modest and we could go to any restaurant we chose. As foe holidays, they are just like Sundays except more restaurants are open.
In the US people seem to use Sundays and holidays to go shopping at Home Depot, etc. In Italy people seem to spend the day with friends and family, which creates an entirely different atmosphere. Not unlike the passegiata in the evenings.
Whenever you go it should be great, unless you choose July.
Boun viaggio.