Planning a trip to Rome, Positano, Orvieto, Siena, Florence, then Venice next year. What month would you go? Would like to take advantage of Hydrofoil from Naples to Positano running May to October. So would you go in May or October, to avoid crowds/heat?<BR><BR>Laura

Nearly a toss-up if you compare as late as possible in May versus as early as possible in October.<BR><BR>But late May has those deliciously longer days.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Hello Laura,<BR><BR>The Naples-Positano hydrofoil is a high season service. It doesn't run in May (- and may not run as late as October either).<BR><BR>Steve

Hi Laura,<BR><BR>My preference would have to be May as the weather is definitely more bearable and there are less tourists around.<BR><BR>Either September or early October would also be a good time as the weather will still be fairly warm and you can visit the sights without too much hassle.<BR><BR>Regards.<BR><BR>Natalie

Make it May! October can be rainy in northern Italy, and Venice is depressing enough even without rain (Imho).

Laura: Our trips to Italy have all been in May and usually we have good weather. However, our visit this year was very rainy. It poured in Venice the day we arrived and the day we left. We still enjoyed ourselves, but the weather left something to be desired.<BR><BR>As far as crowds are concerned, Italy has become so popular there doesn't seem to be any time there aren't visitors, except perhaps in the dead of winter. <BR><BR>We've never been in Italy in early fall, but many seem to feel it is a great time to go.<BR><BR>It's such a wonderful country, I'm sure you will love it regardless when you go.<BR><BR>j

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Rex, what is the weather generally like in October? We're tentatively planning a trip to Rome and Venice then. Is it still warm? And is it still crowded, or have the tourists begun to thin about a bit by then?

Laura and Caroline,<BR><BR>I recommend the following website with monthly averages for highs, lows, rain, etc. This should give you the info you are looking for.<BR><BR>http://weatherbase.com/<BR><BR>Good luck!

October in Rome is as unpredictable as October in many parts of the U.S.<BR><BR>But I would compare Rome to Atlanta, Dallas or Sacramento, as far as its October weather. Likely to be delightful. Warm, compared to Nome. Not as warm as Las Vegas or Phoenix.<BR><BR>And I agree that web sites are worth your time to consult - - like www.worldclimate.com for example - - but they only give you averages, compiled over decades.<BR><BR>Your experience may differ.<BR><BR>

Caroline--September and October are still the high season in all of Italy, and you will find crowds commensurate with the season. The tourists don't start to thin until mid-November.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I thought the hydrofoil ran May to October, tho. How/where can I find out the date it starts running? I really would love to take it, if possible, instead of driving this time.<BR>

Laura - I can assure you it doesn't run in May. Last year it started running on 15th June. This year it started on 1st July. <BR> <BR>Steve

I like September for the fresh vegetables -- can't get good tomatoes in May!

Definitely September, bellisimo.

My choice is May over October primarily due to having almost 3 additional daylight hours in May being closer to the Summer Solstice of June 21-22. If you determine the weather is about equally unpredictable in May versus October, then go when you know you have the extra daylight to enjoy.

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