Best time of year to visit Venice?
 

I've begun to plan for our first trip to Venice, plus the Veneto region and Trieste. We'll go in 2012, and Easter is April 8 that year. I thought March, September or October might be good, wanting to avoid super huge crowds in Venice. On other threads I've seen mention of bad weather even in late March. What do you all advise?
Thanks, kk (Houston TX)

I've been in May and Sept and both were glorious! March may be a bit early to ensure good weather, but you never really know!

I'd second jamikins' post about May. I've been there twice in mid-May and the weather and crowds have been just so.

September or October definitely!

I guess I should be more specific. I am concerned about maximizing the chances of decent weather while minimizing the hugeness of the crowds. I don't like to travel mid-May through early September anyway to Europe, never have, so it is a question of what's left. I know there is no predicting weather, especially now, so I'm talking averages I guess regarding the weather. I'm leaning towards fall, as Howard suggested. He always knows what he's talking about.

Thanks for the kind words, kk. Two of our three trips to Italy were in October. We had great weather both times, especially during the one in early October.

I'm looking up hotel prices in Venice for OCT 2011 right now, just to see what's what. I remember your first Italy tour advice to me, HowardR, back 10 years! We used your hotel recommendation in Bellagio on Lake Como and it was great. We were there in the spring of 2001, way back when traveling was so much lovelier....sigh. At least we felt safer then.

Sorry, but advising against March in Venice means that you've never been there in March, period. I have been to Venice in every season and month, and March is my favourite. The second half of March has typically beautiful spring weather, plus March is the very best month for fish and seafood in Venice - and there are few to very few tourists. September and October are PACKED: together with May, these are the top months of the tourist season in Venice, so IMHO, the advice to go in autumn is not at all good.

Interesting, Franco. I'm filing that in my brain for a future March visit!

March is also my favorite time to visit Venice. Although there is no guarantee on the weather, the crowds are far fewer than in May, Sept and Oct. I prefer Nov, Jan, Feb and March over any other months. IMO, even if it is cold and wet, it's better than the crowds.

If you do go in October, try to spend time in the areas of the city that are less visited by the majority of the crowds.

Here is a list of some hotels I recommend-

http://www.lacalcina.com/

http://www.corte1321.com/en/index.htm

http://www.locanda-sanbarnaba.com/default.htm

http://www.casarezzonico.it/

http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/

http://www.alpontemocenigo.com/en/rooms.htm

http://www.caangeli.it/eng/caangeli.html


I actually prefer staying in an apartment (more space, ability to prepare/cook local ingredients, better bang for the euro). There are many nice apartment choices in Venice. This is one that I always enjoy-

http://www.palazzofoscarini.it/pf/en/