Crowd Difference in these few weeks?
 

We usually go to Rome in the first & second weeks of November. The weather is sometimes cold enough for a coat. But the lack of tourist crowds is wonderful.

This year, since we want to precede Rome with some days in London, we are planning for Oct. 17-24, 2007 in Rome (hoping for cool, not cold weather). However, as I'm working (struggling!) on getting a hotel, I've noticed that Oct. is considered "high" season for hotels.

So, do you think that couple of weeks earlier will make that much difference in the crowds? We can't stand to go when everyone else does & it is soooo crowded!

Anyone been there at both times?

Thanks for your opinion, Julie

Tons of people here get very good deals for London hotels by bidding on Priceline.

They say to check www.biddingfortravel.com to find out how to do it.

In the 4th week of October 2006 we returned to Rome and stayed in the same hotel we've used on previous visits. We almost always travel the 3rd and 4th weeks of October. We commented to the hotel owner that the city seemed much more busy and more crowded than during earlier stays, and she told us that October is now her most requested month.

I was in Rome the last week of October last year and it was a zoo - wall to wall tourists all over.

We were in Rome mid-November of last year. We were there from Thursday to Sunday. There were crowds in comparison to the other cities we visited prior (Venice, Florence, Tuscan hilltowns.) It was busy at all the major tourist attractions (Spanish Steps, Vatican, Forum, etc.)

I think Rome is just a large tourist attraction and you really can't avoid the tourist crowds. Of course, I couldn't imagine visiting during the in-season. What we experienced was bearable. It was the street vendors selling toys that were in the way and annoyed me more.

By the way, it rained the last day we were there but it wasn't very cold. I walked around without a coat. Whereas during the beginning of our trip starting in Venice, it was a bit chilly.

We found Rome in June to be a zoo. We are returning in mid-October and I guess it looks like it will be the same. Phooey. We visited for the first time about 5 years ago in late November and it was blessedly empty of the crowds. I fell in love with the city then but it looses a bit of its charm when it is wall to wall people.