I agree that the AC (sorry not AF keep typing too fast ) can sometimes be hot in May, I am sure there is lots of anecdotal evidence on this, including SeaUrhcin's post. I also agree that the end of May it is more likely to be warmer; which I stated in my original post. However, oceankayer is going in early May and statistically the odds of warm weather are against him. I spent a lot of time on a project in Rome in the fall and spring of 2003/04/05 and went down to the AC as often as possible and can say that from my experience and from statistical records that May is generally not a warm and sunny month. I also wanted to make sure that oceankayaker understood that even with sunny weather it was unlikely to be warm enough to sit by a pool or beach, which is a pretty common honeymoon activity. If he is willing to take that risk then I would say to go. I just did not want there to be any illusion. Many people are under the impression that Italy is warm and sunny all the time, which is simply not the case. May in Europe is generally a pretty tricky month, it always reminded me of March or April on the East Coast of the US where I grew up: very changeable, really still spring and not summer.

oceankyaker, as for Greece I am afraid you would find it much the same in terms of temps, and as Greece is really all about boat trips to islands you might find it too cool. I have not been there in the spring months so cannot really say anything from experience. Do take a look at weatherbase.com and worldclimate.com and see what they say about temps and rainfall.

travel2006, in April if you want beach and pool weather you really are not going to find it in Europe, it is too early. I think places like Rome and Tuscany and Venice are wonderful in April and great for a honeymoon but you may not be interested if you want to have beach/pool. Also bear in mind that Easter in 2006 is on April 16 so you may find hotels and airfare more expensive and may also find some restaurants closed for the holidays. You might want to avoid in particular Rome over Easter for this reason (or go if you want to experience it).

If you want warm weather, go to weatherbase.com, and click on "Vacation Finder". Enter April and the minimum acceptable temperature. It will show you where you can go. I think for beach/pool you want at least 75F, maybe you want even warmer. The Vacation Finder won't show how often it may rain in that month, for that you need to go to the city listings on the weatherbase.com site.

I don't know how far you are willing to travel, but avoiding Hawaii and the Carribean some thoughts are:

Moorea
Costa Rica
Belize (have not been myself)
East Coast of Malaysia
Maldives
Sri Lanka
Thailand (Koh Samui area, mabye Phuket but they get more rain in April)
Vietnam

There are a lot of nice places in the Caribbean, I would not rule it out. What you save on airfare and the Euro exchange by not going to Italy you could spend on a great hotel. Sandy Lane in Barbados springs to mind. . . .

I have decided to go with Santorini and Venice. I checked the past 7 years of weather on Sanorini from early May to around the 20th. It averaged highs in the low 70's and lows of around 60.
The Amalfi coast had average highs in the mid 60's and lows in the low 50's. Thanks to Cicerone pointing out the iffy weather on the AC, I have decided to wait to go another year in either June or September.

Hi O,

>I have decided to wait to go another year in either June or September.<

The AC will be much warmer in those months.

((I))

I have to say I'm surprised to hear the weather is so iffy in June. I've been 3 times in mid-June & it's always been extremely hot, except up in Ravello.

Sorry - of course I meant I'm surprised to hear the weather is so iffy in MAY.

Caroline,

We are off with my annual group to the AC May 5-11th. although we'll be fine with 70's day time and less so of course at night, are you saying that the times you were there in May it was hot?.

I realize we are going at the beginning of May; to avoid higher prices and hopefully not too many crowds ( although that's fine too)

Anyone else been there early May? just checked online to weather history and it looks like 70's in day and as low as 50's at night, sound reasonable?

No, sorry to be confusing. Every time I've been in June it's been very hot, so I was surprised to hear it's iffy in May.

Ravello is a beautiful town but I think 5 days is far too long to stay there since it is quite remote and you are already spending some time in Positano. The driving on the Amalfi coast is treacherous...would not personally attempt it as it is very congested and parking is very difficult to find. Sorrento makes a good base to see Naples and some of the ruins in the area such as Pompei and Herculano. The train service from Sorrento will take you to these sites quite easily. 2 Nights in Ravello is plenty and perhaps you could spend the additional nights in either Sorrento or Rome even. If the weather is not good, the views will not be a priority...it is nice to have something to see if the weather turns out to be poor.

Just a suggestion in regard to the rent or be driven question. On our first trip to the Amalfi Coast, we rented a car in Rome and drove the short distance to Frascati, a delightful town a short trip from Rome. Then we could drive to Positano, rested and able to enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way.

Yes, as I wrote, I have been there in May many times and there are extremely hot days. Some days are cool which may bring down the averages. I do think Sorrento is on the average warmer than the Amalfi coast towns. I have been there at least eight times for two weeks at a time in the month of May.

SeaUrchin,

We are going to be lodging in Sorrento for four of the nights. The other two nights though are on Capri. I'm fine with 60's and low 70's, but when someone here said it would be cold, I am thinking they mean day time at 40's and low 50's. It's not like that, is it? ( nah!)Do people consider 60's and low 70's cold?? At night, 50's are fine.

Well, I am from Los Angeles, so what I think is cold might be different. I have been cold/cool at night there at the beginning of May and sometimes at the end of May too. Cool enough for a jacket even in the daytime too. 70's and 60's.

Just like here though, I could be cold and then walk by the beach and people are sunbathing. I think it is just what you are used to.

It has been so hot and humid that that I was sweating on the buses in May.

I don't think there is any set answer but if someone is going to the AC to sunbathe they would be better off in late May/June.

Sounds like your plans have changed since your original post. We honeymooned in AC and Capri May 24 - June 1, 2004 and it was lovely during the day and very cool at night. I actually froze at night, as I recall!! But it was a fantastic trip and I can't imagine doing it at any other time -- it was starting to get very crowded as we were leaving in early June.

Personally, I'd stick with your May plans just in terms of not having to deal with crowds.

bighil,

In an earlier posting you mentioned the weather on the AC as being cooler in May...at least it can be. Have you ever travelled to the AC in early October? I have heard mixed reviews on temps then too?

Capri reminds bighil of Port Jefferson!!!!!

OK, actually fell off my chair laughing at that one. Thanks.

Anyway, having just spent a week in Capri at the Villa Le Scale (which I'd have no problem recommending for a Honeymoon) and spending a good deal of my summers in Port Jeff where my family has a summer place, I'd pick Capri.