Just a quickie to let ladies who are coming to Venice,Florence, Rome, Amalfy - it's VERY hot and dress codes are OUT! Everyone-even in Venice are wearing very little. Flip flops are ok. I did not bring sox and closed walking shoes - I should have, its so hard to walk 8 hrs a day in sandals and not get horrible blisters and other foot ailments. Had to buy Merrills in Rome for 85 erro! Bring your shoes, capris and coolest spaghetti stap dresses. Linen is the thing even if it does wrinkle. I had to buy more hot weather clothes. Sorrento prices on shoes are the cheapest i've seen since arriving 12 days ago. It's lovely here, a nicer, cleaner town than I expected.
More when we return.
Ciao and dress cool!
SS

It gets very warm in Italy even in May. By June it is boiling. Oh, those cobblestones do a really good job on your feet for sure. The Clarks slippers I wore were pretty comfortable, didn't get as many blisters as usual.

It seems from what I've read that much of Europe has been having an exceptionally warm-hot spring.
Friends of mine were in Prague in early May and had temps in the 80s every day.

Thanks for the warning, ss. We'll be in Orvieto in a few weeks and I've been debating over my clothes as usual.

How awful for you that you had to go shoe shopping in Italy! (only one of my favorite pastimes ever)

I always wear sandals, no problem if they are the right sort. I bought some in San Gim a few years ago that I wore until they literally split in half. They were great from the minute I put them on. But Merrells are my faves -- for me, THE shoes for all day walking.

Just returned from Italy yesterday (Rome, Positano and Capri) Unbelievably hot and hazy on the Amalfi coast. Everyone is wearing linen...if I were packing now, I would pack only summer skirts and shorts and cotton tees...I actually spent four straight days in my swimsuit in Positano and Capri (with shorts and tank for a coverup). I could hardly bear to put on my capris! For walking, I bought a pair of Clarks sandals before I left and walked all over London and Rome with no problems.

We are leaving for Tuscany and Venice on Friday.

We weren't planing on wearing shortsd in the city( florence & Venice).

Do you think we shold reconsider that?

Thanks

The only thing to worry about is that a hot springtime can lead to a cool and/or rainy summer. So just in case, when going to Italy you need to take at least one set of clothing that would be suitable, say, for wear in some place like Montreal at this time of year. Otherwise, my approach is to take my coolest clothes and carry along a couple of light water-repellent jackets in case there is a cool spell---which is likely in northern Italy, not too probable in the south. As for walking shoes, my advice is never, ever go without at least one pair of shoes you can wear all day without discomfort.

I would bring shorts if I were you, I haven't been wearing anything else since the beginning of this month (and I used to ONLY wear long pants). It is very hot here indeed...

The only day I wore capris was to the Vatican...otherwise,my husband and I wore shorts...he changed to slacks in the evening, which seemd to be what the men were wearing...I switched to a skirt...

We are on our way to Italy via NORWAY!!!
Shipping our Nordic gear home DHL and then to HOT. Do respect Cathedral dress regs. Lite wear is good but covered legs are appreciated as is deodorant by fellow travelers. Not a joke, if you go there you will relate to this comment!
Drink lots of water and carry a bottle of your favorite with you at all times so you don't faint in the heat. Then RELAX and enjoy as we will!!!

Don't take stilettos or very thin heels, because boy those cobblestones will get you every time!!!

However, French women seem to have mastered the art of walking on cobblestones in 4" stilettos. I have seen them in remote villages in Guatemala in their oh-so-stylish shoes. Perhaps there is a required class in the lycee?

We just returned from 2 weeks in Italy with our 11 year old daughter. Yes, it was very hot and yes, bring shorts. White or khaki and sleeveless tops. I wound up buying linen dresses in Florence at Sisley (65 Eur.) and in Rome at Blunauta (near Condotti) also only 65 Eur. and very chic, sleeveless, and cool. If you don't have a pair of good looking walking shoes, you can splurge on the very cool looking Addidas and Pumas at the Foot Locker Store.