I too can't understand these people who are so negative about travelling during winter. We were in Italy in December/January last and had a wonderful time - temperatures even reached 16 deg C. We will definitely travel there again at that time of year and Amalfi will be on the itinerary - who cares if lots of restaurants and hotels will be closed - so what, some will definitely be open - we only need one hotel - can't sleep in two of them at once.

Yes..wasn't that weather beautiful last winter? I guess for someone who is going to the Amalfi coast just to swim, winter would not be a good idea. But other than that.... I also read about people afraid to visit Florence in November because it might be cold...as I said, to each his own. That is why these places are so jam packed in certain seasons.

I am hoping to go to that area of Italy next year in March...

There are people here that have traveled relatively few times to Europe, but are continually offering advice which is not based on their own experiences...

Amanda- "I can't sleep in two of them at once" That gave me a laugh!

Oh no, Ek-that doesn't REALLY happen, does it? That people who travel once or twice to a place are then automatic experts on all travel to the country in all seasons?? Surely not!

This discussion is like the reverse of those "should I travel to Italy in August" where people who have NEVER been to Italy in August are giving absolutely certain advice that people are going to die of heatstroke if they go then, or will die of hunger because there are no restaurants open! I laugh my arse off at this!

I was wearing sweaters and was freezing for almost a week in Venice in August 2005 and could have had a light sweater in Florence during the most glorious weather I have seen anywhere last August 2006 in Italy.

No I think we can safely say that Amalfi does not become like a Siberia in the low season.

My, my, aren't some of us getting a bit catty?

BTW, what happened to the OP?

((I))

topping for Ashley/Megan

I think it is fair to say that the weather may be chilly, rainy, foggy, nasty. But if the OP is still interested after all of the input above, let her make the decision. I have several friends who have gone to the AC in November and December and have found it a bit depressing - bad weather, short days, many closed restaurants, etc. To each his/her own. And who knows, with global climate change, it could be balmy in January!

The OP was asking in May 07 so s/he has probably decided.

Although the weather on the Amalfi Coast will be better than the north of the US in winter there are other issues:

Many hotels closed
Many restaurants and shops closed
Many ferries do not run at all
Reaching Capri very difficult some days
The days are very short and hours of darkness long
Some sites open many fewer hours (yes, sorry - in midwinter many sights are open only in the am - and may close for the day at 1 or 2 pm)

If none of those bother the OP - then head straight to Positano.

This is from 2007!!! I topped it for another poster who is planning a trip next winter.

They are not asking whether or not they should visit at that time of the year.

They are going; just like the person who wrote the original query here.