I was in France for two weeks this past June. It rained/showered the first four days. I was just so happy to finally be there (long flight delays) that I honestly have to say it didn't bother me. Toward the end of the trip it became hot and humid and that bothered me.

I'd sell my soul right about now for some rain; I, too, live in the arid desert climate of Arizona, and it got to 113 today...and it'll be there again tomorrow. <BR> <BR>We've been rained on in Ireland and London (and the surprise would be...?) and France and Spain and Malta and....we even got rained on in Morocco. <BR> <BR>We still do what we had planned, and drink more tea and coffee than wine and beer. So far, it's not curtailed our sightseeing. <BR> <BR>

ciao sunshine <BR> <BR>not at all! i allways find a way to have fun. normally it's the day (ore the days) when i work on my laptop (due to my business, i'm selfemployee, i have to work even in holidays) or i take a good book or some guidebook which i didn't read before and learn.... or i go and sit in a nice coffee and buy some journals or things like that. <BR> <BR>tanti saluti <BR> <BR>christina

One of the nice things about travel in Europe is that you almost always have alternatives on a rainy day. Churches, museums, nice drinking places, etc.

Actually... I LOVE RAINY weather on vacation in Europe!!!! Maybe it's because we live in So. Cal, where it's hot and dry most of the time. <BR>I want my castles damp, my cappucino's steamy and my pavement "shining like silver" in the streetlights... heck If I want sunny bright days, I'll either stay put or head to Vegas!

Once you get wet, you can't get any wetter. <BR> <BR>Plan for rain, be prepared for rain, and if it rains, no problem. If it doesn't, so much the better. <BR> <BR>Some places are more magical - and less crowded - in the rain. Venice and the island of Delos in Greece are two places that immediately come to mind.

Rain does not ruin anything - just go prepared - europe is beautiful sunny or raining. In europe people don't worry about the weather as we do here in usa. For good weather go to florida!!

Ok, dissenting opinion: <BR> <BR>I know rain's one of those weather essentials, and if I'm inside curled up with a book I love it. If I have to be outside, however, I _hate_ it. There is nothing worse for me than feeling damp. Hot damp, cold damp, whatever -- I despise it. So I hate unexpected rain. Or even expected rain that blows all over me and makes me damp. Bleah! <BR> <BR>On the glass-half-full side, if I know it's going to rain, I prepare myself for less sightseeing and for more expensive pursuites and go to cafes, tea rooms, pubs, restaurants, etc., and treat myself to something nice, warm, and tasty!

I agree with John and several others that the rainy days can be very memorable. Once looking for a place to sleep in Paris with two good friends in a total downpour with heavy backpacks. Stopping for a $5 cup of tea to just get a break from the rain - one of the bext cups of tea I've ever had. Also enjoyed a total drenching in Varenna last fall while hiking with my mom. It makes the sunny days that much more enjoyable. And I agree with all about the unbeatable ambiance after a rain storm - of course I am also from the NW. <BR>

Not at all! We live in an area where it seldom rains during the summer time. So, we really do have to remember to bring umbrellas and light rain gear. We have very fond memories and some good pictures of two trips to Italy where we had to hold up under an awning while it poured; once when a cafe was open and we sipped coffee and another time when the cafe was closed for the afternoon. My wife filled out post cards while I read. We were comfy both times. This last year in Scandinavia, we did get several days of rain. One late afternoon we were hold up in a door way while it poured in Arhus, Denmark. Fortunately, there was a jazz concert going on in a tented facaility across the square. So, we tapped our toes in the rain, well protected and happy to be there.

It isn't always pleasant when it rains but it's never ruined a vacation for me. My first week in Paris, it only rained (hard) on the last day. But I was in love by then and it didn't matter. I went back the following year and only got sun on one day. The rest of the time in rained. Didn't care. It was great. <BR>I've had rain in London (big surprise) and still enjoyed it. In a lull, we got to watch the Queen's guard practicing without have large crowds around. Then, we went to the National Gallery while it poured outside. <BR> <BR>Surprisingly, it didn't rain once while I was in Scotland but it was misty in Edinburgh. The only thing it ruined was the view from the Castle. <BR> <BR>We had one big thunderstorm in Florence but my friend had a folding umbrella so we stood in the Boboli Gardens under it and enjoyed the rain that lasted for about 15 minutes or so. <BR> <BR>Lee

I took some of my best pictures in Italy in the rain. I thought all I would get were rain drops but that was not the case. The greens of the Fiesole ruins turned out deep and rich. So don't be put off by the rain when photographing, especially nature shots. <BR>

I only mind the rain if it is raining too hard for me to safely use my camera when hitting the most photogenic spots, especially if my shots really need blue skies to work, or when I am somewhere that is just not the same without the sun. In some places (London, for example), rain can add atmosphere. In others (beaches, for example), it is mostly a pain in the ***.

Not a bit! I've discovered some of my favorite pubs by ducking inside during a sudden rainstorm in London! <BR> <BR>Also, my travel theory is: If it's February (for example) and cold as hell where I live and also cold as hell in Paris, I'd rather be in Paris, so why wouldn't I go anyway?

It rained my first day in Amsterdam. I just walked out of a coffeeshop and drank my first, second and third Heineken Pils from Holland. I really didn't seem to mind.

Topping for rain fans.

Well, if I had had to put up woth five horrid rainy days during my vacation I would have considered the entire 7 weeks totally ruined. I mean how can you possibly put up with anything that isn't exactly what you planned for?

Being British we always EXPECT rain on holiday in England and therefore if it doesn't we consider it a bonus, which is why most Brits head to sunnier climes for their holidays. However even the sunniest destinations can have an 'off' day. I remember one particular holiday in the south of France (normally guaranteed to be dry in the summer), when camping with a total of ten young children.<BR>The first day of rain we just shrugged our shoulders and went for a walk, the second we said'never mind it will be nice tommorrow' and read books and played cards, well by the fifth day it had become beyond a joke and we were all feeling quite cheated. The children were getting bored with card games so we had the bright idea of having a Disco. We backed one of the cars up to the entrance of the largest tent, cleared out the furniture and made sandwiches hot dogs and jelly ( I think you call it Jello in the US). Then we put on all the 'party tapes we always carry in the car to keep the children amused on long trips on the car stereo at full blast and hey presto we had a great party going. Word soon spread around the site and every kid in the camp converged on our tents. They all spoke different languages but we managed with fractured 'school' language and sign to teach them all such traditional english party dances as the Hokey Cokey and Ackadoo. They all had a whale of a time , and my young son was heard to say as we tucked him up in bed that night 'I hope it rains again tomorrow'. Luckily it didn't for the sake if the grownups sanity , but it will always be one of our great holiday memories.

Hi Countrymouse,<BR> An excellent example of &quot;When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade&quot;.

hi If we are talking about rain in the Uk just think it WILL rain, dress accordingly take an umbrella and have a positive attitude. pauline