ITALY
 

I am studying abroad in Italy a little over a year from now for about 6 months and I have a few options but I've narrowed it down to two. I can either go in the fall and stay for a couple months in each Florence, Rome, and Tuscany or go during the spring and stay in Florence, Rome, and Venice. Which do you suggest I do and why ?

The venetian accent is a little special and probably worth gaining, given that this would be in the winnter months I'd recommend the spring tour as at least its getting warmer (and more sunlight) every day

Jenn,

if you are going in the autumn you will be there until spring; if you go in the spring, you will be there until autumn. the question therefore is whether you want to be in italy during the [coolish] winter or the [hot] summer.

personally, if I were going to be doing a course, I'd prefer to be there in the winter when studying will be more comfortable; it will be very hot in Rome in the summer. IMHO you will actually be able to do more outside the course time in the winter than in the summer.

anyway, I'm really jealous of your 6 months in Italy; it just did a course for a week and had a great time.

Hello, Jenn, I agree with bilboburgler, the Venetian accent is a bit special or different.

The only difference between the two choices is Tuscany, which I assume you mean the countryside of Tuscany as Florence is in Tuscany of course versus Venice.

I would opt for the spring. You will be in Rome no matter which season you choose, you can take weekend trips to the countryside of Tuscany while in Florence and you can do the same when in Venice which is in the Region of Veneto and where it is easy to travel to so many places via the train for weekends. Lucky you, have a wonderful adventure!

I prefer the spring---longer days and beautiful flowers.
Nov. and Dec are the rainy months.

Winters in Italy can be pretty miserable weather-wise, but on the upside almost no tourists blocking traffic, uncrowded museums, shops and cafes. Could you swing a December through May schedule which would give you uncrowded days and a month of gorgeous spring before the hordes descend again?

"Winters in Italy can be pretty miserable otherwise .... " ???
That may be one person's perspective ..... however having grown up in Massachusetts, I'd take a Roman winter in a nano second.

I vote for the fall/winter term. Wouldn't want to deal w/ madding crowds of tourists that descend during June-July-August, as well as heat/humidity of hottest part of summer.

If you're just studying Italian you should be fine everywhere you go. If, on the other hand, you're studying a particular subject at university you should know that universities are a lot better in the north (in particular Milan,which you don't mention) is home to the best Italian universities.
In summer it's hot everywhere but you said that you're going either in the fall or in spring, so what's the problem. Spring would probably be the best season( it should be warm but not hot)