Italy at Christmas & New Year
 

I've booked a Trafalgar tour of Italy over Christmas and New Year. This is my first trip and I made the decision a couple days ago. So I'm really short on research time. I'm hearing there's lots of rain, but the temperature info I've found is confusing. I'm going as far north as the Lakes and down south to Capri. Do I need to bring my down coat or will a rain coat with a liner be enough? Opinions, please.

Hi 2impulsive - I'll be in Rome over Christmas and I'm tracking the weather 15 days out on www.accuweather.com

It looks like it will be pleasant in Rome on 12/20 with a high of 60. If I were you I'd bring the raincoat with a liner and sweaters.

I've spent Christmases is Italy but all I can say is that the weather is unpredictable. It might be mild and sunny, it might be freezing - even in Sicily - and there might be rain or snow. Even if the days are sunny and mild, daylight is limited and it will certainly be cold in the evening. What clothes you need will depend partly on what climate you're used to, and on whether you're likely to go out of doors much in the evenings.

I live on Lake Como, and so far this winter has been unusually warm, and was dry until a week or so ago - whereas last year by this time we had snow (and I have video to prove it on http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/...ansumanza.html)

In general, Italy may SEEM colder than you're used to because you'll spend more time exposed to the weather - walking around, waiting for trains and buses, etc. I would definitely bring a warm winter coat - everyone around here is wearing their down coats by now, and the weather is only going to get colder from here on.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

beginningwithi.com

I went from Venice to Rome over Christmas 2004 and at times it was very cold, rainy and windy. I would take a coat that would allow you to walk around outside in rainy low 40s-type weather.