Italy - best weather - fewest tourists
 

Planning a month long trip to Italy for 2003. We plan to visit all the major cities. The trip can be in April, May, September or October. Which month would have the best weather all over Italy and the fewest tourists? Is there something special about either the spring or fall that makes one more desireable over the other?

I would vote for late May (or even early June) - - there seems to be a better chance at snagging a last minute baqrgain airfare in May than in September - - and the days are longer May 20-30 by a full hour, compared to September 1-10. And yet, usually not as hot in the former versus the latter.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

up<BR>

Last year I was in Italy the last week of May. Most towns I visited were very crowded with tourists, especially Florence. There were more tourists in Florence than Italians! <BR><BR>If crowds bother you, I strongly recommend either not visiting the end of May, or (if you have to go then) avoiding Florence.<BR><BR>Rome, Venice, and Naples also had many tourists in May, but not to the point of being as congested with them as Florence.

Last week of Sept, first week of October is when I've been to Venice, Rome, Florence.<BR>Not without tourists by any means, but not unpleasantly crowded or problematic.<BR>If you're going to Florence, still order Uffizi and Accademia tickets in advance.<BR>At that time of year Rome was hot during the day (about 75-80F) but very pleasant, drizzle maybe once.<BR>Occasional drizzle or rain in Florence or Venice, but not every day nor all the time.<BR>Weather is always a crap shoot though, except perhaps in August or February when it's pretty consistent from year to year.

I would suggest April...but make sure that it is not Easter Week.<BR><BR>We've traveled to Europe in March and April and both months were great weatherwise and usually not too many tourists. For us, cooler is better than too hot.<BR><BR>The only downside that I know of for October is that the air conditioning is usually turned off most hotels on October 1. Just heard that from a cousin who will be going there this October. <BR><BR>You will have a great time no matter when you go...have fun planning.<BR>

topping<BR>

I was in Rome and Tuscany in the first half of October. The weather was great, actually still a little hot in Rome. I had a great time but, if you go to Tuscany, be prepared to see a lot of dead sunflowers. :(

We were in Italy from April 21st -May 3rd. April 25th is Liberation Day and May 1st is Labor Day. MANY Italians take that whole week off. It was extremely crowded in Siena, Florence and somewhat crowded in Venice. I'd say avoid the end of April!

We just got back also. We were there from April 18 - 29. April 25th, Liberation Day, was busy with Italians in Cinque Terre, but not as crowded as other people have described in July or August with Americans. The weather was nice and fairly cool. We do not travel well in hot weather. The thing I noticed was all the school kids on school trips, busloads of them, in Rome, in Pisa, in Florence, in Siena...not so much in Venice but that was pretty crowded on the weekend we were there between the April 25th and May 1st holidays. It wasn't terrible but it's something I hadn't thought about before we went. I still like to travel that time of year (we noticed the same thing last year in California) and I'm sure the summer is busier, so anytime "off season" is better. We walked right into Accademia in Florence an hour before closing on a Sunday and had a small line for Uffizi (we were taking our chances without reservations but it worked out great). We waited in line for about an hour to get into the Vatican museum and then took the short walk to St. Peter's. We went to the Colosseum and Roman Forum later in the day also and had no line to get in. The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain were very crowded. The one thing better about later in the fall might be that the grapes would be ripe or being harvested. That would be pretty to see and smell, although I'm not actually sure when the grape harvest is. The grapevines were just starting to grow when we were there and the spring flowers were blooming. Very pretty scenery. Sorry for rambling. Hope this helps.<BR>Lori

Other opinions?

Hi Francine,<BR><BR>My wife and I typically like the April or October timeframe in Italy. Not too hot in the South, not too cold in the North. . . and not overrun with tourists like us.<BR><BR>Planning your time and what you will do is important, particularly if holidays fall into your travel time. Account for them in advance; as there is typically little upside for the traveller on holidays.<BR><BR>Have fun

Any thoughts as to the weather in January?

April or October, nice weather and fewer tourists. Watch out for the holidays, particularly in April.

Who is making jokes about Italy in January???? I would choose early summer.(May?) In Tuscany there are always a lot of tourists especially in Florence, but if you make advance reservations for the hotels it is not bad. Last time we were there in autumn (October). It was OK, but we had problems with the central heating, it can get quite cold.

Francine--I would pick April. I went to Italy this year in March, from the 13th through the 26th. We started in Rome, and worked our way north through Florence and Venice. I loved the time I picked for several reasons:<BR>COST<BR>Airfare from Atlanta-Rome, then Venice to Atlanta was $392, lower than May or September.<BR>hotels, for the most part, hadn't raised prices to summer levels<BR>CROWDS<BR>I never felt overwhelmed by crowds, and didn't have to wait at attractions<BR>WEATHER<BR>Spring can be a gamble almost everywhere, but in Italy is not really cold. I'll take a little too cool over too hot any day. Only had a little sprinkle on one afternoon-a good excuse to sit down inside for a break.<BR><BR>In past years, I've also gone to London and Paris in late March/early April, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I was just in Italy from April 16 to 27. The first week of our trip was some type of National Museum Week because we were able to get into the Uffizi, Accademia, and Villa Borghese without having to pay the admission (only reservation fees). Although I cannot compare this with any other month, I will agree with Lori that a lot of kids were on field trips and visiting many of the sights I did. <BR><BR>As Lori says, April 25th is Liberation Day (as well as St. Mark's Feast Day, which is a big holiday in Venice) and May 1 is Labor Day (or May Day). Many stores and restaurants were closed on the 25th. The trains were also very crowded during this time period. <BR><BR>I will say the weather was wonderful during this time. It was very comfortable during the daytime (high 60s, low 70s), but sometimes did get a little chilly at night. Occasionally, it was windy and it only rained once during my visit.

I've been in Italy during both the beginning of March (mostly Rome) and the end of September (mostly Tuscany) and both were fabulous times to go. Nothing was exceptionally crowded (except Sistine Chapel) and we had no long lines anywhere. Weather was comfortable - I only needed a jacket or light coat in the evenings in March and we went swimming in the ocean in September. Enjoy your trip; you'll love it - it is a family joke that I wish I had been born Italian!

Don't rule out the first part of June.<BR>I have been to Italy twice during that time and the airline fares are still down and the weather is wonderful!<BR>We loved Amalfi, Umbria, and the Rome area. Some days were warm for a few hours but the nights were perfect and morning and afternoons were so pleasant.<BR>However, we are from Texas so we may not<BR>be as particular as others. It only sprinkled on us once during our 2 week trip. Have a great time.<BR>Kay

Went to Italy April 27-May 2nd: very nice weather; crowded in Florence on Easter holiday (expected). Museums moderately crowded, but not too bad. Recommended time!<BR>Have a good trip!