A change in our plans --- after all these months spent arranging our first trip to Italy, my husband and I have to cancel! Disappointing, yes. However, Italy will still be there next year!

We originally planned three weeks in September/October staying in Venice, Bellagio on Lake Como, San Gimignano, San Quirico & Florence. We were anticipating high costs because of the season & the value of the Euro against the Canadian dollar. Also, we were expecting to encounter big crowds.

Now we have an opportunity to plan a trip perhaps at another time of the year. Which months are pleasant for travelling in terms of the weather with fewer tourists and possibly lower rates? Any changes to the itinerary as set?

2010

Consider staying across the lake from Bellagio at Varenna, smaller but with good restaurant (La Vecchia Varenna), beautiful garden, nice pasarella and only a short boat ride to Bellagio and its gardens. Really good value place to stay in Florence Il Villino. I would consider staying in Siena (Palazzo Ravizza) instead of San Gimgnano but I think your itineray sounds great.

We are planning a trip ourselves to Japan this fall and are still recovering from three weeks in Italy in December with the American dollar. Still--carpe diem.

Fewer tourists--November, December and January are geat for lack of tourists esp for Florence which tends to be overwhelmed. October you can count on better weather, also September if you don't mind risking heat. Also March. For great weather late April, early May are best bets. In Venice, you can avoid tourist crowds with careful planning--go to mass in San Marco even if you are not religious, go to the Piazza SanMarco only early morning and late evening, lose yourselves in small streets and canals (this will not take effort).

A little Italian will bring you a lot of goodwill. Sorry you have to postpone, ma l'Italia vi aspetta!

Hi 2,

>Which months are pleasant for travelling in terms of the weather with fewer tourists and possibly lower rates?

Early May - could still be cold/rainy.
Early Oct - could become cold/rainy.

I thin that mid-May to mid-June and mid-Sept to mid-Oct are the best times.

In the fall, the new olive oil is out and the porcini are in season.

We just returned from a trip to Italy (March 9-19). The weather was great - in the 60s each day except for one day that was around 50. It only rained on our arrival day, which was OK because we did not have anything planned.

I should also mention that this trip was spent in the Rome and Sorrento areas; I don't think the weather would have been so nice in northern Italy. Also, we were probably lucky with regard to the weather, since March can be very unpredictable. We have also been in Italy in late November-early December, and much preferred the March timeframe. One reason is that the sun is higher in the sky and there are more daylight hours.

We like going just slightly off season to save money and avoid crowds. For example, our B&B in Sorrento was 65 euros a night - the rate would have been 95 euros after April 1. Airfare (Boston to Rome) was $558 (booked last October).

Anyone else?

We went last year Oct 16-27th. It was quite cold and drizzly in Florence. It was quite cold and rainy our first day in Rome and warm and sunny the next 2. Drizzly but warm when we hit Venice, and got warm and sunny for next couple of days. I would have to say pretty much like any southern US city in October!

I will not go any time during May thru Sept. Too crowded. And I'm a Chicago-born girl, so I am fine with 50 degrees and rain! I do not find a problem with this, especially because most of what I want to see is INSIDE a building. (museums and churches for the most part). If you're going for the nice weather, then obviously you have to choose something during peak season.

Fewer crowds, less expensive to go in late October. IMHO, worth the "risky" weather. When I return, it will again be in late October, early November.

Buon viaggio!

check out WWW.wunderground.com and look up various dates on the history of the weather in each town. I did that before our trip in March and was satisfied that we'd we okay going then.

It can rain but the temp is not that bad so it's not cold rain and it doesn't last long. There is someone selling umbrellas on every corner for 2 or 3 euros.

I'm so glad we went when we did as there were crowds at some places but not obnoxiously so that here are doing other times of the year.

>> Anyone else? <<

We've been to all the places you intend to visit and have done so in the summer months May through September (except August).

With only one exception (Florence) we've not been negatively impacted by the "big crowds" you refer to. We travel on a budget and have always been able to find modest but nice lodgings and restaurants even in the high season.

Unlike the previous poster who prefers the indoors, we like to explore towns and countrysides, so nice weather is very important to us. Long daylight hours are important too, giving us maximal sightseeing opportunities.

Your itinerary is a good one and I'd stick with it. I suggest June.

Thanks for sharing your fall/spring travel experiences with me. I think longer daylight hours and good weather will be the important factors in our decision. Like Tuck, we like to walk & explore towns and drive through the countryside --- maximizing sightseeing opportunities.

As for crowds, there are strategies, as cmstraf says, to cope with them.

As for budget, there are ways to stretch the dollar as well!

So, I will explore the possibility of travelling in May/June and compare that to the plans we set out for September/October.

2010

Hello 2010,
I'm sorry you've needed to postpone your trip. We've traveled to Italy in the middle of September (glorious), beginning of October (again, glorious), and this past fall the second week of November (freezing cold - sleet & snow in Tuscany). Hope this helps...
Happy planning!

Last half of May---long days and great flowers.

We've been to Italy twice, in February and November and been very lucky both times with just one day of showers. Otherwise the weather was cool and bright with a high of 70F and lows in the 50's mostly. Both times were definitely not crowded!
We got up early to make the most of the daylight on our last trip and as we were just based in cities (Rome and Florence) the short days weren't an issue as the streets are all well lit after dark and it was lovely to see the sights lit up at night.

Good luck with your choice!