Italy in December
 

What part of Italy is best in December. I don't like rain but chilly/not icey is fine. Yes - too vague. I'm trying to get us to Italy for a long (month) stay and it looks as if Dec is the most promising for us. However, I'm very confused re. where to go! Last year all Fodorites were enormously helpful re. our month (Jan) in Rome. We've been to Venice many many many times and LOVE Venice but I'm thinking it's a bit north for December sun. Although we've been to 3 Carnivale and had 80 degree days as well as snow, therefore chi sa? Maybe a village we've never been to that also has some culture - museums, concerts, etc. We've stayed in Rome, Florence, (not Siena), Milano (too big - but wonderful), Torino, etc. I was trying to find an apartment in the Piemonte area, Aqui Terme but couldn't find anything. My previous inquiries were regarding finding a place where I'd stay w/o my husband but now he has freed himself up to join me so the options are a little different.
I'm open to all ideas....

well..Amalfi coast is still pretty sunny in winter. The biggest challenge is that there's not a lot open--some hotels and restaurants close for winter. Naples might be good. Despite the fact it doesn't strike many as a "cultural hub", there are a couple of museums, and if the weather holds, you can make the crossing to Capri, too, for some beautiful views. On Capri not everything is open in winter, but there will be some places open, and as I said, the views should be terrific.

BC

We enjoyed our short visit to Naples and talked about going back. Perhaps this would be a good place for us. I know that there are operas in the beautiful - I think it's San Carlo opera house - I'll take a look at a Naples website. Thank you for that suggestion.

You're most welcome. Hope you enjoy your trip! My first solo trip to Rome was in January, and I found it so much warmer and sunnier than my hometown. (I live in Michigan!)

BC

In December, Rome and southwards is fine anywhere, if we just exclude the Abruzzo mountains.

Yes, BC, Rome in January was definitely warmer than Boston in January...I was continually reminding myself of that as we wandered about Rome periodically in the cold and rain - never all day rain though and the skies were gorgeous. I made a book on Blurb.com "Rome Inverno" - there you can see sunsets, buildings reflected in puddles and people waiting in museum lines under colorful umbrellas...Winter in Rome!
However, we'd like to try a different city this year so the more ideas the better.
Thanks,

Am I getting the wrong impression or do you stay in one place for the whole month? Why don't you go to a few different places. Why don't you try Sicily, Bari, Perugia. All great places. In Sicily don't expect the beach areas to be open, but there is so much more.

I think Rome weather is close to North Carolina (more the eastern shore)as far as weather. Florence does get a little snow sometimes in the winter.

Since you have already been to Rome I think the best bet in December is Sicily. You should still find a number of hotels open in Palermo, Catania and Taormina. You will likely have many sunny days though the evenings will be getting chilly. If it does rain followed by sun you will see the spectacle of Etna with a white top.

There is tons of culture as Sicily has been a meeting place throughout the centuries. The people are cultured, extremely polite and welcoming - this is a feature of the Sicilians.

Sicilian wines have advanced in leaps and bounds over the last ten years or so, you will find restaurants and trattorie which offer unbelievable food at incredible prices - just choose the local dishes. The fish is always wonderful. In December they are in the midst of the citrus harvest.

Sicily wins hands down and this is from someone who lives on Lake Como!

giannetta,

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed looking through your book on blurb.com. It is nice to be able to preview books on their website. I have created 3 books on Blurb and feel it is a great way to organize and share travel photos.

Now, I need to plan a trip to Rome next winter!

Excuse me for interrupting - but are there any more options for visiting Italy during the beginning of December? - although the above does offer a lot of options. I often have difficulty getting time off of work but have always been able to get off for the beginning to middle of December.

Thanks.

Shanti: In the beginning of December you have Italy to yourself. You have the whole country to choose from. The only places you will find a lot of things closed are beach areas. Which doesn't mean you have to stay away from them. Just understand you could have a problem getting a hotel or finding a restaurant open. Do some research ahead of time and you'll be fine. Otherwise you have all the big cities and all the villages in between. North will be more chilly than the south. Chances are the south won't be very warm. In the Naples/Ischia/Amalfi area the temperature in December is about 0 Celsius or 50 Fahrenheit. You won't have lines at the museums, you won't have crowds, etc, etc. It's a great time to visit. We just got back in April but we have a wedding to go to in December so we'll be there enjoying it.

Thanks, Ann1, it sounds like a good time to visit and the weather sounds similar to what I'd experience at home.

I want to correct what I said.....December is about 10 Celsius not 0 Celsius in the Naples area. It's still 50 degrees Fahrenheit, I just left out the 1. Sorry.

That's ok. I figured it was a typo.

Thank you, Ann1, I thought I had the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit worked out but I thought "guess not", lol.

LoveItaly: I use the converter but my DH, SIL and BIL are all brilliant in math. They sat at the table one night (didn't have a computer handy) and insisted on hashing it out on paper. I sat there listening to them and still don't understand it.....if I'm not near a computer, I'll wait until I am. But I do know 0 is 32 so that was a typo. I know 10 is 50. I also know that 35 is really hot in the 90's.

I would also put a vote in for Sicily. We spent a week there in January this year and could have easily stayed for two more.