pookamani

Hi all,
After researching hotels in Italy for a few weeks I’ve noticed that many post lower rates after Nov 1. What would the drawbacks be to going so late in the year – will it just be bad weather, or do key sights close down?
FYI – we will be staying in Rome, Florence, Venice a total of 14 days.
Thanks!

LoveItaly

Hello pookamani, yes you will get some winter weather but the weather in Italy has not been typical so to speak so I don't think even the residents know what to expect. Key sights closing down, no.

Drawbacks, some winter weather but if you pack for it (layered clothes is the best idea) you will be fine. Also, if you pack some silk underwear (long pants and long sleeve Tshirt) that will take up very little room in your luggage and keep you warmer if you do get cold weather.

Advantages you will have is so few tourist, seeing Italians living their real lives instead of trying to put up with all the tourist.

You should have lower airfairs as well as lower hotel room rates.

Go, and enjoy every moment. Best wishes to you.

Ann1

We were in Florence the first week of November last year and the weather was beautiful. In the evening only we wore a light jacket. In Rome we didn't even need a jacket. In the first couple of weeks in November in the cities you mentioned you won't need extra clothing.If you went to Amalfi there may be some closings, but definitely not in the cities you mentioned. You'll have fewer tourists. It's a perfect time of the year to be in Italy.

Chels

Hi, Pookamani,

No time is a bad time for Italy! Seriously speaking, I have gone to Europe every November around the Thanksgiving holiday for the past several years. I take advantage of the 2 days off from work so I use less of my vacation days. However, the biggest plus is that Europe is so much more affordable that time of the year.

My experience in Italy in late November is that it is much quieter than summer. I experienced no real crowds; however, American tourists did seem to increase in number between Thanksgiving day and the weekend. If you are booking tours, etc., that is the time to be wary of full bookings.

If you are considering Thanksgiving, and really want that traditional meal, most American hotels offer some form of Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day. I've never taken advantage of that so I cannot attest to quality- I'd rather eat at the local restaurants!

The drawbacks IMHO are as follows:

1) Tours: A number of tours stop running at the end of October. These are mostly tours to the countryside, Dolomites, etc. If you are a big fan of organized tours, check various websites to see if you are missing any tours you are very interested in taking.

2) Shorter opening hours and early darkness - Just about all attractions will still be open, but many function on shorter, winter hours. Tours usually leave a little earlier in the afternoon. Check websites for places you are interested in and plan accordingly. Also, as it gets dark earlier, you will have shorter sightseeing daylight. This is not that big of a deal, but it is something you should take into consideration.

3) Hotels - a few hotels close down for the winter season. Nothing too mainstream, and you will still have a lot of options left - at much better rates than summer/fall.

4) Weather - The weather is sometimes iffy (cold). For the most part, November in Italy is still pleasantly crisp, but be prepared to dress in layers. Venice can get cold on the water if you visit the outerislands. Additionally, a lot of your sightseeing will be outdoors with no place to dip into to warm up. Be sure to wear layers, and you will need hat, gloves, and scarves.

On the off chance it gets unseasonably cold or if you get cold easily (as I do!), I have found that fleece long underwear virtually stops any kind of cold weather. Others, like LoveItaly prefer silk because it is not as hot as fleece. LoveItaly is absolutely correct that long underwear cuts down on the bulky packing of sweaters.

I love Europe in November. I have to; it's too expensive for me in the summer!

I hope this helped.

Enjoy your trip,

Chels

Karl

We spent a week in Rome the last week of November in 2004. Weather was very nice (wore jackets not coats). We had a couple nights of light rain but nothing that stopped us from going out. One day as we walked through the Forum we had to take the jackets off because it was just too warm to wear them. Two or three nights we ate outside instead of inside the restaurant for dinner.

Have a great trip.

Karl

P_M

I went to Italy in November 2002 and had a fine time. For the most part the weather was great. My only regret was the Aqua Alta in Venice, which typically happens in Nov. We only had 2 days in Venice, and we lost one day to Aqua Alta, as the water was about 5 feet deep. Late that afternoon the tide receeded and we were able to enjoy our evening.

CheBird

Our last trip to Italy was in early November. We went to Rome, San Gimignano, Florence and Assisi. I had a light jacket and a winter scarf, just in case. The only place I needed to wear the scarf was San Gimignano - it was rainy there. Otherwise, I was able to just wear my jacket, if even that. In fact, my husband left his jacket in the car at the airport before we left and didn't realize it until we were on the plane heading to Rome. We figured he could just buy a light jacket when we got to Italy. Turns out he didn't even need one. Me, I was on the chilly side at times.

Some light sweaters, long sleeve t-shirts, small travel umbrella, jacket and scarf should do it.

pookamani

I love this board - there is so much info and everyone is so helpful!

I've decided we will go in November - living near the coast, cool weather and some rain won't bother us too much. We'll make do with the sunlight we have. It will probably be early Nov so Thanksgiving won't be a problem - though I would prefer dinner in an Italian restaurant too Chels!

Thanks for the silk underwear tip LoveItaly, I'll pick some up just in case.

Unfortunately this means I have one more month to wait! But I am sure the lack of crowds will make up for it.

trixiejara

We are going to Italy Nov. 17 and will be there thru Thanksgiving. We are goint to venice first , then Florence and finally Rome. Any nice restaurants in each place? What about gondola rides?

ritaly

I have gone to Italy the past four Novembers! The down side is it gets dark earlier, the plus side, very small crowds, and everything else we love about Italy is there! I love Italy in Nov, great fresh olive oil and the novella wine. Alta Acqua in Venice is an experience and really not a great problem. Last year we had pizza, wine and feet in the water in Cinque Terra, it felt like a wonderful early summer day. We wore no coats in Rome and had to buy short sleeve shirts it was so wonderfully warm. The price of airline ticket is GREAT! Enjoy!

HowardR

If our experience is typical, you'll have cool weather (leather jackets are perfect), some rain, but mostly sun. Florence was the coolest (we bought gloves there). You'll certainly be able to spend a lot of time outdoors, but probably not much sitting at outdoor cafes.
Still, as someone said: Anytime is a good time to go to Italy!
One November plus: The crowds are much smaller!

Song

Hi all:
We are going to Florence during Thanksgiving holiday. If it is much less crowded with tourists during that time, Do we still need to make the advanced reservations for the museums?

Thanks for all the valuable information!

HowardR

We didn't and had short lines first thing in the morning at Uffizi and no lines at all at the Accademia.

trixiejara

ok, I have a little question. We are going with a laid back tour group and would like to go from Flornce to one of the tuscan towns for the day on our own. What is the best thing for us to do to get there? Can we rent a car for the day or do buses run all day long? Please help as we don't want to book optional tours with group when we can go on our own adventure!

HowardR

If I had just one day to visit one town in Tuscany, I'd go to Siena. I believe that bus service is readily available.

Fabio

Yes, I too would pick Siena after Florence, either by bus or train !

lanz

Hi All
My family (2 Parents and 3 teens) is traveling to Italy in mid-november for 16 days...we are debating over the mode of transportation once there.
When my husband and I went on our romantic honeymoon 21 yrs ago it was just the two of us and a small car we rented in Amsterdam and drove over the course of three weeks to Southern Italy and then up to Paris...we loved it!
But now that there are 5 in the family I am thinking of the value of trains vs a car. Any thoughts? We are interested in seeing some countryside and that might be harder without a car.
Also has anyone leased a car for under 17 days (this appears to be the minumum # of days)? Is leasing a good investment? Any problems??? Maybe there is just a penalty but still cheaper than renting?
We have lots of ideas and no firm plans yet except we have our tickets to Milan. We have never been to Milan and only booked it as it was cheaper than Rome or Florence.So what to do in Milan???
We are spending one weekend visiting a former exchange student in Paris so we will need to figure out transportation there as well. Cost is deffinitely a consideration.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Lanz

VeaElMundo

Pookamani: My friend and I are also heading to Italy in November. I am interested to hear what your itinerary will be, as we are considering the same cities with the same amount of days. Also thinking of a couple of days in Milan... Any advice?

jandaan

Last November my husband and I took his father to Rome during Thanksgiving week. The weather was great. We did have one day of light to moderate rain off and on...but we each had a hooded rain poncho that is easy to pack, and this got us through with no problem. It was not cold, so only a jacket was needed, though we did see a lot of natives with heavy coats and scarfs. We did not feel the need for anything nearly as heavy as what they were wearing. We are from Atlanta. We were quite comfy with jackets and rain ponchos. We did go out late a couple of nights, and I used a scarf, but my husband and father in law did not need anything more than their jacket and were really very comfortable. I agree with the previous post of taking some silk undies just in case you need warm layers, but other than that, November was lovely in Rome, and I image anywhere south of Rome...not sure about northern areas. Have a wonder ful trip...we are going again in February.

dwntwngrl

Hi,
We are planning to go to Venice Florence & Rome in July 2006 ( taking my son for his HS graduation). If you can provide us with any suggestions from your trip that would be most welcomed. My email is [email protected] Thanks & Bon Voyage Debra