We have plans to visit Italy in the middle of February for two weeks. We had hope go there in May but travel plans have changed and we can only can visit there in February.It would be the middle of February.Our intentions are to fly into Rome stay there for a week and then taking a flight to Milan and tour there a week and then leave for the USA from there. I have gotten advice don't go because it's is too cold and rainy and then go anyway because there will so many things to do indoors. HELP...anyone who has visited there that time year we will welcome any suggestions....

- <BR>Paulette, yeah it'll probably be cold & rainy (certainly in Northern part of Italy), but so is most of the US during February. That is of course, unless you happen to live in San Diego or Miami - but there are certain advantages to traveling during the off season. <BR>1. Airfares are cheaper; <BR>2. Hotels are cheaper, and easier to get into; <BR>3. Few tourists. <BR>So you'll have to pack some heavier clothes (layers!!!), but I'd say go!

Carnival is in February in 2001. <BR>www.carnivalofvenice.com was mentioned in a previous posting. <BR>

Paulette -- I was in Rome in January 1997, and Venice in February 1998, in each case for about four days. No, it wasn't balmy, but it was perfectly enjoyable. I had a medium-weight jacket and gloves, and that was plenty. I don't even recall much rain in either place, and really it was rather nice not being one among a horde of tourists. I had my choice of tables in Venice in the cafes outside San Marco; I could get into any restaurant I wanted in Rome. The canals didn't smell, as I understand they sometimes do in hot weather. I'd go to Italy in winter again in an instant. <BR> <BR>In Rome, I spent a lot of time outdoors -- wandering through the ruins, by the Trevi Fountain (my favorite, for how unexpectedly it pops up in its small plaza), around Capitoline Hill, at random through the plazas -- but, as your friends have said, there's much to do indoors as well. <BR> <BR>I'd say go, and luxuriate in your freedom to enjoy off-season travel!

Paulette, YOu aren't planning to spend a whole week in Milan, are you? At its best time of year, Milan is not much more than one day. Italy will be fine in February, although there might be snow in the higher elevations and rain in the lower. I would plan a lot of time in Florence where there is much to do inside if the weather turns nasty plus the added bonus of very few tourists in this normally crowded city. Also in Siena. I would skip the lake country however. Buon viaggio.

Dear Paulette, <BR>I went to Milan and Venice last December and January - it was cold, but it was not crowded, and a lot of fun. I agree with people who suggest that you not spend a week in Milan - I stayed for 2 days, and spent a lot of time taking pictures around the Duomo. (You can get all the way up to the room via elevators, and the views and close-up details of the church are wonderful!) From Milan, it's only a 3 hour train ride to Venice, and Venice in the wintertime is great! Not very crowded, not smelling bad, very cold some days, but very beautiful. I had visited Rome in November, and found it quite warm - maybe you could go to Milan/Venice first, and then to Rome to thaw out. Things are cheaper, less hurried, less crowded - don't let the cold weather keep you from going.

I have been to Northern Italy and around Innsbruck Austria both in December and February and, although it was cold, it was still very lovely. In the mountains, of course, there was alot of snow but it was beautiful. And Venice...Wow! Very few tourists and it was kind of overcast...I felt like I was stepping into a painting! Very mysterious. <BR>I'll go to Europe any season! There are always benefits. <BR>

if everyone goes to europe during the off season, won't that make it the on-season? <BR> <BR>heh.

I spentthe second and third weeks of February in the area of Florence, Tuscany, Rome. I found it nice spring weather, and quite comfortable. Like any spring, it can rain, and it can be cool at night, but certainly not enough to stay at home. I lucked out with little rain, so you might too.

Do check on the dates for the Venice Carnival - they vary from year to year. I highly recommend being in Venice for it, we were there in '98 and it's one of the most memorable city experiences we've had in many years of travelling. You only need to be there for a couple of days to get a taste of it, preferably at the first or last weekends. The disadvantage is that many hotels, etc. may be fully booked already, and obviously the city will be very crowded, on the other hand the weeks just before or just after Carnival are blissfully quiet. Weather-wise, Venice in February can be very spring-like and warm, or extremely cold and damp - we've had both.