Italy in Winter
 

I have been to Italy in 2008 and 2010 both during the month of May. I'm considering going in Winter to save some money. Trip Advisor had airfare BOS-FCO for $590 in Jan ,Feb and March. If you were to go in Winter which month would be best. I would like to spend about a week in Rome concentrating on churches. I would also like to spend a few days visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum staying in Naples. I haven't ruled out an open jaw flight. Any suggestions?

I spent a week in Rome in February 2008 and had a marvelous time. It was crisp cold and clear (lucky us) and there were no crowds. We were able to wander aimlessly and see all the major sites, including several churches. Others may have more detailed information about the weather in each of the months mentioned, but my husband and I have been traveling in February for many years and love it because of the reduced cost and lack of tourist crowds!

I've been the end of March (Rome and Pompeii) before and had good weather (short sleeves for days, jackets at night).

All sounds very nice to me!

For the weather in Rome, start here and then click on "Climate"...
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Italy/Rome.htm

The Diagram there has two options - "Temperatures" (pretty obvious) and "Precipitation" which shows the amount of, and number of days with, rain..... only very rarely does it fall as anything else, although this February our arrival coincided with the first snow they'd had for some quarter centurty.

Pictures from our more recent visits to Rome, mostly autumn and winter....
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/lazio

And for others, from throughout the year, generally taken near our home here on the island of Ischia - at the western side of the Bay of Naples - this is perhaps the best place to start...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/alla...chia&view=tree

Don't know much about flight prices, but under $600 sounds very good?
Openjaw may be an unnecessarily expensive option..... it's only a €44 /70 minute ride on the fast train back up to Rome, or else you might check the cost of flying from Naples, but via Rome - or even Milan or Linate?

Peter

PS - March, if you can wait that long, might be the best bet... it can be quite lovely, as you'll perhaps see from our day trip to the amphitheatre where Spartacus is said to have trained...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/capua_vet

The general rule is, of course, the later the warmer. In March, the odds are good that you meet sunny days and short-sleeve weather. In January and February it will be cold, more or less, and chances are higher to catch rainy days. But who cares for weather when you are visiting churches and museums?

I think sometimes visiting someplace in the off season is even better than going when the masses are there.

hi blx,

we went to Rome last feb [2010] and had a lit of everything including snow. Walking down to St. Peter's in a snow storm that obliterated the sight of the dome was very special - the last snow was 25 years ago and all the priets were takinh photos on their phones.

we didn't get to eat outside much [one of my favourite pastimes when in warmer climes] but we did have the odd sunny day when this was possible.

if you decide to go then, go prepared for rain, hope for sun!

I find Italy delightful in winter, and I'd urge you to go. As mentioned above, you will not be competing with droves of tourists for accomodations or eating venues. Some hotels lower their rates because occupancy is so low. In Januarys and Februarys I've brought a hooded raincoat with a detachable hood and zip-out lining. I also brought a small umbrella, boots, gloves, a scarf and a hat. The latter four items were for wear at night. I dressed in layers and was very comfortable. As for Pompeii, the only advice I'd give you would be to go on a dry day. Some of the venues are rocky and could be quite slippery in the rain; other parts would be muddy in wet weather.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

Thanks for your replies. Peter, I love your photos. I would have liked to stop in Capua in May on our way to Salerno, but we needed to get the rental car back. Maybe this time. I think March would be the best month for us to go.Ann, I enjoyed reading your TR.

It's so hard for me to comment on the weather, based on a couple of visits, but anyway.

15th December for three days. Wet for one day, but not horribly so. Not cold enough to need a hat and gloves.

14th January for fourdays. No rain, clear and sunny, but cold.

Both times too cold for eating outside.

You might get lucky and have snow - in which case, the hole in the Pantheon roof is pretty spectacular, so I am told.

We were in Italy in early January 2007 - had a fantastic time, it was quite warm, with a high one day of 16 deg c when we were walking around the cinque terra, with just a handful of other tourists - magic. Much warmer than say Germany/Austria. We had some light rain in Rome one day, but that was it and no snow.