My husband and I are planning a 3 week trip to Italy next spring. Right now we are in the very beginning stages of the planning, and I need some help.

Will the weather, flowers, crowds be better in March, April or May? Our last trip was in June, and the humidity and crowds in Rome almost killed DH!!

Here is our rough itinerary...Bellagio (4 days), Venice (4 days), Tuscany (7 days), Rome (5 days). Is this too ambitious? We saw the major sites on the last trip and are looking to slow the pace down and do more of the road less travelled.

Any suggestions and comments would be appreciated!

I'm jealous! I'd vote for the very beginning of May as the best all-around time of year. Your itinerary looks good, and I don't think it's too ambitious at all (unless you intend to do all 7 nights in different Tuscan cities).

If you REALLY want 'the road less traveled', though, I'd say that's probably Sicily. Maybe you can do that your NEXT trip to Italy!

We've traveled to Italy the beginning of May for the last couple of years - the weather then has always been spectacular. I can't help with March or April - have you checked out weather websites' history portion? (www.weatherunderground.com for example). Happy planning!

I love May in Italy, but I would reverse your order and end at bellagio and fly home from Milan. Better temps at the lakes.

What a great trip. I also like to go slow. You should check out www.slowtrav.com

Great trip reports and reviews. Anyway, I've been to Italy in March, April and May and I don't think you can go wrong with any month.

Hi M,

May is wonderful, but make your reservations early. If you want the road less traveled, change Tuscany for Umbria, or even Le Marche.

Buon viaggio!