cymbeline, I just want to add that when I said it warmed up later in the week (3rd week in February), I didn't even need a jacket in the afternoon. Of course, it cooled down a lot at night.

Yes, I would certainly go someplace even if I didn't know whether I would love it or hate it. After all, if you've never been somewhere, how can you know that?

Yes, Rome can be noisy and chaotic (although I've never thought of it as carbon dioxide poisoned!), but it has quiet areas as well. A tip for crossing the street in Rome: Start across, look the drivers right in the eye, and keep going. You know that old saying about he who hesitates is lost? That applies to crossing the street in Rome! But it's just part of the city. Rome has its own energy. I feel it as soon as I arrive!

And yes, Rome certainly has a lot of religious art, but that's not all that is there. There's all that ancient history as well.

If you want to read my reports, which include the less-crowded, more peaceful parts of Rome, here they are:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34687434

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34780400

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34922204

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35034084

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35111784

Enjoy!

January 2007 we spent a fabulous week renting an apt in Rome. The weather was wonderful and our self-imposed walking tours of the highest elevations around the city gave us wonderful vistas in which to appreciate the city even more.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US

I spent this past January in Portugal and I would highly recommend it. The north--Porto, Braga, etc was chilly, but the weather in Lisbon, Evora, Coimbra, and further south was lovely. Cool but not freezing nights and daytime highs in the 60's.

Portugal is packed with historical sights, old churches, beautiful villages, and fabulous Roman ruins. Lisbon is a fabulous capital city and there are many daytrips that you can take from there including Sintra and Cacais. I travelled solo and found the people everywhere to be welcoming and kind.

Another place to consider is Seville, Spain and the surrounding area including Cordoba. I spent time there in late February and the weather was very temperate. It is a fascinating place with great food, flamenco, and a unique blend of cultures.
Michele

I wouldn't suggest Greece for this time of year unless you go to the mountains and NOT the islands.
Greece has a mediterranean climate and that means ALL countries in that region have approximately the same climate. (Italy, south Spain, south of france etc...).
It's not tropical so it's not 'HUMID'!

The climate is characterized by hot, DRY summers and cool, wet winters.

In my opinion Januray and February are two miserable months and the best thing is to go to a tropical island or go skiing!

For Europe i love London every time of year but give Rome a chance. It's a wonderful, fascinating city full of history and it certainly has much more to offer than religious art!

Of course, there are no guarantees when talking about the weather !

In my area, it is probably a little cooler than Cote d'Azur in winter. It is also more rural, and cheaper !

A nice day in January can be up to 20C (68F).

So, some info :

Weather stats : http://the-languedoc-page.com/langue...er-history.htm

Winter photos :
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-067.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-022.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-117.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-395.htm

Peter