Hello Fodorites! My mother and I are planning a trip to Italy, and I am having trouble figuring out when would be the best time to go. Our only options are early June, the very beginning of September, and early to mid October. This will be my mom's first trip to Europe, and she does want warm weather, but I'm concerned about humidity. I'm trying to balance the pros and cons of intense crowds, intense heat/humidity, and unpredictable cool/rainy spells. I would really appreciate your thoughts. Again, we're hitting up Venice, Florence and Rome, and this is part of a group tour, if that makes a difference.

I have checked weather sites for averages, but personal experience is often more helpful. Many thanks!

Did you check www.wunderground.com ? You can look back over the past several years on any given dates.

I have been to Italy twice in mid-October and it was rainy in Venice, warmer and sunny in Florence, and even warmer and glorious in Rome. I have also been to Venice in November and had picture perfect weather. It is just luck of the draw.

was in Venice and Florence late September early October 2006. weather was great low 80's. The only possible problem I noticed is that when we landed in Venice the streets were dry when we left from Venice 10 days later the grand canal was beginning to make itself known by over lapping the walkways and outside eateries.

I would pick September over June as it can get very hot. I froze two years ago in mid-September when coolish rains swept through. Everyone had on their winter coats.

October or late April-early May are IMHO the best times. But mother nature can not be totally depended on <G>

Hi, lingerer, I have always experience rain and often electrical storms when in Venice and the Region of Veneto during October. Of course it is the luck of the drawer as one time the same weather conditions started overnight the middle of September. I had to buy winter clothes and ended up mailing my warm weather clothes home. I have always found Florence rather warm in September but nothing like it gets during the summer months. For Rome I would chose October. Years ago we were in Venice for a week during June and it poured half of the week.

Having said that I would take rain over the oppresive heat and humidity that hits Florence and Rome in June and often into September. Depending on your and your mother's tolerance for various weather conditions I would base my decision on that factor.

Not much help I know. But my best wishes to you two, how lovely to be visiting Italy together, you will make beautiful memories regardless of the weather I am sure.

Of these choices- definately October. I have visted many times in October and have found the weather to be lovely. I think that June and Sept may still be too hot and too crowded, especially in June- very hot and muggy.

October for sure. Still hot & muggy in September...very hot & muggy in June. I agree with zoecat.

Venice wouldn't normally be bad in either early/mid June or mid/late September, but Florence can be quite unpleasant. Of course, there's no way to predict with any accuracy whether this particular June or September will be hotter or cooler than average. I also would prefer early to mid October.

Another vote for October. We were in Florence and Rome the first two weeks of September 2009 and the humidity was quite uncomfortable.

I'm going the beginning of October for just that reason. I don't like the humidity at all - it makes me very cranky!

Another vote for early October. However "early" June gets you in and out before the really bad summer heat and humidity with the additional bonus of spring and early summer flower gardens and window boxes being in full bloom. Have a great trip and many, many gelato's.

I would vote for October too - definitely.

The last time we were in Italy was 18 months ago and was in the first half of October. The weather was great and so were the crowds of tourists. We were told the tourists are not so many the last half of October.

The Sistine Chapel was so crowded we could barely find standing room. Since we had been there when it was not crowded we didn't stay long.

I would suggest May as my first choice, but of the months you selected it would be October.

Thank you all for your advice. Sounds like October is a strong favorite.

Chiming in with another vote for October. We were in Italy in late October - early November 2005 and the weather was wonderful. We started in Rome and worked our way north, so the temperature did come down a bit, but it was still beautiful for the majority of the trip. It did rain one day in Florence and one evening in Venice.