November OK to go?
 

DH and I are trying to plan trip that we "won" in an auction and November seems the best month for us. Will the weather be ok for Rome, Venice, Florence, Amalfi?

thanks

November is officially Italy's rainiest month, but lovely weather in November is not unheard of in Rome and sometimes Firenze. November is often a great time to visit Pompeii. If you want better odds, the latter half of September is probably the best.

If you end up going in November to Venezia, don't book in the San Marco district, which has the highest risk of morning floods at that time of year.

The cities of Rome and Florence will be fine...you can always duck into a gallery/museum//caferistorante/ enoteca (depending on your preference)when/if it rains.

But the Amalfi coast can be dreary in November and you have to watch out for aqua alta (flooding) in Venice. However, some folks actually fine Venezia with the aqua alta makes for an interesting trip with great photos and chats with other tourists.

>>The cities of Rome and Florence will be fine...you can always duck into a gallery/museum//caferistorante/ enoteca (depending on your preference)when/if it rains.<<

I mainly agree, although for people who book guided walking tours, the tour goes forward, even in downpours. I have seen hordes of tourists in plastic ponchos and under umbrellas, tromping around the piazzas of Roma, trying to take pictures, in downpours. (That was in October, however.)

In general, the cooler weather with the risk of rain is sometimes preferable to broiling sun for marching around Roma sightseeing. But if you plan to go independently, the cities -- including Venezia -- have lots of indoor venues.

November is such a low-touristed month, one could actually wait until you got to Italy to decide whether to book in the Amalfi, or just stay in Napoli to visit Pompeii and other art sites -- or just go someplace else altogether.

We were in Italy two years ago in the beginning of November and the weather was fantastic. We took our hooded waterproof coats with us, but wore them only one morning when there was a light drizzle and cloud cover and another morning when the air temp was moderately cool. All the other days were sunny and warm (even hot on a couple of days!) with brilliantly blue skies.

I know we were lucky - we had fully expected cooler temps and some rainy weather. We are going back to Tuscany and Venice during the first two weeks of November this year - maybe we'll luck out again! But even if it is cold and raining, I know we'll have an awesome time!

But we did heed the advice zeppole has already given you - we are not staying in the San Marco district of Venice.

Hi mpr,

Ho long is the visit that you want to go to Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi?

November is the off season for the AC, many hotels and restos will be closed.

((I))

A beach resosrt in the off season - with many hotels and rest closed, posiblt little or no ferry service, depending on the seas - is not what I would go fo.

Cities are better since you'll be indoors more - but you can expect either sunny and warmish or rainy and chilly - pick one. Also, in November the days are awfully short.

Can you trade off Amalfi for days in cities instead?

I found November in Venice just fine, although there was a bit of rain, lots of grey skies, and a (very small) morning flood. In some ways it just added to the atmosphere of a very atmospheric place. I certainly wouldn't recommend against it.

not my first choice...but not my last either :-) can be chilly and damp (or not -some years it's lovely)...and I like heat and sun...but hey - you go when you can! Great part is that the tourist sites are not crowded and you really can just relax into things...I'll be over for the month of November in the Avellino area and will certainly head over to the Amalfi coast. (I'm odd, I know, but I LOVE Amalfi off-season...second favorite is when it's PACKED in August! just love the contrast I guess!)

Off-season would be a good time to go to Rome and Florence, which are definitely too hot and crowded during summer. You'll have time to relax and enjoy the beauty of this wonderful cities, their monuments and museums.
Amalfi might be very nice, too even though I'm afraid many restaurants and attractions will be closed.

In Venice in November there are dozens of wine and food festivals and cultural events to be attended:

* "Scacco al re di cioccolato" - chocolate festival - from 17 to 18 November 2008 in Stra' (VE)
* "Venice and the Islam 828-1797" from the 28th of July to the 25th of November 2008
* "Immagini d'autore" - "auteur images" - from the 22nd of October to the 5th of November 2008 in Salzano (VE)
* Biennale Venezia 2008: International exhibition of art - from the 14th of September to the 23rd of November 2008, Venice (VE)
* VeneziainDanza - ballet festival - from the 16th of November to the 4th of Dicember 2008 at Goldoni Theatre in Venice (VE)
* Secret itineraries of Palazzo Ducale - guided tours into the Gothic Venetian masterpiece from 1st of November 2008 to the 30th of April 2009 in Venice

You won't regret your choice even if the weather will not be perfect!

I've been in October and early November. The weather was fine. We had a little light rain and some overcast days as well as a lot of warm sunny days. The weather never got overheated. Since I do a lot of walking, I prefer a more comfortable time of year. If I were just going to hang out on a beach, August would be great.

Festa della Salute with the building of the bridge occurs every November 21st in Venice (we're going in 2009).

Also this year there is some sort of "Biennale" with numerous events.

H-m-m...did not realize the Biennale is still on in Venice until the 23rd of November...this packs in the art students from Italy itself so do make your reservations well in advance or go the last week of the month.

And, mpr, have a great time!

thanks for all of the insight! I am a little overwhelmed but that is why we have a travel agent! and it is a 10 day trip. I doubt we will do Venice but this friday we meet with the agent so I will know more then...

Valeria, do you have a link to any websites where I can find out more about the dance festival in Venice? (Goggle didn't turn up anything for me).

>>I've been in October and early November. The weather was fine.<<

I live in Italy, and one October I was in Roma and it poured buckets. And buckets. And buckets.

You can't go by one experience.

Dear MademoiselleFifi

here you go http://www.culturaspettacolovenezia....php?iddoc=8739

Unfortunately I couldn't find anything in English, so if you need any help I can translate it for you!

;)

The current (2008) calendar has not been posted, yet.

As soon as I get info about it, I will let you know.

Ciaoooooo :-)

I've spent two 1-week trips to Venice in late November (during Festa della Salute) *and* I stayed in San Marco *and* it never flooded once. In fact, I can only remember one day of "bad" weather, and we used it as an excuse to hango out in a wine bar all day long reading books and relaxing.

I love Venice in November.

So, you mean it never floods in Venezia in November?