I will be leaving for Italy on Thursday, and weather.com is giving rain for at least the first five days. I was wondering if rain in Italy is usually all day downpours or if is usually showers on and off. I know this isn't exact scientific question but where I live in NC, if it rains it rains continuously most of the time. If I travel south or to the coast it usually just rains on and off. Again, I know this can't be an exact answer because any weather pattern can be weird, but a sort of general answer would be great.<BR><BR>I also would be interested in your ideas of what to do and how to prepare if it is constant rain. <BR><BR>We will be in Naples, Sorrento, would like to see the Amalfi coast and will be in Rome. <BR><BR>Thanks for any info and advice to this weird question.<BR><BR>April

Bring an umbrella and a raincoat?<BR><BR>Sorry, couldn't resist. When I was there 2 years ago, it rained steadily one day and was off and on the next, so you are right, it is hard to predict. <BR><BR>I'd say, do whatever you planned to do, just be flexible with the order. If it is actually raining, use this time to travel between places or do indoor things. The minute it lets up, see the outdoor stuff, to the extent possible.<BR><BR>You will have a great time, regardless. It is a wonderful country!<BR><BR>Karen

We were in Venice last month and I was stressing out about the prediction of rain for the entire stay. But remember, you can't control the weather or change it, so just go on with your plans. It may downpour or rain off and on. If you plan on grabbing taxis, they may be harder to find in the rain.<BR>While in Venice in the rain, we went to the churches, museums, shopped and stopped in cafes to eat and drink.<BR><BR>Sorrento is great for shopping for gifts. Go from ceramic shop to inlaid wood shop. Eat, relax in a cafe.<BR>Don't stress and have fun.<BR><BR>Good luck,<BR>Michelle

Hi<BR>A rainy winter day will be a rainy day, that is, unless it gets better. Really I think it's only in the heat of summer, or in the tropics, where there is likely to be a sudden cloudburst and then sunshine.<BR><BR>Yes of course, the raincoat (with lining, and layers underneath) and an umbrella, but also waterproof shoes or short boots, and extra dry socks.<BR>Catalogs like Land's End, L L Bean, Travelsmith,and even your local department store have inexpensive &quot;duck shoes&quot; or short waterproof boots. Some of the more expensive walking shoe brands like Mephisto or Ecco have water resistant models.<BR>If you buy a less-expensive boot or shoe, buy them bigger to allow room for a Dr Scholl's innersole to help cushion your feet for lots of walking.

This situation is when I am glad I have paid for a room with a view. I Sorrento it rained off and on for the first few days we were there in Sept. So we sat by our balcony view and watched the storm until it let up enough to venture out. It was fun to watch the storm cells hit Sorrento and hear the thunder bounce off of the hills and reverberate over the area town.

Weather in Southern Europe (or in general in all the countries near the Mediterranean Sea) is a different thing from what you can experience in any country near an ocean. We are luckily spared the most powerful episodes (hurricanes and such) but at the same time we are not able to have weather forecasts that will be valid for more than a couple of days. The weather here changes fast and it is unpredictable. Sometimes I have seen day upon day of never stopping rain, but in most cases we have two or three days of rain followed by two or three clear but windy days folloved by one cloudy day at the end of which it starts drizling again, but the next morning it is clear and so on. And all this is scarcely unpredicltable. Never trust a weather forecast about Italy (on generally about the Mediterranean) that tries to predict weather for more than one or two days.

Thanks for all the info. <BR><BR>Alice: I had noticed the forecast keeps changing alot every day. <BR><BR>I do intend to enjoy my trip regardless of the the weather but a few nice days will be so appreciated.<BR><BR>Thanks again<BR><BR>April