Oh, tomasso--you are sooooo romantic! That's one reason we all love you so.

Myriam,
yes, when we first arrived it was sunny and quite warm...then the deluge and it did get pretty cool, but we were prepared for it (thank God for cashmere) and it was only a few days.

Hey, J, thanks for the love!

I'm not crazy about winter, but snow can be magic, if you don't have to drive in it. I've read that Florence under a dusting of snow can be like a trip in time, and heard of snowy Venice becoming eerily quiet, like the morning after Carnivale - without the headache. I once woke up in Paris to three inches of snow fallen overnight, deepening to six by lunch, and it was as if we were in a different city. I grew up with a lot of snow in Nebraska, but nothing like the day I got to go for a run in an April snow up at Lake Tahoe. It can be transformative.

One day, though, I hope I'll see snow falling in the Pantheon. If I'm in Rome on winter night, and I hear there will be snow by morning, I'll be there at first light.

I had clear weather in Rome, but rain in Florence- I think the same thing applies, umbrella raincoat, and explore ducking in and out of cafes and museums. If not a a picnic at a table, I am sure you can make a meal at a little cafe table festive! Plus, the pizza ( try margarita) in Rome is out of this world. Enjoy your trip!