LOYL

WE would like to go to Rome this fall- in October or early November. There's a huge difference in airfares- is it worth it to pay the extra money to go in October, like the 18th? Is the weather that much worse or different the first two weeks in November?
Also, any good recommendations or 3-4 star hotels in a central area?
Thanks, Jan

jody

Rome weather won't be that much different early Oct to early Nov..after a long hot summer in FL , I look forward to it!

We've been in both and I can't see that much difference.

A friend went in Jan last year and it was just moderately cold, we were there in early Feb and only wore sweaters during the day.sweaters

elaine

For hotel recs, do a search at the top of this page for Rome hotel, and also go elsewhere here at fodors.com under the Hotel rants and raves comments.
Just two very popular and well-located hotels are the Santa Chiara and the Del Senato. I can vouch for the excellence of the Santa Chiara, but there are lots of good hotels in Rome.

I have a file on Rome; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

HowardR

Early November is a great time to go. The weather is still moderate (high 50s low 60s), though you might get some rain. And, the tourists have mainly gone!

rex

Not to be a naysayer, but remember that it gets dark almost 2 hrs earlier between mid-October and mid-November.

Less daylight seems like the worse part of traveling way beyond the equinox.

The days are just as short on November 20 as they are January 20.

Best wishes,

Rex

capo

Can't recall where I read it -- perhaps one of Paul Hofmann's books -- but I read that the light in October is so "warm" that the Romans even have a special term for it.

Howard, does tourism really drop off that much at that time of year? I assumed Rome had a sizeable number of tourists all year round.

HowardR

Capo, we saw a lot fewer tourists in November 1999 than we saw in October 2000 and 2002 in Italy!

jody

And night time in Rome is special!

HowardR

PS: But don't get me wrong, there were still a goodly number of tourists in November, but the numbers were very manageable, especially in terms of getting into museum, etc.

lisabelina

We've been to Rome twice in mid to late October (and we'll be going again this October) and the weather has been in the mid 70's. We've had some of our most favorite thunderstorms in Rome (one each time). Rome is magical in the fall!
Lisa