Hello,
I'm trying to decide which comfy shoes to buy for our trip to Italy (Venice, Florence, and Rome) this fall. We're going in late October through early November. I was thinking of one pair of closed toe and one pair of comfortable walking sandals. Is the weather too iffy for open-toed shoes, though? I don't want to carry something I won't wear! Thanks for your advice.

Hi
Weather is so unpredictable this far in advance, you're really going to just check the forecast before you go. There might be a warm spell, but early November seems pretty iffy to me for sandals. How about just bringing another pair of walking shoes--sneakers or loafers?

Quite possibly a bit too chilly, and more importantly, it may be wet, which is never fun in open toes.

I wouldn't bring sandals that late in the year unless you don;t mind really cold wet feet.

Not sure where you're from - but would you risk sandals in DC, NYC or Boston that time of year?

I'm a big fan of sandals, but that late in the year I'd go with 2-3 pair shoes instead. Sneakers, walking shoes, slip-ons, even low boots I think would be more versatile than sandals.

Look at it this way: If the weather should happen to be hot enough to wear sandals, it'll be a perfect opportunity to <i>buy</i> a pair while you're there!

In Venice you may need wellingtons (not sure what Americans call them ? knee-high rubber boots). Or even waders, although your hotel may have ones to borrow.

The weather has a considerable probability of being the same as in New Jersey, and except maybe at Princeton, there won't be a lot of sandals being worn in New Jersey in November.

Best wishes,

Rex

Many Europeans (especially Germans and Austrians I've known) wear socks with their sandals when it starts to cool down. Not just any socks, but real he-man (er, should I say he-individual, or he/she-individual, or individual-individual, or ...) rough hiking socks.

In Italy a few years ago, we saw Italian men in sandals with dress socks--looked a bit odd to us, but when in Rome!

How about
(s)he-person ?

Please, no sandals with socks...!!! Much better a nice pair of comfortable running shoes... =o)

I do not know about other Italians, but sandals with socks give me goosebumps!!!

Elaine--you are caught in the sexist language trap. Why &quot;perSON&quot;? Why not &quot;perDAUGHTER&quot;? Or &quot;perINDIVIDUAL&quot;?

How to pronounce (s)heindividual anyway?

&quot;Why perSON, why not perDAUGHTER...&quot;

RufusT, either way that's an outrageous price. As opposed to taking the PER individual rate, may I suggest the all-the-socks-and/or-sandals-you-can-jam-into-an-Austin-mini package deal.....

uh, what was the question again?

Heh, heh.