Hi

I'm travelling to Italy either in September or October for the first time with my husband. We will be visiting Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast etc. We want to know when is the best time to visit (approx 3 weeks). Is the temperature nice both months? I would like to go when it's nice out - sunny etc. Does it rain a lot in October?

We will be booking our flight shortly so any information would be helpful.
Thanks,
A

Hello harringa, although weather patterns in Italy are changing in so much of the world I think it is impossible to know for sure what to expect. But since you want to go to the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast I would be inclined to go in September. I would look at the last couple of years regarding temps and rain although like investments previous information is not an indication of future results.

Have you thought about booking an Open Jaw aka Multi-City flight. That is when you fly into one airport and depart from another. That way you won't have to backtrack.

Perhaps fly into Venice and than visit the CT, go to the AC and than end your visit in Rome and fly home from Rome.
The north gets rain usually sooner than the south and in my opinion it is easy to fly into Venice than to fly home from Venice as so many flights leave so early in the morning. How many nights will you have to spend in Italy?

We have been to Italy twice in October and had fabulous weather! Last time we went to Positano arriving on Oct. 25th and it was over 80F each day. We had to buy shorts and sandals. Florence and Venice were cooler but we just needed a light sweater or jacket at night. Tuscany was gorgeous as the leaves were turning golden on the grapes and some were still being harvested when we visited there. Any time is a wonderful time in Italy! Ciao!

Hi

I prefer to go in September. You;re more likely to have "swimming" weather. The big plus with October is less people around.

Since you are planning to visit mostly southern cities (Rome, Amalfi Coast area) then October would be great - few people and still nice weather. However, I have been to Venice in early October and it has already started to get cold (lots of wind off the Grand Canal, sporadic drizzle, etc). That said, maybe you could start in Venice first, then head south to the other areas. I am sure you will have a lovely time whichever month you choose. The Fall is such a nice time to go, very few tourists and a nice, cooler weather. Buon viaggio!

Sorry to disagree with Huitres, but September is *highest* season, certainly in Venice, Florence and Rome, perhaps a little less so for the Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast. And Rome, at least, was full of tourists the last time I was there during October.

October is far better IMO, from both a crowd and weather perspective.

Normally late Nov-Feb is rainy.

Go to www.weatherunderground.com and click on 'trip planner'. Fill in where you are going and the dates. It will give you a 10 year weather history. It is a fantastic.

We were there for Thanksgiving several years ago. The 10 days before we arrived it rained every day.

In Sorreto/Almafi it was about 85 out every day. Rome was about 80, Florence 75 (colder at night) and Venice about 55 (felt warmer during the day when the sun was out).

We didn't get rain once!!

Can't predict the weather, but I can pass on something we were told on our last visit to Rome in October 2006. We mentioned to our hotel owner that Rome seemed much busier and more crowded than on our last previous trip in October 2003. She said October is now her most requested month.

Zerlina: I didn't suggest September, if you read my response, I said October. Like I said, October in Venice it starts to get chilly, windy, sporadic rain, etc. hence the suggestion to start with Venice first and then head south to the other cities. Overall, the Fall months are by far better than traveling in the summer months with all the crowds and people about. Having been in Italy for extended periods of time, I would choose the Fall anytime over the months between May-August.