Time of year for Italy
Feb 1st, 2008, 10:11 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Time of year for Italy
If you could go to Italy any time of the year, when would you go?
My husband and I are seriously considering going to Italy sometime next year - and this will be the first year that we can travel any time of year we want to
So for budget planning purposes, I'd like to decide what time of year would be best - so that we know about how long we have to save for the trip.
I think we will stick to Northern Italy for a first trip since we will likely only have 2-2.5 weeks and don't want to spread outselves too thin. Venice is an absolute must-visit place for my husband, so the north makes sense.
My husband and I are seriously considering going to Italy sometime next year - and this will be the first year that we can travel any time of year we want to
So for budget planning purposes, I'd like to decide what time of year would be best - so that we know about how long we have to save for the trip.I think we will stick to Northern Italy for a first trip since we will likely only have 2-2.5 weeks and don't want to spread outselves too thin. Venice is an absolute must-visit place for my husband, so the north makes sense.
Feb 1st, 2008, 11:20 AM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Definitely May and early June. Weather is warm but not too hot, flowers/greenery are all out and the days are long - so you can have nice romantic strolls around fountain-lit squares after dinner.
Also- the worst of the tourist rush hasn;t happened yet - so locals are happy to see you and lines aren't long yet.
Also- the worst of the tourist rush hasn;t happened yet - so locals are happy to see you and lines aren't long yet.
Feb 1st, 2008, 11:28 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
april and early may are good. still not hot and not as crowded.
end of march is iffy and spring breakers are there. we been in florence end of Mar and wasn't bad, but lakes would be cool and damp.
mid-sep to mid-oct good. if go north in Oct could get some wet cool weather on the lakes.
we're going 4-13-23. is little close to Easter, but not having any trouble with rooms in rome or amalfi.
only problem with staying in north, I consider Tuscany north, is that u won't ever want to go anywhere else again. we have to force ourselves to go elsewhere. went to Bavaria and provence last year and are still feeling a little sorry for ourselves because it's been over a year since we were in italy.
enjoy your trip.
end of march is iffy and spring breakers are there. we been in florence end of Mar and wasn't bad, but lakes would be cool and damp.
mid-sep to mid-oct good. if go north in Oct could get some wet cool weather on the lakes.
we're going 4-13-23. is little close to Easter, but not having any trouble with rooms in rome or amalfi.
only problem with staying in north, I consider Tuscany north, is that u won't ever want to go anywhere else again. we have to force ourselves to go elsewhere. went to Bavaria and provence last year and are still feeling a little sorry for ourselves because it's been over a year since we were in italy.
enjoy your trip.
Feb 1st, 2008, 12:03 PM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi J_Correa, May is beautiful and June can be also although June in say Florence can be quite hot and humid. September can be lovely although I have gotten lots of rain and electrical storms after the middle of September. The weather can change suddenly. Just my experiences. My friends in the north never know what to plan on as the weather is unpredictable.
Feb 1st, 2008, 12:24 PM
#7
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One advantage to the mid-Sept. through October is that it is harvest time for grapes, porcini mushrooms, and truffles, so there are divine dishes in the restaurants that time of year!
Avoid June, July, and August. Hot and crowded! Stay in the main towns so that you can enjoy them after the cruise folks have gone back to their ships. This is even true in florence.
Dare I say that cruise crowds are a pox on the landscape? And if you see the cruise ships docked in Venice you will see what monsters they are and how jarring they look.
Avoid June, July, and August. Hot and crowded! Stay in the main towns so that you can enjoy them after the cruise folks have gone back to their ships. This is even true in florence.
Dare I say that cruise crowds are a pox on the landscape? And if you see the cruise ships docked in Venice you will see what monsters they are and how jarring they look.
Feb 1st, 2008, 12:52 PM
#8
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll chime in here and agree with Ira strongly. We've made several trips to Italy in May/June and Sept/Oct and the weather is perfect. Has never been too hot, 70-80 during the day, and into the mid-high 60's at night. That's perfect as far as we're concerned. You can get some good airfares in those time periods also.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Feb 1st, 2008, 02:14 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the responses. Looks like spring time it is Wildflowers and greenery will make for some nice photography - as will a little inclement weather if it comes our way. Although fall would be nice for the grape harvest, the mushroom harvest is definitely not a plus - more like a hinderance since I can't eat them.
Wildflowers and greenery will make for some nice photography - as will a little inclement weather if it comes our way. Although fall would be nice for the grape harvest, the mushroom harvest is definitely not a plus - more like a hinderance since I can't eat them.
Feb 2nd, 2008, 06:09 PM
#11
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ciao J_Correa,
I've traveled to Italy twice with my wife. Once in May and once in September. September is a nice time to travel to Italy. HOWEVER,.... as the young travelers go back to school and other summer travelers leave Italy the older retired european travlers come to Italy and it's very busy. We did meet some very nice european travelers that were very helpful.
By far I agree with all the May travelers. It's warm the landscape is green and the vibrant red poppy flowers are incredible to see. We will be in Italy this May for 3 weeks. If you have 2-3 weeks to travel maybe you could start in Rome and travel north. The tuscany area is beautiful ( Florence, Siena...) You could rent a car for a few days and really see tuscany. I hope this helps with you travel plans. Louie and Vera.
I've traveled to Italy twice with my wife. Once in May and once in September. September is a nice time to travel to Italy. HOWEVER,.... as the young travelers go back to school and other summer travelers leave Italy the older retired european travlers come to Italy and it's very busy. We did meet some very nice european travelers that were very helpful.
By far I agree with all the May travelers. It's warm the landscape is green and the vibrant red poppy flowers are incredible to see. We will be in Italy this May for 3 weeks. If you have 2-3 weeks to travel maybe you could start in Rome and travel north. The tuscany area is beautiful ( Florence, Siena...) You could rent a car for a few days and really see tuscany. I hope this helps with you travel plans. Louie and Vera.
