I’m thinking of visiting Tuscany with a friend, for two weeks. I was hoping to go in October, but my friend prefers early December (it’s easier for her to get away from work then). We don’t have an itinerary yet, but a rough plan will be to land in Rome, train to Florence for a few days, then work our way south thru Siena, the maybe Orveito, then a couple days in Rome (or maybe the other way round). Thinking of using the train, then maybe a rental car mid-trip to reach small south Tuscan villages. We would like to do some short hikes (less than four hours) and maybe bike rides. In general, is the weather clear enough and the daylight long enough to hike in early December? And is the winter bus and train schedule so reduced that we would have problems reaching some towns, when we don’t have a car? Any opinions and advice on Tuscany travel in early December are appreciated!

I would save the trip for a better weather month---Dec is not good.

Hi Kate, well anytime in Italy is better then not going at all but I do agree with bobthenavigator. December can be a wicked month in Italy, especially the further north you go.

Now if you wanted to do mainly inside activities (museums, dining, churches. etc.) that might be alright. But hikes (even short ones) and bike rides would not be enjoyable in December unless you happened to get an unusually nice winter. If you could go in October it would be so much better. Good luck in working out this trip!

I went to Tuscany in late sept/early Oct and in Nov. and it was beautiful. The vines were gold and the weather was perfect. I was in Venice, Florence and Rome this past december and it rained almost every day and was freezing cold.

Plus all the vineyards look like a row of sticks in the winter...not very photogenic

But Rome is wonderful in the winter.

And small Tuscan/Umbrian towns are rich with art and churches. So I think it's feasible, but it may be a different vacation than what you have in mind.

Thanks for the advice! I talked to my friend, and we'll consider going in October. We still may go in December, but will plan on driving the small villages instead of hiking or biking. Lots of decisions, but we have plenty of time to make them! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions later....

I know it would probably be nicer in Sept./Oct., but I just want to add that I was in Florence and Rome the last week of Dec. 2004, and the weather was great. It was sunny and never once rained. It was chilly, but totally bearable (I'm from Arkansas, and I'd say the temp was comparable). We had worried about what the weather would be like, but it was perfect! So it is possible!

how about November? I am going on a similar trip over Thanksgiving holiday. Will it be cold?

Probably---think NC