Hi guys,

I'm contemplating ending my one-month stay in Paris with a 4-day trip to either Venice or Tuscany. I'm agonizing over the decision.

Which one do you recommend at the end of April?
Venice has good weather and the Tuscan landscape is at its best during April, but it might be too cold and wet to hike the hill towns.

I might have the chance to go back to Europe in June or July.
Should I visit Venice now and leave Tuscany till June?

I know this is a nice problem to have, but I'd appreciate your help.

You might have wet weather in Venice too, but it won't matter. It softens the edges of things, making Venice even more ethereal. Then the sun comes out and it sparkles. I say Venice for now. Four days would be perfect for Venice.

When you return, you can take your time, see Florence, the countryside and some of the hill towns in Tuscany.

I agree with both of you regarding the itinerary. Venice now, Tuscany later.

We've had some rather warm weather this year and it's still sticking. This week we've been in the mid 20s (Rome), which isn't normal for us, should be somewhere around 15; today will get to 26!

My family lives in Livorno (Tuscany region but on the coast below Pisa), and they've been saying it's been warm up there this week too, but not as warm as us.

By the time you arrive end April it will be pleasant in both places I think, but keep in mind, June and July may be warmer than usual this year.

Have fun,

Laura

There are no objective answers. I'd always much rather be in Tuscany than Venice, any time of year, and were it my trip, I skip both and go to other places in Italy I like better than both. There is no predicting the weather at the end of April in either place. You could get days of rain in either place.

But some knowable facts that aren't subjective: There is less escape from heat and mega-crowds in Venice in June and July. End of April in Venice is just about the last time for this year when you might find Venice is not overwhelmed with tourists.

But if your days include April 25, it is highly likely you will have massive crowds in Venice. I have been there on that holiday, and access to some of the major sites was actually impossible. I took a boat to one of the nearby islands to get away from the huge crowds around the major sites.

So if you don't want to deal with lots of crowds, and if for this short trip you would be targeting the major sights in Venice on the long weekend ending Mon April 25, that's something to think about. If you are mainly going after April 25, no problem.

As for Tuscany landscapes, going hiking in the most scenic areas is best if you have a car, but end of April should be a nice time to do it if it's not raining.

Just to be clear: End of April is just about the last time this year when you might find Venice is not overwhelmed with tourists, before the next reliably bad weather sets in.