Weather/waiting lines in Rome in February/March?
Nov 12th, 2004, 11:51 AM
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Weather/waiting lines in Rome in February/March?
If I go to Rome in mid-February to early March, how "off season" is that? What would the weather be like? And how about the lines to the attractions?
I'm just aching to book this sucker
SusanN
I'm just aching to book this sucker
SusanN
Nov 12th, 2004, 12:32 PM
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In 2002 I was in Rome for a few days in early March. I would advise you to still go early to attractions such as the Coliseum, etc. There are still crowds, off-season or not. As for the weather, I thought it was great, but then I'm from Minnesota, so anything above freezing is great for me.
Book it! It must be a way better deal than the high season. I'm jealous! If you go, have a wonderful time.
Book it! It must be a way better deal than the high season. I'm jealous! If you go, have a wonderful time.
Nov 12th, 2004, 01:01 PM
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I was in Rome for a week or so mid-late Feb 2003. It was great. The weather was generally chilly but clear. We had one evening of light rain. I wore a wool coat, gloves and scarf. In the afternoons I was carrying all that stuff--too warm to wear it.
We had maybe a 10 minute line at the Coliseum, perhaps a 30 minute wait at the Vatican Museum (around 10 am, if I remember correctly). Otherwise everything was deliciously uncrowded. The Forum on one hazy-misty-gray afternoon was so devoid of people as to be almost ghostly.
Now that I think about it, maybe I should book too.
We had maybe a 10 minute line at the Coliseum, perhaps a 30 minute wait at the Vatican Museum (around 10 am, if I remember correctly). Otherwise everything was deliciously uncrowded. The Forum on one hazy-misty-gray afternoon was so devoid of people as to be almost ghostly.
Now that I think about it, maybe I should book too.
Nov 12th, 2004, 01:01 PM
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Susan,
Here's a recent link about Italy in February. I'll be in Rome 2/11 to 2/22. I got a great price on my flight I couldn't help but book it
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34539879
Also here's a link to check the weather past & present.
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16239.html
Best, Eileen
Here's a recent link about Italy in February. I'll be in Rome 2/11 to 2/22. I got a great price on my flight I couldn't help but book it
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34539879
Also here's a link to check the weather past & present.
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16239.html
Best, Eileen
Nov 12th, 2004, 01:33 PM
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Last early March it was alittle colder that the previous 3 yrs.
But on average I've had mostly sunny days with 'no to light' wind and when it did rain it was light & off and on.
In the early morning (0800) maybe 50F/10C but after the Sun warmed things up maybe 60F/16C by 1000/1100. I've been down to a t-shirt and open leather travel vest many times by noon if I've been in the open sunny areas (Forum, Palatine, etc) and the temp is now mid-60's.
All in all it's a good time to visit, the nice cool days vastly outnumbered any cloudly/rainy/cold days.
But as I said last March was alittle colder (more mid-50 days) and slightly rainier than the previous years.
Re Lines: Vatican Museums and the Colosseum are the biggies, everything else is usually a walk-up except perhaps the St. Peter's security line. The Vatican long line can be avoided by going early (it opens at 0845, at 0800 there were 30 people in line but it grows very fast) or later in the day ~noon (but you'll have less time in the museum).
Colosseum is easy to avoid, just buy your ticket at the Palatine Hill where the off-season is nothing to speak off (you'll wait longer at the grocery store ).
February is definitely off-season for hotels rates but I have noticed some hotels start raising the rates March 1st whereas it used to be March 15.
If the hotel gives you 2 sets of rates bargain with them for the lowest rate for your Feb-Mar stay. Regards, Walter
But on average I've had mostly sunny days with 'no to light' wind and when it did rain it was light & off and on.
In the early morning (0800) maybe 50F/10C but after the Sun warmed things up maybe 60F/16C by 1000/1100. I've been down to a t-shirt and open leather travel vest many times by noon if I've been in the open sunny areas (Forum, Palatine, etc) and the temp is now mid-60's.
All in all it's a good time to visit, the nice cool days vastly outnumbered any cloudly/rainy/cold days.
But as I said last March was alittle colder (more mid-50 days) and slightly rainier than the previous years.
Re Lines: Vatican Museums and the Colosseum are the biggies, everything else is usually a walk-up except perhaps the St. Peter's security line. The Vatican long line can be avoided by going early (it opens at 0845, at 0800 there were 30 people in line but it grows very fast) or later in the day ~noon (but you'll have less time in the museum).
Colosseum is easy to avoid, just buy your ticket at the Palatine Hill where the off-season is nothing to speak off (you'll wait longer at the grocery store
). February is definitely off-season for hotels rates but I have noticed some hotels start raising the rates March 1st whereas it used to be March 15.
If the hotel gives you 2 sets of rates bargain with them for the lowest rate for your Feb-Mar stay. Regards, Walter
