What clothes?
 

I will be in Florence and the rest of Tuscany May 11-21. The weather forecast looks wet and in the mid to high 70s. Is it going to feel hot and humid? Should I take a light raincoat? What about shoes?
Living in Seattle that has just become nice and dry, I hope the weather in Florence will turn out nicer than the current forecast...thanks a lot

I would take shoes, if I were you.

I would prefer a wind-and-rain-resistant jacket with a hood rather than a raincoat. It packs up nicely and you really wouldn't need anything longer. If you wear a lightweight wool cardigan under it, it will be fine for chilly mornings and evenings.

Spring is the best season to visit Tuscany. In Florence the temperatures are higher than the other areas in may.
You will need light and casual clothes and a light raincoat. You should bring sneakers and saldals too. If you are lucky, the sun will shine and your trip will be wonderful.

In spring I always take a tissue weight rain jacket with hood that folds up into a tiny pouch. That on top of a tee or perhaps long-sleeve shirt I have always found to be enough.

If you feel the cold a LOT (I don't - the weather you describe is plenty warm for me) you might take a very light cotton sweater for chillier evenings.

Agree with the above and definitely take some close toed shoes with good soles. Either way you can use them for rainy days or evil cobblestones or a little walking or hiking.

Lucky you ! May in the countryside is so gorgeous. Be sure to get out into the hills and enjoy the red poppies.

Buon viaggio!

Thank you very muc everyone! I small very excited about my trip to Florence! I will take sneakers and sandals. I will also take a raincoat that has a stackable layer. Anything else? Thanks again

Bring lots of money because shopping is very good in Florence.;)
Was just there in March and wish I was still there, have a great time!

Bring your appetite too as the food is sensational.

Nice raincity girl! How much euro would you advise to get from the bank before i leave?

I wouldn't get any money from your bank before you leave, because you'll pay your bank exorbitant fees to do so. Just use your ATM card to get cash once you arrive from any ATM machine (they are everywhere), and hope your own bank doesn't charge you excessive fees (there shouldn't be any at all...at the most the 1% normal Visa fee).

There are plenty of low-cost opportunities to buy extra clothing should you encounter inclement weather once you're there, BTW. We were in Paris last week, not entirely prepared for snow, and I bought a pair of gloves for 1.5 euros and a scarf for 2 euros, so don't fret if you don't pack perfectly and need to pick up a few things en route.

As StCirq says you can just get cash from an ATM once you are there. I do like to have a little cash already to start off with so I get a couple hundred euro just so I don't have to rush out to an ATM right away. ( I only like to use the ones attached to a bank, preferably the one associated with my bank so my bank doesn't charge me fees)

I like to have cash for the taxi from the airport (20.00 euro from Peretola airport into Florence by the way)

And I wouldn't worry about having a lot of clothing to keep warm, it is more likely to be on the warm side. Maybe have one of those little folding umbrellas in case it rains and a very light raincoat and some kind of sweater just in case. But there are lots of shopping opportunities.
And yes, there are cheaper things but there are also more expensive but very very nice things! ( I had to buy an extra suitcase to bring home my shopping.)

Yes. I am very excited about the shopping opportunities. I definitely need a leather vest! I am a petite so in general in USA everything needs alterations...
As for umbrella, the Westin Florence said they offer that for free. I hope they don't run out!
I believe it was the BNL bank that was associated with BOA in USA. I understand from what you wrote that getting cash from the ATM in Florence will cost less than from BOA here?! I am considering getting 200 euro from my bank. How about that?

Will sneakers be ok for the wet weather? I am thinking boots will be too hot!

Thank you very much

You can never go wrong with Gucci!

You go, Gucci!

Thin

Sneakers are OK as long as they're all leather. Boots would be a disaster.

But I would always have a pair of really comfy walking shoes (I do Skechers Mary Janes which fit my feet and are still kind of cute). Also I always bring a tissue weight rain jacket that is reversible and folds into a tiny pouch - and dries in about an hour.

Oh I'm sure the Westin will have plenty of umbrellas! Make sure you have a drink in their bar.

Yes BNL is the one I use too. There is a BNL just off Piazza Repubblica. It used to be on the right hand corner as you enter under the big arch facing toward La Rinascente department store, and in fact, their signage is still up there but it is now across the side street and down slightly.

The advantage of using an affiliated bank's ATM is that your own bank usually charges you a fee for using an ATM that is not theirs. (this is on top of whatever the exchange rate is) I think what others were telling you is that you get the best exchange rate by withdrawing money from an overseas ATM rather than buying euro from your home bank. I am willing to suck up that small difference in order to just have a bit of cash on me when I arrive. (and yes, 200 will be plenty.)

Boots will be too hot, I didn't even need boots in March.

<<I understand from what you wrote that getting cash from the ATM in Florence will cost less than from BOA here?>>



Don't buy euros from BOA in advance unless you're fond of usury. BOA is about the worst bank to deal with in terms of international travel. You can join a credit union, for free, that won't charge you a cent for international exchanges.

You don't need boots. Comfortable, good-looking leather sneakers will be fine anywhere.

<i> Sneakers are OK as long as they're all leather. </i>

Why on earth should they be all leather?

indeed bvlenci, why would they need to be leather?
My favorite sneakers are flyknit from Nike. Any colour.

ok, leather because of the wet weather? I have leather booties but my sneakers are just asics...