What's great about Italy in October?
 

Hello. My Husband and I are taking our first trip to Italy. Will be staying 3 weeks (he's in Rome a week prior on a conference. Another couple is joining us for part of the trip. We start in Rome, then planning to stay for a week in Tuscany, followed by Vencie and from there are plans are open.

Will the grape harvests still be underway in October? Any cautions? Advantages of being there in October?

BTW, returned from Paris a few weeks ago - thanks to all for the great advice - including finding flourless chocolate cake at a Patisserie to accomodate my sweet tooth and wheat allergy!

Looking forward to Fodorites suggestions for this trip!

Hi bev,

>...returned from Paris a few weeks ago...are taking our first trip to Italy [in Oct].<

I am much too jealous to give you any advice.

((I))

Hello Ira, Paris was following a work trip in London - my husband left at home with oral surgery (!). Now he has to "work" in Rome. We're trying to make the most out of these opportunities while they last :-)

The weather is just perfect. You can leave the windows open and take advantage of the fresh air at night. I was there last October and if I return I'd do so in October.

Thanks LindainFL
What part of Italy were you in? We're wondering if we should plan Venice early in the itinerary before exploring southern Tuscany for example.

We were in Italy last Oct. We planned our trip from North to South and it worked out great. It was quite warm (80 in Rome)the second week of Oct. but that was unusual. It was a wonderful time to visit Italy.

October is a great month for visiting Italy. We've been there twice in October--early-to-midmonth in Bologna and Tuscany and late month in Milan and Lake Como. Both times, the weather was wonderful.

bev3,
Try Montalcino at the end of October. See http://www.montalcino-tuscany.it/sagra_del_tordo.htm

I love Italy in October because the mornings and evenings are very cool, and the afternoons are extremely pleasant in temperature. I loved sleeping with the windows open, under several layers of blankets. To this day when I step outside in the early morning and it's slightly cold, I immediately think about getting up early in Italy, reading for a brisk walk around the city.

No crowds! \:D/

Happy journey, Tiff

IMO, October is the second best month to visit Italy. The best month is May.
October brings smaller tourist swarms (even though there are still lots of tourists in the major centers, its more bearable). The weather is usually pleasant (bring sweater and light jacket for evenings).
The days are not too short, though not as long as summertime when daylight prevails until 2030 or so.

just curious, where in Tuscany are you staying?

I would definitely suggest checking the weather sites prior to leaving/packing from home. Several years ago I went in the Fall (October) and Europe was experiencing a heat spell (especially hot in Rome). It was so darn hot that everyone on the trip was buying T-shirts on the street! We had all (45 people) brought cool weather clothes. Another time in October in Germany it was so cool that my friend had to buy a coat.

Normally, I think May or October are the best travel months but weather is so unpredictable that nowadays I would check it out before packing.

Yes, you can buy stuff to keep cooler or warmer, but who needs that added expense?

Grape harvest can be third or fourth week of September and onwards of a couple of weeks. Depends on the rainfall etc.Weather in Oct is nice as mentioned above. Also less crowds to deal with. Enjoy!

Early October, 1999:

Hot in Rome; we wore summer clothes.

Rainy in Assisi

Cold in Perugia; we had to buy winter jackets.

Pleasant and moderate temps in Florence

Foggy and moderate temperatures in Venice

If I were to return in October, I would pack layers and a warm sweater/jacket. Since then, we always travel with super warm, super light weight silk long sleeved undershirts

I forgot: there was a terrific foot race in medieval costume, with bands playing and more, in Florence, in early October. This was well worth seeking out.

Thanks everyone - here in Canada we hate to see summer end, but after reading the posts, I starting to look forward to October!

Nike, we haven't decided where to stay yet. Wondering if it is worthwhile to spend a whole week from the same base or if we should divide time between staying in North and South - any suggestions? We are two couples. Last year we had a gite in Provence which worked well from St Remy. Would we find a similar situation with easy drives to other villages from a central place?

October is perfect. You could not have picked a better time. Enjoy. If you are museum types and plan to go to the Uffizi or Academe (sp) in Florence don'f forget that you can make telephone reservations. They are inexpensive tom make and could save you quite a bit of time.

Three things:

1) Eat lots of porcini - October is in the midst of the porcini season, a mushroom known as Cep in France, "king" Bolete in the states, and Porcini in Italia . . . beloved because of its texture and flavor.
2) Book special tours at the Vatican. You can do this by writing via e-mail from the states.
Tel: (06) 6988 3860. Fax: (06) 6988 5061.
Website: www.vatican.va
I especially suggest the La Scavi tour, which takes you deep into the bowels of an ancient Roman funereal city excavated during WWII underneath St. Peter's basilica in an effort to unravel the mysteries of St. Peter's final resting place . . . unforgetable. The garden tour is lovely and is where you can get the best views of the basilica.
3) The Villa Borghese Museum - In my opinion, this is one of the loveliest museums in Rome. The villa has beautiful frescos and faux embelishments and houses Canova sculptures that bring marble to life.

Have fun!

JK

Chestnuts roasting on street corners - buying a bag of piping hot nuts to snack on.

I would have to say that a drive around Lake Garda is extremely worthwhile. The leaves are starting to turn (although this may not be a big deal for Canadians). You can find some good restaurants still open and very nice hotels for a great price since itis out of season. Make sure to take as many side roads as possible. The scenery is fantastic!

seeing all of the great information everyone has given these couples on Italy.........I'd like to delve for more. I'm moving to Florence for a year and have some visitors coming in October. I'm a student so my budget is obviously not that of a couple on a short vacation but.....details about celebrations, festivals, unknown tours, and other great little tips that I will have time to follow up on would be great!
By the way bev3........that flourless chocolate cake you spoke of....Whole Foods also has an amazing one as well as carrying the best flourless cookies I've ever had called No Cookie Cookies. Check them out :) I also am allergic to gluten/wheat.

Winesaavy7: I suggest that you go to the Italy message board at www.slowtrav.com; there have been a few threads there recently about markets and "sagre" (festivals celebrating a particular food) in Tuscany.

HELLO ALL. Well i have been living in Rome for the past 2 yrs and am returning to NY in October. October is beautiful. Just as people have said, can get hot in the days but great breezes at night and the mornings are spectacular so get out early and then take a SIESTA. Defintiely do Venice early in the trip and then work your way down. Montalcino is a must hit for wine. I would at least stay 2 nights and go to 2 wineries for tastings or more.
favorite wineries http://www.poggioantico.it/
http://www.castellobanfi.com/
Also i would make Florence a definite stop. It is beautiful and relaxing and has great shopping. There are also many museums(the David) and history here. My favorite city. This requires a few days.
Then if you also want to get a taste of the coast you can head down to Sorrento where they are known for their Limoncello (lemon liqure not to be missed) and you can take the breathtaking bus ride along the cliffs to the next town Positano for lunch!!!
The weather should be great in all these places. You don't need more than 2 days on the coast either.
As for Rome...well there is just tons of history that takes a few days to complete. As someone already mentioned the Villa Borghese Gallery is the best museum besides the Vatican and worth a visit...you are only permitted for 2 hours so it doesn't take long.
I hope all this helps.
winesaavy7....as for you...all i can say is do as much sight-seeing as you can. That is what you are here for. The cheaper things that are great is the coastal trip i mentioned...look into that. Definitely go on a wine outing in Chianti...is is great. Don't bother with Naples...dirty and boring. Def do Rome. You can also check out Siena as a great day trip. Here is a link to a website that lists all the local festivals in Italy. It is great, but be careful cause the dates are not always right so check up on them. That is the way it is here.
http://www.hostetler.net/italy/italy.cfm
Enjoy everyone!!

One thing about Tuscany in October I discovered is that the fields are fallow for the most part. The view from our agriturismo was rolling hills of dirt clods as far as the eye could see! So just be aware of that. Pictures here: http://www.markandmonica.com/Photos/...90_edited.html

I would challenge anyone to find a BETTER month than October. I lived in Florence when I was in college, and October... every single day... was divine. ESPECIALLY in Tuscany. The light is perfect, the colors in the sky, the weather. You may get a bit of rain, but it will only add to the charm. Have a WONDERFUL time. And if you really want to enjoy it, check out this place where my husband and I got married www.lafoce.com.
They rent apartments and houses on the most beautiful tuscan estate that has you at the epicenter of the best wining and dining in the Tuscan countryside. You could not BE luckier to be going in October!
have fun!

My fiance and I are getting married this October but our dream is to travel to Italy for our 1 year anniversary and have our marriage blessed by the Pope during General Assembly on Wednesday's.
This post has told me we have to go now!!

Thanks. Have fun bev3.

thanks for the info and website link. I especially love hearing about tips for wine tasting and places to go for it. I worked in the Sonoma County wine industry for 3 years and love everything do do with wine. Once this last year of school is finished (in Florence!) I plan to open a small wine import/export business. So....anymore tips on where to go tasting, out of the way places, especially in Tuscany would be awesome. I'm hoping to volunteer some of my time with a wine co-op of some sort to learn about the way things are done in Italia.
mille grazie

Only 7 weeks to go for our trip to Italy Sept/Oct! Thanks to all above. I CAN"T WAIT!

Sounds great - we're headed to Italy the first two weeks of October! Now I just have to book all our hotels - can't wait for Tuscany!

Great thread... I'll be there the 14th-30th of Oct... Bellagio, Florence, Chianti, Venice, home from Milan.

Hana - so glad to hear someone else also hasn't booked their hotels yet - I've caught a little flak for that :)

Anyone know if porcini's are all throughout Tuscany or if we should hit specific towns to find them?

Travelphile -
We'll wave from the air - we're off to Florence, Chianti, Naples and Ischia from Sept. 29th to Oct. 13th! I researched like a maniac for our honeymoon in Italy in 2003. This time around I'm not nearly as stressed. I do like to have everything booked ahead of time (excluding any train tickets).
I also hope to write a trip report - I didn't feel like keeping track of all the details while on our honeymoon.

ttt for travelphile

ttt

Hana - I'll be in Rome and Sorrento 9/29 to 10/14! and it's the best time of year to go.

Hana: Your reasons for NOT booking train travel ahead are? Besides having flexibility to change it if need be, I thought I read many threads about booking Eurostar seats ahead....But I'm assuming that travel in October means less (crazy) tourists cuz it's Fall so ressies aren't as mandatory...We "need" Trenitalia tickets 9/28 to get from Rome to Naples in the late morning, and then from Salerno to Rome on 10/2 (Sunday)also in the late morning (10ish). Also, thinking about driving from Florence to Rome instead of train on Wed Oct 12. We don't really like train travel, esp w/ all the steps in Italy that I'm reading about!

Hi Katerbug!

I've never pre-booked train tickets from Canada (my home) prior to arriving in Italy (or elsewhere for that matter). Note - this applies to short trips only (not overnight).

Last year when I travelled France, Germany and the Czech Republic I booked our tickets from home simply because I needed two first class overnight cabins from Frankfurt to Prague on a specific date.

On our honeymoon in 2003 (Sept 1 - 21), we landed in Milan and made our way downtown to the train station. Once at the train station we booked our tickets there and then for the next train to Venice - Eurostar 2nd class. There were seats available on the next train and we waited for just over an hour (can't recall if this was weekday or weekend).

We had three more train trips during our honeymoon (Venice to Florence, Orvieto to Rome, Rome to Naples). Once we arrived in Venice, the next day we stopped in a travel agency and I booked all three trips at once. I had printed schedules from the trenitalia site and brought them into the agency with the exact trains we wished to take. No problems.

This trip we have only one train ride from Naples to Rome and I'll book that when we are in Florence.

As long as you're booking a couple days in advance I don't see the need to be concerned about availability. Trains run regularly between the larger cities so there are many options available if you are somewhat flexible.

This is just my experience - someone here may have another opinion!!

Topping for Katerbug....

Love this thread! I'll be in Tuscany and Rome Oct 25-Nov 5, I'm getting excited now! I was curious about the weather too (I'll be near Barga for part of the trip, so I imagine it's a bit cooler up there). I'll be sure to bring a fall jacket now. For Rome I'll prob throw in a few short sleeves I can layer with a cardigan or whatnot in case it gets warm during the day.

One of the greatest things my husband and experienced in Italy in October was the Grape Festival in Bardolino on Lake Garda! The festival is along a beautiful promenade on the lake, and there is great food and wine. It's the first time I ever saw polenta being made in a huge copper cauldron over a wood fire. The town itself is lovely.