I understand that the weather in Tuscany during September is ideal, but wanted to learn more about what to expect from a scenic standpoint, as well as what fruits and vegetables will be in season. I read that grapes are harvested in late September. As such, will the vinyards still be lush and green in September as well as October? What does Tuscany scenery look like during this time of year, and is one month better than the other?

Thanks so much. I have learned so much from this wonderful board in such a short time, and look forward to our Fall trip to Italy.
Maureen

Hi,
It is difficult to make generalisations because the weather is never the same two years in a row but I prefer September to October simply because it is warmer and the grapes can still be seen hanging on the vine. I think they look beautiful. Generally, by late September the harvest will begin.
You will miss the sunflowers of course but September is our favourite time of the year in Tuscany. June comes a very close second because of the wonderful long warm evenings but by October it can become chilly in the evening.
In Oct 2003 the countryside looked a bit "end of the season" with browns being the predominant shade. We had several days of rain and several warm, sunny, but rather short days with very cool evenings and mornings.
By contrast, we usually visit a week either side of mid September for a fortnight or so and have enjoyed gorgeous warm/hot days with an occasional thunderstorm.
I think the countryside looks wonderful with all it shades of green and the sense of harvest ahead.
If you scroll down the page you will find a thread about the weather with a link to records in Sept/Oct. This may be of some help but how the countryside will look all depends on what this Summer is like of course!
Wendy

But October brings the first Porcini mushrooms and possibly early truffles.RR

Check out this website:

The Seasons of Fruits & Vegetables

Eloise posted it last week when I was asking what will be in season while we're visiting in May. It's pretty cool.

i prefer september and if you're lucky enough to be around during the vendemmia you will enjoy the atmosphere and the related folklore (a must is the festa del vino in greve in chianti). and as others said already is warmer. but RR made a very good point: if you're a truffle enthusiast (like me) you really want to wait late october for the tartufi to be available !! (porcini you can start finding them since late august after the first thunderstorms of late summer)

My vote is for September. Sometimes by mid-October, you can feel winter coming on. Plus the days are even shorter.

In spite of the shorter days I prefer the first half of October, when it's a little quieter and the vendemmia is finished, or finishing up. Then every village is perfumed with the heady aroma of the grapes being pressed. Woodsmoke in the air at night. Autumn dishes on the menus. Morning mist hovering in the vineyards.
- Marie

Another opinion to throw in to the pot! I have lived in Italy for the past 2 Octobers. I would say on the whole, September is a much better month. You can plan on sun and less crowds. In October you risk the beginning of the rainy seasons and the crowds are only less outside the cities. Have a wonderful trip whenever you decide!

My wife and I spent September, October and November last Fall in Tuscany. You can find the highlights of our extended visit in a small hill town in our Trip Report 581, illustrated with my watercolors instread of photos.

Bon viaggio!

Bud & Elaine Lowe

Thanks for your input! I guess we are leaning towards September, but October sounds like a wonderful time to be there too.

Kim- thanks for the link. Great site, but I could not find the English button!

Bud and Elaine- I thoroughly enjoyed your trip report and gorgeous paintings. Thanks!
Maureen

quote:

Originally posted by MaureenGA:
Kim- thanks for the link. Great site, but I could not find the English button!
Maureen

Oh yeah, forgot about that....sorry

Maureen
If you copy the link's address and then do a google search, they have a "translate" option. Not always the best, but it's better than nothing.