We are trying to put together a trip to Italy. Want to spend a week in the Tuscany area and then add some other events to that. (I am working on a timeshare trade for this area). I had originally planned to do this trip in the Fall - want to avoid the summer crowds and heat. But, what about Spring? Is that a good time to go? Thinking April or May. This is our first trip to Italy. What do you all think? Spring or Fall?

Hard to choose. Which season do you tend to prefer at home?

I've been in Tuscany in March, April, October and November and loved it all. The particular times I was there, spring was wetter (more showers), but that doesn't mean much and certainly doesn't predict what you would encounter.

One thing that surprised me about Tuscany in late March was how green everything was. I didn't expect it to be that way so early in the season, but it was gorgeous. The hillside behind our villa was bright green.

My first trip to Italy was this past May. It was perfect weather every day.

Hey, thanks JMarie and ellens! I am thinking May will be nice. I have heard it is hot in the full summer there. And we really want to avoid the summer travelers.

I say: September/October! May could be already hot (as the last MAY, in Rome more than 30° C).
If you plan to visit the Val d'Orcia area I think that is spectacular the succession of fields and hills with colors ranging from yellow to brown to gray.

We were in Italy in late Sept. and most of October.

On the plus side:
The grape harvest, which we enjoyed watching
Wonderful truffles and other seasonal delights, heartier food traditions
Nice weather, sometimes warm and sometimes jacket weather
Certainly preferable to summer's crowds and summer's heat

On the minus side:
No longer swimming season in sea or pools in much of October
It was actually very hot in Rome the last week of Sept. - in my mind, that's a minus
A little more rain towards the end of Oct.
Not as green, after a long hot summer
The "crete" area of South Tuscany was in haying season - it was golden, with bales of hay in the fields - not a minus in my mind, but not green.

We went the end of May once, and it was hot and summery. I've never been in April, but I think that might be great.

Linda

I vote for May because you get longer days than in the fall, but anytime is good. I've had nice visits in Feb.

Jeanne

Our preferred times of year to go are around May and October. Both should be warm but not baking, with generally fine days, but exceptions certainly possible.

Going in May will give you longer evenings of daylight - which might be a deciding factor.

regards

Ian

Weather is so hit and miss. Last winter was supposedly the coldest wettest in 200 years. Who knows what the next will be like.

Pick events etc you want to see or do.

I'd lean towards spring. But I'd rather spring rain then fall.

We will be going to Italy late September/early October, our favorite time to visit Italy.

The children will be back in school, regular vacation time is over. Restaurants and Hotels will be happy to see you. Local markets will be overflowing with fresh produce. The famous "Regina" table grape will be available. The grape harvest will have begun. You will see fine mushrooms on the menu.

Evenings are cool and days are warm and sunny. If you have rented a car, this is the time to "get lost" in the countryside. Take the little white roads and have a picnic basket ready, just in case. When you are ready, follow the signs to the nearest autostrada to get your bearings.

For our 2 week trip we have made only one reservation, at the Baur B&B in Piedmonte.

Gene and Gina

Thanks everyone. I am enjoying reading your travel tips!

We've been to Tuscany (Val d'Orcia) area 3 times in May so far, once near the beginning of May, and twice mid to late May. It's our favorite time of year - the hills are all still green and the poppies and other wildflowers are usually blooming in abundance.

Two years ago in early May it was rainy and cold at the beginning of the week but by the end of the week it was near 80F. When we were there in late May 2003 it was also cool and rained on and off. However, this year we were there from 16 May to 23 May and it was quite warm every day (like 80F+). But unlike the time we were there in late June/early July, even though the temperatures were high for May, it was not all that humid (a real plus in my book).

So the temperatures can vary in May but the greenery and the wildflowers usually don't - they've always beautiful. Here is a photo taken last month on one of the roads from our rental villa near Sinalunga to Pienza. This shot shows a field full of poppies with Montepulciano on the hills in the distance (hope I do this right and the photo shows up!).

Tery

Thanks, everyone! Our timeshare trade came through for 2 one bedroom units at Il Poggio in Tuscany for April 24-May 1. We will be spending another couple of weeks in Italy, so I will be asking for advice again later! Love this board.So many well traveled people who are generous with their information.

I vote for May too. But I would go later than the first week. At least the second, or better the third week of May. It's when the countryside is fully in bloom.

I took these photos of the countryside of Tuscany on May 30 this year. Here is a direct link to the slideshow.

Here are some other sets of photos of Tuscany:

April 25, 2009

May 1, 2009

The photos are taken in the countrysde just outside my village, Civitella Marittima, 35km south of Siena.

Gloria,
Thank you for the pictures and the advice. I was able to find 2 timeshare rooms for May 15-22 and switched to that time period. We had April 24-May 1 before. We will be spending 3 days in Venice before our Tuscany stay and then going to Rome and the Amalfi Coast after. I have lots to learn.

I can't wait to hear about your stay at the timeshare. We tried to exchange there one year for early/mid Nov. but could never get any dates. We finally just gave up and rented an apt. in Montepulciano. You are so lucky!

Denise

quote:

Originally posted by SciTchr:
Gloria,
Thank you for the pictures and the advice. I was able to find 2 timeshare rooms for May 15-22 and switched to that time period. We had April 24-May 1 before. We will be spending 3 days in Venice before our Tuscany stay and then going to Rome and the Amalfi Coast after. I have lots to learn.

You are traveling a very wide area. Venice to the Amalfi coast is quite a distance. How much time do you have for them?. Add to Venice days and drop Amalfi or drop Venice if you only have a few days in each! (Not because they arn't worthy but because they each deserve more time)
RR

DLSC~ YEs, I am excited to get an RCI exchange for Il Poggio. I have read it is a very good place to stay on TUG. I havew had an ongoing search with my Weeks account for over one year - nothing. I recently got into RCI points and started looking every morning. You can only book 303 days out, so Spring 2010 is coming up now. I first grabbed 2 one bedrooms (we have another couple coming with us) for April 24. Then another 2 one bedrooms came up for May 15 and RCI let me switch them out. We are looking forward to this part of the trip!

Robert ~ We have as much time as we can afford. LOL Actually, I think it will work out well. We are flying into Venice for 3 days. Training to Chiusi Station, where we will rent a car and then spend 7 days in our timeshare trade at Il Poggio in Tuscany. Then we will train to Rome for 3 days and then Amalfi Coast for 3 days. Flying home from Naples. We can rearrange the number of days at each city if we want (and United has award travel seats). I am thinking that 3-3-3 is good for us for Venice, Rome, Amalfi. Hope so!

It's just with the traveling days it is very quick. I am not suggesting that the places arn't worthy, its just a fast paced trip.

For me I'd drop Amalfi and add days to Venice and Rome. RR

Well, we can't change the cities now with the Award Travel, so we will be going to the Amalfi Coast. We really want to see Pompei. We can add days to Rome and or Venice if we want to or subtract from Sorrento. Right now I am looking for good places to stay in Rome and Venice. I have my eye on Rome-Is-Home. Any comments from anyone? Good area?

Glad my photos helped!

What follow is my very personal opinion... so please don't get angry with me Venicephiles! I could spend months in Rome, but 3 days will give you an idea of the city, and you can always go back at a later time. As for Venice, I have always felt that 3 days there are more than enough for me. I've never been to the Amalfi coast, but I loved Pompei. and that's a daytrip, so I think with three days you'll be ok there too.

I suggest these Roman area for a nice stay:
- Rione Monti (not Esquilino!): it is just halfway between Central Railway station and the Roman Forums. Street like via dei Serpenti, Salita del Grillo, via degli Zingari, via Panisperna...very old section of Rome and very charming according to me)
- Campo de' Fiori area: although it's a beautiful area, I think that at night it could be very very noisy. So it is preferable to choose internal streets, not looking onto the square, something near Piazza Farnese, via Giulia, Via Monserrato, or via dei Coronari and the area around via della Scrofa, via dell'Orso, Campo Marzio etc...)
- Trastevere: all the area between piazza Belli and via Dandolo and via Garibaldi (on the right) and the area surrounding piazza S. Cecilia (left). Probably it could be a bit lively at night but not in all the streets, only the streets leading to S. Maria in Trastevere could be noisy...)
Other beautiful areas: near the Colosseum (via dei SS. Quattro, via Marco Aurelio and via di San Giovanni in Laterano close to Basilica di San Clemente); near the Forum (area of S. Giorgio al Velabro and Bocca della Verita, street like via di San Teodoro); Testaccio, a cool, lively, young area not far from Circo Massimo.
Hope you will find a good accommodation!

I vote for last week in May. Early May, in Tuscany at least, can be a little variable.

I vote for September or October over May. Many colleges and universities end the spring semester in early May and students travel to Europe. Also, parents sometimes take their kids out of school early to beat the crowds (at least I did when my daughter was younger). In September-October, they're all back in school.

I also vote for September-October. In general the weather is better than in May (when it could rain) and don't forget that September-October is Vendemmia (Grape Harvesting) time!! If you're planning to visit Tuscany and central Italy you'll have the chance to take part to this great event.

Ciao ciao!

Alessandra

May is already booked for us. Guess we will have to try Fall for our second trip to Italy. Thanks.

Another question from a first timer. Will be in Rome first week in October, is there a festival or something during the grape harvesting? What is the big event and is it reachable from Rome?