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Anyone ever been to Italy in winter months ?
Posted on 3/2/22 at 8:25 am
Posted on 3/2/22 at 8:25 am
I’m aware that this isn’t the ideal time to go as I’m sure it gets pretty cold. Mrs jkyle and I were looking at doing something different this year though around Christmas/ New Years . Flights were very cheap(about half what they run in the summer ). Nothing set in stone but just kicking around a few ideas. We’d only have 7-8 days and were considering visiting Rome , Florence , and Venice perhaps. Neither of us have ever been to Italy. Anyone have any experience going during cold months ? Any feedback appreciated. TIA.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 8:38 am to jkylejohnson
I've never been in the winter, but I can't imagine ever having a bad time in Italy regardless of the weather.
Unrelated to the time of year, I'd maybe recommend doing one or two of the major cities you mentioned and then spend a couple days in some smaller towns. Personally I think the smaller cities and towns are much better than the larger cities.
Unrelated to the time of year, I'd maybe recommend doing one or two of the major cities you mentioned and then spend a couple days in some smaller towns. Personally I think the smaller cities and towns are much better than the larger cities.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 8:46 am to AbitaFan08
Thanks. Sounds like good advice. Assuming we would only be able to commute by train , would the smaller towns still be on the table? And would the smaller towns be good to visit on foot or would I be looking at some cab rides. Apologies if that’s a dumb question I’m clueless to this type of trip and Boston is prob the only time I’ve taken a trip and not rented a car. From what I’ve gathered online renting a car in Italy is a terrible idea.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 8:49 am to jkylejohnson
quote:
From what I’ve gathered online renting a car in Italy is a terrible idea.
Anecdotal, but we rented a car and had zero issues.
Some mid- to smaller towns and cities can be accessed by train, so I guess it depends on where you're trying to go. For example, Modena is train-accessible.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 8:51 am to jkylejohnson
I was in Emilia-Romanga in November and it wasn't bad. Weather stayed in the 40's mostly throughout the week we were there. Layered a little and it was fine. Most places had outdoor warmers. Would assume Rome wouldn't be that bad given it's further south.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 9:17 am to AbitaFan08
Good to know that renting a car isn’t so bad. Def something to consider bc I love the freedom of having my own ride.
Would my credit cards work over there ? I have a couple Amex , visa , and discover . I would assume I’d just need to make sure I don’t have any foreign transaction fees in my agreements. Not sure if I’d need to bring cash.
Would my credit cards work over there ? I have a couple Amex , visa , and discover . I would assume I’d just need to make sure I don’t have any foreign transaction fees in my agreements. Not sure if I’d need to bring cash.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 9:20 am to lionward2014
Good to know. We have been wanting to visit Italy for a few years now. Just looking at flights for our available dates and could get us both round trip out of aex/ rome for 1100 total. 850 (total for 2) if we wanted to go out of msy. That seemed pretty good considering last time I looked it was more around 2500ish for 2.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 9:35 am to jkylejohnson
I just did Italy during the Christmas/NYE timeframe and enjoyed it. We had a couple cold on and off rainy days in Florence but great other than that. Much less crowded during that time as well. We did a few days in Rome and 7 days in Florence/other parts of Tuscany region.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 9:40 am to lighter345
Awesome. If you only had 7-8 days over there where would you spend the most time or how would you divvy it up ?
Did y’all rent a car ?
TIA.
Did y’all rent a car ?
TIA.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 9:58 am to jkylejohnson
Renting a car and driving in the cities is not a great idea. Driving in the countryside is not much different that driving in the US. There is no way in hell I would drive in Rome (or worse, Naples).
Posted on 3/2/22 at 10:12 am to jkylejohnson
quote:
Did y’all rent a car ?
I rented a car and it was very nice. For instance it allowed us to drive from Modena to the small, but beautiful Bobbio for an afternoon. The biggest issue is a lot of cities won't let you drive into the green zone without a permit. Our hotel got us one in Modena, but driving to Bologna for instance had to plan out parking in an area that wasn't in it. Not overly difficult, just takes some planning.
I don't think there is any need for a car in Rome or Florence from my experience there. Florence is very walkable and Rome has enough taxis that it shouldn't be needed.
This post was edited on 3/2/22 at 10:14 am
Posted on 3/2/22 at 10:36 am to jkylejohnson
Was in Florence in December a couple of years ago. (Pre-Covid of course). Stayed through New Years. Toured Tuscany including Sienna. Traveled down to Orvieto and stayed there a couple of nights. Amazing town on top of a rock fortress like mountain. Spent another week in Rome.
Never got below mid 40's to low 30s. We live near Nashville, so for us, it was actually less cold. As long as you're prepared, you'd be fine.
(We just did Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic in December 2021, which is obviously much farther north and didn't find it that cold for us).
Best time to go. Less crowds (particularly now). Local aren't as edgy. Cheaper. Winter time drinks and foods.
Our favorite times of the year to go!
Never got below mid 40's to low 30s. We live near Nashville, so for us, it was actually less cold. As long as you're prepared, you'd be fine.
(We just did Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic in December 2021, which is obviously much farther north and didn't find it that cold for us).
Best time to go. Less crowds (particularly now). Local aren't as edgy. Cheaper. Winter time drinks and foods.
Our favorite times of the year to go!
Posted on 3/2/22 at 11:39 am to Nole Man
Thanks a lot for the good info. Glad I started this thread bc I was a little hesitant of a winter trip there. Mrs jkyle can take the L on this debate.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 11:48 am to Nole Man
quote:When would you say is the earliest you could go at the end of the year and still get these same benefits?
Best time to go. Less crowds (particularly now). Local aren't as edgy. Cheaper. Winter time drinks and foods.
November? October?
Posted on 3/2/22 at 11:51 am to jkylejohnson
I went 5 years ago in the beginning/middle of December and would highly recommend it. Did 2 days in Venice, 2 in Florence, and 4 in Rome, and travelled between cities via train which was quite simple. It tended to be in the 40's and 50's so not really that cold, just make sure to layer. From hearing from friends/family, the crowds were also a lot lighter than in the summer.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 12:05 pm to TigerAlumni2010
quote:
2 in Venice 2 in Florence 4 in rome
This is kind of the rough itinerary I had in mind. I would love to explore the entire country but with 7 or 8 days I think I’d be better served just spending a couple days at each of those you mentioned. Scratch those off the list and really focus on digging in to the more obscure/ intimate places on a different trip down the road when I can make it a longer trip. That’s why I came here though. We have some serious travelers on TD. Thanks again for the responses.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 2:35 pm to jkylejohnson
Did Rome 3 days - Florence 4 days - Venice 3 days for our honeymoon Thanksgiving of 2019.
Rome- We visited all the historic sites (Vatican, colliseum, Trevi etc...) Do a neighborhood food tour in any of the neighborhoods, this was a great way to see alot and taste a lot(our 2nd favorite thing of the trip). The sights are good but Rome has bit too much New York City type feel to it for my wife and I's taste.
Florence - Loved every second in Florence and would visit more of the country side if we went back. We did a Pizza/Gelato making event on a hillside overlooking florence which was incredible (favorite thing of the trip). We also did a day wine tour to the Brunello region, which was awesome as well. Try a Florentinian Steak in a wine cellar restaurant.
Venice - Venice is cool to walk through all the alleys and see the cool canals. We would probably knock one day off of Venice next time.
Weather was great around this time and only had one chilly day. It may be a little colder around Christmas for you.
The crowds were not bad at all.
Rome- We visited all the historic sites (Vatican, colliseum, Trevi etc...) Do a neighborhood food tour in any of the neighborhoods, this was a great way to see alot and taste a lot(our 2nd favorite thing of the trip). The sights are good but Rome has bit too much New York City type feel to it for my wife and I's taste.
Florence - Loved every second in Florence and would visit more of the country side if we went back. We did a Pizza/Gelato making event on a hillside overlooking florence which was incredible (favorite thing of the trip). We also did a day wine tour to the Brunello region, which was awesome as well. Try a Florentinian Steak in a wine cellar restaurant.
Venice - Venice is cool to walk through all the alleys and see the cool canals. We would probably knock one day off of Venice next time.
Weather was great around this time and only had one chilly day. It may be a little colder around Christmas for you.
The crowds were not bad at all.
This post was edited on 3/2/22 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 3/2/22 at 2:36 pm to jkylejohnson
Just got back from Rome and Florence today and currently sitting at an airport lounge. Weather was 55-40 entire trip. Not bad at all with jacket and a scarf. I much prefer to be a lil colder than ideal vs dealing with the massive crowds during peak season.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 2:47 pm to jkylejohnson
I have never been to Italy in the heart of winter but I have been in March a couple of times and it was fine. A little chilly at times but the trade off is that it was not crowded with tourists.
With only a week I would not try to go to three cities. Go to two at the most. I would do one of two things. One choice would be to spend a week in the Tuscan countryside at a villa near Florence. If you are interested I can give you more details. My other choice would be to fly in to Florence stay there for a few days then take the train to Venice. I have done that a couple of times.
I love Rome but I would save that for next time.
With only a week I would not try to go to three cities. Go to two at the most. I would do one of two things. One choice would be to spend a week in the Tuscan countryside at a villa near Florence. If you are interested I can give you more details. My other choice would be to fly in to Florence stay there for a few days then take the train to Venice. I have done that a couple of times.
I love Rome but I would save that for next time.
Posted on 3/2/22 at 6:06 pm to jkylejohnson
quote:
We’d only have 7-8 days and were considering visiting Rome , Florence , and Venice perhaps. Neither of us have ever been to Italy.
I did this exact trip about 6 years ago right after Christmas with the addition of Milan (you can skip Milan.) Rome and Florence are great that time of year. New Years in Rome was awesome. (somewhat scary because they do some fireworks that just go off on the ground and not in the air.)
I would suggest avoiding Venice, with the cold weather you might get stuck like we did with a massive fog and not be able to see anything for 2 days.
Check out La Giostra in florence, best meal you will ever have.
This post was edited on 3/2/22 at 6:09 pm
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