Italy in January??

Our family has been talking about taking a trip to Italy next year. (Rome/Venice/Florence and possibly something more "off the beaten path" but haven't completely figured that out yet.) At first we were thinking about the second half of May after our kids finish their college semesters. But then we wondered if it might make sense to consider late December/early January (before MLK day when they go back to start the Spring semester.) At either time we could take two weeks. We know that May is "high season" and (unlike January at this point) it looks like all the frequent flyer seats are already gone (one gauge of potential tourism bottlenecks for us, although we are budgeting to pay for our airline fares.) One website we saw described January as a "high risk, but high reward" time to go, for fewer crowds and potentially fairly mild weather.

Has anyone been there in the winter? How did it go and would you do it again?

Or would you just brave the crowds to go in May?

We went to Florence and Rome over Chrstmas and couldn't be happier. Busy but no crowds. Fairly mild except for a surprise cold snap.

Kurt

We spent the week between Christmas and New Year's in Venice about 14 years ago. It was gorgeous -- not too crowded (except for New Year's Eve), hotels much less expensive, and two or three surprisingly sunny and mild days (drizzly but still mild otherwise). The only drawback then was no direct flights from the NY area to Venice -- had to transfer through Frankfort.

We were in Venice and Florence in late Dec/early Jan a few years ago and it was wonderful. You can't really linger in an outdoor cafe, but that was the only downside I remember. In fact, there were a number of special things to see/do that are specific to that time of year. (I have been there in summer and fall also...loved the winter trip as much or better!)

I lived in Italy as a child and have since visited several times, in winter, summer and fall. Italy is wonderful all year round - because it is just a magical wonderful place, and every season has it's charms. But I think if I were to go once or twice in a lifetime I would prefer not to go in winter. There are fewer tourists but especially Venice can be very cold - a damp bonechilling cold. Although it is a very very touristy and overpriced thing to do, one of the favorite things I have ever done was to sit at Florian's outdoor café in St Marks and listen to the dueling orchestras - and you cant do that in winter. In winter museums and attractions have shortened hours. And heat in Italy may not be what you are used to in the USA. Rome would be warmer, but so much of the magic of Italy is walking outside, and if it is really cold it wont be as enjoyable. The forum, the coliseum, Tivoli gardens, the parks, the squares, the walking streets - none of it would be as enjoyable in 30 or 40 degrees as it would be in warmer weather. If you have never been, or if this is a trip you may not make again, I would plan waaay ahead and do it at an optimum time. Disclosure - I HATE the cold and don't mind the heat - so my opinions are influenced by that. In December there are special holiday themed things going on throughout Italy, and in February in Venice you have Carnivale, but as I remember, January can be nasty.

The weather in Northern Italy is not that different from here. Rome is warmer, but not much. If you knew people that were visiting New York or Washington on a once in a lifetime trip, when would you suggest they come. Understanding that a lot of your sightseeing will be outside, would you want to be outside for a good part of the day in New York in January.

ETA. I lived in Verona for 4 years growing up. Verona is about 1 1/2 hours from Venice - so we would go for the day , usually 3 times a year (sometimes more often if we had people visiting) . The first time we went to Venice was in January and in 4 years we never, ever went back between December and February.

Europe is at its best in winter, IMHO

In my mind, there's never a bad time to go to Italy But, having hit unexpected attraction and restaurant closures in Italy around Easter time and in England at Christmas time that would not have coincided with what would be expected here, I would be very careful to check out national holiday schedules (http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/italy/?nojs=1). It would be a shame to only have a few days in a city and find out you can't see things on your itinerary because of holiday closures.

sarahzm...any thoughts on Rome late October early November?

we have had great November weather throughout Italy. also had a few days of 60+ degrees in Rome in January. I would pick mid may over January, the daylite hours are a big plus in may vs jan.

I'm not an expert. I think it would be chilly but fine. ( I checked the internet for the weather) I think it would be great. If I had a chance to go then I would. In spring/summer you have more daylight but I think that would be balanced by no tourist lines to deal with in October/November.

rhw said:
sarahzm...any thoughts on Rome late October early November?

Well, we really have a chance either time, so trying to make the best choice between the two times. Lots to think about. Thanks all and additional feedback welcome

Have you been to Italy before. How much time do you have. Do you have any "must sees". What are you most interested in. I"d be happy to make some suggestions but it would be helpful to know more about what you want your trip to be like.

Haven't been before except one daughter who was there for two months on a summer study abroad program last year (mainly in Florence but visited Rome and Venice and a few other places on weekend field trips.)

What we want to do varies by family member, but I am insisting on at least a brief exposure to each of the cities mentioned (for art and architecture and cuisine mainly) and then looking for someplace more off the beaten path - not sure where yet and might depend on the season. Hubby is a birder. We all like both mountains and seashores. Other daughters' boyfriend (who might come) has family in Bologna. So one or more of those facts might influence our itinerary. We will have 14-16 days to work with.

united now flies direct in & out of venice to newrk. service began 6/1/15. I believe it is temporary over the summer and not sure if it will continue in 2016. we flew into rome and out of venice (6/6/15). getting to the venice airport is a breeze.

also they now offer free wine and improved the food on int'l flights.

we had the old svc going over in may and the new svc coming back in june and I can say that i did notice an improvement (and had the free wine).

I've been to Italy (Bologna region) in December/January and while the weather is cold, it's not as cold and wet as it is here. And, regardless of your religious affiliations, Christmas in Italy is a spectacular cultural experience. One note of caution is that it seems that Italy has been getting colder, snowier winters lately. They had several blizzards last year. So, pack accordingly and have fun!

The holiday seasons in Europe can be wonderful experiences. I've been to Ireland and Strasbourg (France) in December, and both times just loved it. And I lived in England for a year, so spent the winter there (Cambridge). Yes, it's chilly, but not terrible. And if your priorities are food, museums, and architecture, the weather should not be much of a factor. If you were going for, say water sports or natural scenery, then you might have an issue. Not sure about birding... when are the migration seasons there, do you know? But city sightseeing is great in any season.

For me, it's well worth it to avoid the throngs of tourists, but that bothers other people less than it does me. And the prices are significantly lower.

I have loved traveling at that time -- air fares are often lower (altho never very low to Italy!), things aren't crowded and towns feel more like themselves without mobs of tourists. Rome in January was chilly but not awful -- we could sometimes eat lunch outside on a sunny terrace; Florence in February was colder (especially in the churches!) but we happily managed. My one concern would be acqua alta in Venice, which I think is likeliest in late fall and winter; it might be best to go there later in the year.

I seem to recall I was in Venice in the early fall, and it was raining so hard the water was up to my ankles. I had to throw away a pair of shoes because I didn't know I should have packed rain boots. But I still loved it!

I have a friend who visited during acqua alta and thought it was kind of cool! But I do think it would mess things up to a certain degree.

Venice is beautiful in the winter and not nearly as crowded as during peak tourist season...

I was in Italy for almost a month during a frigid winter many years ago. I can still remember how hard it was to push myself to walk and be outdoors to see all the things I wanted to. I agree with sarahzm that it can really limit your enjoyment of so many wonderful things that are not inside buildings. I was in Venice for Carnivale and it was downright painful (frozen nose and fingers). I'd opt for May in a heartbeat...gorgeous month there! And I have heard wonderful things about the town of Lucca (in Tuscany, not far from Florence) from a handful of friends who were smitten by it.

If you love mountains and seashores and you need to go in January then go Rome and to the Amalfi Coast.

If you stay in Sorrento ( which is beautiful) and use that as your base you can visit Vesuvius, Pompeii and/or Herculaneum, Capri, The fabulously beautiful towns of the Amalfi Coast - Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. You can also visit Naples and the fabulous archaeological Museum. It's an easy trip from Rome and the temperature will be a lot more pleasant. Go to google then type in Sorrento, then click on "Images" and you will get an idea of what this beautiful city is like. In spite of everyone else's advice, if the only time you can possibly go is January , then do it. If this is a once in a lifetime trip and you have a choice, go when the weather is better.

And by the way, Buon Natale

@sac

some random advice for your trip.

First, I know Italy well, but not really well enough to know the best "off the beaten path" places to go.

I have found that there is a reason the "tourist" sites are so popular - it is because they are usually the best things to see and experience.

Here are some thoughts.

Venice

Venice is a place not to be missed. It is otherworldly, unlike anyplace you have ever been or ever will be. But in winter, if the weather is bad , it can be unpleasant. Take the behind the scenes tour of the Doges Palace ( book in advance) Take a guided walking tour. Splurge and have espresso at one of the St Marks cafe's. It's ridiculously expensive and very touristy but you will be following the footsteps of many of the great poets & writers or the 1800s and 1900s. Of course, a gondola ride , and of course St Marks square and Cathedral. Try to duck into the Danielli Hotel. The lobby should be a tourist destination unto itself. When you tour St Marks go up to the balcony overlooking the square. Go to the top of the bell tower. EVERYONE , every tourist takes the well worn route from St Marks to the Rialto - but try to make some odd turns and get lost. There are many many other things worth seeing and doing - get a good guidebook and read it carefully and make your choices. 2 to 3 days in Venice should be enough. You can see all the great sites in one day but 2 or 3 would give you more a feel of the city. For most people 2 days and 2 nights would be plenty.

I have heard people RAVE about the islands of Murano and Burano. If you have a week or so to kill or if you have dreamed all your life of visiting Venetian glass factories then go, otherwise pass.

The Venetians have a very distinctive style of painting. I love Renaissance art but The Venetian painters were not my favorites. If you are going to Rome and Florence you will see many many of the greatest works of art ever made. Venice has some great museums but Florence and Rome are better so I would not make a huge effort to visit the museums in Venice. Most of the Magic of Venice is outdoors.

If you want to splurge you might go to Harry's Bar, or better yet do a George Clooney and have lunch at the Cipriani Hotel. A private water taxi (for free) will take you from the Riva Degli Schiavoni ( just off St Marks Square) to the Hotel which is on it's own private Island.

As far as hotels, if you are on a budget and have to make choices I would always opt for the best location vs a fancier hotel. I have found Rick Steve's guides to be very helpful when choosing a reasonably priced hotel. I use tripadvisor.com as well, but be wary - many of the top rated hotels have fake reviews. I always read the bad reviews first.

The last time I was in Venice - which was a while ago, I stayed at the Antica Locanda Sturion. It is steps from the Rialto Bridge, right on the Grand Canal. Breakfast every day will be served overlooking the canal and for a relatively reasonable price you can have a room looking over the canal. The hotel is on the second (or third) floor of a former palazzo. If you stay there be prepared for a lot of steps. You will have to cross the Rialto Bridge to get anywhere ( 54 steps up, 54 steps down) and the hotel is on the second or 3rd floor with no elevator - but it's worth it. The décor is a bit over the top, but there was magic in having a hotel room overlooking the grand canal at a price that doesn't approach a mortgage payment.

http://locandasturion.com/

Just a word of caution when booking a hotel. Look at a map of Venice. There is the Grand Canal and there is the Guidecca. The Grand Canal is the 5th Avenue of Venice. It winds through Venice like a giant "S" . The Guidecca is a major waterway that goes across the outside of Venice from one end to the other. It is like highway 95, but worse. Do not stay on the Guidecca.

I agree about Murano and Burano... I didn't get a whole lot out of that excursion, although watching the glass blower make a tiny horse was kind of cool. Burano is only worth it on a gorgeous sunny day, because the whole point of the place is that it's "the island where the rainbow fell." The colors of the buildings are extraordinary, but they don't show at all well on a gloomy day. And that's truly all there is to the place.

The fragrance of jasmine and gardenia when you arrive in Venice in May on the train from Innsbruck is unparalleled. One of the reasons to go to Venice in May are the budding gardens. We started our trip in Amsterdam in early May, went through Austria (with a glorious stay and drive around Salzburg) then by train to Venice. By May 15, it was warm enough to swim off Lido Beach. Marvelous, magical, walking around St Marks Place, the ghetto, other byways, getting lost on the streets, jumping into a gondola and looking at the gardens from the canals! Glorious. May was not crowded at all.

No time now, but later I will give some advice on Florence and Rome.

The food in Italy is amazing. Dining there is an experience unto itself. No need to go to expensive restaurants. You can get excellent food at a modest bistro. If you want atmosphere eat at a restaurant on a main square, the experience of being there is great but the food will be mediocre and the prices high. For great food at better prices, get recommendations from guide books and go a block or two OFF the main squares. Be sure to eat at restaurants that make their own pasta.

Order tortellini ( but it has to be at a restaurant that makes it's own pasta). Tortellini in Italy is the most amazing thing I have ever eaten. It is as different from anything with the same name that I have tasted in the US as color TV is to black and white.

In 2002 I was in Florence and ordered something with spinach on the side. In my entire life I have never, ever tasted spinach as amazing as that. It was like spinach on steroids. I have never forgotten it.

More later.