Hi all, we are planning a trip to Italy in 2013 and originally wanted to go in either the Spring or Fall. The shoulder season seems just as expensive as the Summer both for flights and accomodations. We are willing to look at the winter months - which month, in winter, would you all recommend for the Tuscany area?
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
If I were going I'd pick December, for the Christmas lights, the Christmas markets, the happy Christmas spirit.
Posted by
Martinez, CA, USA
1556 posts
Christmas sounds nice but it might depend on whether you're taking public transportation or driving. We visited Tuscany in March 2010. In that year Ravenna was cool, meaning hats and gloves, but we had no rain while we were there. We returned to Italy this year also in March and we were told that the tourists are arriving earlier but it seems March is still less expensive and depending on your luck, you may have good weather!
Posted by
Katy, Texas, USA
204 posts
We have been going to Italy every 2 -3 years, principally Roma and Firenze, since I was 15 in 1951. We always go in the Sept to April time-frame, mostly around Christmas. We are going again this year, (Dec 16th to 27th). Christmas season is the best. No tourists, Romans happy, weather all right if you plan for it, decorations and spirit wonderful, peaceful, lovely time of year. AND prices cheaper.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Don't dismiss the possibility of going in May. The flowers are in bloom and the days are long. Happy travels.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23650 posts
Christmas/New Years tends to be a min peak season so it is not that much cheaper. Our preference is Oct and maybe as late as mid Nov.
Posted by
Austin, TX
48 posts
I found that most hotel prices drop on Nov 1st. So this might be a good time.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
We have found early April to be nice.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Things start to die out in terms of price in mid-October. On a swath of land between Rome, Pescara, Bari and Salerno, this is a noticeably wetter period. January and February are ok, IMO, for southern trips if you don't mind the lower temperatures. For Toscana, November might be still a cool time to visit with foliage and the whole "autumn mood" of the area. Mid-January to early-March are the lowest point in terms of prices and crowds. Bear in mind, however, that big hits like Firenze, Siena, Pisa are well patronized year-round.