There's a new web article about packing for Italy in which the emphasis seems to be on "fitting in with the locals." Recommendations are made accordingly.
I couldn't care less about "fitting in;" I'm a tourist after all. So here is my overall question: if we pack to be warm enough for Scottish highlands in late June, should we be covered for Italy in early October? A couple light sweaters and rain jacket are pretty much all the chill prevention I was planning.
Rome and Milan sound to be in the low to mid seventies. Light sweaters for evening and morning. Side note about fitting in with locals, as you said it doesn’t matter……they’re very good at picking out the tourists. And when we were there in April of 22 and it was 80 degrees and they were still wearing their puffy jackets because it wasn’t May 1st, yet, I frankly had no desire to try and look like a local.
We were in Italy last October in Bologna, Tuscany and Verona and it was low 80s and high 70s for several weeks. Well into October it finally it dropped from high-70s to low 60s over two days along with some rain. It warmed up a bit back to low 70s as time went on but the switch between estate weather and autunno weather had happened and the heat was not coming back.
I have no idea what was going on in southern Italy except that the Italians were saying that the people who had booked "shoulder" Amalfi and Sicily packages were looking very smart. Check the weather as you get close and decide what this year is going to be like since the weather is clearly getting less dependable and adjust accordingly. Be prepared for the possibility of rain and be aware you may have a transition in the temperatures while you're there since October is a transition month.
As a side note all the shop windows - at least Tuscany and north - had winter jackets, wool hats and scarves which looked ridiculous when it was 78 and seemed suddenly appropriate a few days later.
Have a great trip!
=Tod
my friends were AGHAST one day when I was wearing only a long sleeve shirt and a scarf in February on a SUNNY 70s day.....they were all flipping out.....
Isn't it October 1 when the Italians say you need to wear a coat?
I think you will be fine with those, as long as you check the forecast a little closer to your departure.
I think you’re gonna be hot/overpacked if you follow that plan. Early October nowadays is still very warm during the day; especially if you’re used to colder weather where you live. That Autumn sun makes 72° feel like 80°.
Thanks, everyone, for your responses! Sounds like our packing plans will work just fine.
We're actually going to be in Europe for four months, packing only rollaboards and backpacks. I think we'll be okay everywhere we travel. Switzerland in late September might be the chilliest place we'll be, but sweaters and rain jacket should suffice even there, I think.
I agree with Chris - I think you are overpacking for Italy and perhaps (depending on the weather when you are ready to leave) underpacking for Scotland.
Italy - October 2022 - As some upthread have mentioned, it was in the 80s in Rome in mid-October. I could barely even stand a long sleeve sunshirt on. I wore capris. A definite yes on the waterproof rain jacket with hood and perhaps 1 long sleeve layer. I'd start watching the temps about a month ahead of your trip and see if it is still staying in the 80's. I am not heat tolerant.
Scotland - June 2018 and Orkney/Shetland August 2023 - I had a puffy vest with me for both trips along with a waterproof rain jacket. On the August trip I also had waterproof rain pants but we were spending all day every day outside and it rained a lot. I also needed lightweight glove liners and on the August trip I also picked up a beanie to wear under the hood of my rain jacket. It wasn't terribly cold but very windy and the beanie felt nice. I AM cold tolerant. Right now it's high 30's and I ran errands in a couple of LS shirts layered and a puffy vest.
....to be in Europe for four months,...... Just double checking that you are aware of the Schengen zone limitation of 90 days and you have a plan for dealing with the limitation. If you are aware, then I apologize for raising the question.
I'm aware of the 90-day Schengen limit, yes, but thanks for the reminder. It's why the first ~5 weeks will be in the UK.
