Fall & Winter in Italy

Where in Italy, and for how long?

Museums and sights have shorter hours in some cases.

I will choose area by which is better during these seasons. Plan to write and explore so not full time site seeing. Prefer engulfing myself into culture.

In some seaside places, many hotels might be closed (late October-March), some seaside places might be open at Christmas time.
In late fall and Winter, I would rather choose to visit cities or towns, nrather in Central and Southern Italy if you do not want to be too cold. Also nice in winter is to go skying in the Alps or Apennines. In early fall, central and southern Italy has usually a mild and sunny climate (September-early October). In Northern Italy, early Fall may be rainy but with some nice days as well, yet cooler. Winter, particularly January and February are usually very cold and it does snow often.

Our favorite time in Venice -- our favorite city in Italy -- is in Oct-Dec. The later you go, the fewer tourists and the more "normal" this crazy city seems.

I've been to Italy in February 3 times. The weather's been mild, never bitterly cold, some rain and gray skies, but also some gloriously sunny days when I was comfortable in short sleeves. Winter hotel prices are considerably lower and there are few crowds.

I spent 5 days in Sorrento, there were almost no tourists in town, but all the shops were open. Pompeii was a pleasure without crowds - it does close earlier in winter because of shorter daylight hours, but since you don't have to worry about avoiding the blistering midday heat, it doesn't matter.

I wouldn't plan to visit the Cinque Terre or any of the lakes then, but the small towns are at their best when the locals far outnumber the tourists.

Excellent point, Chani! I forgot to mention Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in winter. We spent a lovely December week there a few years ago. I remember Pompeii on a cold, sunny day (about 9 degrees Celcius) with no one there! Well, maybe 15-20 other people. Also eating lunch OUTSIDE in Amalfi Town, watching the placid sea. Fabulous time to visit.