First time to Italy

Thanks Ken. Really excited about this trip.

Yes, September is still considered a high month. Usually the weather is great and not as hot. Yes, it's still crowded but not as crowded as August when many Italians take their vacation.

July, August, September and most of October are very busy months in Italy. Donna

There will be crowds in September, but a little less than July/August. As mentioned, the weather will be better in September. Rome can get really hot in July/August. But if you are from Corpus Christi maybe you don't mind the summer heat.

Gillian, to give you a specific answer you will need a specific question. Italy is a big place, from Torino and Triestre in the top corners to Sicily in the bottom. Please say where you mean...

Many thanks to you all for your responses. This will work.

Gillian, September and October are considered the "fall shoulder season", and it's usually busy at that time of year but not as hectic as July and August. The weather is still good, but of course rain is always possible. Those are the months that I typically travel, and that will be the case this year as well. Happy travels!

Do you have a copy of RS Italy Guide Book yet? If so, good.
If not, I would suggest you get a copy (it can be ordered elsewhere on this web site) as it has lots of very helpful information for the first time traveler to Italy. I am returning to Italy in September for my second visit there and am using that guide book to find places to stay. Happy travels

Thanks Charlie. Purchased RS book today. Lots of info.

Rome is already a mob scene, and has been so since before Easter. The crowds had already started to pick up in size and number by mid-February. Things don't really "calm down" until about Christmas time. The point is: the place is busy basically year-round; the mob size fluctuates somewhat. It would be more pleasant to come in the Spring or the Fall given the milder weather and somewhat smaller crowds, but don't think that you won't have to wait in line at some places, deal with mobbed sidewalks that are hard to traverse, etc.

Bryan, thanks for the info. Thought as much but somehow it feels more real hearing from travelers who are either there of have been there. Looking forward to seeing your country.

I was in Italy last September, traveling from Milan to Venice and south to Sorrento then finally Rome. It was crowded almost everywhere. My trip was planned around the hope that September weather would be cooler. Nothing was further from the truth; in fact it turned out to be one of the hottest on record apparently. Even Venice was in the mid to upper 80s with high humidity! With the global changes in weather patterns I think it's good to be prepared. In 23 days of travel, there was only one day when I experienced a brief rain shower. Having said all of that, though, it was FANTASTIC and I can't wait to go back!! Just know there are some things you can't plan for. Have a great trip!!

We were in Italy Sept 6-17 last year. We only spent 24 hours in Venice and a day in Florence, and that's when we experienced crowds. But we didn't feel overwhelmed with people in Verenna or around Lake Como, nor in the Tuscan Hill towns.
Yes it was very hot, but we rented a farmhouse with a pool and thoroughly enjoyed our dips in the pool after a long day of sightseeing.