First trip to Italy in March

Hi Jill,

My husband and I were just in Italy at the end of May and beginning of June. It was great timing because the weather was warm and the tourist season hadn't yet begun. I have only been to Italy in October once before and it was beautiful then as well. I don't think that there is a bad time to go to Italy, but if I were going I would probably pick the May tour so the weather will be a little better for eating gelato twice a day.

You are going to have a blast either way!

Jill - My wife and I have made trips to Italy the past two years in March / April. Both times, we avoided Easter so we wouldn't run into airport problems and crowds. In 2007, we came home two days before Easter (on the 5th of April, I believe) and this year we left for Italy a couple days after Easter (March 25th). We hit all of the cities you're planning to visit and we really liked the relatively uncrowded conditions. Places like the Borghese and the Academia were not nearly as crowded as they would have been in a few months. For us, the weather was ideal (cool nights, warmish days). So, especially with the state of the economy, I'd give serious thought to going in March. Of course, as the previous poster wrote, you'll have a marvelous time no matter which schedule you choose.

Go in March! The crowds and heat will be less, and your non-covered tour expenses such as airfare should also be less. Not to mention that $400 discount, which will buy a lot of gelato!

March is certainly less crowded and will save you money. May is "prettier," warmer, usually less rain, with more things in bloom - especially when you travel through Tuscany!

If heat is a deterrent for you, come in March!

Ciao,
Ron

It is really a weather thing. My wife and I prefer warmer weather so we always travel to Italy in September. May will be much better weather than March on average, but with weather one never knows. I lived near Venice for several years and in March you may run into alot of chilly, rainy days. It will be less crowded in March but it won't really be crowded in May - July and August seem to be the worst for crowds.

My husband and I did the Rick Steves week in Rome tour a couple of years ago in March. It was great, we do a lot of walking on vacation so prefer the weather to be a little cooler. We are going to Tuscany in March of 2009 and are looking forward to it. I think you will enjoy it whichever time you choose.

Jill, since there's no way to predict what the weather will be like in northern Italy next spring, the most important factor will probably be the money. If the $400 is not a big concern, take the tour in May when the weather will be a bit warmer.

Conditions in March will probably still be reasonably good, however it will definitely be colder especially in the evenings. If you take adequate (layered) clothing, that shouldn't be a concern. You'll be on a Coach or whatever between cities, so the only time you'll need to worry about the weather is during walking tours, or when you're out touring on your own during "free time". An Umbrella might be a good idea (Rick used to have a travel model in his travel store, but it seems to have been deleted?).

Cheers!

Jill, Have you looked into doing the trip alone and not going on a tour? We were there in October and rented a car and saw so much more!! I lived in Italy for 2 years, and the weather is pretty much like Portland/Seattle, except they DO have a summer season, but in general their weather in spring is just like ours! We stayed at the Marriott in Venice and Rome, and rented an apartment for a week outside of Florence. Good luck and feel free to PM if you have any questions.

I have toured Italy twice, once in the first week of april and once during the month of may. April (four years ago) was chilly most of the time but doable with a decent jacket. I jsut went in May and loved it. The weather was in the 70's every day and was much sunnier than when i went in april. It wasn;t all that crowded either in early may when i was there. I found it more enjoyable to be there when it was warmer. Either one works but i would choose May over March any day of the week :)