We are a family of 5, and we have 2 dates to close from... March or Aug 2015. We have around 3 1/2 weeks. We would be traveling by train, starting in Milan and ending in Rome. We eat to spend one of those weeks way south (Sicily or Puglia). Thoughts?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
It might depend on the weather you are used to at home. August is HOT. Our Texas and Nebraska relatives didn't mind it so much in hot weather. We are from Oregon and escape to the mountains for at least a little while in the summer, and I would not go to the Colosseo or the Forum in August.
We went to Sicily in March one year and were surprised by how cool (maybe cold is a better word) it was on the west side. Maybe the east side is better? We had a wonderful time but not as much outdoorsy stuff as we had hoped. We've been to Puglia in May and it was nice, neither hot nor cold. Both Sicity and Puglia will be crowded in August as that is when the Italians hit the beaches. On the other hand. Rome is quieter in August. We've done the Sorrento/Naples/Amalfi Coast in December and found it sunny and pleasant, if cool, but we were dressed for it. There was NO ONE at Pompeii on a cold December morning, much to my delight!
All that said, you can enjoy Italy in any month. Plan alternatives to outdoor activities should it be too hot or too cold for what you planned to do. See the Colosseo and Forum in the morning and be out of their by Noon, for example. Have a list of indoor sights/museums for cold and rainy days. Bring the right clothes no matter the weather.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I agree with Laurel. The right clothing and attitude can make any time a good time to visit. I love the way Rome looks right after a rain: enjoying a walk in wet weather is helped by water-resistant shoes, or at least having time for them to dry out. Rain is usually not persistent in summer, but sometimes the entire country can hsve rain at once.
In March, some places may get snow.
Posted by
Portland
3648 posts
It's true that anywhere in Italy may be surprisingly cool in March; however, I don't think August would be anything but HOT. Check one of the weather sites to see average high temps in Sicily or Puglia. To me, cold weather can always be dealt with by clothing. Heat is different. Many Americans find that the AC in European countries is insufficient. While people differ in their tolerance for heat, I know I would be miserable spending any time enduring 90 - 100 degree weather.
Posted by
Martinez, CA, USA
1558 posts
We've been to Italy once in February and twice in March to April, and Sicily once in April to May. February was cold to cool with some drizzle in Assisi, cool with some drizzle in Venice but warm and sunny in Rome. Same in March - cool to warm, sunny to some drizzle. Sicily was warm and mostly sunny. Have never been in August but from reading other posts it seems it's really hot. You can have rain any month of the year where ever you are. You have to decide if you want hot or cool, knowing that the weather will do whatever it wants regardless of the month.