Going to Italy in November

I've gone to Italy several times during Thanksgiving week. The only real downside is the weather. It can be rainy and overcast but it wasn't cold at all. The upside is the crowds are not as bad and hotels and trains are cheaper. We've walked right into Museums and Monuments where in spring and summer you would have book in advance or wait in long lines.

I enjoy traveling at that time, in fact I am thing about a european trip this Thanksgiving.

Our first trip to Italy was in December, 1984, and included Rome, Florence, Venice, and Siena. Only Venice was really cold, and the gondoliers had shut down. Everywhere else the temps were mild, and tourist numbers, low. Everything was open except on 12/25 and 12/26. Since you are considering a month earlier, I'd advise you to bring some layers, gloves, hat, scarf, and umbrella (just in case of an unusually cold spell); and go for it.

Kathy, we went to Rome, Florence, Siena, Lucca and Venice over Christmas vacation this past year. In Rome it was so warm that we took our coats off at times! It drizzled for an hour or two in Venice, but for the most part the weather was beautiful. I couldn't get over how many places served dinner outside in Rome, mostly without heaters on. Even though it was Christmas vacation, the crowds were way down. I'm sure November would be even better. I think November sounds like a great time to visit Italy.

I've been to Italy in November (and all the other seasons as well). No problem with tourist attractions. The weather can be very variable. I often experienced temps in the 50's-60's, but it could be in the 40's or 70's!
Don't bring a coat. Instead, bring a light jacket and sweater to layer over a shirt. It worked for me.
I will personally put up with colder weather and shorter days so I can pay half as much for a plane ticket as in the summer.
Ciao!

We went to Florence, Siena, Sorrento and Rome last Thanksgiving. Everything was open, there were few crowds, and prices were low. Rain is more likely (we had rain in Florence, but the rest of the time was perfect.) I wore a light jacket a couple of times in the evening.

The only other thing was that it took me a couple of tries to find a Rick Steves' recommended hotel in Sorrento that was open. The Minerva forwarded its e-mail to its sister hotel, the Bristol, which offered beautiful rooms at bargain rates.

It's a great time of year to go. If the weather gets bad, there's plenty to do inside - museums, historical sites, shopping, etc.

We've been in Italy many times from late Aug. to late Nov. Our last Nov. trip was great--sunny days in the 60's to 70's, fewer crowds, and everything we wanted to see was open from Rome to Naples to Capri to Amalfi Coast to Sicily. Another Nov. trip included Cinque Terre, Rapallo, Genoa, Parma, Bologna, Tuscan hilltowns, Venice,Orvieto and Porto Ercole. Again, we had good weather and fewer crowds. If you layer clothing and take 1 set of the newer silk long undies from REI or Eddie Bauer, you'll be fine if the temp falls below 60. We think Nov. is a great time to travel in Italy!

Kathy,

I have been to Italy twice in November and I found the weather delightful and everything was open. In fact I am going back this November. Drop me a line at [email protected] if you need more info.

I agree. I have also traveled in November to Italy. The weather is beautiful. We didn't have any rain. The best part was there were NO LINES OR WAITING! It didn't matter where we went or what time of day, we never waited more than 10 mins to buy tickets, including the Vatican and Colosseum. (But we saw the gaggles of ropes for the touristas who normally wait in the summer.) Plus its easier to get reservations for lodging and the plane tix are MUCH cheaper. The trains were a breeze too. We bought our tickets the same day from the automated machines and boarded the trains, which were all half empty. Go and have a great time!

Like anywhere, weather can vary. In late Oct-early Nov in Tuscany we went from warm, shirt sleeve weather, with jacket at night, to record-breaking coldwave with strong winds, under crystal clear sky. FROZE to death! You just never know.