Puglia in March

We've been to Puglia, but in mid May. However, we began a trip to Sicily one year on March 20. We had every kind of weather from cold and rainy to hot and sunny on that trip, and I'm guessing Puglia would be similar. There were days I wore three pairs of pants and four tops (I tend to be cold-blooded!) and we were wading through big puddles. If you're used to traveling in Italy at that time of year, I say go for it! Puglia is wonderful.

We were in Puglia in early April this year, staying just outside Locorotondo in a trulli. We had very cold weather with light snow some days, and strong wind and rain on other days (we were unlucky though that it was so bad). On many of the roads in Puglia it is compulsory to have winter tyres or carry snow chains until mid April. The police were conducting checks one day when we drove into Alberobello. We had chains fortunately (they are required in many other parts of Italy til mid April as well).

If you're asking about weather, you've already been to Italy at this time of year, so you know what to expect. If you don't mind going in the cooler months like you've done in the past, I don't see why going to Puglia should be any different. Weather is weather -- and March can be either a Lamb or a Lion depending on how lucky you are. I went mid-April once and it was Unseasonably Cold and Rainy! It should have been pleasant and sunny. The museums and churches were open, but outdoor dining wasn't as pleasant as it could have been. I've been in late September and gotten August temperatures, and again, outdoor dining was not pleasant.

There are so very many comments on this website regarding Weather! Don't go in June July August, the heat is oppresive. January, February March are too cold. To me the weather doesn't really matter -- because it's completely unpredictable. It seems that everyone should go to Italy in May and only May~!

Closures of sites and hotels is another matter entirely! I woldn't want to try to find a hotel open in Lake Como in January or a Hydrofoil ride to Capri in January. What specific sites are you wanting to see in Puglia, and are they open? Are three beach towns that are likely to have closed hotels? These are your real questions.

I think if you've enjoyed Italy in March in the past, there's nothing standing in your way for doing it again, and I hope you get an early Spring!

We were in Puglia this year from April 13, for 12 days. We met up with my brother and sil, who live in Florence. They told us that the prior week had been miserably cold and rainy; however, we had pretty mild, pleasant weather, except for one day that was windy and chilly. You know the drill. Pack layers. Also, I would plan indoor alternatives for any destination that really needs to be visited in good weather. For an example (not Italian), we planned two day trips from Ljubljana; Bled and Postojna Caves. We checked the weather report and went to the caves on the day rain was predicted - - and fell. The next day was warmer and sunny, so pleasant for Bled. A cold, rainy day there would have been a waste of time.

Thank you all for your replies. We're still in the 'thinking' phase, before the actual 'planning' phase. Weather is weather and you can never know what you'll get, regardless of when you go anywhere. There is less information about Puglia which is why we posed this question. Guess we'll plan what we want to see and do and then decide which weeks and plane fares are best. Thanks again!