Raincoat or no raincoat?

I wouldn't take an actual raincoat but a jacket or wind breaker that's water proof. I have a lightweight jacket that goes a little past my hips & it has a hood & can take rain. In Sept '09, we ran into a few days of rain in the CT mid-month & my jacket sure came in handy. Take a small umbrella too. Have a wonderful trip!

I always bring a rain coat on my travels. You never know. Even if I don't use it for rain, I use it for cooler evening temps. Hopefully your raincoats are lightweight and packable, not a fashion item, but rather a technical piece of clothing. I'd recommend bringing your rain coats.

We were in CT last September and it rained. We packed very lightly and almost decided against bringing rain gear. We were very happy to not only have light-weight rain coats but also small umbrellas. It all depends on your risk tolerance and comfort level in getting wet while touring and dealing with damp clothing in the event it rains.

You need some type of rain protection unless you don't mind getting wet or staying inside. Bring, at least, a small umbrella. If you don't bring either, then bring some money. As soon as it starts to rain, umbrella vendors pop up on every street corner. Have no idea where they come from or how they materialize so quickly.

We were just in Italy and it rained quite a lot. We got cheap plastic raincoats from a Eurostore, and an umbrella which we left behind when we came home.

Thank you for the responses :) I've got a very light weight jacket, that is "water resistant" I will pack. My husband has medium weight jacket, I will leave it up to him.
I've heard about the umbrella vendors, so I think we will only deal with the umbrella if we have to... we are nearing our weight limit.

Laura, I always take a water-resistant windbreaker type of jacket that can be rolled up and stored in its own pocket. Rei or sports stores have them, although, it might be too late for you to run to the store. Have a great trip!

Be sure to check out RS "Packing Light" on the Graffiti Wall.

We always bring a windbreaker and a umbrella that closes real small. We find that all you need to do is shake the umbrella, close it and put it in my bag. Done!!! The rain coat is a hassle you're dripping everywhere and where do you put a soaking wet raincoat? Even if you shake it? Besides, how come you buy a raincoat that measures 3"x1/4" in it's bag. But right after you use it, no matter how much you fold it, sit on it, squish it, it's always one big Ameba looking wad? The wind breaker though, if it's hot, you take it off and tie it around your waist. If it's cool you leave it on. And if it's hot all the time just use the umbrella. I always cary my umbrellas with me, no mater what. I have never been to Europe when it's real hot, I like to go when it's cool outside. So usually it's a jacket, scarf, gloves, hat, long pants and the umbrella becomes part of our accessories. Did I mention we take an umbrella? I'm pretty sure I didn't forget the umbrella.