September in Italy

I guess it depends on how much heat you are used to, and of course, every year is different. I don't far very well with a lot of humidity. Last year we did the south of France in July, and while it was super hot, it was more of a dry heat, and we had a car as well, so being able to get into and air conditioned car made a big diff.

In 2014, we had 3 nights on the Amalfi Coast (Sept 5-8, Atrani). It was pretty darn hot - one of our days I ended up having to take a second shower to cool off, and we spent a few hours hiding out in our room (mind you, this was after a hike from Ravello down to Atrani). The other day we had a private car tour booked, so having a nice air conditioned car to get into helped, but we didn't spend as much time exploring the places we stopped into because we were just too hot.

But if I had to choose between going then or having a lot more hassle with trains and whatnot, I'd just suck it up and go. If you do decide to go, of course take cooler clothes and keep hydrated. If you are in the town instead of daytripping, head back to your room for the hottest part of the afternoon (we had to do that in Rome as well after we left the coast).

Of course it all depends on your tolerance for heat, but would you keep the same itinerary? What are your current flights? I am not sure it would be worth the hassle. October could still be hot, or it could be rainy. No telling!

I live in Florida so although I am used to heat and humidity I would prefer not to have the same on vacation. I agree that you just never know. I guess I was wondering if the difference in heat from the beginning of September to the middle and end of the month is enough to warrant the hassle. If the weather will be much more comfortable I would be fine changing my dates. When looking at the weather sites I see so many different temperatures. Some say 88-90 is normal for Rome and Florence and others say 82 is normal for early September. Who to believe I guess. Also don’t want to change everything and have it rain which it seems to happens in the later half day of September.

First trip to Rome in late September was beastly hot. It really sapped our energy.

Last September in Italy was almost unbearable. I likened Milan to enduring a pollution sauna. I won't go back to Italy in September again! (But I also say never say never!)

I would keep the dates but flip the schedule - start in the south and head north

We generally travel mid-Sept to early Oct. I can say we've been in Florence during the 3rd week of Sept and I thought one day I was going to melt. (Mind you, what I perceived to be locals were wearing long sleeved shirts and jackets, meanwhile I'm in a tank top and skirt - sweating). But the other towns and cities we visited were tolerable.

On that trip in 2015 after Amalfi and Rome, we went to Venice (2nd week of Sept) and it was much more tolerable. I found on our later in Sept visits that I could wear capris and a t-shirt and sandals and not be melting...and the evenings would be cool enough that a light jacket was needed.

I'd say if you really don't want to deal with the heat on holiday, may be best to postpone it until later. I certainly wouldn't have chosen to do the south of France in July, except I wanted to see the lavender fields.

As for rain - again, depends on where you are, but the only rain we had on that trip in 2015 was a very light shower in Pompeii and there was a passing rain shower on the Amalfi Coast, but it went away really quick and we had a beautiful rainbow as a result.

On other trips from mid-Sept to early Oct - we've had a day of rain in Venice a few times, and a shower in Cinque Terre, but I'm wracking my brain and can't think of any other time we got wet. Again - we've actually had really good weather on about 95% of our travel days.

I only look at historical day-by-day weather to get an idea of what I'm likely to have. This website is great for that. Personally, I would go as late as possible, even mid-October. The later you go, the less likely it will be as hot, but it will also be less crowded. You may find that you'll get slightly better hotel rates, making up at least in part for the additional train fare.

I really don't like hot weather, humid or not, so it would be worth the "hassle" for me.

Thank you all so much. Yes I think I will change the dates to the last week of September and first of October. Can’t do anything later due to work obligations. I guess there isn’t any perfect time. But wonder how difficult it will be to travel from Milan to Venice to Florence to Rome to Sorrento and then take a very long train ride back to Milan for our flight. Our current flight is into Venice and out of Rome but changing the flights to the later dates the price doubles. Only way to get a comparable price is round trip to Milan. Any comments?

To me visiting Sorrento is an outlier for a 2 week trip. I would add time to Venice - Florence - Rome. Last year I arrived in Venice on 21 September. The weather in the Veneto at time of year was beautiful. Consider visiting Verona, Bolzano, Vicenza, Padova or Lake Garda while up north. If your furthest stop is Rome, the train to Milan is only about 3 hours. If leaving Sorrento add another 2 1/2 hours to the journey.

Italy should never be rushed, it should be savored. Dolce far niente.

We always travel to Europe 2nd week of October on; the weather is pleasant and less crowds. Done this for years; this year we're touring Bosnia, Croatia & Slovenia departing October 9th. I can take the cold but not the heat!
I'd recommend changing your flights to October if you can...
Jean