We are in a quandary RE if we should visit the area around the Amalfi Coast,Pompeii, etc or Milan, Lake Como and the Dolomites in early Oct. I wilt in hot weather and if I look at weather history on Weather Underground, it looks hot in Southern Italy and tolerable in the Dolomites, other posters have reported great hiking weather in October. We were in Northern France last year at this same time frame and was surprised how warm it was.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
It would be best to start in the north and move south. The summer season in the Dolomites, drops off in October. Where, exactly, in the Dolomites are you planning to go. It is a large geography and some areas have lifts closing earlier than others.
Posted by
OP
203 posts
We would fly to Milan on Sept 28 and go directly to the val gardena area for 4- 5 days, then move south to Lake Como area for a few days and then back to Milan. We have a total of 11 days total.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11799 posts
Sorry, I thought you wanted to do both areas. The Val Gardena lift schedule will work for you. See this link https://www.valgardena.it/en/summer-holidays-dolomites/lifts/#:~:text=The%20first%20lifts%20in%20Val,the%20beginning%20of%20November%202022.. Most are open until Oct 13.
Posted by
314 posts
I only travel in March and November as I cannot tolerate heat.
I spent November of 2021 in Paris with glorious sunny weather, sweater weather.
I spent November of 2023 where it rained/drizzled/misty/sprinkled every day except for 4 days! Heavy jacket, scarf, boots and umbrella.
November of 2022 spent the month in Northern Italy-Milan, Genoa, Turin and Bologna-fab cities and sunny, sweater weather and don't recall any rain during the day, only at night.
I am doing Southern Italy in November, Naples, Amalfi, and more or less heading down the boot on one side and up the other ending back in Naples. Since it's south and most cities/towns are beach towns, cliff towns, and really just walkable hope for nice weather. I plan on bringing a LS shirt, 2 short sleeve shirts, one not so heavy and one light jacket/sweater. A scarf for me makes me extra warm so use that in place of a warm piece of clothing..
Posted by
OP
203 posts
We had very warm weather last October in Normandy and the Loire Valley and at Mont St Michel. We have decided on the Dolomites, the Lakes area and Milan in early October this year and will save Southern Italy for early spring or late fall another time. Is there an issue with ferries early or late in the season when traveling in Southern Italy?