Village Italy tour

Either would work, I did it years ago in late September. Weather was pleasant though we did have a couple of rainy days and evenings were sometimes quite cool.

I took this tour in mid-June of 2023 and it was extremely hot! On another trip to Italy (not a tour) in early September of 2022, it was also very warm. These may have been anomalous conditions, but my sense is that either May or Sept/early Oct. would be optimal. Have fun!

We did the tour this last late Sept. early October. I think I would plan a little earlier. We missed out on the Cinque Terra boat ride because the seas were too rough (this really upset a few tour members but you can’t control the weather…) and it was pouring down rain for the Carrera marble quarries. We got up to the main area with a local guide but basically just saw the gift shop. Also the mosquitoes were quite a nuisance that I don’t remember from our previous tours of Italy.

I was on the VI tour the first week of September last year. The weather in Cinque Terre and Carrera was the same as Margie experienced. The rain in CT cleared the next day so we had a modified boat tour. The hills towns were sweater weather in the evenings.

It’s a great tour. Lots of fun and interesting things to see and do.

You never know what the weather will be like in any given year, but last May was lovely — mostly sunny with temperatures in the low 70s. Sadly, we too were unable to make the Cinque Terre boat ride due to very rough water.

Thank you all. Your input is greatly appreciated.

We took the Village Italy tour in mid October 2019 and the weather was absolutely beautiful the entire time. I brought a light rain jacket with a zip in/out liner from LL Bean and rarely needed it except for a few times. We only had rain on the last day of the tour. There were a couple of times our guide actually wore shorts and I wished that I had brought some.

We were able to do all the activities without weather issues, so I guess it just depends, but October can be fabulous. You'll love this tour, it is our favorite vacation of the many European trips we have taken.

Thank you, all! I'm taking the VI tour in April and was wondering how I'd pack for weather. Just a little of everything, I guess!

We took this tour during the last 2 weeks of October 2024. Silly me thinking that one would not need AC in Oct. and to make matters worse AC is govt controlled after a certain date and not able to be used no matter the temp. There were a couple of uncomfortable hotels. The Padua hotel is run by a nice family, but there was not an ice cube to be found in the entire building. So, I asked them to refrigerate our wine. They only have a bar mini fridge. They lost our wine. I mentioned this to a server in a local cafeteria style eatery as I was enjoying my diet Coke on the rocks. She didn't speak English, but my Italian was decent enough to get my point across. As we were leaving, she came running after us with a big bag of ice. I hugged her!

By the time we got to Cinque Terre it was Oct. 30 and there were people on the beach and in the water!
It was an awesome trip and I highly recommend it, but maybe make sure the AC is functioning during your stay unless you don't mind a warm room. Or maybe go in April or early May before things heat up. Days were pleasant enough with little or no rain, just needed some air circulation in the room(s)

I did this tour in late April in 2023. We generally had good weather, lots of blue skies and mild temperatures with a couple of rainy days. I wore long pants and mostly long-sleeved shirts and some short-sleeved. I took a couple warm layers with me (fleece was great) and a rain jacket.

This is a wonderful tour!

We just did this tour. Weather was mostly nice but a couple of downpour/thunderstorms. Short sleeve tops and a light fleece worked along with a light raincoat. Had to buy an umbrella in Orvieto.

Our guide had capris on a couple of days. I tend to wear long Columbia pants that can be sink washed the first night of a 2 night stay at a hotel and dry and ready to repack.

Weather warmed up as we went, but apparently, AC cannot be turned on until the end of April. A few sticky nights. But the tour prior to ours had lots of rain. Who knows!

Great tour!

Weda decided on the early May 2026 tour. One quick question... any recommendations on shoes?

"One quick question... any recommendations on shoes?"

Shoes are so personal that this is a hard thing to answer. When I went on this tour I did not have shoes with a good grip. I had athletic shoes but I felt the streets in Siena were a bit slick as you head down to the piazza where the Palio is run. So...I recommend something with a good grip.

I have horrible feet and wear only Altra brand zero drop shoes. On vacation I usually wear the Lone Peak low cut hikers which do have a good grippy sole. They are not stylish but anything I can do to keep my feet in good shape while on a tour I'll do!

None of the regular recommendations given on the forum work for my wide forefoot/narrow heel foot. Neither Keens or Merrills are comfortable for me as both have too much toe taper but they might work for you. WHATever you decide on get them now and start putting some miles in on them even though you are a year out!