Hi
I and my wife are planning to visit Florence in mid March'16.
Can someone guide us about the weather? What should we be packing with ourselves.
Will the shops, winerines, local sightseeing places and restaurants be open at that time.
Any places we should or shouldn't visit that time of year around.
Thanks
Deepak
You will find most shops, wineries, etc., open. We were there last year in mid May and found it cool - jacket weather - and a bit rainy. A brief shower almost every day. It was lovely because everything was beginning to green up. I would assume that March would be much cooler. The days will be much shorter. Not knowing what weather you are comfortable with, I might suggest a good fleece under a rain jacket, hat and gloves, waterproof shoes would be appropriate.
Deepak, if you go to the Tours section of the RS web site, then look at the "weather" section of the Venice/Florence/Rome tour in Italy, you will see that on average during March in Florence, temperatures range from a high of 56 degrees F down to a low of 43 degrees F, with 24 days without any rain in March. By the way, Rome is 2-3 degrees warmer during March, and Venice is 2-3 degrees cooler. Florence is a heavily commercial and tourist-centered city, with its world-class sites mostly inside, and I cannot imagine that many sites, lodging or restaurants would be closed during March. Certainly our Florentine Roberto can add his input on this one.
When I am in Italy in the spring I always carry a long sleeved shirt, a sweater, and a Nike Dry Fit rain jacket (think golf). Those layers cover me for most anything the weather can throw at me, except a downpour, so I buy an umbrella from a street vendor when that happens. Spring is a good time to visit.
Nothing closes in March. Florence is a big tourist city like San Francisco not a seasonal ski or seaside resort.
Weather in March is variable. Generally cool and rain is likely, at least occasionally. Check the weather forecast just before departing. Weather forecasts are very reliable up to a week out.
We visited Florence for 5 nights this last March. Wonderful. Everything open, but get updated info on museum hours--it can change on a whim! If you're like me and prefer to avoid tourists when possible, visit the popular attractions like Il Duomo, etc. on weekdays.
We had come from Paris & Lucerne, Switzerland so we were packed for all kinds of weather. Rained like heck when we arrived at the Firenze SMN station, but after that it was basically cool & windy. Temps about 40-55 F. Not a problem.
Enjoy!
