Weather March - April

South I think? - either Cinque Terre region or Amalfi Coast.

I have just returned (last week) from a 2 1/2 week trip to Madrid, Genoa, Florence, Siena, Assisi and Rome. Torrential rain in Madrid 2 days, fine 1, Genoa 3 days fine, Florence 1 day fine, 2 raining, Siena 1 day fine, 2 days raining, Assisi 1 day fine, 1 raining and Rome 1 day raining. Total mixed bag. I generally travel the time you are planning and have only had 1 day of rain in the last couple of trips. You would think that closer to mid year would be better. One thing I did notice that the places we went were so much more crowded than March/April. For my trip next year I will be going March/April just to avoid the crowds.

Our most recent trip was to Italy in early March this year. The first hour in Florence we experienced sleet. What a shock for us as we live in Florida. But that was the worst for us. Our days were in the 50's, may have gotten up to 60 one day of the week. Mostly overcast. Definitely warm coat, gloves, scarf weather. We moved onto Venice and experienced weather that was nice enough to dine al fresco, but with coats on. One trip we were in Italy in early May. We sunned ourselves in Cinque Terre, were rained on a lot in Florence. The trade off for earlier cooler travel is less crowds, less expense. I dislike cold weather but don't seem to mind much when I am enjoying myself. Easter comes at different times so look up the dates for next year and plan accordingly. My investigations have shown that prices tend to shoot up one week before Easter then do not come down until the Fall.

Easter is the 12th of April next year. We were there from March 23 to April 4 this year and had great weather. Quite a bit of rain in Rome the first few days - but we were very lucky as it was beautiful for the rest of the time except for a very short rain at the very end in the Cinque Terre. Around Easter is definitely more expensive. I'm sure weather would be nicer in late April or May - but you will pay more and it will probably be more crowded. We thought it was a wonderful time of year to go.

People who have a choice often don't choose March to be in the Cinque Terre, which is pretty far north. Or the Amalfi, even though it's far south of the CT. Of the choices you give, late April would be preferable for both places. Avoid Easter, it's a very crowded time in Italy, you want to avoid being there then if you have a choice and it appears you do. There will always be people who got lucky and will write in to say the weather was great when they were there in March, but most people like to go with the averages when it comes to weather, if they have a choice and it looks like you do--the later in April the better.

Cindy, just go when it really suits you time wise and take your chances. You just can never predict the weather and it seems to be getting more and more unpredictable each year. I would avoid Easter though.

Cindy,

This year we had four separate couples visiting us for 4 weeks straight, from March 10 - April 10, then we caught a break! During that stretch the weather was ... well, all across the board! We had a couple beautiful days in the 70's but we also sat through a torrential downpour at Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square. We had some days where we lent coats to them, primarily at night. So the weather that time of year can be erratic.

But they had a fabulous time! We went all over Italy, as far north as Pisa, and south to Pompeii during that 4 week span. The crowds were less; the weather was not a deterrent - we just had to prepare and dress in layers - and of course, ALWAYS carry an umbrella that time of year!

Easter is CRAZY here and the Sunday and Monday of Easter almost everything is closed... so avoid that (although the Mass was incredible - us, and 150,000 of our "closest friends").

But it certainly paid off when one afternoon about 5:30 PM we were the ONLY people left in the Sistine Chapel... Imagine having the whole room to yourself! We were "chased out" by the guards at closing time - So there are some GREAT advantages to coming in March/April.

The weather in May is better - more things are blooming, and the smells and colors are vibrant. Yet it is more crowded... so it comes down to what are your priorities! Whatever time you come, you will have an Incredible Experience!!

Yesterday it was sunny, and 85' - today, it's another beautiful - going to be HOT - day in Rome!

Ciao,
Ron

Cindy,

My wife and I visited Italy during the last 2 weeks of March and all of April of this year. We traveled from the south to the north and I could honestly say we had to dress in layers 95% of the time. Only days that were really comfortable were near the end of April. We visit Italy every year for six to eight weeks and I recommend mid April through the end of May. This is only my opinion.

Greg

Re: Easter

Remember that the Easter period...up to 3 weeks beyond that actual holiday....is school vacation time and many spots are more crowded than usual.
European families take trips during this time.
We were in Monoco 2 weeks after Easter and it was jammed with European families.