If you're planning a trip to Florence, you're probably wondering when is be the best time to go. After all, you don't want to arrive there when it's cold and raining, if you were hoping to spend your time lingering outside at the sidewalk cafes. So here's a guide to when it's the best time to visit Florence!

Summer

A lot of tourists choose summer (June-August) for their vacation trip to Florence, and if you have to plan around school vacation schedules, you might not have much leeway in this choice. If your time is more flexible, though, there are some downsides to summer that you'll want to consider. Weather-wise this time of year can be hot (up in the 90s Fahrenheit), and it often gets quite humid in Florence, too. Florence is also the most crowded with tourists in the summer. So if you love hot weather, and don't mind crowds, going to Florence in the summer may be right for you.

Summer crowd outside the duomo in Florence

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Autumn

Autumn (September-October) is a very pleasant time to visit Florence. There are less crowds than in the summer, and the weather isn't too cold (think 68F in mid-October). Autumn is a great time to see the deciduous trees turning color, so if you love nature's different seasons and fall color, then autumn may be one of the best times for you to visit Florence. If you're interested in wine and plan to tour the Chianti wine area around Florence, you might be able to see some harvesting in the fall, too.

Winter

Winter (November-February) can be chilly. It's often rainy, and there is an occasional chance of snow (unlikely but possible). Winter temperatures average about 50F in January. If you're mostly interested in indoor pursuits, however, you'll find the museums nicely uncrowded this time of year - a world of difference from the summertime! Because there are so few tourists, you'll also get to feel a bit more of the real local scene, rather than finding all the streets and restaurants crowded with international vacationers.

Spring

Spring (March-May) is a lovely season to visit. The weather is nice, but not too hot - averaging around 70F in April. Quite a few other people are catching on to the spring option, so the tourists are starting to arrive, though it won't be quite as crowded as it is in summer. It's a good time if you want to see flowers blooming, perhaps taking a stroll in the Boboli Garden.

Flowers in the Boboli Gardens, Florence

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Attractions

One of the most important tips for any tourist is to do your research in advance, and decide what attractions are on your must see list. Then you can check the website for those attractions. Find out the schedule for your "must see sights", and make sure whether they are closed at some times of year. It's possible for museums or restaurants to close down in January, or over Christmas, Easter, or other major holidays. By identifying the places most important to you, you can make sure you don't run into this disappointment. Spending Christmas in Italy could be a memorable and wonderful vacation, indeed! Just make sure you know what will or won't be open for you before you book the tickets.

Festivals

If you're interested in seeing something special, beyond the typical attractions that are there all year, you might want to consider visiting Florence during one of the festivals. A few of the main festivals are:

- Festival of St. John - June 24
- Explosion of the Cart festival - Easter Sunday
- Florence music festival - Spread over 2 months in the summer
- Paper lantern festival - First week in September
- Florence antique festival - Sept-Oct, every other year

If you want to venture out of town a bit, there are also some very cool festivals in smaller towns near Florence, like the Infiorata (Flower Festival) in Pienza.

Planning your trip to Florence

Here's our recommended plan of attack for figuring out when is the best time to go to Florence:

- Is a particular festival very important to you? If so, plan around that.
- Are you tied to a particular season for school or work schedule reasons? If not, use the season overviews above to narrow down to an approximate window.
- Fine tune your trip dates based on knowing any closure dates for attractions you really care about, and any less important festivals that would be fun to see.

Of course, if you're visiting other cities on the same Italian vacation, then you'll want to do the same kind of process for them, so you can optimize all the locations you'll visit.

And now, you're ready to start planning your trip to Florence, Italy!

If you're planning a trip to Tuscany, then congratulations on making a good choice!  Located towards the middle of the country, Tuscany is a gorgeous area of Italy with olive groves and magnificent wild beauty.  It also has outstanding ancient towns filled with Renaissance art for you to admire.  So what are our top ten things to do in Tuscany?

1.  See the Masters In Florence Museums

The Uffizi Gallery is a world famous art museum.  Here you can feast your eyes on hundreds of paintings by Renaissance masters.  Artists include Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Then head over to the Accademia where you'll find Michelangelo's statue of David - one of the most famous sculptures in the world.

2. Go Wine Tasting In Chianti

Just about everyone has heard of Chianti wine, and now you can taste the red wine for yourself from the local vineyards in the region. If you don't want to drive from vineyard to vineyard, you could go on an organized wine tasting tour.  Even if you're not so keen on wine, it's a gorgeous area to explore.

Rolling vineyards of the Chianti region

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3.  Stroll Around Siena

Siena is a well known town dating from medieval times.  One of its most popular piazzas is the Piazza del Campo where you can sit down, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee and indulge in people watching.  If you feel energetic, you can climb to the top of the bell tower for breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

4.  Visit Lucca

Lucca is a Tuscan town dating from 180BC.  Founded by the Romans, there's a 1900 year old amphitheater to explore and a sixteenth century brick wall that encloses the city center.  If you need some exercises, you can walk along the four kilometer long brick wall.

5.  Take A Tuscan Cooking Class

If you'd like to know how to make authentic Tuscan dishes, then why not take a cooking class in Tuscany?  There are quite a few different cooking schools in the region that offer anything from one day courses to intense week long courses with accommodation included.

6.  Count The Tower Houses At San Gimignano

This town is 1,000 years old and is perched on a hill.  Only 14 tower houses are left standing today which were a sign of wealth in ancient times.  San Gimignano features churches and museums, as well as the Fortress of Montestaffoli.

Leaning tower - famous for its failings

7. Visit The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

You can see for yourself the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The town of Pisa is approximately 50 miles from Florence and is easily reached by train if you don't have a car. In recent years the tower has undergone restoration work to reduce its lean as it was becoming too pronounced, but you can still see the lean it is famous for.

8. Explore the Maremma Region

The Maremma region is located in south-western Tuscany. This region boasts hills, mountains and the ocean. You can indulge in pleasures such as eating simple Italian food and tasting the wines of this region. Or if you feel like taking a dip, why not go to the thermal baths of Saturnia?

9.  Take An Art Class

Be inspired by the same landscape as the Italian masters were when you take a Tuscan art class.  Not only can you take a class in painting, but lessons in pottery, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and mosaics are also offered at the various art schools in the region.  If you want to be pampered while you learn, you can book an all-inclusive course where meals, activities (as well as lessons) and accommodation are all included.

10.  Explore Cortona

If you've read Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, then you may be familiar with Cortona.  The Etruscans first lived here centuries ago and today it's a town that offers visitors a feast of history and art.

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Tuscany is wonderful, and after you visit, you'll see why Frances Mayes went through all that work to stay here.  Find all the best travel clothing and accessories, and enjoy your trip to Tuscany!
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On my honeymoon, my new husband and I stayed in a tiny mountain town about 40 minutes north of Florence by train. We were enchanted with the town-we would have liked to stay permanently! However, one of the wonderful people we met there was a native of Florence, and to her, the little mountain town could never compare to the city she was born in. She told us she cried when she had to move away, even though she didn’t move very far.

As much as we loved the mountain scenery, I can definitely see why she felt that way. Florence is magical -- a jewel of a city. Even when it’s is crowded with tourists, the blend of Italian Renaissance beauty, modern conveniences, excellent food and friendly people is something you have to experience to understand. There is so much to see and do in the city that it can be hard to pin down a doable itinerary. With that in mind, here are 10 places you absolutely must visit while you are there!

• Galleria dell'Accademia- Although you will find replicas of Michelangelo’s David in other places around town, this is the home of the one and only original sculpture. The statue depicts David holding the stone, contemplating his move against the giant Goliath. Every muscle is carved with such fluid grace that you almost expect the statue to start moving. His calm, thoughtful expression and Olympian physique embodies the Renaissance belief in human potential. The Galleria dell’Accademia always has a line to get inside. Although it generally moves much faster than the line for the Uffizi, it’s still best to get tickets in advance if possible.  Find museum tickets here...

• Duomo- The Duomo is on every Florentine visitor’s itinerary for several reasons. The building itself is simply beautiful-the facade is embellished with alternating colors of local limestone. The baptistery outside features the "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti-a fabulous example of bronze relief sculpture. Then, of course, there is the dome-a feat of engineering that helped put Florence on the map during the Renaissance. Brave the long lines and the steep steps to climb the stairs to the top-you'll be glad you did! The views of the city are breathtaking. While you climb, make sure to check out the fresco of the last judgment-the demons of hell have some very interesting punishments for sinners that involve flaming sticks…I won’t go into anymore detail than that in order to keep this post rated PG!

Ponte Vecchio, with shops along the sides

• Ponte Vecchio- This charming bridge across the Arno dates to 1345. The shops along the bridge have housed goldsmiths and jewelers ever since 1593, when Ferdinand di Medici threw out the more “common” vendors. As you would expect from such a long tradition, these shops are home to some incredible artisans who produce some amazing jewelry. Even if you can’t afford to buy, window shopping is definitely worth it! Cost: Free

• Uffizi- The Palazzo degli Uffizi houses a superb collection of paintings, featuring work by artists such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, della Francesca, and many others. Also, unless you really, really like the idea of spending half of a vacation day in line, buy tickets ahead of time! What appears to be a relatively short line from outside can and will end up taking hours to go through. It costs a few Euro more to book in advance, but it's well worth it! Find museum tickets here...

• Piazza della Republica- This piazza marks the site of an old Roman forum, but the current neoclassical construction dates back to 1865. Studded with caffes, it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat. Also, it borders the Mercato Nuovo, home of the “Porcellino.” Put in a coin in this statue’s mouth, and if it falls through the grate below, the legend says you will have good luck.

• Bargello- The David may be the most famous Renaissance sculpture in Florence, but it’s certainly not the only one. The Bargello has work by Donatello, Michelangelo and Cellini, among others.

• Brancacci Chapel- Located in the cathedral of Santa Maria del Carmine, this chapel features frescoes by Giotto and Masaccio that demonstrate the new techniques of the Italian Renaissance: perspective and chiaroscuro, or shading. To see the difference, compare the work by Giotto and Masaccio to older work by Cimabue.

• Vivoli- You’ve never truly experienced ice cream until you've had gelato! Gelato is richer, thicker, and simply better than its American counterpart. If you've climbed to the top of the Duomo, you can even indulge guilt-free! Address: Via Isole delle Stinche 7r.  This shop is considered by many to have the best gelato in Florence. Why not go and judge for yourself?

There's a lot more in Florence, too.  So much that you'll never have time to see it all!  Even so, you might want to take a break from the city and visit the nearby hill town of Fiesole.  It makes a nice variation from the city hustle and bustle.

You can also visit Florence as part of a larger trip through Tuscany. One advantage is that a tour can get you out to see the countryside and small towns in addition to Florence itself, like this women's trip to Tuscany. You'll find plenty of options for visiting this scenic area - it's beautiful!

Above all, whatever else you do...  Make sure to leave yourself some time for just strolling along the banks of the Arno, and relaxing at sidewalk caffes. Those leisurely relaxing moments can be the most enjoyable of all!

First of all, don't make the mistake of assuming that all of Italy enjoys the same Mediterranean climate. Sure, Italy does lie in the Mediterranean but the country is big enough that Italy weather varies based on three distinct climatic regions:

• The Alpine area in northern Italy;
• The great plain of the valley of the River Po, which stretches from Turin to Venice;
• The rest of Italy - the long, mountainous peninsula which goes all the way down to southern Italy.

Alpine Italy is the wettest part of the country by far, with summer being, surprisingly perhaps, the season with the most rainfall. The summers can still be hot, though, and obviously the winters will find lots of snow and ice, especially in the highest areas.

The Po valley, sometimes known as the North Italian Plain, is the agricultural heartland of the country. The summers can be just as hot and sunny as those further south but the winters can be surprisingly cold – with frequent fog, frost, rain and snow. This area is usually colder in winter than either Paris or London.

The rest of Italy has the more classical Mediterranean climate – mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, although again the higher areas can often be cold and snowy during the winter months. The intensity, and length, of the hot, dry summer will increase the further south you go. Sea temperatures around Italy generally make the waters warm enough for bathing from the end of May until October.

But enough of that!  As a potential tourist, you're wondering when to take your trip to Italy, so let’s look at what Italy weather you might find visiting at various times of the year.

The most tourists arrive in the summer months, especially during July and August. Temperatures will daily reach 86/30 and often jump to 100/38 during the afternoons. This is when the queues for the museums and galleries are at their longest, the prices for rooms at their highest and the afternoons are too hot for sensible sightseeing. For me, the best places in Italy at this time of the year are around the lakes or in the mountains, avoiding the largest tourist areas.

So what about other times? Well, January can be cold and wet or snowy but, after the Christmas holidays, which finish on January 6th, you’ll get real bargains in hotel rooms and the tourist sites will be empty. Expect daily temperatures around 46/8 in Rome; a little lower in Milan, Venice and Florence.  Sure it's chilly, and some places will be closed, but you'll have a lot more space to yourself.  It's wonderful to walk the streets of Venice without the crowds!

February is similar but, if you’re around on the 3rd, then have a drink on Saint Biago day – the patron saint of the throat! I’m reliably informed that the best firework display in Italy every year is on Saint Biago’s Day in Mugano di Napoli, just outside Naples.

And, of course, 40 days before Easter marks the beginning of Carnevale for many Italian cities and towns, with the highlight of these being the Viareggio in Venice. Venetians claim that their carnival is best because it appeals to all 6 senses – that’s the usual 5, plus the sixth: the imagination.

Italians say that March is ‘the crazy month’ because you just don’t know what weather to expect but visitors can still be surprised by the coldness. March 8th is the wonderful Festa della Donne – the festival of women, where the flower of choice is the yellow mimosa and around the 21st there are many festivals welcoming spring (primavera).

In spring the Easter celebrations are always a highlight of the year – especially in Rome but also in Florence, with the Scoppio del Carro. Needless to say, it involves another firework display; this one where a priest puts a rocket into a cart that has been dragged through the streets. I’m sure there’s a logical reason behind it. (?)

April is a little warmer, often reaching 65/18 or even higher. Watch out for festivals such as that in Verona celebrating the delicious white asparagus. Also, Rome and Venice have big ‘birthday’ parties on 21st and 25th respectively this month.

May is traditionally the month of roses in Italy and the weather is now beginning to get pleasantly warm throughout most of the country. At the end of May, and the beginning of June, there are a vast number of infiorata – flower festivals, which will captivate your senses of smell and sight.

See video of the infiorata:
Pienza Infiorata: Streets paved with flowers

May, June and September are, for many, the perfect months for visits to Italy – when the weather is usually dry, not so hot that you're miserable, and there are fewer tourists. September is also the time of the Venice Film festival and its fantastic Regatta Storica – a day of races in all kinds of craft. The real romantics might want to go to Verona on 12th September – it’s Juliet’s birthday!

October is a beautiful month – the colors of fall, the cooler temperatures and the abundance of food-related activities make it a culinary dream. There are all kinds of food festivals celebrating mushrooms, chestnuts, truffles and chocolates – especially in the Umbria and Piedmont regions. You might even, towards the end of the month, get the first of the vino novella – the year’s new wine. Many people find Rome at its best in October – the sunny days here are known as the ‘ottobrate romane’ and, although the evenings are by now a little chilly, the air is often crisp and clear.

In November and December, the days are short and often rainy but the real attraction is the build up to the Christmas season, with the elaborate traditional celebrations accompanying it. If you’re around at this time, try to get to see a living nativity scene; most towns and villages have them and they are a spectacle to behold.

A great resource to look at average temperatures in different areas is
Weatherbase: Historical weather.  You can search for the cities you're thinking of visiting and find out what's typical.

To summarize the weather in Italy, and help you decide when to take your trip to Italy, just remember this:  There’s no such thing as bad weather there – only the wrong clothes!

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No matter the weather, if you have the best travel clothes for your trip, you're sure to have a blast on your trip to Italy!
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Like many travelers to Italy, a visit to Florence was on my must-do list from the beginning. There is much to see in this incredible city. Who can resist the lure of Michelangelo’s David, or the intrigue of the Duomo. For a unique shopping experience, spend a weekend afternoon on the Ponte Vecchio. The words "Ponte Vecchio" mean "old bridge." This is no exaggeration - the Ponte Vecchio was built in the 14th Century! The crafts vendors who line the bridge sell some magnificent items. In some cases, the prices are even reasonable!

When I think of Florence, I think of Fiesole. When you’ve had your fill of churches, museums and street vendors, Fiesole allows you to escape to higher ground. It stands majestically on a hill north of Florence. From a distance, it almost appears to be magical. You can reach Fiesole by the Number 7 bus. Historians believe that this was an Etruscan city founded in the 9th Century BC. It was known as a training center for the Augurs, who were priests trained in the art of divination. They foretold the future by interpreting the movements of birds.

While there is much to see in Fiesole, my most vivid memories are of the Villa Medici, which dates back to the Renaissance. It’s interesting to note that while most villas of that period were built for agricultural purposes, the Villa Medici was the exception to the rule. In contrast, as an intellectual center, it was involved in the farming of ideas, not crops. Villa Medici also has one of the best-kept gardens in Italy. Gardens, cathedrals and villas aside - like Montmartre in Paris, there is something intrinsically intriguing about standing at the top of one city and looking down at another. It invites a distinct sense of perspective.

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If you are lucky enough to be visiting between May 15, 2008 and December 31, 2008, you can take advantage a new program called the Fiorino Effect, designed to ease the expense for US visitors. Download the voucher from Firenze.net, and you can get ten percent off on participating hotels and restaurants, and 20 percent off on participating museums.

If you're heading to Italy over the summer – any summer – consider checking out some special events or celebrations while you're there. You can get a different view of Italy through its festivals. Besides, who doesn't love a party?

June

Pisa, Luminar di Saint Ranieri: June 16th every year the city of Pisa celebrates the Luminara di Saint Ranieri, the Patron Saint of Italy, who died as a Saint in 1161, and who has been celebrated since the late 17th century. Along the river Arno, more than 70,000 candles are lit, which light up the river, the buildings, the bridges and the whole city. Several of the wax candles are also sent floating down the river. The only thing not lit by candles is the Leaning Tower, which is adorned by oil lamps, instead. The celebration also includes a fireworks celebration at the "Cittadella Vecchia" after dark, around 11 at night.

The next day, there's a regatta on the 17th, which has four boats rowed by men from each of Pisa's four competing districts. At the finish line, the winner climbs a rope to claim the Victory Flag.

Florence, San Giovanni Feast Day: On the Sunday following June 24th every year in Florence, San Giovanni Feast Day, the celebration of John the Baptist, is celebrated. This celebration includes a medieval tournament that dates back to when the festival started, followed by music, drinking and feasting.
There is also a fireworks celebration preceded by rowboats carrying lit candles paddling down the Arno River.

July

Genoa, Festa del Cristo degli Abissi: On July 29th, off the Ligurian coast, there is a procession that leads to the underwater statue of Christ. The statue is dedicated to those who lost their lives at sea, and a mass is held on the beach.

Rome, Castel Sant'Angelo: From July 1 through August 15, Rome celebrates Castel Sant'Angelo beside the Vatican. There are all kinds of concerts, shows, and plays performed in the evenings, until after midnight. There are also events for the children, so they enjoy the celebration too.

August

National, Ferragosto: Assumption Day, celebrated August 15th, is a national holiday, celebrated with music, food and fireworks. Since it is a national holiday, it's not a good day to go shopping, but there are plenty of other things to do. Food is sold inexpensively, and you can enjoy it while listening to music, watching concerts and admiring the fireworks.

These are just a few of the many, many options. No matter where you're going in Italy, there's a good chance you'll find a celebration!