Florence Italy
February 1, 2011 1:26 AM Subscribe
Hey everyone,
Going to Florence Italy in the end of March to early April. Anyone have any idea of the weather at that time? Also going alone so any advice on crucial things to take?
Cheers
Florence gets pretty warm in the summer, but a lot colder and wetter in the winter. Temperature in late March (making a rough interpolation from Wikipedia's data) should be around 17C (63F) on a nice day, down to about 7C (45F) on a cool night. Anticipate a little light rain every few days.
I was there in mid-April a few years ago and a lot of the tourists were in t-shirts and shorts. But that really depends on the climate you're used to. I'm from the somewhat colder UK and found the weather in Florence warm and comfortable.
Crucial things to take: just the standard stuff for a first-world country - clothes, toiletries, camera and a good book. Pack something warm for the evenings and something lightweight and waterproof in case it rains. Maybe consider some appropriate documentation in case you want to hire a car - the Tuscan countryside is well worth exploring if you get bored of museums and palaces.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 3:05 AM on February 1, 2011
I was there in mid-April a few years ago and a lot of the tourists were in t-shirts and shorts. But that really depends on the climate you're used to. I'm from the somewhat colder UK and found the weather in Florence warm and comfortable.
Crucial things to take: just the standard stuff for a first-world country - clothes, toiletries, camera and a good book. Pack something warm for the evenings and something lightweight and waterproof in case it rains. Maybe consider some appropriate documentation in case you want to hire a car - the Tuscan countryside is well worth exploring if you get bored of museums and palaces.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 3:05 AM on February 1, 2011
I was there mid-April of 2010 and it was as le morte describes. A bit cooler than I would have expected for mid-April. A couple layers of sweater/light coat were mandatory. During the day you might get a bright spot of sun and strip down to a t-shirt. Rain on and off, never lasting too long.
Not sure what you need to take... A good walking map of the city, a camera, a pocket full of euros. Thats about it, really.
posted by vacapinta at 3:14 AM on February 1, 2011
Not sure what you need to take... A good walking map of the city, a camera, a pocket full of euros. Thats about it, really.
posted by vacapinta at 3:14 AM on February 1, 2011
Even though the weather may not be baking hot - you may find that the sun is stronger than you are used to if you are going to be spending time sitting out in it: so sunscreen and sunglasses.
If it were me and I was going alone then I would take a small sketchbook: fun to spend a few moments really looking at people or places rather than just taking snaps.
Florence has huge amounts to see and the problem is packing in what you want, in the time you have available, - without getting too footsore and overwhelmed. Your two biggest enemies are crowds of other tourists and Italian opening times: check the latter carefully in advance and consider arriving earlier in the day than the bulk of the former.
posted by rongorongo at 4:25 AM on February 1, 2011
If it were me and I was going alone then I would take a small sketchbook: fun to spend a few moments really looking at people or places rather than just taking snaps.
Florence has huge amounts to see and the problem is packing in what you want, in the time you have available, - without getting too footsore and overwhelmed. Your two biggest enemies are crowds of other tourists and Italian opening times: check the latter carefully in advance and consider arriving earlier in the day than the bulk of the former.
posted by rongorongo at 4:25 AM on February 1, 2011
I hate to be the realist but be careful with your possessions. Italian cutpurses and thieves are notorious in the major tourist centers (Firenze being a prime target.) Once you're away from the tourist areas, personal safety is not a big concern (exception being Napoli or any Camorra-controlled city.)
posted by gen at 5:50 AM on February 1, 2011
posted by gen at 5:50 AM on February 1, 2011
I was there in mid-March a few years ago and it rained a lot. But was temperatures very much like what le morte de bea arthur said.
Bring a rain coat, sweater, and an umbrella. Comfortable, waterproof shoes will be helpful.
Honestly, I did not fear for my safety nor the safety of my possessions while there and we stayed across the street from the main train station, blocks away from the Duomo. It seemed like March was the low time for tourists.
My husband still drools over the seafood spaghetti he had at Il Portale, in case you are looking for someplace good to eat. :)
posted by jillithd at 9:16 AM on February 1, 2011
Bring a rain coat, sweater, and an umbrella. Comfortable, waterproof shoes will be helpful.
Honestly, I did not fear for my safety nor the safety of my possessions while there and we stayed across the street from the main train station, blocks away from the Duomo. It seemed like March was the low time for tourists.
My husband still drools over the seafood spaghetti he had at Il Portale, in case you are looking for someplace good to eat. :)
posted by jillithd at 9:16 AM on February 1, 2011
Response by poster: That's great few things to think about - thanks to everyone for replying!
posted by mark25 at 2:06 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by mark25 at 2:06 PM on February 1, 2011
We went to Florence in mid-March 2005. It had just snowed -- a light covering of snow was on the ground. We were there for 10 days and it never warmed up. Can't remember the numbers, but we didn't have proper clothing and it was painful. Sunny but cold. Layers, layers, layers. Gloves and a hat.
Tredeci Gobbi (13 Hunchbacks) is the place to eat (Via del Porcellana 9r).
posted by feelinggood at 6:39 PM on February 1, 2011
Tredeci Gobbi (13 Hunchbacks) is the place to eat (Via del Porcellana 9r).
posted by feelinggood at 6:39 PM on February 1, 2011
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