Italy in October

[amjac2wm]

Hi Ladies,

I know that this is a couple of months in advance, but I want to plan early I will be going to Italy from Oct. 13th-23rd. I'm going to Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan during my stay. What is the weather like during that time of year, and what would be best clothing to wear? Should I bring US East Coast fall clothing?

Also, can you all recommend restaurants and shopping places that I should go to? What do you think of the Foxtown Outlets in Como?

Also, do you all have any words of wisdom for me? This is my first time going to Italy, and I will be going by myself. I have done a lot of international travel on my own, but if there is anything that I need to watch out for, etc, please let me know.

I'm so excited to go to Italy, and I really appreciate your responses!!!!

[PurpleD]

The weather in Italy will vary depending on where you are in the country. In October, Milan can be quite cold whereas the weather in Venice will be milder. Overall, the weather will be similar to NY in October so US East coast fall clothing should do you just fine.

Italy is a fantastic country and I’m sure you’ll enjoy every second of your holiday, but watch out for the pickpockets. My friend had her wallet stolen in the Sistine Chapel and another friend had her Rolex violently yanked off of her wrist in a public square in Venice.

[sonya]

The only thing that I really liked in Milan is 10 Corso Como, a wonderful "hidden" boutique and cafe on Corso Como Street. Via Spiga is a beautiful street with great stores. It is part of the "golden triangle." You have to check out that area. The rest of Milan is rather industrial.

In Rome, I would recommend all the touristy sight-seeing things (if it's your first time) because it is absolutely incredible. The best food in Rome, in my opinion, is gelato. It is AMAZING everywhere.

One thing to keep in mind about Venice is it's hyper touristy and the streets can be narrow. Bring comfortable walking shoes. (I guess I could say the same about the cobblestoned streets in Rome, but I had no problems wearing heels in Rome....)

Florence is my favorite Italian city. There will be street stalls leading up to the duomo where you can get very inexpensive scarves. That area also has all the designer shops. Florence is a gorgeous city, not as hectic as Rome.

East Coast weather clothing will be fine. I would bring some jackets, sweaters, a coat (in wool or cashmere).

[lordguinny]

I think October weather can be finicky. I went exactly the same dates as you and the weather was peeeerfect. We're talking 70's, sunny and balmy. It was ideal walking weather. We wore a light wrap or shawl at night but other than that it never got below 65 at night and 75 during the day.

However, we might have been very lucky for those 14 days. My friend went in November and it was rainy and slightly chilly.

Bring layers and you should be fine!

[NY_fashionista]

Originally Posted by amjac2wm

What do you think of the Foxtown Outlets in Como?

Foxtown is not in Como, it's across the border in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

[Longchamp]

Italy will actually be a little warmer than NYC during this time period, because of the sea. Milan is an industrial town, we stayed two nights when we went to the winter olypmics in Turin---but OMG you will not find better shopping anywhere IMO.

This is not too early to plan your vaca-- have fun and post pix when you get back

[Babi]

About Milan, I think it's a great place to go shopping. But it's also nice visiting Brera (also the Pinacoteca), and the Ultima Cena by Leonardo (only reserved visits..this is a link but only in italian, sorry http://www.leonardoamilano.org/index.php).
Then one day you can go to have lunch along the Navigli zone, in that part of Milan (Porta Ticinese) you can find a lot of nice shops, less expensive than the Via Montenapoleone's ones (also if going window-shopping there is a must)!
Don't miss La Rinascente in Corso Vittorio Emanuele (http://www.rinascente.it/webapp/)
And yes, of course 10 Corso Como.
I also used to find nice things at the Zap store, in Galleria Passarella, but I read it's moved somewhere else.

Florence...Lovely town, just walking in the streets is a real pleasure.
Nice stores (don't miss Luisa Via Roma...in via Roma) and art! BTW...I've never been to Mendrisio, so I don't know, but near florence (about 1 hour) there's The Mall. A big outlet where you can find Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Sain Laurent, Tod's, Balenciaga, Mcqueen, Marni...very interesting Not far from there there's Dolce and Gabbana outlet. If you have the patience to drive (or take the shuttle from florence) for another 20-30 minutes, you can also reach Prada's outlet.

Venice and Rome...well, the most visited italian cities...I don't have particular advice: wear comfy shoes and try to visit as many places as you can (just follow your guide: there's probably a neverending list of places to see!), paying attention to the pickpockets!
And have fun!

[ProfNot]

My favorite store in Florence:

Farmacia Santa Maria Novella
16, v. Scala
tel: 055 216276
website is down


It is the oldest pharmacy in the western world. Beautiful interior with arched ceilings, painted floral motifs, etc. One of my very favorite perfumes is from there: Iris.

I always have a bowl of their potpourri in my living room. Takes me back to Tuscany every time I pass by it.

Also Italian but you can read through the product offerings and get a good idea of the toiletries they sell.

http://www.paginegialle.it/smnovella


It's also a great place to buy gifts for GFs. Prices range from low for the soap to medium high for the perfume.

Italian language but great pics:
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmaci..._Maria_Novella

[amjac2wm]

Thanks so much for the amazing advice, ladies!!I'm starting to get a sense of what clothes to pack and shopping venues to visit:) I'm adding the places hat you recommended to my itinerary, Babi! ProfNot, I also can't wait to go to Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, it sounds like a great place to purchase Italian beauty products and such!

I'm starting to become quite wary of the pickpockets... would you all say that it's worse than NYC? Is it still ok to carry my wallet in my purse?

Oh, and here's a link to my Yahoo Trip Planner- http://travel.yahoo.com/trip-view-16...5906&dbwrite=Y . It is by no means completed yet, but I'm working on it!

[gingarita]

wish you could at least take ONE DAY and go to pompeii and sorrento and capri
SHOPPING in sorrento is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NY_fashionista]

Originally Posted by gingarita

SHOPPING in sorrento is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm curious, what did you find amazing in Sorrento? The scenery and food are great but I never thought much of it as a shopping destination... and I'm in Italy about five times a year.

So what did you shop for in Sorrento?

[coachariffic]

I was in Venice in early October last year and it was rather cold in the morning hours and warmed up in the afternoon. I wore a light weight sweater over a tshirt and jeans and I was fine.

Rome by far was much warmer than Venice, so was Florence. I didn't care for Florence that much but do make sure you find the flea market that is just outside of the train station in Florence. We decided to climb to the top of the Duomo one morning when it opened and while it can get a little tight in spots climbing all those steps it's got a fantastic view. Just on the other side of the Duomo heading towards the Ufizi was probably the best gelato we had Italy and we ate a lot.

Also if you can, Pisa is only about an hour away. We took a little side trip there from Florence. It was totally touristy but who knows when you'll ever go back so we did all the touristy stuff!

Have fun!! I can't wait to go back! You'll love it!

[Allisonfaye]

Originally Posted by amjac2wm

Thanks so much for the amazing advice, ladies!!I'm starting to get a sense of what clothes to pack and shopping venues to visit:) I'm adding the places hat you recommended to my itinerary, Babi! ProfNot, I also can't wait to go to Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, it sounds like a great place to purchase Italian beauty products and such!

I'm starting to become quite wary of the pickpockets... would you all say that it's worse than NYC? Is it still ok to carry my wallet in my purse?

Oh, and here's a link to my Yahoo Trip Planner- http://travel.yahoo.com/trip-view-16...5906&dbwrite=Y . It is by no means completed yet, but I'm working on it!

I bought a small bag with a long strap that I could wear over my shoulder but across my body so it would be harder for pickpockets to get it.

[fxy111]

Originally Posted by amjac2wm

Hi Ladies,

I know that this is a couple of months in advance, but I want to plan early I will be going to Italy from Oct. 13th-23rd. I'm going to Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan during my stay. What is the weather like during that time of year, and what would be best clothing to wear? Should I bring US East Coast fall clothing?

Also, can you all recommend restaurants and shopping places that I should go to? What do you think of the Foxtown Outlets in Como?

Also, do you all have any words of wisdom for me? This is my first time going to Italy, and I will be going by myself. I have done a lot of international travel on my own, but if there is anything that I need to watch out for, etc, please let me know.

I'm so excited to go to Italy, and I really appreciate your responses!!!!

hi!i just came from venice and it was hot.hot and humid in the morning and rainy at night.here in rome it's bordering between 26-32 degrees, tomorrow off to florence, i'm guessing it's going to be hot too but they say that anything could change. it might be fall season in october so i suggest bring a jacket (a waterproof one would be nice since it rains sometimes),layering clothes (not many though because of the weight restrictions only 20kls allowed), thermal underwear,scarf,hat,sunglasses..etc etc

our tour guide told us to watch out for pickpockets especially in florence...

hope that helps!

[newkroy2233]

in venice be careful of pick pocketers