Italy in January?

HiCan

Hello-

Due to my husband's crazy work schedule, our only time to really travel is December and January.  We've been wanting to go to Europe for a few years now, so we've decided to go to Italy in January (we were also thinking Spain as another possibility).  We're thinking of visiting 2 cities and a travel agent has recommended Venice and Rome.  Anybody else have ideas?  Are those the 2 favorites you would spend your time on?  We're going to be there for 7 days.

Thanks!

brilee03

Yes to Rome, It is absolutely amazing! I haven't been to Venice but I've heard great things as well. However, just to warn you, despite being on the Mediterranean, it is not going to be warm that time of year. I lived in Spain for a while and January is pretty chilly, ~45-50 degrees F and it rains a lot, even on the Southern coast. Neither starts really warming up until at least March. That being said, if you're not expecting a warm and sunny vacation, I say go for it because can can still have tons of fun and see/do lots of things. Just be sure to pack warm clothes as well as a rain jacket. If you don't want to bother bringing an umbrella, buy one there, and then leave it with another tourist in need when you depart!! Have a great trip!!! I can't wait to go back! 

HiCan

@brilee03  Thanks so much!  Yes, we have come to terms with the fact that it won't be warm.  But...it's really the only time we can go, so we are up for it!

Thanks so much for your tips and advice!  I really appreciate it!  

R.Wilsonny

I've been to Venice...it's really a beautiful city. I was there in the wintertime right before Christmas about 4-5 years ago.....the only thing is that I heard that it sometimes floods there if it is raining a lot? But we didn't experience this when we were there. We did a lot of walking around, also took a ferry to the Armenian Monestary that is there and did a tour of that, which was very cool. I've been to Rome too, which is awesome. Just watch out for pickpockets there

Oh, and if you need any advice on Spain, I used to live there....my H & I lived in Barcelona for 3 years, so we got to travel around a lot when we were there. In fact, when we went to Venice, it cost us, no lie, 80€ total for both of us to fly round trip (so 40€ per person). Our hotel was something like 40-50€ per night and we had a canal view room. But yea, I can give you all sorts of advice on Barcelona, since that is where we were living...the weather is fairly mild in the wintertime, so if you went in January, it wouldn't be so bad.....great city too

alithebride

I've been to both Rome 2x and Venice once. I've been in January. The weather in Rome is nice actually. It's 60ish in the afternoon and a lot of the restaurants have standing heaters outside so you can sit without a jacket outside. Florence ( have been 3 times) was colder BUT I was there for that fluke european storm where it snowed in Rome. It stilll wasnt awful same as long island in january. But it's not awful. It's chilly. But the best part IT'S EMPTY!!!! Theres no lines or crowds anywhere. It's the off season too so our hotel in Rome was 1/5 of the high season price. Go!!!

HiCan

Thanks so much, ladies!