CarrieKnobloch
New member
Is there one particular time of year or month that is best for visiting Tuscany? We can't decide if we should visit in the spring (April/May) or in the Fall for harvest time.
Best Month to Visit Tuscany
- Thread starter CarrieKnobloch
- Start date
I think both are good periods to visit, you'll just get a different view of the landscape in the two seasons and different events going on. April/May is cooler temps, but things are turning green. Sept/Oct is generally a bit warmer, colors are more on the yellow/brown side -- but with lots of beautiful color changes to make them breathtaking 
so both are good, you cant go wrong with either!
so both are good, you cant go wrong with either!DonnaDenise
Well-known member
Best time to Visit Tuscany
Wow - is there a moment when you wouldn't want to visit Tuscany? Every season has its highlights.
Check out these two articles which might give you an idea of the "highlights and events" for Spring and for Fall.
Another consideration is what you like to do - you main interests. You mentioned fall for the harvest, and that can be a pretty fun thing witness while in Tuscany, along with the colors, perfumes and activities it also provides a great new array of flavours on the menu.
However, spring will offer longer sunlight hours and lots of fresh green colors (particularly spectacular in the Val d'Orcia area).
Personally, I prefer the fall. I love the colors (like Lourdes had mentioned) and I really enjoy the harvest.
Buon Viaggio,
Donna Denise
Wow - is there a moment when you wouldn't want to visit Tuscany? Every season has its highlights.
Check out these two articles which might give you an idea of the "highlights and events" for Spring and for Fall.
Another consideration is what you like to do - you main interests. You mentioned fall for the harvest, and that can be a pretty fun thing witness while in Tuscany, along with the colors, perfumes and activities it also provides a great new array of flavours on the menu.
However, spring will offer longer sunlight hours and lots of fresh green colors (particularly spectacular in the Val d'Orcia area).
Personally, I prefer the fall. I love the colors (like Lourdes had mentioned) and I really enjoy the harvest.
Buon Viaggio,
Donna Denise
DonnaDenise
Well-known member
December in Tuscany
Buongiorno,
As long as you come knowing that December is a cold month, then you will be fine. The cities of art like Florence, Siena, Pisa and others - they never close! So the wonderful museums, the churches, the monuments...they are always open.
As you go through the countryside of Tuscany you will see a land in transformation: the grapes have already been harvested but that doesn't mean the work is done, many are already pruning and prepping for next year. You might still see some of the last harvest for the olive oil. Wine tasting and small towns along they way are always open as well, and with a clear sunny day - the photos are spectacular.
These two links will be updated with dates for 2016 as soon as they are available, but I suggest you have a look because the events are normally the same every year - so it will give you an idea of what is going on culturally:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/events-in-december.html
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-events/december-events.html
This article gives you a few ideas of what activities are available in the winter months:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/top-5-fall-and-autumn-activities.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/top-5-winter-activities.html
Buon Viaggio,
Donna Denise
Buongiorno,
As long as you come knowing that December is a cold month, then you will be fine. The cities of art like Florence, Siena, Pisa and others - they never close! So the wonderful museums, the churches, the monuments...they are always open.
As you go through the countryside of Tuscany you will see a land in transformation: the grapes have already been harvested but that doesn't mean the work is done, many are already pruning and prepping for next year. You might still see some of the last harvest for the olive oil. Wine tasting and small towns along they way are always open as well, and with a clear sunny day - the photos are spectacular.
These two links will be updated with dates for 2016 as soon as they are available, but I suggest you have a look because the events are normally the same every year - so it will give you an idea of what is going on culturally:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/events-in-december.html
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-events/december-events.html
This article gives you a few ideas of what activities are available in the winter months:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/top-5-fall-and-autumn-activities.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/top-5-winter-activities.html
Buon Viaggio,
Donna Denise
Jan-Feb months in Tuscany
Hi Lourdes,
I also live in California. Recently, saw a deal to go to Tuscany for $699 for 6 nights (5 in Montecatini, 1 in Milan). It is for months Jan-Feb. (colder months). What do you think about travel in this time period?
Thanks,
Robert
I think both are good periods to visit, you'll just get a different view of the landscape in the two seasons and different events going on. April/May is cooler temps, but things are turning green. Sept/Oct is generally a bit warmer, colors are more on the yellow/brown side -- but with lots of beautiful color changes to make them breathtaking
Hi Lourdes,
I also live in California. Recently, saw a deal to go to Tuscany for $699 for 6 nights (5 in Montecatini, 1 in Milan). It is for months Jan-Feb. (colder months). What do you think about travel in this time period?
Thanks,
Robert
Ciao Robert!
Where from in California? That's a great deal if it includes airfare and stay!
Will you have a rental car or just be using trains to move around? Montecatini is slightly off the main hub of public transport to get around all of Tuscany but still makes a great base to get to Lucca, Pisa and Florence - and from Florence you can then get pretty much elsewhere, either by bus or train.
January/February are the colder months BUT they are also great months for discovering the region in the low season without too many crowds. Here are some things you can specifically do in winter:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/top-5-winter-activities.html
and these are more general itineraries which work all year round:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/itineraries-in-tuscany/
Nothing really closes down, it just slows down in the countryside (where some family-owned/run restaurants do take vacation time) and along the seaside.
There are still many events going on -- more in early January around Epiphany and then throughout February during Carnival time -- take a look at our monthly events pages:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/january-in-tuscany.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/festive-february-events.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/viareggio-carnival.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/carnival-in-tuscany.html
Where from in California?
That's a great deal if it includes airfare and stay!Will you have a rental car or just be using trains to move around? Montecatini is slightly off the main hub of public transport to get around all of Tuscany but still makes a great base to get to Lucca, Pisa and Florence - and from Florence you can then get pretty much elsewhere, either by bus or train.
January/February are the colder months BUT they are also great months for discovering the region in the low season without too many crowds. Here are some things you can specifically do in winter:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/what-to-do-in-tuscany/top-5-winter-activities.html
and these are more general itineraries which work all year round:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/itineraries-in-tuscany/
Nothing really closes down, it just slows down in the countryside (where some family-owned/run restaurants do take vacation time) and along the seaside.
There are still many events going on -- more in early January around Epiphany and then throughout February during Carnival time -- take a look at our monthly events pages:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/january-in-tuscany.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/festive-february-events.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/viareggio-carnival.html
https://www.discovertuscany.com/tuscany-events/carnival-in-tuscany.html
Hi Lourdes,
I am from San Mateo area.
This package does include a rental car, air fare from N.Y., and accommodations with breakfast included. We do prefer cooler weather, similar to S.F. Weather. I heard there is possibility of light snow during that time period.
Thanks for the tips.
I am from San Mateo area.
This package does include a rental car, air fare from N.Y., and accommodations with breakfast included. We do prefer cooler weather, similar to S.F. Weather. I heard there is possibility of light snow during that time period.
Thanks for the tips.
Light snow is possible but not very common, to be honest! If you like SF weather, then you will be fine ;-).
Cool weather, you need to dress in layers and some days have sun shine but it just doesn't warm up that much. Scarf and hat will be useful too
Since you'll have the car, then moving around will be easy to do! The car should come with snow chains (law to carry them from Nov through April) although you might not need them at all unless you go into the mountains. Montecatini is near Abetone so if you do like snow, you might consider heading there for some skiing ;-)
Cool weather, you need to dress in layers and some days have sun shine but it just doesn't warm up that much. Scarf and hat will be useful too
Since you'll have the car, then moving around will be easy to do! The car should come with snow chains (law to carry them from Nov through April) although you might not need them at all unless you go into the mountains. Montecatini is near Abetone so if you do like snow, you might consider heading there for some skiing ;-)