Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February? I have some free time to
travel in February. How is traveling in Italy in February via trains. I am thinking
of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.

Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
time in Bologna or Milan ?

Bologna is worth EATING in any time of the year. Best food city in Europe imho. It is
also a rather nice place.

I've traveled in Italy in February..it is as close to a "down" moth for tourism as it
ever gets there. Very short days (remember, Rome is about as far north as New York
City, so northern Italy is NORTHERN and therefore as longer nights in winter than
most of the US. (I am assume US from your email address).

There is always plenty to do. You are unlikely to get snow, but can expect chilly
weather and rain (although winter is the driest season there).

As for which city.. well, I'm not a Milano fan, but that is just personal taste.

Paul

"Handel" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February? I have some free time
    > to travel in February. How is traveling in Italy in February via trains. I am
    > thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    > Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
    > time in Bologna or Milan ?

In article <[email protected]>, "Handel"
<[email protected]> wrote:

    > Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February? I have some free time
    > to travel in February. How is traveling in Italy in February via trains. I am
    > thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    > Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
    > time in Bologna or Milan ?

I like to travel in winter -- but I think that big cities are better in winter than
rural areas. In February I would think about Rome and Florence -- we often go to
Paris for Christmas and it is delightful that time of year. I have traveled in
London in February and also found that very pleasant.

Florence is at its best in February - ie as empty of tourists as it ever gets. Venice - not true because of carnevale, if you avoid that it will be pleasantly uncrowded in Feb too. In general I would say Feb is a perfectly good month to travel and you could take in some skiing too maybe.

"Handel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
    > Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February? I have some free time
    > to travel in February. How is traveling in Italy in February via trains. I am
    > thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    > Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
    > time in Bologna or Milan ?

The trains should be fine. The weather will probably be better in Bologna than Milan,
but my personal preference is for Milan, which is underrated as an art destination
because it is primarily known as Italy's financial capital. See the Duomo, Piazza del
Duomo, Ambrosiana and Brera museums, Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Navigli canal area.
Despite its "modern" image, Milan is very old, for example, Saint Augustine was
baptized there in 387. I also think that all four cities would be too much.

Cynthia www.smilingeggplant.com

    >Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February?

Not at all. I have been to Tuscany and Umbria in January and February 2000 and to
Venezia in February 2001 and had a fine time on both trips. Fewer crowds, decent
weather (maybe I was lucky), no problem getting hotels or museum, concert, etc..
tickets (alrthough concerts were very scarce in January, the season seems to begin in
mid-February).

    >How is traveling in Italy in February via trains.

Just fine.

    >I am thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    >Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
    >time in Bologna or Milan ?

Neither. I'd go to Venice. There should be some fine classical music there then.

Larry at Morro Bay, California (seaotter #six at a o l dot com)(no spaces in address)

I suggest to visit San Gimignano, ht-
tp://www.vacanzeasangimignano.cjb.net



"Handel" <[email protected]> ha scritto nel messaggio news:[email protected]...
    > Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February? I have some free time
    > to travel in February. How is traveling in Italy in February via trains. I am
    > thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    > Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
    > time in Bologna or Milan ?

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
(Larry) wrote:

    > >Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February?
    > Not at all. I have been to Tuscany and Umbria in January and February 2000 and to
    > Venezia in February 2001 and had a fine time on both trips. Fewer crowds, decent
    > weather (maybe I was lucky), no problem getting hotels or museum, concert, etc..
    > tickets (alrthough concerts were very scarce in January, the season seems to begin
    > in mid-February).
    > >How is traveling in Italy in February via trains.
    > Just fine.
    > >I am thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    > >
    > >Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending
    > >more time in Bologna or Milan ?
    > Neither. I'd go to Venice. There should be some fine classical music there then.
    > Larry at Morro Bay, California (seaotter #six at a o l dot com)(no spaces in
    > address)

Re: music in Venice.....http://www.musicinvenice.com/index.html

willgee

[email protected] wrote:
    > Bologna is worth EATING in any time of the year. Best food city in Europe imho. It
    > is also a rather nice place.
    > I've traveled in Italy in February..it is as close to a "down" moth for tourism as
    > it ever gets there. Very short days (remember, Rome is about as far north as New
    > York City, so northern Italy is NORTHERN and therefore as longer nights in winter
    > than most of the US. (I am assume US from your email address).

Rome is actually on the same parallel as Boston, and Florence and Venice are both
further north.

Before I moved permanently to Italy, I once had a vacation in Umbria in late
February. It was very pleasant and many spring flowers were already in bloom.
Florence and Bologna are usually even milder than Umbria.

However, the weather is unpredictable in February, just as it is in the US. You're
taking a certain amount of risk travelling in that month. On the other hand, the
itinerary proposed (which was snipped out of the post I responded to) is mostly
urban, and a little rain and chilly weather shouldn't be much of a problem. It's not
like a trip to the beach.

Barbara


Barbara

Alessandro Andreuccetti wrote:
    > I suggest to visit San Gimignano, [web site snipped]

Do you ever have anything else to say?

Barbara

We were in Umbria a couple of years ago at the end of March and woke up one morning
to find it snowing!!! It was freezing, but absolutely beautiful. Wouldn't have
missed it ..great experience. Just went out and bought a warmer sweater! BJ "Barbara
Vaughan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > [email protected] wrote:
    > >
    > > >
    > Before I moved permanently to Italy, I once had a vacation in Umbria in late
    > February. It was very pleasant and many spring flowers were already in bloom.
    > Florence and Bologna are usually even milder than Umbria.
    > However, the weather is unpredictable in February, just as it is in the US. You're
    > taking a certain amount of risk travelling in that month. On the other hand, the
    > itinerary proposed (which was snipped out of the post I responded to) is mostly
    > urban, and a little rain and chilly weather shouldn't be much of a problem. It's
    > not like a trip to the beach.
    > Barbara
    > Barbara

"bj" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    > We were in Umbria a couple of years ago at the end of March and woke up
one
    > morning to find it snowing!!! It was freezing, but absolutely beautiful. Wouldn't
    > have missed it ..great experience. Just went out and bought a warmer sweater! BJ

And then of course, there are loads of factory stores selling cashmere in Umbria, so
cold weather could be a real plus.

"Handel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
    > Am I crazy for thinking of traveling to Italy in February? I have some free time
    > to travel in February. How is traveling in Italy in February via trains. I am
    > thinking of going to Rome,Florence,Bologna,Milan.
    > Is Bologna worth seeing in February ?? Which city would you recommend spending more
    > time in Bologna or Milan ?

As my wife and I are both teachers we can only travel half way round the world in the
long summer holidays, so we always visit Europe in December/January. Italy is fine in
Jan, cant see Feb being any worse. We were in Milan, Pisa, Rome, Venice and Tuscany
in Jan 2002 and had a wonderful time. One rainny day, 2 or 3 cloudy ones, rest of the
time was great sunshine. Of course the days are a bit short, but thats life.

We spent most of the time in the cities, but one week was spent in rual Tuscany, just
outside Greve, the weather, although cold than we are used to was no problem.

Allen

I like to wander down to Italy or somewhere in the Mediterranean in February and
November. It's a whole lot warmer and with longer days than the UK at the same time.
There are fewer tourists than at any other time, but almost as many trains and buses.
Hotels in seaside resorts may close, but in other places they'll often be cutting
their prices instead and you can almost always just turn up and find a room.

Some places which are in part regarded as tourist attractions may take advantage of
the quiet season to close to spruce up their facilities. Most will be open as
usual, but if you have some particular "sight" on your itinerary, you may want to
check in advance.

There's carnival time, on one scale or another, in many places in Italy.

--
Andrew Nightingale of Cambridge (UK)

Of course not b/c he owns something in San Gimigano. It is worth a visit if you
are near by but I don't think it is worth a special trip especially if your time
is limited.
    > Alessandro Andreuccetti wrote:
    > >
    > > I suggest to visit San Gimignano, [web site snipped]
    > Do you ever have anything else to say?
    > Barbara