I am a fan of Rick Steves books in general. I don’t remember what he said per seasons on Rome.
Every location will have its pros/cons at different times of year. In May Rome had a lot of crowds. (Maybe that is always true? Just seems it would be more so in spring/summer.). But we loved strolling in the evenings, eating out at outside cafes… being comfortable, but not overly hot.
Is May worse or better than June. I’m going to spend my summer in Euro next year.
I am definitely a fan of the RS books and tours, but not particularly the person.
Reading all this is inspiring to actually go through with the Amalfi Coast trip. Gotta make it happen this year, and maybe fly in/out of Rome to spend a couple of days there.
Should definitely start a thread, but I don’t want to get too excited. We always end up canceling 
Bus, I hope you have better luck than me. I planned to go to Italy before the second kid was born, even though I’ve been to Europe many times just never made to Italy. The rest of my family has been to Italy many times.
Oh no!! Italy is the best part of Europe, I think. Gotta do it as a retirement celebration.
May starts high season in so much of Europe. Friends go to Tuscany in April for 6 or so weeks and always get socked on the return airfare.
Here are my two pieces of advice: just go. And, try to avoid high season- not just crowds but hot weather.
I adore Rome! It’s hands down my favorite city in Europe. Here are my suggestions after three separate trips to Rome. 1. I like to stay in the Campo Marzio area near the Spanish Steps.You can walk almost anywhere from this upscale neighborhood and it’s nice to have the Villa Borgese Park close by for peace and greenery. 2. Arrange to have a driver pick you up at the airport to take you to your hotel, as you will most likely arrive in the morning if coming from North America. It’s nice to have someone waiting with your name on a sign at the airport. 3. I have stayed at the Hotel Lancelot near the Coliseum, a suite off of Piazza Navona and my favorite, a spacious two bedroom, two bath apartment owned by a wonderful American man for one week in the Campo Marzio. 4. Wake up early and walk everywhere while the piazzas and streets are quiet. It’s the perfect way to deal with jet lag. Siesta in the middle of the day, as the Italians do. 5. Head out in the late afternoon for your second set of excursions. It’s nice to walk along the river at sunset before heading into a neighborhood for a nice leisurely dinner. 6. Plan on one museum/church event a day. Don’t try to pack too much in. So much of Rome is just walking the cobblestone streets, stumbling upon a piazza and admiring the amazing architecture. 7. You can’t flag a taxi down. You need to go to an official taxi stand and wait in line. Keep you hotel’s address with you. If you are tired of walking, just take a taxi back to your neighborhood. 8. I’ve also got lots of suggestions for good restaurants, walking routes, lodgings etc. We are already planning a trip for next early June. Feel free to PM me. I can also give you my tripadvisor info for my reviews on Rome.
Better in May, but slightly greater chance of rain. May and late-Sept thru Oct are the “shoulder” season (between high & low season). The crowds are gone because school is back in session, and the weather is still nice. Because demand is lower, you might also get better deals on airfare and hotels.
http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Rome,Italy
In October, you get extra bonus of fall colors.
@busdriver11
If u do the Amalfi coast, weigh whether u want to rent a car. There are big pros & cons. A car enables access to more places. That coastline is, however, white-knuckle driving. And we’re still in dispute w the car rental company over an attempted scam.
While in that part of the country, make a day trip even further south to see the Greek temples at Paestum.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/daedalic-archaic/v/ancient-greek-temples-at-paestum
GMT, I think we will probably not rent a car. I am into the de-stress mode, and driving a car in Southern Italy sounds miserable!!
How far is Paestrum? But I’m not going to ask too many questions until it becomes a likely option. Don’t want to waste your time, but if it looks certain, I’ll be looking for all the help I can get!
Re the May vs June question above, just my experience, but flying from ORD, I generally find cheaper airfares before June. I don’t shop specifically for sales - just not that organized - so it may well be possible to find good prices during the summer months. I often travel alone or with one family member or friend, if I was traveling with a family, I’d be more price sensitive. One advantage of traveling in the spring rather than fall is the longer hours of daylight.
I’ve said before that I’m not an R.S. fan, in general. I admire how he’s found a niche and clearly he fits the bill for many, many travelers. I do read his guides - checked out of the library. My experience with the Rome guide was that his insider tips were not Bible - the line at Palatine Hill was the longest line I encountered in Rome, should have gone over to the Coliseum, but it was our first day touring and we were in Rick Steve’s mode! I have taken his insider’s short cut from the Sistine Chapel in years past, it used to be a standard exit. No access was allowed to the route on the two days I was there last trip - 2013. His Rome guide is fine for Rome’s sites, but I find he ignores many of my favorite Paris sites ( e.g., he apparently doesn’t like St Denis which is magnificent and on a Metro line), missed interesting Madrid spots and his Berlin guide was a joke. So, in my opinion and my opinion only - I truly do respect others’ more favorable experiences and opinions - use in conjunction with other guides and websites.
By the way - so, glad the OP is planning this trip. I hope others are having as much fun as I am Hubby thinks he’ll retire and we’ll spend 6 months in Italy - sounds a grand scheme, but I won’t hold my breath, delightful as it would be!
I’m booking this thread. So many helpful posts and comments. I might forget when I plan to go next year.
It’s south of Salerno. You need to take the slow train from Salerno to Agropoli. If u take the fast train, the train will not stop at Paestum and you’ll shoot right past it-- ask me how I know this… 8-}
Ok, I’m trying not to jinx myself but I think i am going to try and book my trip this weekend.
The flights I am looking at are on American Airlines so I signed up for their AA Advanage, since it’s a long flight I thought that I should get the miles. Is it right that I have to have a number for my husband and myself?
I found a package on Expedia, has the hotel I want and flight times. Any other suggestions on booking this trip?
I will purchase the travel insurance, I thought I would just purchase insurance when I buy the package?
I know that some of these questions sound simple but we haven’t traveled internationally.
I’m so excited.
I’m excited for you deb!
You will need a membership for both you and Hubby. Number can be added later to your reservation.
This is me, but I also know it is the practice of many others who travel often. I do not buy air fare on Expedia. I use it to shop a price and airlines, then go to the airlines website to book directly. Here’s why - if anything goes wrong and you are booked through Expedia, they are your travel agent and you must make new arrangements through them. If you book through the airlines, you can contact them directly (phone or standing in line at a counter!) for help in re-booking, etc.
I do the same with hotel. Shop Expedia and book directly. This does sometimes mean that, at least internationally, I have paid more than an Expedia price. But, I have had hotels upgrade me because I booked directly with them, give me free WIFI that I otherwise would have had to pay for, etc. Not always, but the customer service does seem to be better - or I am imagining things, dissenting votes welcome. Often, there is a choice between a non-refundable hotel price - usually quite a good deal, or a cancel-able, refundable rate, higher. I always go higher. I have changed hotel reservations before arriving when I realized there was a better location elsewhere. I like the flexibility.
I don’t buy trip insurance - perhaps that’s foolish. Because I’ve booked the cancel-able hotel rate, I figure that’s part of my insurance. The airfare I look at as something I can afford to loose if the trip doesn’t come off. (Hasn’t happened yet, maybe I’d feel different if I was cancelling trips frequently!) My health insurance does have overseas reimbursable privileges - I know I’d have to pay upfront first, but haven’t really considered this or medical evacuation needs - turn a blind eye perhaps??
Yes, u each need your OWN frequent flyer number.
Typically I don’t like booking with a third party, like expedia, etc. I use expedia to shop for prices, then book directly w the airline and hotel. The reason is that if there’s a problem, the airline or hotel cannot alter the booking; u will have to alter it via expedia.
If u have schedule flexibility on the departure days, traveling on lower demand days (tue, wed) might mean a cheaper airline ticket, or at least a better seat selection.
I totally agree about not booking with a third party. When things go wrong, you want to be dealing with the airline/hotel directly. However, I’ve heard there are some great deals on expedia, but it would have to be much better for me to do it.
Yes, the airfares do go up a few hundred dollars after the first few days of June. Last year I kept a watch on fares, knowing that we couldn’t depart until our daughter’s school let out on June 11. I ended up purchasing them about 60 days before departure. We’ve been in May and in June. Either month can be hot. Make sure your hotel has good AC as it is nice to rest in the afternoon. Last June we experienced several short bursts of thunder showers that quickly passed. We loved it! I would not advise renting a car. I highly recommend keeping your luggage to one carry-on with wheels a piece. We like to spend several days in Rome to work off the 12 hour time difference from Hawaii. Then we head down to Naples on a short hour and a quarter train ride. The earlier you book those tickets, via trenitalia.com, the better the value. I arrange to have a driver waiting at the train station to drive us down the Amalfi Coast to Positano. The cost is about 100 EU. No need to have a vehicle in Positano as we walk and take the ferries to other ports in the area. The less stress the better! It takes a little leg work and planning to set it all up beforehand, but it sure makes for smooth, hassle free trip once you are there. I also booked our timed entrance into the Villa Borghese Museum to see the Bernini sculptures and a private Coliseum/Forum tour. Private message me for links.
Ugh! It’s a lot more to book separately, like more than $1000. Same times, same hotel.
deb, I know, I know! I play the game of just assuming that the tempting Expedia prices are pretend. That way, I’m not too upset when I see the reality of what the airlines or hotel website says! There might be a difference between the room type in the Expedia price vs a room booked direct - or not. I like to think that booking directly gets me something better - and I’m reasonably certain that that has been the case in reality comparing where I’ve been located vs some of the other hotel property options. I hope no one out there with better information pops my happy little bubble…
I generally book directly, too, but if I find a really good deal for a bundled package through a third party I will definitely book that way. It sounds like you found a fabulous deal! One difference is that you have to pay in full in advance and it is generally non-refundable.
Keep very careful track of any amenities the package promises, because the hotel may have no record of it. And you definitely need to have the vouchers the company will send.