A Brief History of Springtime Travels to Italy

Under My Umbrella Ravello, Campania

People always ask for our advice when planning a trip to Italy. We love answering their questions except for the dreaded "when is the best time to travel there?", which translates to "when is the weather perfect?" Back in the 1970's when I lived in Vicenza, April and May or September and October, were the ideal months to spend in bell'italia. But as you've probably noticed, nothing has stayed the same in Italy except for it's ruins and art!

Maybe it's because of the stormy weekend we're having here in Chicago, but this particular foto, "Under My Umbrella", really spoke to me today. I know the saying goes "April showers bring May flowers" but this foto exemplifies the fact that I can't even choose the "perfect" time for Craig and I to travel to Italy. This foto was taken in the Villa Rufolo in Ravello in the beginning of May, 2007. Almost our entire 2 weeks on the Amalfi Coast were spent under black storm clouds and downpours. I thought I'd chosen the ideal time to capture the coast at it's loveliest.... full of spring flowers and excusite vistas overlooking the gulf of Salerno. But no, we spent our days dashing from wherever we could take refuge from the storms back to the villas Rufolo and Cimbrone the minute the skies would clear.

That wasn't the first spring trip we spent under a cloud...Sicily in April of 2004, a hiking trip through the vineyards of the Langhe in the Piemonte in May of 2001 we found ourselves up to our knees in mud, a Grand Tour with my parents in May of 2000 and Venice in 1999.... We'd be happy to answer any question you might have to help you plan your Italian trip...just don't ask about the weather!!!