maria_M

hi.we will be in rome,florence and venice for 8-10 days ...arriving 30th nov. 2010..could anyone recommend what type of clothes to carry/ wear during this time of year...will it be too cold...im carrying a windcheater n umbrella coz it would get rainy im told...is a very heavy coat recommended...am also visiting france and london as part of the tour.

Echnaton

Be prepared for temperatures between -5°C and +12°C and rain. Hence, a heavy coat will make sense. And gloves. And a hat. And sturdy, waterproof shoes.

mariacallas2

I'd suggest that you invest in a cashmere or woolen pashmina or longish warm scarf you can wrap around your neck and head a few times. With that you really keep a LOT warmer.

If you have a hip length zip-up lightly insulated jacket with a zip out hood - PLUS some lightweight long underwear, gloves, you can probably get away with a longish overcoat/raincoat that has a medium weight to it. That's what I brought on the 3-yr tour I'm on.

I also brought warm insulated shoes - NAOT - and a pair of knee high boots that I intend to add to this mix with woolen insulated sox when it gets really chilly. With this you can still look stylish without your teeth chattering (not so stylish).

I got some really GREAT long lightweight underwear from REI that are so smooth and comfortable, you can wear them as pajamas if you're in a bind for space.

In summary - If you layer a lot - and really concentrate on your hands, head, neck, and feet being warm, the coat need not be so thick. That way your other clothes can be more versatile.

Yours in not checking luggage
MC

nytraveler

Frankly I don;t get the long underwear thing - you're not going to Alaska. I would just wear normal clothing for that time of year - that you can easily remove when you head indoors so you don;t get completely overheated:a midweight jacket (nothing like a windbreaker, but a warm leather or cloth jacket - you don;t need the Eddie Bauer good for 20 below down jacket), hat, scarf, gloves and waterproof shoes or booties. You're unlikely to see much snow but can easily get a lot of very cold rain - esp in London and Paris. Rome is likely to be slightly warmer - but you can leave off the hat, scarf and gloves and wear something lighter under the jacket.

Last trip to Paris at the end of November I wore a mid thigh leather jacket - but a solid, heavy weight, not blazer thin - and was warm enough in the evenings with leather gloves and a cute knit beret. But then, I prefer cold weather and am used to NYC, which is colder. (I don;t take out my warm winter coat until the temps drop into the 20s.)

Michel_Paris

I will look for an article read on weekend, written by aircrew.
They recommended NOT to bring heavy jackets (packing issues) but rather to being lighter and easier folded underwear/longjohns. Or...if you are sure is going to be cold everyday, one jacket, that you wear on the plane.

spaarne

A very heavy coat will be a major mistake in those countries at any time of the year. Dress in layers. Rain protection is essential. A lightweight water repellent coat and a turtle neck sweater works well with wool blend slacks. Umbrella and rubber soled shoes are extra protection. DO wear a scarf. It is part of every Parisian's wardrobe, and the only part that isn't black.

Long johns? LOL.

Jean

On a trip to Switzerland one year, we encountered rain and some snow. I had a London Fog rain jacket with a hood and removeable insulating/quilted liner, wore lined wool trousers and various warm tops. My shoes were waterproof and warm, and I wore wool socks. I took a pair of tights but never wore them. I'm a real wimp when it comes to being cold, but I was never cold. Later in the same trip, the weather improved and I removed the jacket liner.

As nytraveler mentioned, it's easy to get overheated when you go indoors, so I reiterate the suggestion of dressing in layers.

Peter_S_Aus

We are visiting Venice, Florence and Rome from November 20th to January 20th. Last time we were there in December, Venice was very cold – about 32degrees F, or zero degrees Celsius.

Take stout shoes that are reasonably waterproof – Venice is damp under foot.

I am taking a warm jacket (tailored navy blue cashmere), a couple of sweaters, warm trousers, (which I can wear thermals under), gloves, scarf and a felt hat. I’ll need those in Venice. I expect that Rome will be a bit warmer. I don’t take an umbrella – when it rains, street vendors appear and you can buy umbrellas for about five euro.

I don’t take a raincoat, mainly because I don’t like the look of them, ditto for Gore-Tex stuff.

danon

" Venice was very cold – about 32degrees F, or zero degrees Celsius."

had to laugh...

Very cold and zero C is oxymoron in Canada.

Peter_S_Aus

Danon, fair enough. (Insert smiley face here). A bit like "38 deg C and very hot" is an oxymoron in Australia.

The OP may come from Calgary, where "cold" means, well, cold, or may come from Calcutta, where "cold" means anything less than about 30 deg C.

suze

I would take outfits like: medium weight pants, long sleeve cotton top, cardigan sweater or pullover, and some kind of mid-weight outer mid-length coat. Water resistant boots and walking shoes. Gloves, hat, scarf. A fleece vest is handy and can go over or under things as needed, packs well (even makes a good pillow).

kfusto

Based on my experience traveling in late November in these parts of Europe, and influenced by living in hot climate (FL) I pack layers. I would be prepared for rain and cold and pack an umbrella, scarf, gloves and hat - also a pashmina which I use on the plane as a blanket.

I prefer a coat that hits mid calf and is water resistant.

I pack cami's and tights to layer as needed and boots for both day and evening. For me, that is two different pair. Uggs or my Ecco's for daytime to keep my feet warm and dry ( I put insoles in mine for added support and cushioning) and a nice pair of dressier leather mid heeled boots for evening.

Black pants in wool, dark wash, tailored jeans, turtlenecks in ribbed silk knit for warmth without bulk will also be in my suitcase. I add belts and scarves to dress up my basic black for evenings out.

danon

Peter, you are so right !
I person from India who came to visit in the winter told me he thought he was going to die when he got out of the airport. It wasn't even -10C!

Gina817

Yes, completely agree with it depends on where you are from and what your idea of cold is.

I consider 0 C to be nice winter weather and wouldn't wear much more than layers with a medium sized coat. A hat and gloves are a good idea.

The idea of long underwear in that type of weather makes me hot to even think about!

But if you are from a warm climate, certainly consider the extra layers.

nytraveler

One does not BRING heavy jacket(s). One simply wears a midweight jacket onto the plane. there is no need to have several of them.

charnees

The problem with long underwear is that it's too hard to remove when you are in warm places. I nearly passed out in the Louvre once. It was VERY warm inside, and I got so overheated I had to go into the ladies' room and undress. Then I had to stuff the longies into my big travel purse. That was the last time I ever wore long underwear!

Wear layers you can remove!!

maria_M

very inspirational and enlightening tips...now i know what to wera and whta not to!.,,,haha...yeah thanks a lot people!

jujubean

Peter S - when are you in Venice? My family will be there over Christmas - and we will be using your Venice scavenger hunt notes!!!

Peter_S_Aus

juju, we're in Venice from 20th November until 20th January. Going to Rome on 8th December, returning to Venice on 12th December, and going to Bologna on 28th Dec, back to Venice on 30th December. We are staying near Campo San Barnaba.

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is pretty special in the Church of the Carmini near Campo Margherita. I'll keep my eyes open for family with an eight year old and a 13 year old.

november_moon

I opt out of the long underwear too, unless I am going to be outside all day, like snow sledding or something. Just too hot inside. And I am a wimpy Californian