Italy has a temperate climate and can be enjoyed throughout the year. The peak travel season begins in the middle of March and ends at end of October. Off season travel specials can often be found in other months (except Christmas and New Years) and museums and monuments can be visited without the crowds and long lines.
Plan on using comfortable walking shoes for touring during the day, but change your clothes for the evening and dinner at local restaurants or you will easily be spotted and probably treated as a foreigner. Italians never wear sneakers or jeans to restaurants and they never order cappuccino after 11AM. The reason for the latter is that hot milk curdles in your stomach if followed by wine and will cause indigestion or a bloated feeling.
Try to avoid restaurants located directly across from the Vatican Museum, Saint Peter’s Basilica or the Trevi Fountain in Rome as the food is inferior, cheap and prepared for tourists. Walk a few blocks away, off the beaten track, and you will always find a good alternative. It may cost a couple of dollars more, but the quality and service will be well worth it. This is a good general rule in the major cities. When you see a menu posted in multiple languages outside, beware. The best restaurants will only have a menu in Italian with a possible translation in English or better yet none at all. Always try the specials of the day as the ingredients are freshest and some homemade pasta are traditionally made on certain days of the week. Always try the homemade pasta when opportunity presents itself.
Looking good Barb. I like the site and the video of Florence. Moto buono!