Ascea, the town adjacent to Velia, has a beautiful beach and a summer population of some 80,000 sunbathing tourists. In the winter, the population is about 5,000, but several places to eat remain open. The January average minimum daily temperature in nearby Capo Palinuro is 45.5 Farenheit and average daily maximum is 54.9, which may be compared with 28.2 and 43.3, respectively at National Airport. Rainfall, however, is higher; 3.4 inches there versus 2.5 inches here. Bring rain gear. Be sure to bring two pairs of good walking shoes in case one gets wet. Naples is a degree or so cooler; and Rome and Florence, each another degree or so. Florentines, however, consider that College Park in January is arctic. You may need an extra sweater or jacket in Rome and Florence that you did not need in Ascea.
