Raincoat for all the reasons a PP mentioned. I find umbrellas rarely really work - the small ones barely cover your feet and legs, the big ones are too much to carry. When its windy they fold, and the rain finds a way to get you wet, if its misty they barely protect you. I end up carrying them with me without ever really using them. I will add during summer travels last year we ended up in a rainy location - we decided to purchase small packable umbrella's as our souvenir for the trip. If its going to be a hot wet and rainy place I might even bring a packable poncho instead of a raincoat. Light weight, easy to carry and at the end of the trip you dispose of them.

I have a lightweight waterproof zip up hoodie. Perfect for situations like this.

May is an unpredictable month, weather-wise. As a solo traveller, I'd pick the rain jacket, for the following reasons:

1. Hands-free travel. You can look at your phone for directions without juggling an umbrella.

2. Maybe I'm a weakling, but I hate carrying an umbrella for any length of time. It's heavy, easy to bump into other people, opening and closing it and then stowing it when going into shops is horrrid. And if it doesn't rain, it feels like it weighs 5 pounds in my suitcase.

3. Rain jacket is multi-purpose. It's a good idea to travel with a light jacket, might as well make it a waterproof, breathable rain jacket.

To the people who say that people will look at OP weird for wearing a jacket in Europe in May--No. The weirdos are the American tourists wearing sundresses and shorts in Rome when it's 75 degrees. All the Romans are wearing scarves and light jackets and boots, lol.

Depends on the weather, OP. No raincoat in hot weather. When I go to Japan in the summer, I buy a cheap transparent umbrella there (they have lots), and return with it, because apparently I like cheap Japanese umbrellas...

It's supposed to be in the 70's. You'd look like a school shooter or a terrorist wearing a raincoat when it's that warm out. Bring a compact umbrella.

Just pick one

Next week

You didn't tell us when you're traveling.

I am trying to pack light, so was going to bring a raincoat (which could also provide a layer of warmth) and no umbrella.

Now I am wondering if I might be very hot in southern Italy with a raincoat on. So, should I bring both?

Discuss amongst yourselves...