Italy in August
Apr 3rd, 2005, 10:41 AM
#1
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Italy in August
I have long heard that Italy of all places in Europe, virtually closes down in the month of August. Unfortunately, the end of August until the begining of August is the only time I have to go to Italy this year.
If I were to see Venice, Florence and Rome from August 26 to Sept. 5th, would this be a completely bad time of year because of the closings or Italians on holiday? Thanks for your advice.
If I were to see Venice, Florence and Rome from August 26 to Sept. 5th, would this be a completely bad time of year because of the closings or Italians on holiday? Thanks for your advice.
Apr 3rd, 2005, 11:31 AM
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For the past three years, we've gone to Italy in August. Like you, it's the only time that we can go due to kids' school schedules, etc.
Other than the heat ( make sure to reserve and find a hotel with decent AC!) the timing shouldn't be too much of an issue in the larger cities. You will certainly find some restaurants and shops closed, but you may also find fewer crowds, since many tourists and Italians head to the beach, lakes, and mountains in August.
Other than the heat ( make sure to reserve and find a hotel with decent AC!) the timing shouldn't be too much of an issue in the larger cities. You will certainly find some restaurants and shops closed, but you may also find fewer crowds, since many tourists and Italians head to the beach, lakes, and mountains in August.
Apr 3rd, 2005, 11:48 AM
#3
My experience is limited so I don't have comparisions to other times of the year... I have been only to Venice (in Italy) but I have been to there twice, both times were in August. It was HOT and it was wonderful!! Nothing was closed that effected what I wanted to do.
Apr 3rd, 2005, 12:49 PM
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Tim,
We always take our family vacations on about the exact same dates you are planning (for the same reasons). However on our vacation to Italy two years ago we spent the entire time in Rome. We felt like we could have used a few more days there.
The ONLY small negative would have to be the heat. It would have been just as hot here in Wash. DC.
Perhaps due to many Romans on being on vacation, it was not too crowded at all. Everything, including every restaurant we saw, was open.
My advice is to GO: plan to do most of your walking in the early hours or after susnset. Plan to spend the hot afternoons indoors or napping at your hotel/apt(to help stay awake for those 9pm-midnight dinners). Always walk on the shady side of the street. Also, the underground temperatures at the catacombs is about 55 degrees F year round.
We always take our family vacations on about the exact same dates you are planning (for the same reasons). However on our vacation to Italy two years ago we spent the entire time in Rome. We felt like we could have used a few more days there.
The ONLY small negative would have to be the heat. It would have been just as hot here in Wash. DC.
Perhaps due to many Romans on being on vacation, it was not too crowded at all. Everything, including every restaurant we saw, was open.
My advice is to GO: plan to do most of your walking in the early hours or after susnset. Plan to spend the hot afternoons indoors or napping at your hotel/apt(to help stay awake for those 9pm-midnight dinners). Always walk on the shady side of the street. Also, the underground temperatures at the catacombs is about 55 degrees F year round.
Apr 3rd, 2005, 02:39 PM
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As long as you can take the heat and stay away from the beach areas, August is the perfect time to see the cities, northern Italy and central Italy. The museums, shops, and most restaurants are all open. The crowds are gone and you get the best prices on hotels away from beach areas. Especially in the big cities. My family is in Ischia (next to Capri) and I will never visit them at that time of the year. It's all beach resorts and the crowds are rediculous.
