Italy in June/July

Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:14 PM
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Italy in June/July

We are planning a trip to Italy (Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast) in June 2016. We are looking to leave on June 3rd, 10th or 17th and will be staying for about 20 days. I have heard it is not ideal to visit in July, as I hear it gets very hot and crowded, so we were initially looking at early June. However, if we left on June 17th we could get an extra travel day with the July 4th holiday. This is a once in a lifetime trip for our family so ideally would love as much time in Italy as possible. What do you think is the better option?

A) Leaving as early in June as possible
B) Leaving late June and staying through July but gaining an extra day of travel

Thank you!!!
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:43 PM
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In many parts of Italy the first week of June and even later can be rainy with spring storms. As for heat, it is rather rare in Italy to get a dreadful heat wave before July 4, but there are no guarantees. You might get uncomfortably hot sun anytime in June and early July, but if you have air conditioned sleeping space and are sensible about not doing your most physically strenuous sightseeing in the midday heat, you'll be okay if your health is normal. Most of the places you are going will already by quite crowded by June 3, and you should book air con lodgings everywhere (against noise and mosquitoes) even if you leave June 3, so I don't see a huge advantage to missing the extra day.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:47 PM
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(When I say being "sensible about not doing your most physically strenuous sightseeing midday" what I mean is that if want to be in Italy in July, you should have a plan that allows for long lunches and low activity in an air conditioned space if you get a heat wave. If you are planning a trip to Italy that is really jam packed with "must dos" like climbing bell towers on day trips, going hiking in the Amalfi or Capri, touring the Forum, a day trip to Pompei -- you know, go-go-go and "grab a sandwich for lunch" -- I have got anything against that kind of active trip, but you should start out on June 3.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:48 PM
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-- typo -- I have NOT got anything against that kind of trip
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 02:43 PM
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florence and rome swelter in July and August - Florence with humidity as IME there are even more tourists there in July and August as Europeans typically take their vacations in those months and not in early June (schools do not get out many countries until mid or late-June) - to me it would be a muchmuch more bearable trip the earlier in summer you go.


AVERAGES FOR FLORENCE IN JUNE
Temperature
22°C 72°F
Low Temperature
17°C 62°F
High Temperature
28°C 82°F
Sunshine Hours
11 hrs
Chance of Sunny Day
40 %
Rainfall
50mm
Rainfall days
8 days
Chance of Rain
23 %

AVERAGES FOR FLORENCE IN JULY
Temperature
25°C 77°F
Low Temperature
19°C 65°F
High Temperature
31°C 90°F
Sunshine Hours
13 hrs
Chance of Sunny Day
51 %
Rainfall
31mm
Rainfall days
5 days
Chance of Rain
16 %
Chance of Cloudy Day
1 %

Avg hi July 90 F vs 82 F in June and the earlier in June the more cooler - to me that is quite a difference - later in July it gets to like 92 F avg high - so you may be looking at a difference of up to 15 F temp in average high early June vs later July - a huge difference IMO.

By alo means forfeit one day of your trip and go as early as possible.

Not that much rain either month.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 03:01 PM
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Monthly weather "averages" don't mean much. It can be 48F at 3 am for the first half of June, and that will drag down the "average" temperature even if it is 88 during many of the days you are there.

Besides, if you look at the actual weather archives, you get a much different answer for your question. This past June 2015, there was a heat wave from June 5 through June 8 where temps were exactly as hot during the heat wave of July. If you look at July 2014, every single day in July had a lower temperature than June this year, although from June 8-14 in 2014, there was a heat wave with temps equaling the July 2015 temps.

It really matters what kind of trip your are planning, and of course your own tolerance for heat. There are some people who will cut back on midday outdoor sightseeing in Italy during heat waves, even after you explain to them that most things in Italy close midday and reopen in the cooler early evening. They really do not want to give up a 9-5 schedule, and they really should avoid coming to Italy between June and mid-September, especially if they wilt in heat.

But if the trip you are planning is more about enjoying being in Italy than "must-see" sights that require hours walking in the hot sun to explore them or get from one place to another all day long, then the summer mornings and summer evenings are exquisite, with many things open, the long lunches and rest midday put you right in step with the Italians.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 03:03 PM
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typo -- meant to write "there are some people who will NOT cut back on midday outdoor sightseeing during heat waves"
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 03:10 PM
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PS: Should've added this:

If you are going to Italy with the thought of booking lots of guided tours in advance, the tours will start at a specific time and go on for hours no matter what the temperature is, and almost all of them will be scheduled between 10 and 3pm. So if you get a heat wave, you're stuck, because you paid.

If you aren't planning that kind of trip, but will be setting your own schedule, if you are otherwise healthy, you will adjust to most summer temps in Italy and see plenty of famous outdoor sights.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 04:25 PM
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It depends on how you feel about heat. We do Italy in May to avoid the worst of the summer weather. Bit I don;t care about a little rain while I can;t bear heat. (How about going in late May and using Memorial day as your extra vs July 4?)

In terms of swimming/pool weather we have been in the AC in the middle of May twice and both times the hotel pool was open and heavily used. Can;t comment on the ocean - since the beaches there are mostly not great - pebbles or even rocks unless a very expensive resort brings in their own sand.

Be aware than Pompeii in particular gets VERY hot - there is no shade and even in May we found in unbearable after noon (and we got there when it opened). Also Florence tends to be even hotter than Rome so consider doing that first.

Obviously there are no guarantees - but on average the earlier the better.

Also be sure that you hotel has strong AC that it runs at all hours - not the feeble "air cooling" that some european hotels try to con you with.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 05:36 PM
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You can't predict the weather. The big heat wave in Europe in 2003 started in June. Switzerland recorded the hottest June in 250 years.

I always try to stay as long as possible. One of the biggest expenses is usually the plane ticket so I would lean towards the extra day although your odds of cooler are better leaving as early as possible.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 06:32 PM
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You do not say how old family members are. That might make some difference. Young children and seniors might have more difficulty with heat. Heat, even of a few degrees, can slow some people down.

There could always be a heat wave in June and a cooling down in July, but given the norm of a cooler June, I would go as early as possible in June.

If you truly feel this is to be your trip of a life time, that you may never return to Italy, with 20 days, I would consider adding Venice.

All, of course, IMHO.
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Old Sep 5th, 2015, 05:39 AM
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You can't predict the weather every year but yearly averages are yearly averages and what you in a typical year may expect. July - especially later in teh month is a significantly hotter than early June and exceptional extremes can go either way - it could be hotter than that in some Julys - cooler in others but it all averages out.
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Old Sep 5th, 2015, 06:58 AM
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I have been in Italy at different times and found we wilted much earlier during the heat. We enjoy cooler temperatures much more and find we have more energy on cooler days. Even though you would gain a day if you travel later, you might find you need to take more breaks and may not get to see as much.

Prices and crowds are sometimes lighter in early June which also can be an advantage.
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