Pintxos

OK, we got approached to do a home exchange with a person in Venice, in July of 2014. How hot and humid does it get there? I checked Wunderground and it looks reasonable, 26C. Is there any downside? I am looking at first two weeks of July. Thanks!

bsmithstucky

Oh if you don't want to do it I will!!! Ha ha. Seriously, I've been to Venice three times (going back again this spring) and it's been at the end of July every time. Yes, it is hot, but not as humid as say New Orleans in July. If you can make it to the Lido head south for the nearly empty and free beaches. (rent a bike) The ocean breeze will make up for it all.

I think I'd go to Venice any time of the year. For some reason I fell head over heals in love on my very first visit. Which was a surprise I didn't expect. So, I may not be the best judge.

justineparis

It will be hot and crowded. It would still be fun.
According to weather sites I looked at .. July is hottest month in Venice and average highs range from 26 to 28.. you have to remember that when they say "average high" they mean it has some cooler and some hotter days.. so could be 25 or 32..

I would still go.. I have been in July and in August.. and yes. it has been hot and crowded, but since you will have a whole two weeks you can really relax and take a slower pace.. not race around trying to see things in the heat in like 3 or 4 days like many folks do.. ( Venice is not huge.. you can hit highlights in 3-4 days.. so with two weeks you are golden! )

Find a shady square have a cool drink.. wander some back streets, take the water buses around.. day or two lounging on the beach at Lido etc.

Dukey1

I'd go and in fact I am going this July but I'd never stay in a non A/C'd space in that city in July but to each their own.

cathies

If you have two weeks I'd do it. You can head indoors in the middle of the day when it's very hot and venture out again when the sting has gone out of the sun a little. It would be different if you only had a few days and spent them tearing around in the scorching sun, hopefully you'll have air con?

justineparis

OMG.. if it does not have air conditioning I would not consider it.. I simply have to have a cool retreat after a day in the heat walking around every where.

No ac ,, no me anywhere in Italy in july or august.. lol

WWK

It's boiling hot and buggy, but it's still Venice! Is there AC in the bedroom at least?

NYCFoodSnob

I've experienced a week in Venice in 100° heat and 100% humidity, but I've never been there in July. A heat wave like that is an experience you'll never forget. One might think the canal water might help, but it doesn't. It can make matters worse.

Air conditioning in Venice has improved greatly in the past 20 years. The effectiveness of some of those wall-mount models has impressed me. If your home does not have AC, then you better be prepared and willing to endure.

These past few summers, mosquitoes have been a serious issue in Venice, and most windows have no screens. A lot of apartments offer mosquito netting for sleeping. If you have to keep your windows open at night, you'll want to be sure the apartment has the proper netting. An electric fan at night can also help.

Pintxos

OK, here is the description of the flat:
"My flat is in a quiet courtyard in the Santa Croce Sestiere, which is the heart of the old city of Venice on the south side of the Grand Canal. It is just a short walk to S. Giacomo dell'Orio, S. Giovanni Evangelista, the Frari, Accademia, and Rialto, and a few minutes from the San Stae vaporetto stop with direct connections to station, airport, S. Marco, Lido. The flat has one double bedroom, a study with single bed- It is simply but pleasantly furnished and looks onto an enclosed courtyard-garden."

No mention of AC, but I will ask. We would also venture out to other cities nearby, for example Verona, Bologna, Ravenna. It is not the best timing for us as I am just starting a new job in March, but it seems like such a unique opportunity.

We turned down a home exchange offer last year to Tahiti due to timing and still regret missing such a chance. Thanks for your replies.

kappa1

I would go only if I get a room with air-con. Once I did it in July ( not my choice, but I needed to accompany my friends ) a few years ago. VERY hot and fortunately the air-con worked VERY well ( it was a 2 or 3* hotel Mercurio ) so I had good night's sleep. That was the only time I have ever been to Venice in summer. All the other times were in cooler / colder months ( Nov to May ) so it was fine without air-con. I would be miserable in Venice in summer I'm afraid without air-con.

dwdvagamundo

I'd go w/ or w/o AC, but I'm from Atlanta GA and used to hot and muggy. Location looks great!

If you do go, be sure to include Padua in your day trips. Very close and very interesting city.

Pintxos

Thank you! AC is not a huge issue for me personally as I am originally from a third world country, so I do not have the same expectations as some of the first world travelers. Even though it is still very uncomfortable, I can perservere and withstand the heat and humidity. My seven year old is a different story (born in the U.S.). I would love to see Venice in July, I am more concerned about how crowded it is with tourists and whether we will have an authentic experience.

We went to Paris in August a couple of years ago, after I have been to Paris in November before. My August experience was drastically different because the locals deserted the town and many restaurants were closed.

justineparis

If you are there its authentic.. please remember tourists have been flocking to Venice for hundreds of years.. its not a fad.. lol

YES .. we all concur it will be crowded. There will be many other tourists there , so expect that.. really anywhere in Europe in july or august will be filled with tourists

PS I have been to Paris every month may thru october. and I have family there.. I like August, hotels are cheaper, there is way less traffic. and most places don't shut dowwn, just some smaller restaurants and shops but not enough to affect most tourists.. . and the locals aren't interested in you anyways.. ( my cousin wants to know why foreigners think the locals want to befriend them.. they don't.. french are not easy to truly befriend.. you know they even stay on formal terms with coworkers for years sometimes.. ) They will chat to you if you want.. but most are not likely to befriend you . lol Its not their culture to be that way..

nytraveler

Would be great with AC and hell without. I've been in end of Sept, late April and early May - and needed AC all 3 times.

Will be mobbed during the day (do touristy things wither early or late) but incredible at night when many day tourists have gone.

Pintxos

I think I will say yes. I have to figure out how to play it with my new employer. I haven't told them that I was playing to take time off on vacation yet but this chance is worth the repercussions.

ahiddenbird

I was in Venice in July last year, and I'm thinking about going again this year! It was SO hot. But I loved it. Basically what we did (I was with a couple of friends) is we would go out early in the morning, do some shopping and sight-seeing, then head back to our hotel midday and nap, read, plan etc. during the hottest part of the day. Then we headed back out around 3:30 or so. Our room was cool and all white and it was sort of glorious and luxurious to snooze the hottest part of the day away with a gentle breeze drifting in through the window. So peaceful. And Venice is really beautiful in the morning and in the evening when the light is pink and hazy. During that hot time of year, I really feel like they were the best times of day to go out.

ahiddenbird

I think if you go when it's so hot, the best thing you can do is go easy on yourself, and try not to rush around and see everything. Assume you'll go back another time, and just go slow, enjoy the city, and don't beat yourself up for not seeing every monument and sight. The more relaxed you are about it, the more you'll enjoy it.

I seriously love Venice, so sorry to blather on at you, but it's just gorgeous and I would go in a heartbeat if I were you!

rialtogrl

This will not help the OP but it could help others looking at this thread (like ahiddenbird.)

In mid-to-late July there is the Festa in Campo San Giacomo dell' Orio - a 10 day party with food, beer and wine, and live music. The whole campo is filled with tables and all the tables are filled with local families and groups of friends. The food is... just OK and the wine... almost not palatable (I usually bring my own but also buy a bottle to support the event) but it is a heck of a lot of fun. Its a night time thing with a band starting at around 8 pm or so.

Here is a link to last years event:
http://www.veniceconnected.com/conte...llorio-feast-0

Then of course there is the Redentore Festival, which this year will be on July 19 & 20. And if you are there for that, you can see fireworks like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdcT4pE1E6s

Those were the best fireworks I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of fireworks. I'll be back this coming July for more.