august a bad time:?
 

My wife and I are interested in planning a trip to Italy during the second week in August, but have been warned that the country basically shuts down during this time, and that it's not the best time to go. Any information? Advice? <BR> <BR>This would be our first trip to Italy and information of any kind would be helpful. (Suggestions, too!) <BR> <BR>Thanks.

That's my understanding. Plus the weather is not too pleasant. (HOT)

The country does not 'basically shut down' in August, at least as far as most tourists are concerned. <BR> <BR>It is the most popular time for Italian vacations and many companies who can do so do shut down. Widget factory visits may be difficult to arrange in August. <BR> <BR>However, the Italians have some common sense. August is a popular tourist month. Knowing this, tourist-related businesses, for the most part, remain open. You'll find virtually all the things you want to do are possible. There are a few restaurants that are closed, but 80 or 90% are open. Some small (typically 'Mom and Pops') shops, usually off the beaten path for tourists, will be closed. Otherwise, for tourists, it's business as usual. <BR> <BR>Italian beaches and mountains, though, will be more crowded than at other times of the year. If you were planning on going there you will be competing with Italians as well as the usual numbers of other tourists. <BR> <BR>Yes, it's hot in Italy in August, just as elsewhere. Though it's hard for me to detect the difference between July and early September vs. August on most days. If cooler weather is important to you, the last half of May and early June is a quite pleasant time usually, and late September and early October are commonly the most pleasant weather for a visit to Italy. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

So how hot is "hot"? I'm a North Carolinian used to 90+ F. during the day, with 80% humidity, but everything is airconditioned here. How often does the temperature exceed 90 F., esp. latter August? <BR> <BR>Also, our trip is scheduled for the last week of August and first of September -- we found two Milan hotels that were closed until 1 Sept. but otherwise had no problem booking things.

The weather in Italy north of Rome in August is comparable to that in North Carolina, except that hardly anything in Italy is air-conditioned, and screens on windows are still quite rare. I would stay clear of Venice, in particular, because of the heat, crowds and bugs. <BR>August 15 is the biggest holiday of the year in Italy, and virtually Everything will be closed, so if you go, try to avoid that day and the preceeding weekend. <BR>It's true that it's not the best time to go, but if it's the only time you can get away, go for it, especially if the heat doesn't get to you!

Mat, <BR>Ed is right, we were in Italy last summer for the first 3 weeks of August and while we found the odd resturant and art gallery closed the vast majority were open for business. We were in Rome Aug. 15 which is a huge holiday and did'nt have a problem at all. On the up side, in Rome some hotels consider this the low season and will give you better rates. That was our experience at Santa Chiara [email protected] It was a great hotel right behind the pantheon, very centrally located. Have fun.