My girlfriend & I are getting married on Aug. 4th in the States. This is a bit last minute, so we just started planning our honeymoon. We want to go to Europe (neither of us have ever been), in particular Italy sounds good. <BR> <BR>But August in the height of tourist season -- does anyone know places in Italy that aren't TOO crowded at that time. Any other favorites really anywhere in Europe that would be good for a active, semi-romantic trip? We're really up for anything and plan on getting Rail passes and travelling to a number of countries. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Mark, my friends loved Taromina in Sicily.... it is om my Italy list must sees. I don't know if it is crowded, but my friend said it was her very favorite place. You should start planning as soon as possible IMO. Fares will not be cheap. Try to be flexible, if you can. <BR>Judy

I'd personally bypass Italy in August. Dreadfully hot and a lot of things will be closed. I was in Rome yesterday and it was in the 90's.

I was in Italy in April two years ago. My friend and I kept repeating how we couldn't imagine how awful it would be to be there in the heat of August; I'll NEVER go to Italy in August if I can help it. In the cities there is little grass and few trees, so there would be little respite from all that heated stone. When you add the crowds of people to that, it just seems as if it would be unbearable. Suggest you head farther north.

Hi Mark! <BR>Congratulations! How exciting! My husband and I spent our honeymoon, in August, in London, Paris, Nice, Rome and Venice and had a FABULOUS time. Yes, Rome was hot, but we made sure our hotel had air-con and just stopped more frequently for a drink. It was great! And we didn't have any problems with crowded "tourist" areas or anything being closed. The areas that make a lot of money off tourism are still going to be open. Nothing in Venice was closed either. But I do know that Milan basically shuts down in August. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

Why is such nonsense written about Italy in August? <BR> <BR>1. Many, many Italians holiday in August. (Many factories close entirely, for example.) This makes the beaches, lakes and mountains a bit more crowded. <BR> <BR>2. It's warm in August, but then where isn't it, in the northern hemisphere. Nothing that most people aren't used to. This is NOT the desert. Temperatures do not get into the hundreds. <BR> <BR>3. Many little shops and restaurants are closed for part or all of the months ... but, for the most part, not the ones that cater to tourists. (Italians have their quirks like the rest of us. They certainly are not stupid ... if their business depends on tourists they do not close down at the peak of the tourist season.) <BR> <BR>If I had a choice I'd go to Italy the last half of May or the first half of October. But you're not getting married then. We've been there in every month and have always enjoyed ourselves. <BR> <BR>If you want to go to Italy on your honeymoon, go! You'll love it. Don't let misinformation keep you from what you want to do. <BR> <BR>twenj

Mark-just go back from a med cruise-why don't you try that. The airfare is included most of the time- we took it on the Windsurf-only 300 passengers and a 5 masted sailing yacht-very romantic and all food included- ports were corsica,elba,portovenere(to get into Florence)portofino,st.tropez and montecarlo. if a cruise is out--we fell in love with the tiny town of both Portofino,Italy and St.Tropez,France. In August most Europeans leave on holiday and go to Greece. Greece is very inexpensive. PS YOU DO NEED PASSPORTS and it takes about 8 weeks to get them,if you already don't have em

Ed: Just a small correction about temperatures. They DO go over 100° Fahrenheit in South Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey in August. <BR>For the last couple of days here in Zurich, it was slightly over 30°C which is about 86°F (in the shade)!!.. and this is pretty hot for the month of May. Don't want to think about July and August yet.

I would check on a cruise around Italy. Start in Venice with a few days, get on the ship and go around Italy. Very relaxing and you only unpack once. Then go back another time and see the interior by car.

I have heard Italy is full of tons of Germans in August as that is where they go on holiday, espec. northern Italy. Maybe that is nonsense, too, I don't know not having been there in Aug only late Sept when it was very hot. It is a lot hotter there than a lot of places in US that people are used to, just look at climate charts to decide if it seems tolerable to you or not. Yahoo weather has historical averages, for example -- in Florence, the avg high in Aug is 87F and low is 62; Rome is a few degrees lower. This is about like where I live, Washington DC and I would never tell anyone to honeymoon here in August. It's about the same weatherwise as July, though. Tell you what I would do myself or recommend for someone who was not deadset on one place -- I'd go to the British Isles, espec Ireland and Scotland, maybe end up going down through Lake Country and London. I have gone there in August and it was great -- it is not hot, countryside was beautiful (I espec like Scotland) and I think it is romantic; if you like outdoors, hiking, etc, it can be really interesting and less touristy in upper Scotland, I think, the isles and everything. I don't know that much about Scotland beyond the cities, but it's on my list of things to do, as well as western Ireland. Edinburgh is great fun in August for the International/Fringe Festivals. Pubs, small towns, old castles, etc are romantic to me. Some beautiful scenery, also. (It was 88 in Florence yesterday)

Oh, BTW, you didn't mention budgets, but I think you will find UK a bargain this summer due to hoof and mouth--in fact, I just read an article on that in some travel section (either Wash Post or NYTimes, I think). A lot of that situation has died down or improved, but they still expect less tourism this year and you can probably get hotels and reservations, etc at good rates and with good availability in comparison to some other spots. I really would consider it if I were you unless you just have no interest in the British Isles. They do have a Britrail pass I think, but it is different than the Eurailpass.

August is a big vacation time for the locals, so you are likely to find a lot of closed places...which isn't a big deal but can be frustrating.

As far as school holidays are concerned, basically Southern Europe tends to take whole of August off, while Northern Europe tends to start early and finish early, with schools starting in the second half of August. AFAIK the latter includes Switzerland, Northern Germany, Scandinavia and Scotland. You may want to bear this in mind when planning your trip. Even in France or Italy, there is a considerable fall-off in visitor numbers at popular seaside/lakeside resorts as Northern Europeans return home from around 20th August.

The western coast of Turkey (Bodrum & Kusadasi) are beautiful & know how to treat tourists - Also, the Greek Isle of Rhodes can't be beat - stay at the Rodos Palace - 5 star, but not too expensive.

Ed: It gets very hot in Italy in August, and 100 degrees plus isn't unusual. I was in Rome on Sunday (5/27), and the temp reached 90 degrees. <BR> <BR>I have a friend who moved to the States from the Naples area (born and raised there) and he NEVER goes to Italy in August, he avoids it completely from July through September. He agrees that August is hot, crowded and many attractions/restaurants/etc. are closed. <BR> <BR>Mark: try the cruise route. I have friends who just got married and did a cruise that sounded fabulous. Good luck to both of you, and have a wonderful time, whatever you decide. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>cindy

I would suggest you start in Paris--it is very romantic--go over to the french alps (Chamonix/Megeve) via Lake Annecy <BR>or Switzerland--lets say Wengen--& finish up in Northern Italy (Venice/one of the Lakes). If its your first trip you must see Paris, the Alps, Venice!!! Have fun.