My fiance and I are planning an August Honeymoon in Italy. First of all, we have heard that August is not a good time to go - is this really the case (besides the heat - we can take that)? Also, we will have 14 days and would like to do one week of "sightseeing" and one week of total relaxation, with the general theme of "utterly romantic" for both weeks....any suggestions?

I would stay north--The Lakes, the Dolomites, and Venice. Fly into venice and out from Milan--the Lakes are your relaxation venue.

August is not the best time to go because of the extreme heat, crowds, traffic, and the fact that most of Italy takes its vacation then, too.

Is there any way you could go in early October? You'd probably enjoy it a lot more, and the weather would still be warm.

If not, I'd second bobthenavigator's recommendation for the Lakes, the Dolomites, and Venice.

Good luck!

Our trip to Italy in August a few years ago worked out fine.

We went to Florence where the only problem was some sections of the Uffizi being closed. However, I have subsequently discovered that can happen anytime.It was warm but not unbearable and delightful up in the hills, Fiesole, San Gimignano etc.

Umbria was cooler and Perugia, Narni, Gubbio practically deserted but all open for business.

The Adriatic coast (Gargano down to Ostuni) was full of Italian families on holiday, but we found it no less appealing on that count as people watching was fascinating.Italins love their big family vacations and relish the outdoor life in cafes and restaurants all along the coast.

Rome was very hot, but we kept well watered and slept mid afternoon so we could enjoy the cool of the evenings the way the Romans do.It may sound weird but do consider staying just outside Rome in August at a plac with a pool: we used the garden pool at the Holiday Inn to refresh ourselves midday and the freebie bus in and out of the centre of Rome went 'til very late. Once again, yes, some rooms in the Vatican museum were closed but that is not limited to August. I have tried four times to see the Etruscan exhibit and never found it open in any season!

Two words of advice if you go in August:1) Do book in advance when you go to any destination that Italian families are likely to consider vacations (i.e mountains and sea/lakeside resorts)2) Go slow!!!!(But then, thats the best way to see Italy anyway...)

We spent a week in Tuscany and it was very very nice.
We stayed at a holiday house in a small village called Civitella Marittima.
Frome there we saw a lot of things and we also had time for some romantic walks in the coutryside. This is the internet page for the house, http://www.casinadirosa.it/
Next time we go we would also like to exerience a holiday in an "agriturismo". We heard it is really nice.

As for the period, we went in September and it was HOT, but they said it was an exceptional year.
Anyway, if you can handle the heat, the only danger you can meet are the million tourists.
Where we stayed it was not very touristic, and we had really a nice week.
Happy 2004!

I would rather be the only woman on a Greek freighter.

I have been to Venice twice, both times in August. I had heard the awful rumors (heat, crowds, smell)... but did not find any of these a problem.

It was hot, but easy enough to avoid the throngs of tourists unless you're dead set on touring inside San Marcos or taking a gondola ride.

Everyone sees things their own way, but I'd go in a heartbeat (so to speak romantically).

Feliz luna de miel (I know I know that's spanish not italian!).

We went to Northern Italy in August two years ago. It was great. In tourist destinations, such as Florence and Venice, everything is open. The lake district was wonderful and didn't feel that crowded. Santa Margherita, on the coast was very crowded with Europeans, but we still were able to make dinner reservations and go to the beach. It is very hot, so make sure your hotel has a/c. The only place that seemed "shut down" for the month was Milan, so we spent very little time there.