We are planning a "last minute" trip in the awful month of August, to Italy. Yes, we know it will be hot, hot, hot, but this is the only time we can get away and use frequent flier miles simultaneously. We are three adult women, traveling with two teenage boys. Although I usually plan everything independently, I am too busy to do so this year, and am using the services of a travel service that facilitates independent travel. Nevertheless, we can make changes to their recommended itinerary and hotels.

Any comments about days per location, specific hotel, or don't-miss activities will be appreciated, since we don't have specific activities planned at each site yet. We do want a mix of historic sites, museums, walking tours, hikes in Cinque Terre, etc., but want to be sensitive to the interest level of the teens as well and don't want to spend too many days in a row in different museums, for example.

So far:

Arrive airport Rome, morning Aug 12. Stay 4 nights, Hotel: Dei Mellini

Arrive via train, Florence, Aug 16, Stay 3 nights, Hotel: Berchielli

Arrive via train, Monterosso Al Mare (Cinque Terre), Aug 19, Stay 4 nights, Hotel: Margherita

Arrive via train, Venice, Aug 23, Stay 3 nights, Hotel: Carlton

Fly back to US from Venice

Any and all feedback welcome -- thanks!

Hello, I would tend to delete one night from Monterosso and add that night to Venice. But no doubt you will receive lots of different opinions from various Fodorites. In any case do enjoy your time in beautiful Italy. And yes it will be hot and humid but you can make your schedule such that you get up early in the morning, have a late leisurely lunch, go to your hotel for a rest from the heat, take another cool shower and enjoy a late dinner and a walk after dinner. I would let the teens decide their schedule. Best regards and have fun!

We just came back a week ago and did the same (almost), with exception of Cinque Terre. We did Lake Como instead. The itinerary looks good - you spread the days nicely. Make sure you stay close to Piazzale Roma (bus station) in Venice as the flight back to the U.S is usually early in the morning and you have to take the 4.40 a.m. bus to the airport. Have a great trip!

LoveItaly's advice is good - do things early and later in the day/evening, and enjoy lunch, rest and shower in the midday if you feel you need a break. I love walking at night, enjoying the lit-up fountains and monuments, stopping for gelato or a drink, people watching.

And I second her vote to let the boys make some choices. When I traveled as I teen with my family, my brothers and I loved being able to go out on our own a bit, to hang out, shop for music or clothes or gifts for friends, even go to a movie.

Don't forget that many churches, famous or not, along with their art and history, are cool, quiet and dim; I've often taken a little rest break in one on a hot day, quietly perusing my map or the ceiling!

Depending on their interests, the boys may like the Science Museum in Florence, around the corner from the Uffizi. Weird medical exhibits, maps & globes, Galileo's astronomical instruments and his finger (!) and it is air conditioned and on the two times I was there, not at all crowded.

Don't know the age or interests of your male teens, but there are some good dance places in/near Florence and on the Lido in Venice. The ones we went to were pretty big, with separate areas for different ages. Kids got stamped and were allowed only into the area for their age group, so you don't have older people mixed with young ones. You can also have the kids stamped so they are allowed to buy only soft drinks. We stayed to chaperon at the one on the Lido, not the one near Florence. Anyway, if they are outgoing and want to meet teens from other countries, you would want to ask at your hotel which places they recommend.

I like your itinerary and I like the fact you will be spending 4 nights in Cinque Terre in August, since I suspect you all will really enjoy a beach break. Be sure to get out on the boats as well as actually hike and swim.

A trip to Portovenere and/or its nearby tiny islands by boat would be lovely, even if you do have lots of company. You will be traveling during Italy's biggest holiday time.

Hiking in le Cinque Terre is going to be very hot, and really only enjoyable in the morning. If you have any interest in a change of scenery, a train trip to the flat but fascinating towns of Chiavari and/or Sestri Levante would make for a nice afternoon. The historic center of Chiavari is mostly porticoed -- meaning it is shady -- and eating farinata at Luchin or having a dessert at Defila -- places that are hundreds of years old -- as well as strolling about is quite enjoyable. It's a very rich town, and Chiavari can be a good place to shop if anyone enjoys that. It also has several wonderful places for take-out food -- roasted chicken, vegetable tarts, etc. -- that you could bring back to Monterosso for a picnic dinner al fresco. When you leave the train station, walk away from the sea to get to the old historic quarter.

Sestri Levante is flat and has two beautiful sandy beaches. It's full of Italian families enjoying the seaside bars and the good food. The walk to the sea from the train station is uninspiring, but head all the way to the peninsula for the pretty fishing cove on the peninsula. A sunset drink there plus a dinner at Polpo Mario (or a lunch there and a gelato-stroll afterwards) can be fun when it's too hot to hike.

Thank you for all the replies! I polled my group and we will probably reduce Cinque Terre by one day and add another to Venice.

Any more comments on activities or on the tentative hotel choices?

What do you think the smell is going to be like in Venice in mid-August??

Just a thought

Wow, bilboburgler, people seemed to either LOVE or HATE Venice, especially in the summer. I suspect I know which group you fall into. I guess I'll just have to experience it myself...