My fiance and I are trying to set a date for the wedding and the honeymoon and it seems like the only time is Aug. We've heard countless stories about Italy in Aug, but I want to know how bad it is. Any suggestions, please be honest. We could sit in the countryside for 2 weeks, but would hate to miss out on some site seeing.

For starters, Italy's certainly much better in August than not at all . Because of work constraints and stuff, most of our trips were held in July and August. The inconveniences I can list are the following: <BR> <BR>a) it's hot ... meaning that you've to spend more in hotels (personally, I can't stand it without an a/c hotel room); if you're travelling by car it should also be a/c-ed (whenever possible, we use to travel during the hottest period of the day - from noon to 4pm - leaving the mornings and late afternoon sightseeing for strolls); on the plus side, there's almost no rain at all and you may pack very light! <BR> <BR>b) the "quality = $" of tourists around is much lower than, say, in April/May and September/October. This is so because average age of tourists is much lower = many students around, and many sites are overcrowded with them. On the plus side, since students don't use the more expensive hotels, in many places the rates of 3-star hotels and up are lower in the summer than in the 2 above mentioned periods. also, it's easier to get reservations in quality restaurants ; <BR> <BR>c) August is the main vacation month for Italians ... meaning that both, beach and mountains resorts are at their full capacity. It also means that many good restaurants in Rome, Florence, Venice, etc. are closed (owners and staff are on vacations) and also meaning that trains and roads are the most crowded. The worst week is the one that includes August 15th (Ferragosto). On the plus side, there are many traditional events that are held only in summer (e.g., the Opera festival in Verona) <BR> <BR>If possible, I would plan to be in Italy either at the beginning or end of August if it has to be ... not perfect but reasonable. I would stay away between the 10th and 20th! <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

I second Paulo's recommendation. Many cities become virtual ghost towns from Aug. 15 through the end of the month, and spilling into September. All but essential services are open. But then again the museums remain open. I wouldn't count on eating at many of the better restaurants.

Paulo and Santachiara, what about early to mid September in Venice and Ligurgia. Is it worth it to wait until maybe early October to travel there? I am thinking about going during that period, but my wife has used a lot of her vacation days already. I was hoping to use Labor Day (a day off for most people here - it is on September 4) as an extra day to travel so she doesn't have to use as many vacation days.

My advice is not to bother with Italy in August. Nightmarish crowds; horrendous traffic; it is just awful with two exceptions: Vicenza, b/t Verona and Venice; and a small town in the hills of the Amalfi coast -- Ravello. Both are known by tourists -- Palladio, and of course Lawrence who wrote part of Lady Chatterly's in Ravello. But even getting to these places is terrible. I'm not exaggerating! Try Australia or New Zealand -- where it is pleasantly cool during the winter months (August). Sydney is a delight!

There's no law that says you must take your honeymoon immediately following the wedding. Enjoy the folks who traveled to your event, rest at home from the excitement, then head for Italy in September. You'll probably be in better condition to enjoy the trip.

Most Italians will be home by the end of August, Dan, so things should start going back to "normal". The Ligurian coast should have nice warm weather and the hotels should be filled mostly with foreigners. Venezia and the Veneto should be pretty warm but not that hot and all restaurants should be open. My preferred month to visit Venice is the 2nd half of May ... if I had to choose to visit in September or October I would be quite indiferent. One word of caution, though. On the first Sunday in September (Sep 3rd, this year), Venetians hold the "Regata Storica", the most famous of Venice's yearly regatas. This is a big feast, attracting many people that wouldn't otherwise be there. Venice's Film Festival is also usually held in the beginning of September in the Lido. If you don't want to take the opportunity to pareticipate in one of Venice's biggests feasts (paying the price of an overcrowded weekend) you should visit the Ligurian coast first! <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Thanks Paulo. That definitely gives me something to think about. I probably wouldn't like the crowds during the Regata, but since I am also pretty serious about photography, it sounds like good subject matter.

I have been to Rome, Florence and Venice -- all in August -- and had an absolutely wonderful time that I wouldn't have traded for the world. Is it hot? Yes but not as hot as Washington DC where I live, so everything is relative. Plus, the hotter it is the more often you stop for gelato. Is it crowded with tourists? Yes, but it's not "Disney World" crowded, it's just crowded the way any wonderful place is when it's appreciated by people all over the world. We still managed to meet lots of Italians in addition to Australians, Canadians, Germans, etc. A great spirit of camaraderie prevailed. Wonderful food, fantastic sightseeing, beautiful art, lovely people. Just take your time, relax, pack lightly, take lots of breaks, spend some time outside of the major cities too, don't plan too much. Savor it -- Italy beats "not Italy" any time. Go!

Thank you so much for the previous posting. I feel the same way. I'm not a big "Let's go see all the major tourist sites" I'd much rather take in some culture and live the way the natives do. I don't need a schedule and would rather plan it by ear. Everyone says its SOO hot and it can't be anymore humid than some of the US cities. Better than no Italy at all. Please send more replies!!!!!

<BR>jspencer - we took our very first trip to Italy many years ago in Aug. as we didn't have a choice at that time. We were very flexible in our plans once we arrived and had no problem at all with crowds, reserving hotels, seeing what we wanted etc. Yes, it was hot so dress accordingly (no shorts etc., remember!). We're making our 4th trip this year, but in May/June. I don't know what your itinerary is but perhaps because of the Jubilee this year you could skip Rome which may be difficult. You'll have a wonderful time whatever part you go to.

jspencer- I went to visit your theatre company's site. You won't find Minnesota_sized mosquitos in Italy! [no way - those critters are *mean*] I think your attitude is good. Just go, explore and enjoy!

I've had the pleasure/horror of spending three summers in Italy (Florence) during my adult life. A pleasure because Italy really is the most magical place on earth. A horror because I recall being reduced to tears more than once - totally overwhelmed by the heat and the limitations imposed by it. One very clear memory is standing by the sea at Viareggio on August 15, aka Ferragosto (when the florentines tell you that you wont even "find a dog in the city") and telling myself that this surely must be what hell is like - and this a seaside resort mind you..... <BR>While we will NEVER return to Italy in the summer, we have enormously enjoyed visiting at other times of the year - in particular April. <BR>One summer, we rented a villa in the hills just south of Florence. Lying about the house(in the dark with the shutters firmly closed) was fine as homes in Italy are designed to be cool and comfortable in the worst heat - but all that peace and quiet and relaxation got real tired real fast and we found ourselves constantly finding reasons to zip in to town - and get all hot and bothered! Dont get me wrong - those hot trips to Italy were better than no trip at all - but in terms of getting the most out of the expense of your travels and, more importantly, the use of your precious vacation time, I'd consider making the trip anytime from October through May.