How Hot Is Hot?
 

I'm hearing and reading a lot about "hot" Italian summers.

I'm from Texas (USA) and am quite used to temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit during July and August.

How do Italian summer temperatures compare? If it's cooler than what I'm used to, it's cause to consider moving my spring trip to the summer.

You can check historical averages on www.weatherbase.com. I am also a Texan. Many years ago I went to Italy in the summer and that year anyway, the heat was comprable to Texas. Furthermore, we were in a hotel with no a/c. It was still a great trip, but make sure to get a/c.

"Probably" not as hot as what you're used to (80s-low 90s). But trecking round historical sites in the blazing sun is very different from sitting in an air conditioned car/office - you won't be able to escape it as easily.

Also consider that July and August will be packed with other tourists (and their kids). August, in particular, is a nightmare - The whole of Italy takes August off (yes, the whole month), and they do like to holiday in their own country. So coastal areas will be packed and cities will partly close - literally - many restaurants in the cities simply shut up shop and go to the beach.

If high summer is the only time you can go, then fine, you'll still love it, but Spring is a much better time to go for sightseeing.

I agree with Kate, the springtime will be cooler, cheaper, and a lot less crowded.

The last 20 days of spring (June 1-20) afford many of the advantages of both seasons, and in many parts of Italy, it will be ten degrees cooler than it is in Houston or San Antonio.

Best wishes,

Rex

How is the humidity in the summer? What about the crowds in June?

My husband and I are considering a trip and we have to take our vacations either during the summer or in January due to my school schedule.

Wonderful input - thanks!!!

I am from Texas and I thought it was hot in Italy in September. The problem is the lack of a/c. Yes Texas is hot but we are spoiled on a/c and it's bearable. I was really surprised it was still so hot in mid Septemeber I don't want to imagine what it's like in July or August. I'd go in the Spring time instead of the summer if you have a choice.

I live in Dallas. It is very hot. Click on my name and read the first paragraph or so from "FINALLY FINSISHED TRIP REPORT" from August 2003. I'd avoid August.

And let me just mention that all air con is NOT created equal. In some of the smaller hotels, even if they are 3 or 4 star, you can run the air con at full blast forever and get only moderate relief.

Also, as stated above, do not compare being home with an air-conditioned house, car, and office to being a tourist traipsing around in the heat and often in crowded areas.

Don't expect restaurants, stores, hotels, etc. to be air conditioned and if they are it won't be COLD as it would be in Texas(more like barely cool). We would be in restaurants that clearly had AC and didn't have it turned on. Many hotels shut the AC off at night.

Unless you are used to being outside all day in 90+ degree heat and going out to restaurants without AC and then sleeping without AC or fans keep your trip in the spring.

I've traveled to Europe in each of the last five summers and rarely encountered temps above 95. But I've never been south of Rome or south of Provence so can't speak to those areas. Only time I encountered unbearable heat was in London (heat wave of August 03) and that certainly could not have been forseen as London is almost never that hot. This past July Italy (Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Lake Como) was quite pleasant with temps in the upper 80s to low 90s. Venice was a tad humid. While I was there I was paying attention to the CNN weather reports for other places as I'd like to go to Spain, but the only place with consistant temps over 100 was in Spain.

As to the crowds. Every keeps saying July and August are the worst months. However - many, many hotels have LOWER rates then than they do in May-June-Sept. Hard to believe they would lower their rates in their busiest season. I had AC in all my hotels and I stay in quite modest places (average price on this trip was 45-65€ a night).

I usually travel in July but the one time I went in August (Ireland and England) I was shocked, based on what I kept hearing here, about how UNCROWDED it was. And I also didn't notice anything closed. I'm sure in Paris, parts of Italy, etc there will be some small restaurants/businesses that may close while the owners go on vacation, but I don't think it's quite to the level that it would interfer with most people's plans.

I'm actually glad to hear about the lack of AC in Europe. For me, AC is an annoyance while travelling in many parts of the US in the summertime. I get acclimated to the heat outside, then go into a building and freeze. If the AC was used to slightly cool the buildings, then it would be nice, but every place seems to have the AC cranked up so high that the building feels like a meat locker.

I agree with Correa, I hate AC. Can't sleep in it at all.

My last trip to Italy was in May and it was ideal. Slightly warmer than noraml that year, in the mid-80's everywhere. Venice was very humid, as it was in March on my first trip. Never felt the need for AC in any of our hotels during May.

I don't care for sleeping in AC either, but it's better than a stifling hotel room with no cross ventilation. I've been in Italy (Tuscany and Umbria) 3 Julys out of the last 4, and most were fine. However, the heat wave of 2003 was brutal, and it only got worse in August. I won't go again in July or August if I can avoid it.

J-Correa -

That meat locker effect is for me. I can;t stand the heat - anything above about 72 is very uncomfortable (my idea of an ideal summer is in Stockholm). I would be happy if they could AC the entire country for July and August. (I know there are others who don;t like it this cold - but I just don;t get it.)

So I guess vive la difference.

Having spent the last 2 summers in Italy, I can tell you that hot is indeed hot! I am a native Southern California and used to hot weather; however, I have NEVER experienced such hot weather as I have in Italy. The temp average during the day is anywhere from 30-35+ Celsius (approx. 90-100F), compounded with the humidity and stickiness. Naples was just unbearable at 30 C at 11:00 pm at night at the Molo Beverello port - I am used to the coastal towns in So Cal cooling down when the sun goes down. Not so here. If you are used to humidity in Texas, you might fare well. However, for me and thousands of others, the weather during the summer is so incredibly hot there in Italy that it is downright unbearable!

In regards to your trip, I think your airline tickets will be cheaper in the spring and the crowds will be less. Is it worth changing for hotter weather and more crowds??

My family visited Italy for 3 weeks in August. ( Italian Riveria, Pisa, Florence, Siena, Radda, and San Gimignano). Daytime temps were in the high 80s for most of our trip. Nighttime temps were quite cool, even in Florence. And despite hearing otherwise, we didn't run into hordes of people wherever we went, even in touristy San Gimignano.

We did have excellent AC in most of our rooms, but if it hadn't been for the mosquito problem in Tuscany, we probably could have just left the windows open at night.

I think unless there's another exceptional heatwave like there was in Rome last summer ( we were there, and THAT was really unbearable!), you'll be fine.

Enjoy your trip!

Isabel said "I usually travel in July but the one time I went in August (Ireland and England) I was shocked, based on what I kept hearing here, about how UNCROWDED it was."

That's because at that time all us Brits and Irish are in Italy, Spain, France and Greece!

Humidity factor is high, even in June.

Kate - I was referring to touristy places where I would expect most of the crowds would be non Irish. Also I was surprised at how many B&Bs had vacancy signs. That also wouldn't be affected by the locals. In fact, now that you mention it, since it was August I would have assumed some of those native Italians, French, etc would be vacationing in Ireland (and of course some were, we met several Europeans who were on vacation just like we were). Not that there weren't healthy crowds, just no where near the level some folks here describe.

I was in Rome the end of August. (I just posted my 2-part travelogue.) It was VERY HOT -- but not worse than Nashville (where I live) -- and certainly not as humid as Texas. (I've been to Texas in August.)

The high temperatures were about ninety. BUT . . . at home I don't spend all day walking and sightseeing in the blazing sun -- I stay in air conditioning. At sites like the Forum and the Coliseum it was sweltering -- and without a bit of shade. The Vatican museums were also quite warm.

That said . . . I had a FANTASTIC time. I've never been there any other time but I did not find it to be overly crowded and there only a few restaurants closed for the August holiday.

If I have my choice my next trip will likely be during spring or fall when it's a bit cooler.

Sent a friend to our favorite little hotel on Lake como. It was in june and they had a heat wave, and there was no A/C. They about roasted!

Hot is hot and it is hot in the USA and hot is Europe. Problem is temperature settings in the USA and Europe. When I visit family in Latin America, it is same, a/c is available but not the same. I was told once that it has to do with the amps in eletricity...also most houses, buildings are not well insulated...and that makes a difference.