How important is Air conditioning in June?
 

I am going to Italy for the first two and one half weeks June 2002. I have turned down several places because they have no air. I live in New Orleans and it is 85-95 degrees in June. Would die with no air. How hot during this time in Rome? How aboutin Tuscany? There is a B&B Pantheon View that I really like but have not rented because of no air. I love the sound of room 1 people have told me about, but if I'm hot all night I will be miserable. What about you guys who have been the beginning of June. For real, would I be more comfortable with air? Thanks Karen

We were in Rome and on the Amalfi coast last mid-June, and definitely enjoyed the air-con in our rooms - it was hot. Sometimes though, the weather at that time of year is pleasant enough not to need a/c. If in doubt - pay out!

We had a very bad expirience with a non- air- conditioned hotel in Rome last year. I would definatly recomend a/c. <BR>If you want to read about the hotels we stayed at it is in my 'hotels we stayed at in Italy and what we though of them' post from last year. <BR> <BR>2 more points <BR>you don't nessesarily have to stay at an expensive hotel to get a/c (see my post) <BR>some hotels that have a/c shut it down at night.

Karen,even if the temps are bearable at night, you'd want to open the windows, and that would subject you to a lot of noise in many locations in Rome. The motorcycles are everywhere. <BR>If you're normally miserable without a/c, you will want it in Rome, even though June is not the hottest month.

We were in Italy late Sep/ Oct and had some hotels w/o ac. We couldn't take the heat!! And we are from a 90 degree tropical country.

Hi, we had an apartment booked for October in Florence.It was beautiful and large, and on the ground floor,on a busy street..then we found out there was no a/c...can you imagine sleeping with the windows open, the noise,worrying that someone would come in and rob us,and lying there sweating all night? Neither could we-we switched to a hotel with a/c and it was perfect,and boy did we use it,it was very warm in Oct.

We stayed at the Minerva a 4+ star hotel in May of last year. Definitely enjoyed the a/c during the day, unfortunately the a/c was turned down at night and it was uncomfortable sleeping to say the least. When we complained to the front desk we were told it was a law that a/c had to be turned down at night. We knew that was b.s. since we had stayed at the Marriott Flora the previous week and had plenty of a/c all night. <BR> <BR>The punchline is you should definitely get a/c in June but don't be surprised if it is very weak at night. <BR> <BR>

We were in Tuscany (outside of Florence) last July. Although it was hot during the day, it cooled off nicely at night, and we slept with the windows open. Plus, the farm house had thick stone walls and shutters; it never got too hot inside. <BR>Now, Venice was a different story....

Karen-- YOU defintely DO want A/c in Italy---way too hot==and if this coming summer is anything last this past summer,the heat is unbearable there!!!

I am sold! I will get Airconditioning for sure. I very much appreciate your responses. This is exactly why I love Fodors. New people like me can learn from your unfortunate mistakes, and hopefully,I will help others later. Karen

Dear Molly, <BR>I would agree with those who say that a/c is necessary in the cities especially the hot ones such as Florence and Rome and even Milan where the problem can often be one of humidity so that a/c has a drying effect. However, if you consider a stay on a farm in Tuscany a/c may not be needed (healthwise it is of course better) depending upon the place you are staying. I have frequently stayed at Fattoria Pagnana (www.fattoria-pagnana.com) which is just 10 miles S&gt;E of Florence at all times of the year including late July and beginning of August when on occasions the temperature touched 105/110 degrees but I never have had a problem for 2 reasons - 1. because the place is about 600 feet above sea level and is always subject to a pleasant refreshing breeze and has plenty of shade and 2. because the buildings are about 400 years old and construction then involve very thick walls - 3 feet or more - meaning that it was warm inside during the winter and cool in the summer. Also the heat in that area has a low humidity. In other words if you choose the right place a/c is not necessary and is better for you and children - especially asthma suffers. I can vouch for Fattoria Pagnana plus as I have already stated in the past it is close to the factory outlets of Gucci (including Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Sergio Rossi, Loro Piana & Bottega Veneta), Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Fendi.

Hi Karen..we rented a villa apt. in Tuscany about 15km. south of Florence in mid July...no air and no problem. Although it was very hot and sunny in the daytime, it cooled off enough at nite to be comfortable and we needed a light blanket some nites. We just kept all the shutters closed during the day and the thick stone walls kept the coolness inside. Actually I wouldn't have wanted air - but as others have said, it's probably a different matter in the cities.

Follow-up: In fact, in the two places that did have AC (or were advertised as having AC), we encountered problems as the AC simply wasn't powerful enough (Vennice) or didn't work as it was supposed, too (Lake Garda). Meaning, even if you have AC, it might not work properly.