I know, I know, August is a terrible month for these two places because it is hot and places are closed. But, my wedding is in August and I am a teacher so really-this is the only time. My fiance and I really want to go to these places because I know truly we will never go back. So be honest here- will things truly be closed or will we definitely find restaurants and shops open? I have been hearing northern Spain is cooler, but are things going to be closed there in August? and what about Italy? will we manage? I know it is extremely hot in some places but I have also lived in Chicago IL for 25 years where the summers are very hot and humid. I would sincerely appreciate some advice because these are the places we want to go. Thank you.

It depends where in Italy you will be. Northern Italy (Piedmont, Val d'Aosta etc) is not as hot as Central or Southren Italy in August and many attractions, however keep in mind in most of August Italy grinds to a halt as everyone piles onto the beaches. Time to head for the mountains!

The North of Spain is a fabulous area and the climate should be less oppresive than other areas( although it could be subject to a heat wave, as I experienced this past summer when visiting Santander and Santiago).

Consider coastal cities like San Sebastian or Santander which offer beautiful beaches as well as excellent restaurants. They also provide a good "base" to visit other cities of interest nearby like Bilbao and Santillana.

Also, consider Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, my absolute favorite city in Spain. Its magnificent medieval stone city and Cathedral are a delight and the seafood is excellent.Also, from Santiago you can do daytrips to other points in Galicia.

Just make sure that your hotel room has A/C! Last summer in Santiago I was so happy I had it( a lot of hotels there don't have it, including the pricey Parador)

You won't find much at all closed in the tourist areas of Italy--it's their money-making time.

But it will likely be quite hot. Just try to schedule indoor activities for the hottest part of the day. Dress appropriately for the weather (no, not short-shorts and halter tops and muscle shirts). Get a hotel with A/C.

It's one thing to live in an area that has hot/humid summers going from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned office--or even just sitting still and sweating in a non--air conditioned house or under a shade tree; it's quite another thing to be a tourist out tromping around in that hot/humid weather.

Your issue is not things being closed. A few family businesses will be closed but almost all tourist places will be open.

But I don't think you realize what the heat wil be like. In Southern Spain it is routinely over 100 during the day. There was an exhibit in a museumm in Seville on one summer when it was over 108 for many days in a row - and one day reached 120. (The northern coast near San Sebastian is better - but most of spain is hot as hell in August)

As well most of Italy - except the lakes/mountains in the north will be in the high 90's most days.

What makes it much worse is that air conditioning is relatively rare. Many hotels (except expensive ones) have little or no AC as do most restaurants and shops. (It's one thing for the temp to be 95 when you go from the AC house to the AC office in the AC car - but when you're outside in the heat all day it can be truly enervating - and even dangerous if you're not careful to hydrate properly and take rest stops.)

Only you know how well you can truly tolerate heat (think Phoenix in the summer - not Chicago) but you couldn;t pay me to do that trip in August.

Hi C,

>My fiance and I really want to go to these places because I know truly we will never go back.<

Unless you are terminally ill, you will go back.

May I suggest A week in Venice and a week in the Lakes Region of Italy and Switzerland (Bergamo, Como, Lugano)?

Save Spain for cooler weather.

I was in Madrid in August. I had a twin room in a 4*, centrally located hotel with good air conditioning, with an excellent breakfast, for a total of 72 Euros per night. (Sign up for special offers at the site http://www.solmelia.com .) Madrid heat is hard to take during the day, but you can arrange to visit museums, galleries or other "cooler" locations then. At night the temperature is perfect. I'd like to go back to Madrid when the weather is amenable to all-day walking, but this worked out okay.

We've visited Italy during August a few times, and enjoyed it very much. There were fewer crowds, and there were plenty of restaurants open, certainly enough to keep us happy!

LIke other posters here, I'd recommend booking a hotel with AC ( try to get a recommendation from someone who's been during the summer so that you know if the hotel's AC is decent) and doing most of your sightseeing during the early part of the day. Also make sure to carry a water bottle with you.

A mix of city/lakes or coast might be a good plan, so that you're not sweltering in places like Rome, Florence, and Venice the whole time.

Have a good trip!