chelsjt

My fiance and I are having an August honeymoon next year. We have wanted to go to Italy, but everything we read advises against Italy in August because of the national vacationing (shops and restaurants closed, etc) Has anyone ever been to Italy in August and could it work?

bobthenavigator

The best way to include Italy in an August trip is to stay north and include the Alps and the lakes. Perhaps starting in Zurich and ending in Venice. Good luck !

elaine

The national vacationing closes some small shops and restaurants, though not that many, because all those vacationing Italians, joined by vacationing French, British, Americans, etc keep the hotels, shops, restaurants, and museums very busy and crowded indeed. Many visitors are day-trippers, coming in from buses tours or cruise ships for the day, putting a strain on the commonality of patience and resources. A bigger city like Rome can handle it; the smaller cities such as Venice and Florence become mobbed during the day.

Patrick

Bob's got it right. But you COULD incorporate Venice.

I think you might be more bothered by the number of tourists everywhere rather than be bothered by things being closed, by the way.

samber

We have been to Italy many times in August and have found lines longer, more passengers on the boat and rates higher, but never have we regreted being in Italy. It is a wonderful place to have a honeymoon. You will find warm weather wherever you go, so squares will be filled with people and outdoor cafes seated to capacity, but it is still unbelievablly romantic and filled with charm no matter where you go. Some cities (Venice in particular) will be more congested than others. I would not be discouraged from going in August, I would just plan ahead to get the most for your money in places to stay. I'd highly recommend one of the lake areas (towns around Como and Garda are incredibly romantic and there are so many things to do) and you could visit Venice easily for a day trip.
And...we have never had a problem with things being closed, other than trying to shop early afternoon when all the shops close during the middle of the day. Best wishes!!

allanc

Yes. It can be VERY hot AND there are too many tourists. Early October or late May/June for me. Or, as suggested above, stay in the Italian ALps (but there will be crowds).

MissPrism

The trouble with Garda in August is that it is the thunderstorm season.
It looks spectacular seeing lightning flashing around the mountains, but you don't want to be out in it.
I personally would try to avoid August if you possibly can.
Some people can cope with heat and crowds but I'm not one of them.

RufusTFirefly

The heat will probably be a bigger problem than crowds and closures--the more popular destinations are pretty much crowded from May to September anyway. Do stay away from beach areas--that's were many Italians head. Very little is closed in the areas you will probably want to visit--it is the season for those businesses to make money.

Plan your days and your clothing for the heat and you'll be fine.

eliztrav

Unless a very hot & possibly humid day could ruin everything for you, and only you & your fiance can answer the heat sensitivuty question, then I'd say go for it. We took our last trip at the end of July/early August because we were locked into the time frame due to an event. It was in the high 90s the entire time, both in England and in Italy. We simply adapted and enjoyed the trip. (Note you can't guarantee the weather....sometimes even in high summer it is cooler and even very rainy.)

Make certain you have cool, breathable fabrics for clothing. Washable where possible. And, with something to layer if it gets cooler or rains. Book air conditioned rooms so you can revive/sleep at night. Try to do outdoor activities early in the day when heat & sun aren't at their peak. Drink plenty of water....the bottles can be bought everywhere. Perhaps slow your pace. Realize many restaurants are not air conditioned, or even choose not to use their a/c in summer. You will be sitting outdoors a lot for your meals.

Yes, there are more crowds in the big three (Rome, Florence, Venice) and elsewhere in August. But, in some places (we got a discount in Rome) there are lower hotel rates in August, too.

Some places (retail, restaurants & even small hotels) close in August, but in the main cities especially, there's so much to do you will hardly notice unless you have your heart set on a particular place that happens to be closed. But, you can find out in advance....I would avoid Bologna in August, but otherwise would simply plan away & GO.

Would I have liked lower temps & fewer crowds? Yep. Did the heat & day tripping Venice crowds make me miserable & ruin the trip? Nope. But, that's me. If the heat & some crowds in certain places sounds ruinous to you or adapting doesn't appeal, then you should think of alternatives to the places known for these things. Not every area of Italy is the same in terms of crowds. In any case, have a great honeymoon!

Intrepid1

OK..a differing opinion based on our own recent (three weeks ago) experience in Florence, Pisa, and Rome..beginning of August and we have been to Italy in August before.

You can EXPECT heat and humidity and also plenty of visitors regardless of where you go to include the lakes (we've been there in August, too..cooler but still humid and plenty of other people trying to "escape" the heat..and the visitors!).

For folks who have never been to Italy I seriously doubt you are going to even notice any restaurant or other venue that might be closed; the major sites will be very much open, especially in Venice where they have been welcoming the ducats and gold pieces for centuries.

Bottom line: you can go anywhere and find plenty to see and do IMO BUT be aware of the weather and the possibility of other visitors.

marty

I have been to Italy several times in August, and it is hot, but it is also hot here in North Carolina. Guess where I would rather be?! Just be sure that your hotel has air conditioning. Contrary to what one poster says, many hotels are actually cheaper in August, because it is considered off-season by some hotels. We were just there, and paid 85 Euros per night (as opposed to the regular 230E) for the Hotel American(www.hotelamerican.com) in Venice which was a great deal (and a nice hotel for a honeymoon) and 95 Euros per night at the Residenza Proconsolo (www.proconsolo.com) just steps behind the Duomo in Florence.

tuscanlifeedit

I suggest staying out of the bigger city, unless that is where you really want to be.

My choices for an August honeymoon would include somewhere in the green hills of Umbria, or definetly a lake destination (I would pick Como over Garda) or along the western coasts, preferably farther north. Pick a spot with a pool for cooling off.

A nice little town in Liguria, perhaps. Or Porto Ercole in Tuscany...Or a combination of a couple of these places. But do go; you will never forget your honeymoon in Italy. I never have forgotten mine.

SeaUrchin

Read Tuscan Echoes - A Season in Italy, by Mark Gordon Smith. He visits for the summer season (including August of course) and describes his times beautifully. If you have ever read Pico Iyer, they have the same style and sensibilities.

It might change your mind about the advice not to travel in August. It has almost changed mine.

rex

topping... in light of your latest post, clarifying that Switzerland and Italy are now both on your candidate list of destinations.