We have a couple of weeks off at the beginning of August. The dates aren't flexible. The last time we traveled to Europe in high summer, the heat was pretty unpleasant in Paris and we didn't head further south. Is Italy completely foolish? Will Rome and Venice be "closed"? Should we stick to the coast?
Or should we give up the idea all together and head to Indonesia (and hope the ground doesn't shake!).

August is the main vacation season for the Italians. The big inland cities like Rome, Florence, Milan etc. will certainly be hot. In Venice, the Lido will be most popular. Locations at the sea or at the lakes will be cooler. There are thousands of resorts. Or maybe the mountains? Southern Tyrol is worth visiting.

Italy will be very hot in August. I wouldn't head for the beaches because since that is the vacation month for all of Europe, that's where they are... at the beaches. They are packed. All of the main cities are "open". All of the museums and most of the restaurants are open.

I asked the same question a while back, and I was told that the cities may be a little less crowded in August, but do watch for closures (check the websites where you can). In general, around August 15th is the worst time for closures --an important feast day. The heat could be a problem, but you may be able to cope by seeking A/C venues, not pushing yourselves too much (i.e. take those cafe and gelato breaks and the afternoon sesta...

I'm wondering if I should head to Asolo and Lake Como- and then perhaps the Cote d'Azure (although I've done some of this before). I'd hoped to see things I haven't. I would love to visit a particular hotel on Capri....
Ah, the choices- and the issues!!

Well, I was in Italy last August, and it was delightful-an IDEAL time to go, IMO, as the traffic is light, (speaking of Rome now) most places are open (other than the overpriced restaurants) and the whole time I was there- from mid-Aug. to early Sept. Rome was in the eighties-I loved it.

Venice, on the other hand (where I had a most wonderful apt.) was COLD-for the first few days of the last week in Aug., then it warmed up nicely into the eighties-and it was great, cruisin' around the lagoon area-most restaurants were open, and I noticed that some of the well-known Venetian restaurants that were closed for Aug. (like alla Vedova and Fiaschetteria Toscana) opened back up around Aug. 27th or so.

I'd go to Rome and Venice again in August in a heartbeat. Remember, it's much easier to navigate (not to mention far more enjoyable) in Rome when over half the population clears out for the August vacation period. The sights are not so crowded, so you can actually enjoy them. You don't see quite such a contrast in Venice, however, as far as weather goes, remember, it's up in north-east Italy, so although it could be hot, it can get downright cool when it rains.

As for Indonesia, I definitely would NOT go there in August-I'd wait and go when the weather is not quite so insufferable-such as the December-Jan. high season period-it's bearable then.

The cities are going to be very hot in August, and unfortunately, you may be too late to book anything at the lakes or on the coast. Most of these vacation spots get booked months ahead.

If you want to stick with a European vacation, maybe you should think about Scandavia or the Netherlands, and save Italy for another time.

One advantage of traveling in August is that many if not most hotels in Rome and Venice lower their rates for the month.