My parents are considering traveling to Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice) during the month of August. I have advised against this, because I've heard many places are closed throughout August. Is that in fact the case? Should they reschedule or can this be an enjoyable trip regardless of timing? Thanks for your feedback.

Is this without kids? Are they tied to a school calendar? If they really can travel "any time", August would be about 10, 11th or 12th in my choice of months. How about October, or May?

We took the same trip last year, in late May/early June. The weather was unseasonably cool, but the same time the year before had been very hot. We are tied to a school calendar and left the day school got out, to try to beat some of the heat and crowds. There was an older lady we know who took the same trip in late July. She hated it - it was very hot and very crowded. She is retired and could have truly gone any time of the year; it is beyond me why she chose late July.

Both of our trips to Italy were in August as is the one planned for this year. Except for Milan, there were no appreciable closings. Yes, a store or restaurant here and there in Rome, Florence, Venice but it didn't seem to impact any museums. Of course the weather can be hot - even very hot - but on the plus side a lot of the hotels reduce their rates in August - at least the ones we stayed in.

Hi Txali,

I hate to say it, but August is a horrible time to visit Italy. I was in Florence in July about 10 years ago, and although the weather was beautiful, the crowds were overwhealming. I've been to Italy several times since, usually in March, which is the perfect time (in my opinion) to be there. Little or no crowds and generally beautiful weather. I was in Rome in August and it was swelteringly hot and most things were closed. Venice will also be miserable in August. It is such a gorgeous and wonderful place, but the summer crowds, not to mention the odor that can arise from the canals in the dead of summer, can be really really unpleasant. I would hate for them to have a bad experience in some of the most amazing places in the world.

I did some research for myself AND I decided to book in August after research and advice on this board. You can get cheaper rates for August (I did) and I found that most tourist sites were open. Of course occasionally things are closed, but more open than no.

Hello TXALI, the predications for this summer is that Europe and especially Italy will be the hottest summer ever. As much as I love being in Italy unless I was spending time in the Dolomites I could not handle being in Italy in August as hot and humid is the norm. In that your parents, I would assume, do not have to work around childrens school vacations I cannot think of any good reason why they would want to visit Italy in August. Reschedule would be my strong suggestion.

As we have to travel in school holidays 2004, 2005 and 2006, all trips to Italy were in July or Late August. This year we leave 02 August for our trip to the Riviera, CT, Bellagio, Switzerland and Paris. I have no problems with many closures, all tourist site are open, crowds were not overwhelming to me( crowds at Disneyworld are worse), it was hot but not intolerable. Hotel rates while most say they are much cheaper, I only find the ones we have booked are 25 euros cheaper per night than in June or September, so not a major differnce. The only reason I would likely not go in the summer once kids are out of school is airfare. I find you can get much cheaper airfare at other times of the year. So, if its the only time they can or will go, it will still be a wonderful trip. do book museum, if going to Pisa , tower tickets, Venice- Doges Palace tickets etc on-line or by phone before they go, to eliminate standing in queues needlessly.

I am curious to know, how is local transportation during August? Say, Rome, Florence and Venice?

Why would local transportation be affected by it being August? It's the same as it always is.

Personally, I think Italy in August is not ideal, though I've done it. It's hot as hell and humid and the crowds in certain places like the beach areas are crazy. That said, there's no noticeable difference to the average tourist in the number of places that are open and doing business.

But if one has a choice of when to travel, August is definitely not ideal.

Well, that totally depends. I've been in Italy in August for the last two years, and I couldn't have liked it better-nor, as I have pointed out a number of times on this board, was it that hot-in fact, August 2005 was cold enough in Florence and Venice for sweaters, and last August, oh my god, if I have ever seen more perfect, beautiful weather in Italy in some 25 years, I can't think when-cool breezes, no rain for 5 weeks-brilliant blue skies-I remember last August being on the Ponte Vecchio in the late afternoon, everything glistened-no humidity. So lovely. There are a few restaurants that close after Ferragosto (Aug. 15) in the big 3, but not enough to make a difference.

It's low season, and you get the best rates on hotels during this period. I wouldn't hesitate. And if the parents are in Venice in August, then can go over and see an opera performed at the ancient Roman arena in Verona. That's only until the end of August.

Myself, I love Italy in August, and I'm hoping that they won't change the rates and make August high season, because there are still an awful lot of tourists around during this period.

I too was in Italy in August of 2005. I LOVED it. The weather was around 30 C (give or take). We arrived the first day of Ferragosto, and yes we did notice that many small shops were closed, but the crowds were slim, and the roads were clear.

If you can handle the heat I would always recommend going during Ferragosto. Unless you plan to go to the beach, apparently that is where all the Italians were (on their vacations) according to our tour guide anyway.

I will always go back in August if I have a choice. (Although I'm going in three weeks, someone else planned it)

Just beware that we were told the weather was 40 C the week before we got there.

Girlspytravel -- we were eating alongside the Grand Canal, with the Rialto in view, last August and the weather was perfect.

We were in Venice then Bellagio for a total of 2 weeks last August, into the beginning of September, and we had one rainy day. The rest of the days were sunny, breezy and absolutely beautiful.

It's true ~ you can never tell what the weather will be like. I can't imagine staying home because the weather might not be perfect. No matter what ~ you will still be in Italy.