Rumor has it that Italians, by and large, take their vacations during the month of August, thereby leaving a large numbers of their shops closed. Is this true?

thanks

some shops and some restuarants, but nothing to really worry about.
the main disadvantage is very hot weather and crowded beaches.

a litle hot, but not a terrible idea.

Both of our trips to Italy were in August and the only city that seemed to have a lot of closed shops was Milano.

Not everything will be closed, but as someone who does not due well in hot weather, I'd rather be in Hell on a holy day than in Italy in August!

BC

If August is the only time you can go, then I would rather have a trip to Italy in hot weather than no trip at all. Having said that, I'm with bookchick. I was there in Sept. and Rome was hot and humid. I was sweaty and sticky and rumpled and wrinkled..well, I AM wrinkled everywhere, can't blame that on the heat, so I guess I'll take that part back...LOL..but you get the idea. Some people deal with heat much better than others, but I have lived on the west coast all my life and there is NO humidity on the west coast that compares to the east or midwest and now I live in the desert. Anyway, I was just done in in Rome.

There are a lot of places in Italy which are hot and humid ALL Summer.

I don't think you are going to find that the number of establishments which close in August will significantly impact your enjoyment.

Italy in August can be great...and then it can be horrible, it it's very hot. It's getting better because more things are open. Many companies are no longer shutting down during August and employees no longer feel that they have to take the entire month off. So, I agree with one of the other posters - if you can only visit in August, do so! You won't be disappointed!!!