Hi Everyone,

Originally I was going to do Paris then Venice/Florence/Rome, which is too much I realized. A friend suggested that I go from Paris to the Amalfi Coast. I've never been to the Amalfi Coast before, and I have no idea where to stay or what the conditions are like in mid-August. A site recommends Salerno, and other sites either praise the Amalfi Coast anytime of the year or say it's congested, hot, overly expensive and to be avoided. Can anyone who's been there help clsrify? It's August, so I know anywhere I go will have tourists. If someone can suggest hotels that would be great. And if anyone sees the AC as unbearable in August, any suggestions for a similar place? I'm not on a tight budget but also fon't want to spend over 400 euros a night or be in such a small town that the restaurant choices are very few.

Thank you

In August the Amalfi cost is packed to the rafters and the bust along the coast road (main means of transit) is usually SRO - often you need to wait for another bus to arrive.

Unfortunately, almost anyplace in Italy will be almost as bad. We love it in late May but you couldn;t pay me to go there in Aug.

If you head for the lakes in the north it will still be mobbed - but at least the weather would be more pleasant. For me - I would head to Switz in august - not Italy - but I hate hot weather and elbow to elbow mobs.

Yikes. That sounds severe. Is Ravello bad too? With my line of work summers are when I can take a vacation, so that puts me in a jam. I'm fine with Paris anytime of the year, but Italy is a big unknown.

Does it HAVE to be Italy? Have you been to Amsterdam? It is an easy train trip between the cities. If you can fly into one and out of the other, so much the better. Any coastal location in France, Italy or Spain in August will be packed with tourists.

I've been to Amsterdam and Switzerland many times. I thought if Italy because I haven't been to the AC. That said, if it's crazy hot andcongested I'll seriously reconsider. I love Italy for the food and culture. Switzerland and Amsterdam don't quite have, for me, these things at Italy's level. I don't mind some crowds, but jammed/can barely walk is not enjoyable. I wanted a place in Italy to wind down, relax and eat amazing food after many days in Paris.