My husband and I are considering a trip to Italy in August. We would spend 4 nights in Rome and then 3 nights somewhere along the Amalfi Coast. First, are the crowds during August intolerable? Or just busier than usual? Second, what is the best place to stay along the Amalfi to be centrally located to neighboring towns, transportation, cute shopping, restaurants, etc.?

A little background on us...we are both early 30's and have been to Italy before so we've already hit many of the tourist stops. This trip will mostly be eating, drinking some vino, and of course shopping.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Both Rome and the Amalfi Coast are VERY crowded in August. Rome is crowded with tourists and the AC is crowded with both tourists and Italians on their own holiday. If you are considering going to Italy THIS August, then where you stay on the AC is largely going to depend on where you can find a hotel room that you like in your price range. Since it is the height of the season on the AC, the nicer, moderately priced hotels have been booked up for a long time. Go to a website like venere.com to see what is available on the dates you want to travel. Positano is of course very popular. It is central and has a good choice of restaurants and lots of shopping if you are into resort wear and arts and crafts. Amalfi has good transportation options by bus and hydrofoils. Sorrento, while not technically on the AC, is larger, with more hotel options, and good connections to the AC, Naples and Capri.

My family and I went to Italy last August. My husband had never been and unfortunately because of the crowds everywhere (Rome, Venice, Florence), he didn't enjoy the trip very much. A couple of years ago we also went on a family trip, this one to France and Switzerland, and every little town in Burgundy and the Jura Mountains where we spent quite a bit of the vacation, was almost deserted. It was fabulous. I guess I knew that Italy would be crowded in August, but I didn't realize how awful it would be. In some parts of Venice we couldn't even walk down the street because of wall-to-wall people (of course the streets are alleyways, but nevertheless it was jammed).

I would think it would be awfully warm in Rome in August.

Do you have to go in August? I have been to Italy couple dozen times, only once in August- the crowd and heat were almost unberable.

I can only agree with the earlier comments. I live in the Rome area. It is usually very hot in August, and sticky. Not ideal for walking around sightseeing. The heat reflected off the pavements is tiring to say the least. If you do come make very sure you have A/C (not all hotels in Rome have it).

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We were trying to coincide the trip with our 5 year anniversary, but have decided it would be best to go in late September to avoid the crowds and heat. A few more questions for all of you experts out there....
1)What's the best way to get from Rome to Positano and then from Positano to Naples for our return flight home?
2)Has anyone stayed at either the Villa Rosa in Positano or Hotel Buca di Bacco in Positano? Thoughts on each?

We've stayed at Villa Rosa 3 times and loved each time. You can arrange a driver through the hotel or we used Francesco Marrapese, who has a driver service. We took the train from Rome to Naples and then the driver to Positano. GREAT idea to forget going in August. We have gone the last three Junes and it has become increasingly crowded in Rome and Positano in just three years!

My sisters & I were planning on going to Rome in early September. Based on the information above, is late September better? Are the crowds fewer? And the weather better?

Rome in August - Even the "air conditioned" hotels keep the thermostat set at 85 or 90 and when you complain that the AC is not working the say, of course it is! If it were not it would 100 in your room!

I've been to Italy twice- once to spend the summer living in the mountains of Montepulciano. Italy can be extremely HOT and of course the "locals" are on vacation in August. If you do go, the Albergo Caesari on Via Di Pietro in Rome is a great place to stay. It is a small scale hotel off the Via Del Corso, and is conveniently located near the Trevi, Panthenon, and a walk to the Piazza Navona. Clean, updated, includes a small breakfast and steps away to everything!

The best way to get from Rome to Positano.... I learned the hard way last year, so hopefully my bad experience will help to prevent any struggles for someone else. Believe me....Take a train from Rome to Naples. From Naples, take the ferry to Positano. It will stop in Sorrento briefly before continuing. This is a fast and inexpensive way to go. Beautiful views of the coastline along the way. Taking a train from Naples anywhere south is slow going. It ends in Sorrento and from there, you can take a Taxi or bus on to Positano, but trust me... this is time consuming and expensive. A private car service said they would take me from Sorrento to Positano for 50 Eruos. That is an outrageous price. A taxi service quoted us 40. It is only 12 miles to Positano! Instead, I walked up the hill to the bus stop and waited an hour for the bus. The fare was inexpensive, but the winding road made me very nervous and nauseous. Everyone in my party said the same thing... I can't comment on the hotels you're asking about. Some of us stayed at the Hotel Regina and we stayed at the Hostel Brikette. We all had very positive experiences. There is nothing like the Amalfi Coast. It was an incredible trip, rich in culture and history. Eat at a resturant on the beach. They were all wonderful. I bought several paintings by local artists on the beach that were a good deal and beautiful. Also, take the time to buy a bottle or 2 of Limoncella... a lemon liquor made in the region. It's delicious and made for a great souvenier. So Take in an evening concert in Ravello, just up the road.... fantastic experience... "Do" Capri and blue grotto. Amazingly beautiful...good luck and happy travels.

I've been to both Italy and France in August and found the weather very muggy, humid and sticky. Most
locals leave the cities in August for cooler spots and although the cities are quieter, many,many shops and restaurants etc. are closed. If you want to enjoy the visit, try another month when the weather is a bit cooler and all the shops are open. I would avoid August entirely

I was just in Rome over the Memorial Day weekend and the temps were high 80's. Even so early in the season, we were saying "If you think this is bad, wait till Aug". I would rather travel when it's a little cooler vs very warm. Then there is no motivation to walk in the heat......

I am guilty of not reading all the previous posts so may be someone said this,

August if very hot the matter in fact practically all hotels offer specially low rates. Most ROmans are out of town...

I just returned from a short stop in Rome, and I must say it is probably best to avoid it in August. It is quite hot during the afternoon and there are lots of tourists, so the lines are long. There are also a lot of places which are closed, particularly shops such as pharmacies.

That being said, we did get a great rate on our hotel. At night the weather is fine. Be careful though, because there are legions of people looking to scam all the tourists. If this is your only time to go to Rome, by all means go, but otherwise shoot for a different month.

Also, a hotel with an air conditioner is a must!

We've been to Rome in August a couple of times and I think the people who live and work there are a bit grumpy at that time. Seriously.