Poconolady

I understand your situation so well, I'm living with the elderly parent/in law caretaking also, so if you have two free weeks then by all means take advantage of it--even the heat and a cranky husband can not take away the need to get away and take a little time for yourself. If you have always wanted to go to Florence, and since you have booked the trip already, then go for it. Follow the advise above about touring early in the day and rest in the AC in the afternoon. You are in for a treat-- Florence is wonderful, hot or cold.

wanderful

tango77:

Where is your apartment in Florence located? Near the Duomo and other key sites? If so, that will help greatly in helping you and your husband get around. Most of the major attractions are clustered. If your apartment is farther away, that could factor into your decision.

As others have said, if you go, see your designated sites early on before the heat hits its peak, then go to a cafe or other spot for a rest during the day for refreshment. Stay hydrated.

Since you apparently have nothing to lose financially now because refunds are impossible, you could make your decision relatively close to the time of departure. Florence can be hot in August, but what if you cancel prematurely and then learn the weather is likely to be moderate during the time of your trip? You may regret not going.

lincasanova

We could start a fodor weather chant... I wouldn't mind some cooler weather over here myself.

Marija

Go but leave the husband behind so you don't have to deal with his crankiness and can take all the cabs you want without any hassle.

zeppole

It is much cooler many places less than an hour or two away from Florence by car. You can drive straight up in the low Alps from Florence, to a town like Barga in Tuscany. On some days, any place by the sea is cooler, so long as you stay out of the sun. There are also no end of wineries with cool caves.

However, the stress of driving in and out of Florence and finding parking maybe worse than the heat.

Nobody knows what you mean by "extremely heat sensitive." I have a relative who is extremely cold sensitive (scleroderma), and if she went to Florence when it was 40 degrees she'd end up in the hospital. Will you end up in the hospital if it is 100F? If so, don't go.

It is at least as hot in DC in summer as it is in Florence. Can you walk around outside in DC on most summer days? In the morning? In the evening?

In some ways, you already know the answer to this question. Your health is not the worth the money, but if your health is not going to be at risk from heat in Florence - only your disappointment in being tied to air conditioned places instead of enjoying the freedom of heading outside whenever you feel like it -- you still might find a way to enjoy the many delights of Florence, provided you are not going to pass out, throw up or get a stroke.

I cannot resist asking if you have your own ATM card. If so, you don't need your husband's permission to get a taxi. You said you valued this trip because it would mean two weeks where you not beholden to anyone. I realize you don't want to be fighting with your travel companion. Just make it clear to him you'll be taking taxis when you feel the need, and he's welcome to ride or walk -- up to him.

Noirceuil

I think you should go. Your apartment has AC which is unusual for Europe so that's a plus. Plan your indoor activities (museums, etc) during the hottest parts of the day and you should be fine.

MaineGG

I won't weigh in on whether you should take this trip, but something you might consider now is the purchase of trip cancellation insurance that offers a "cancel for any reason" upgrade. Travel Guard, for instance, has a Silver plan that offers that option which reimburses 50% of your trip cost if you cancel up to 48 hours prior to departure. I'm sure some other travel insurance providers would offer this coverage as well.

www.travelguard.com

Mimar

AC in Europe is usually not nearly as powerful as AC in the US. So don't expect a frosty cold room, just a cooler room.

StCirq

If you can survive summers here in DC, you can certainly get by in Florence, though as others have noted, the AC in Europe isn't frigid the way it is here. We keep our AC set to go on if the temp in the house gets over 80, and we have stand-up fans and ceiling fans all over the house, so maybe I'm not working with the same parameters you are, but we find that works for us. I've spent several Augusts in Italy - Umbria, Rome, Tuscany, south of Rome on the coast - and never felt overwhelmed by the heat. That said, we timed our days to be out early and resting for a few hours during the siesta and out and around early to late evening.

nytraveler

Don't abandon your trip but head in another direction. Florence will likely be hot as hell - probably to you unbearable.

Instead head up to the Italian lakes (if you can still find a place - or the beginning of Switzerland). Will be very interesting and the weather should be much more pleasant.

easytraveler

Bring a small (empty!) squirt bottle. Once in Florence, fill it with water and, even if you just mist the air around you, you'll feel cooler.

flanneruk

I loathe hot weather,and hot weather in inland Italian cities especially. You simply cannot compare relying on Italian public transport with driving round the US tropics in an air conditioned car.

But, every now and then I've had little alternative to spending slugs of August in one. Here's how I've coped:

- Avoid the sun. Dining al fresco sounds great till you start melting. Not all eating places' interiors are tolerable, but they're GENERALLY better than the baking piazza outside. Go inside first to judge. Don't let a waiter tell you where to sit.
- Zepolle is absolutely right. Driving or training elsewhere is more of a slog than staying in town (though a cab to and from Fiesole is something even the crankiest spouse will thank you for).
- All historic Italian cities are surprisingly well-endowed with porches. Not just outside churches, but elsewhere (damn places were just as unbearable in the 14th century as today). Use then for guidebook reading etc.
- ANY major historic city will repay slow, intense investigation of a church or whatever far more than sprinting round seeing ten sites a day. Take proper guide books (not the Disneyfied tabloid gibberish like the sponsors of this forum sell for people with ADS) and stretch your time in those nice cool buildings
- Almost all other big old buildings (like museums) are cooler than the streets.
- But sometimes, crowds heat them up. So leave them if they do. Worse, "museum head" hits faster and worse if you're dehydrated. The moment it hits, however many "must see's" you've been told are in the place, get out.
- Italian cities are wonderful to walk round just after dawn. The smells and sights of the streets between just before sunrise and that awful moment around 0700 when the bloody sun starts hitting you are always nicer than the same streets when the lazybone hordes hit them.
- There is no law that requires you to spend your days sightseeing. Holidays have millions of purposes. As far as I'm concerned, sitting somewhere shady catching up on reading is just as big a part of a holiday as seeing some ancient monument you can get photos of from the web anyway.

CaliNurse

GO to Italy, as you planned.
But, any particular reason you chose Florence?
How much of a deposit will you lose on the accomodation, if you chose a somewhat cooler , and/or different, accomodation?
Do you like to swim|? Get accommodation with a pool!!! Maybe in the countryside outside of Florence: a nice agriturismo bed and breakfast , or hotel, with room air conditioning, a clean big pool, and breezy, covered patio, for at least part of our trip??

MissPrism

Flanner's advice is good if you really have to go in August.
Taking a siesta is a good idea.
If there is any way of changing your dates, I'd try to do it.
March would be a good time to choose.
I think that the Victorian Baedeker guide had itineraries for Florence where you could walk around keeping in the shade

Viajero2

A side note: it seems you do a lot for a lot of people back home, including your in-laws (for which your hubby ought to show some appreciation...). Sometimes, it is not even about where are you, but that you are doing something different. I think you need a break now; take it.

ira

Hi T,

Take the trip, but leave your husband at home.

panecott

Have you explored the possibility of rescheduling your apartment stay to another time? Perhaps the landlord will go along with that. Maybe you can negotiate a small penalty for the change, which might make it more acceptable to him. And if you can change your flight you will only be out the fee for the rescheduling.

Another option is to keep the airline flight but go somewhere else in Italy, where it might be a bit cooler, or at least more relaxing than Florence in August. Good luck.

mamcalice

Go to Florence. Change the reservations to late October if you can; otherwise, go in August. If you compare current Florence temps to Washington, it is a couple of degrees cooler with significantly less humidity. Follow the advice above on staying cool and have a wonderful time.

jan47ete

I too am 39+ (sign in, hint, hint) and HATE to go anywhere in the summer or where it is hot. All "go to Florence" are excellent and I would add going back to the apt at siesta and take a shower to cool down. Bring a lot of wipes to cool off your arms and face which is similar to the spritzer idea and gelato is better than AC.

Also, buildings are so close together in some places and streets it appears the sun must never shine. Instead of sneakers really heavy duty sandals as the sidewalks and roads are uneven and would be treacherous in flip flops. Tank tops, shorts, sundresses. Think--I'm going to Florence!!! Enjoy and drink lots of water.

Switch gears and focus on the positive--you're going to Florence!!!

etkt

I say go for it. You are basically a full time care giver and are entitled to and probably could really use the the time.

Yes, Florence can be very hot in the summer, but so is Washington, D.C. My advice is to go for it. Aside from perhaps a cab from the train station with your bags when you arrive, you really don't need to take cabs. Just stash a few euros in your purse for the cab when you arrive and then your husband won't have to pull it out of his pocket. Treat him.

Go and have a good time. No regrets just do it.