August trip
Feb 14th, 2005, 12:38 PM
#1
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August trip
Any suggestions on somewhere to go in Mid-August. We have about 8 days. We are not so interested in sight seeing, but want somewhere we can relax and have stuff to do as well. We are coming from Chicago.
Would love some suggestions.
Thank you
Would love some suggestions.
Thank you
Feb 14th, 2005, 12:49 PM
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Dear SA,
This forum exists to help people who have some idea of where they wish to go work out the details of their visits.
If you really don't know where you want to go, I suggest that you see a Travel Agent.
This forum exists to help people who have some idea of where they wish to go work out the details of their visits.
If you really don't know where you want to go, I suggest that you see a Travel Agent.
Feb 14th, 2005, 01:06 PM
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We would be happy to make suggestions but could do so more helpfully if we knew where you had been in Europe, what kinds of things you like (nature, cities, museums, mountain climbing, beaches, art, architecture), who is going (do you want to rent a villa, stay in one place, move around)? Remember that August is when the Europeans travel to the resports and beaches so those are likely to be quite crowded.
Feb 14th, 2005, 03:29 PM
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Oh dear, oh dear! You have managed to provoke nasty replies from some of the - usually - most helpful people on the Europe board. But you must admit that your question could hardly be vaguer...
In mid-August, anywhere on the Mediterranean is going to be swarming with European tourists, since most people in France and Italy take their holidays in August; not to mention the British, the Germans, the Swedes, etc., who may also be on holiday in August.
My personal predilection is for Italy, and from my personal experience you would have three choices:
a) the main cities (Rome, Florence, Venice), which will be almost unbearably hot but where you will get reduced rates at some hotels;
b) the resorts on the sea (Italian Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Adriatic Coast), where there will be so many people on the beaches that you might well be unable to see whatever sand there is;
c) the inland areas of Tuscany and Umbria, which will also be full of people but where, if you choose the town and your accommodation carefully, you will be able to "relax and have stuff to do as well."
In mid-August, anywhere on the Mediterranean is going to be swarming with European tourists, since most people in France and Italy take their holidays in August; not to mention the British, the Germans, the Swedes, etc., who may also be on holiday in August.
My personal predilection is for Italy, and from my personal experience you would have three choices:
a) the main cities (Rome, Florence, Venice), which will be almost unbearably hot but where you will get reduced rates at some hotels;
b) the resorts on the sea (Italian Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Adriatic Coast), where there will be so many people on the beaches that you might well be unable to see whatever sand there is;
c) the inland areas of Tuscany and Umbria, which will also be full of people but where, if you choose the town and your accommodation carefully, you will be able to "relax and have stuff to do as well."
Feb 14th, 2005, 03:34 PM
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August is when most people who live in Europe are vacationing, so the coasts are crowded, hot & expensive. I did a coastal vacation this past August, and it was very enjoyable but it was all 3 of the above.
Have you been to Europe before? Where? Do you want cities or beaches? A little of both? What's your budget? Will you rent a car?
Answer these & perhaps you will get more constructive answers
Have you been to Europe before? Where? Do you want cities or beaches? A little of both? What's your budget? Will you rent a car?
Answer these & perhaps you will get more constructive answers
Feb 14th, 2005, 03:37 PM
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I see that today are your first postings, and on other forums today you have inquired about the Caribbean, you've mentioned that you are considering Italy, and that you don't want to go to South America.
With 8 days and not much interest in sightseeing, how about a place where you can just relax? Perhaps a Greek island or two, or the south of France, or an Italian resort like Portofino or Positano, or an island like Sardinia, or, Corsica, which is a little French and a little Italian mixed together. Any of these places will be very crowded in August.
With 8 days and not much interest in sightseeing, how about a place where you can just relax? Perhaps a Greek island or two, or the south of France, or an Italian resort like Portofino or Positano, or an island like Sardinia, or, Corsica, which is a little French and a little Italian mixed together. Any of these places will be very crowded in August.
Feb 14th, 2005, 04:14 PM
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OK, I will see if I can think of something for you. I have been planning other peoples gardens all day- now I can plan a trip for someone 
August is a bad month ... hot and crowded and the residents leave..that might make Italy and France difficult.
How about England? the Lake District, go for a walking tour?
Scotland? it might be cool and relaxing, walking and sightseeing and just enjoying the beauty.
Molvania has some summer fares on MolvaniAir..but the problem with that is you have to fly to Siberia first. But in August, that might be a treat.
My suggestion is, if you don't like the above,
Get together with your travelpartner, talk about where you would like to go, what your interests are, your budget and what you expect from a vacation..and then post questions about that place.
August is a bad month ... hot and crowded and the residents leave..that might make Italy and France difficult.
How about England? the Lake District, go for a walking tour?
Scotland? it might be cool and relaxing, walking and sightseeing and just enjoying the beauty.
Molvania has some summer fares on MolvaniAir..but the problem with that is you have to fly to Siberia first. But in August, that might be a treat.
My suggestion is, if you don't like the above,
Get together with your travelpartner, talk about where you would like to go, what your interests are, your budget and what you expect from a vacation..and then post questions about that place.
Feb 14th, 2005, 05:39 PM
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If you just want to relax and have stuff to do without sightseeing, I think it would be a big waste of time and money to go all the way to Europe.
From Chicago there are a lot of nice areas in Canada and the USA that would meet your requirements and not be terribly hot; e.g., Quebec, Colorado, northern California, coastal Washington state, Vancouver/Victoria in British Columbia. An Alaskan cruise combined with a land tour (escorted or on your own) would be great in August.
From Chicago there are a lot of nice areas in Canada and the USA that would meet your requirements and not be terribly hot; e.g., Quebec, Colorado, northern California, coastal Washington state, Vancouver/Victoria in British Columbia. An Alaskan cruise combined with a land tour (escorted or on your own) would be great in August.
Feb 14th, 2005, 05:52 PM
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I completely agree with Firefly's comment: <<If you just want to relax and have stuff to do without sightseeing, I think it would be a big waste of time and money to go all the way to Europe.>>
I also don't see the "nasty" comments that Eloise refers to.
I also don't see the "nasty" comments that Eloise refers to.
Feb 14th, 2005, 08:02 PM
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I also pretty much agree that I would not go to Europe if I didn't want to sightsee, just to relax. Canada sounds like a good idea, how about Nova Scotia.
If you really want to go to Europe, I think England or Scotland is a good idea, also.
If you really want to go to Europe, I think England or Scotland is a good idea, also.
Feb 14th, 2005, 08:37 PM
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Thanks for the replies.
We have been to Italy ( Rome, Florence and Venice), Spain ( Madrid, Sevilla and Costa Del Sol), Belgium, Holland and London.
We originally thought of the Mediteranian in Italy, but were scared off by August being the traditional vacation time for the nationals.
We like to see the local sites, but would like teh relaxing environment of a resort as well. We just do not want to spend a large part of our trip in museums and churches. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not this trip. We thought of Greece, Crete or Sardinia, but thought it may be too hot, extremely crowded and with 8 days too hard to get to.
If it wasn't winter in South America, that woudl have been a top choice as well. I got some good ideas from you all, thank you to those who were helpful and did not berate me for the vagueness of my original post. Thanks again.
We have been to Italy ( Rome, Florence and Venice), Spain ( Madrid, Sevilla and Costa Del Sol), Belgium, Holland and London.
We originally thought of the Mediteranian in Italy, but were scared off by August being the traditional vacation time for the nationals.
We like to see the local sites, but would like teh relaxing environment of a resort as well. We just do not want to spend a large part of our trip in museums and churches. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not this trip. We thought of Greece, Crete or Sardinia, but thought it may be too hot, extremely crowded and with 8 days too hard to get to.
If it wasn't winter in South America, that woudl have been a top choice as well. I got some good ideas from you all, thank you to those who were helpful and did not berate me for the vagueness of my original post. Thanks again.
Feb 15th, 2005, 12:40 AM
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What about Corfu in Northern Greece?
I was there in August of 99. It is rather a big island so it did not feel so crowded. I have been to several European country beach destinations in August over years and Corfu was not crowded comparatively at all. It is a very beautiful place and has a lot to offer.
I was there in August of 99. It is rather a big island so it did not feel so crowded. I have been to several European country beach destinations in August over years and Corfu was not crowded comparatively at all. It is a very beautiful place and has a lot to offer.
Feb 15th, 2005, 02:41 AM
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I went to Corfu in 2001 in August. I must admit we saw mostly the worst of Corfu, as we stayed on the eastern coast below Corfu Town- DO NOT stay here. It was full of drunks.
I went to Sardinia this past August. Here's my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34526714
I would highly recommend that you stay in the peaceful hotel of Rocce Sarde in San Pantoleo (in the vicinity of the Costa Smeralda). Stay the whole time to relax. You are set up in the mountains a bit, and can see the sea in the distance. They have a shuttle bus to the beach, and have small, intimate boat excursions that they can arrange.
I went to Sardinia this past August. Here's my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34526714
I would highly recommend that you stay in the peaceful hotel of Rocce Sarde in San Pantoleo (in the vicinity of the Costa Smeralda). Stay the whole time to relax. You are set up in the mountains a bit, and can see the sea in the distance. They have a shuttle bus to the beach, and have small, intimate boat excursions that they can arrange.
