We were in Florence, Rome and Naples in July. It was unbearably hot! Plan on drinking lots of bottled water. Keep in mind that the cities will be crowded with tourists.

Our next trip to Italy will be in September.

A topping up for Ira if you have the time or opportunity.

Thanks again for any advice.

Yes, way too hot to be walking around, which is mainly what you will be doing. The best times to go are May, June, end of Sep and early Oct.

I lived in El Paso for a number of years. Native El Pasoans only went into the heat of the day if their jobs required it or to get from A/C house, to A/C car, to A/C office and back.

Only the idiot tourists would run around during the hot part of the day (10 am to 7 pm) babbling "but it's a dry heat!" until they passed out.

Again, even if you are used to a hot climate, most people have the good sense not to be out and about during the hottest part of the day unless they have to for some reason.

And I do remember those horrible hot summer nights in the south and midwest before home A/C became common. People tossing and turning in damp sheets, all sweaty, fans rattling, heading out to fire escapes and screened porches to try to get some relief--it took a long time for the heat to dissipate at night. And some nights it never did. UGH!

Last June 17-28 it was really hot in Rome and in Tuscany. However, if you laze by the pool during the hot part of the day, and head out to sight-see later, things cool down rapidly. There is low humidity, and so 90 degrees doesn't seem so bad (if you're in the shade). I would never let the heat keep me away from touring Italia!

We were there in June and were very thankful for our A/C. I wouldn't select a hotel without it. We also valued our mini bar so that we could have cold water when we returned to our room.