Here's my dilemma: My boss just notified me that I have to moved back my vacation until after August 1. So, now, the surprise 60th birthday trip for my mom's birthday will have to be in August (she's a teacher, so it's that month or nothing). Having never taken a trip to Europe after the first week of June, I'm hesitating to go forward with the Italy itinerary that was in place. <BR><BR>Advice from those who've been in Europe -- particularly Italy -- during August would be really helpful. Lately, she's dropped hints about revisiting Ireland, which might have better weather but I don't know if the crowds will be any less.<BR><BR>Anyway ... other than looking for another job, any input is welcome.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Sorry about the double posting ... the PC froze.

I've only been to Europe once in August, but it was one of my best trips ever.<BR><BR>Munich<BR>Reutte (the Royal castles - - that fancy little one, and Neuschwanstein)<BR>Vaduz<BR>Lucerne (I now prefer Weggis, on the other side of the Lake)<BR>Chamonix (this was almost too long a drive from Lucerne)<BR>Talloires<BR>Geneva (outside, actually at Domaine de Chaeteauvieux in Satigny).<BR><BR>A combo of one and two-nighters. It was a lot of moving around, but it didn't seem like it.<BR><BR>Never bothered by crowds at all (this was in 1996).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Do you really have to go in August, the whole of Europe is on holiday. Try going in september, its cheaper and thereless people. If you do have to go at that time consider taking a group tour, then at least you have good hotels and sure entrance to sights. August can be a battlefield even for Europeans.

Heather, I would do a cooler climate in August. Rex has a good plan in the Alps. Another CH variation is to include Lugano and the Lakes into a Swiss itinerary. But, Ireland in August can be good. Driving is the problem. If you do Italy I would stay north. It can get hot further south and the AC in hotels are not up to our standards.

I have been in the UK and Ireland in August and it was great! If she would like that, I'd really recommend it. I visited Ireland, Scotland, England and a dip into Wales on the way down. There were tourists, of course, but there will be anywhere you go in August. The weather was pleasant to cool (people were actually wearing wool coats in Scotland and Ireland during August, now that was an unusually cold and rainy year, generally it was moderate). I haven't been to Italy in Aug, so can't say, but I know Italy is a favorite destination of many other Europeans in August (like Germans). If she's dropped hints about Ireland, I'd take them, and then throw in some other place for something new in the neighboring countries. I was even in Edinburgh during their international festival in August (which was wonderful) and even then the tourists weren't unbearable, I enjoyed myself very much.