Why are so many against Europe in August??
Jun 29th, 2006, 09:16 AM
#21
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I think it's hot and crowded, too, so I visit northern places, which are at least not as hot.
But next year my son graduates high school, and then, as God is my witness, I'll never see Europe in August again, as God is my witness (apologies to Margaret Mitchell).
But next year my son graduates high school, and then, as God is my witness, I'll never see Europe in August again, as God is my witness (apologies to Margaret Mitchell).
Jun 29th, 2006, 09:18 AM
#22
I've made several trips in August, I never understand what people have against it. And one trip included both Venice and Paris which people make the big deal about/against. It was hot, and I would spring for air con in your hotel, but besides that, no complaints to share.
Jun 29th, 2006, 09:30 AM
#23
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I am unsure about other countries but I know Italy in August is not as nice as the other months. It is busy, hot, and a lot of places are closed due to the italians traveling. I run a business in Italy and the managers all take vacations to USA for the entire month of August.
Jun 29th, 2006, 09:50 AM
#24
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I disagree, Bergamo Girl-I was just in Rome, Venice and Florence last August and the weather was surprisingly delightful-particularly in Rome-you can't make blanket predictions about European weather patterns-it's constantly changing.
And is it not a contradiction to say that it is "busy" yet a lot of places are closed?
Granted, businesses not catering to the tourist trade in Italy DO shut down in August-but I can state for a fact that there were a plethora of great restaurants to choose from that were open and ready for business during that time period-in addition to getting great rates on hotel rooms and especially, apartments.
And is it not a contradiction to say that it is "busy" yet a lot of places are closed?
Granted, businesses not catering to the tourist trade in Italy DO shut down in August-but I can state for a fact that there were a plethora of great restaurants to choose from that were open and ready for business during that time period-in addition to getting great rates on hotel rooms and especially, apartments.
Jun 29th, 2006, 09:51 AM
#25
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Going to Italy in August would be a very different experience than going in October because much of Italy shuts down for the entire month!Stores and restaurants post signs stating in vacanza. Towns are quiet, not bustling as they would otherwise be. Until you get to the seaside where you will find all those people who were not back in town. Conversely, October is perfect. Lovely weather, truffle season, all the shops and restaurants open, way way fewer bugs, humidity, etc.
Jun 29th, 2006, 10:27 AM
#27
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Overall, I would prefer not to travel in August at all, but sometimes I just have to because of business committments.
Although I often have to be in the cities on business in August, I stay away from them for pleasure (excessive heat and humidity, which is WHY the locals vacate Rome and Paris in August). I head for the hills or the coast. The downside is that hotels can be expensive and hard to find and the resorts can be crowded.
However, I have enjoyed July/August trips to Northern Spain (Asturias & Cantabria), the mountains of the French & SPanish Basque regions (wonderfully cool), the Italian Dolomites, Piedmont (in the moutains around Aosta), Haute Savoie (around Annecy). This August I will spend 6 days in Galicia Spain but am having a really difficult time finding hotels!
Although I often have to be in the cities on business in August, I stay away from them for pleasure (excessive heat and humidity, which is WHY the locals vacate Rome and Paris in August). I head for the hills or the coast. The downside is that hotels can be expensive and hard to find and the resorts can be crowded.
However, I have enjoyed July/August trips to Northern Spain (Asturias & Cantabria), the mountains of the French & SPanish Basque regions (wonderfully cool), the Italian Dolomites, Piedmont (in the moutains around Aosta), Haute Savoie (around Annecy). This August I will spend 6 days in Galicia Spain but am having a really difficult time finding hotels!
Jun 29th, 2006, 10:33 AM
#28
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Haven't read the thread so I apologize if these reasons have been amply covered:
1. most everyone in Europe also vacations in August. You want to go when everything is open and the waiters are on the job rather than in the Maldives.
2. hot, and either no airconditioning, anemic airconditioning, or unreliable airconditioning.
1. most everyone in Europe also vacations in August. You want to go when everything is open and the waiters are on the job rather than in the Maldives.
2. hot, and either no airconditioning, anemic airconditioning, or unreliable airconditioning.
Jun 29th, 2006, 10:40 AM
#29
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I've gone to Italy during the last 2 weeks of August for the past 3 years... it's the only time my husband feels comfortable taking 2 weeks off at one time AND we get that extra padding from the Labor Day weekend.
The only time the heat bothered me was in Pompeii and Rome. Even with the heat of the day, I sometimes find that I need a sweater in the evenings in many places, including Venice and Tuscany. If the heat doesn't get to you in Tennesee, then it probably won't get to you in Italy.
The crowds can be bad in the cities, but they never truly bothered us except in Piazza San Marco, Venice, and around the Duomo in Florence. Once you get away from the piazza, Venice is extremely pleasant, though. Also, make sure you make reservations for certain things in Florence and Venice, such as the Uffizi in Florence and the basillica in Venice... this allows you to bypass the long lines.
I've only encountered a few restaurants closed during our visits, and have never encountered a closure of any museums, churches or tourist spots.
The only time the heat bothered me was in Pompeii and Rome. Even with the heat of the day, I sometimes find that I need a sweater in the evenings in many places, including Venice and Tuscany. If the heat doesn't get to you in Tennesee, then it probably won't get to you in Italy.
The crowds can be bad in the cities, but they never truly bothered us except in Piazza San Marco, Venice, and around the Duomo in Florence. Once you get away from the piazza, Venice is extremely pleasant, though. Also, make sure you make reservations for certain things in Florence and Venice, such as the Uffizi in Florence and the basillica in Venice... this allows you to bypass the long lines.
I've only encountered a few restaurants closed during our visits, and have never encountered a closure of any museums, churches or tourist spots.
Jun 29th, 2006, 11:07 AM
#30
Pros: More time for your trip. Some hotels will offer substantial discounts.
Cons: Much higher airfares, <b>Hot</b>, no (or ineffective) air conditioning, huge crowds in most places, many (but not so many you wouldn't still have choices) restaurants/shops are closed.
If I had my choice I'd not travel anywhere in Europe (except for Edinburgh for the festivals) in August. But even in August you can have a wonderful trip.
Cons: Much higher airfares, <b>Hot</b>, no (or ineffective) air conditioning, huge crowds in most places, many (but not so many you wouldn't still have choices) restaurants/shops are closed.
If I had my choice I'd not travel anywhere in Europe (except for Edinburgh for the festivals) in August. But even in August you can have a wonderful trip.
Jun 29th, 2006, 11:12 AM
#31
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It's so hot and humid here in Castellon where I live..that I don't mind to travel most places in August 
Just don't think on Southern Italy (just Rome on the final days of the month), Southern Spain or Greece. The rest is ok for me
Just don't think on Southern Italy (just Rome on the final days of the month), Southern Spain or Greece. The rest is ok for me
Jun 29th, 2006, 12:12 PM
#32
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Crowded.
My sister in law and her family now live in England. Her children are in school eleven months out of twelve. So they have August off. Her husband has five weeks of paid vacation. The same as most salaried people in Europe.
So if most people have five weeks of vacation and the children are out of school during only during August then most of your vacation is taken in August.
My sister in law and her family now live in England. Her children are in school eleven months out of twelve. So they have August off. Her husband has five weeks of paid vacation. The same as most salaried people in Europe.
So if most people have five weeks of vacation and the children are out of school during only during August then most of your vacation is taken in August.
Jun 29th, 2006, 01:10 PM
#33
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In researching my recent trip to Paris I found that a lot of the nice restaurants would be closed in the month of August.
We were also in Venice and Tuscanny last July and it was just unbearable, even in the evening. Very hot and humid. Not enjoyable at all. If you have the option of going in October when the weather is cooler, why would you consider hot and humid August?
I recently retired, so we did a trip to Paris in early May and said we would never go again in the months of June, July or August. Just too crowded and uncomfortable. Paris was 65-70 degrees and very pleasant. I can't see any reason why anyone would want to go in August.
We were also in Venice and Tuscanny last July and it was just unbearable, even in the evening. Very hot and humid. Not enjoyable at all. If you have the option of going in October when the weather is cooler, why would you consider hot and humid August?
I recently retired, so we did a trip to Paris in early May and said we would never go again in the months of June, July or August. Just too crowded and uncomfortable. Paris was 65-70 degrees and very pleasant. I can't see any reason why anyone would want to go in August.
Jun 29th, 2006, 03:02 PM
#34
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<< My sister in law and her family now live in England. Her children are in school eleven months out of twelve. >>
Do her children go to "Dotheboys Hall" by any chance.
State School children in England & Wales will have 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week in February, 2 weeks at Easter, 1 week at the end of May, 6-7 weeks July / August & a week at the end of October which adds up to about 3 months. Simialr amoutns of time apply to Scotland but the May through October dates are different
Do her children go to "Dotheboys Hall" by any chance.
State School children in England & Wales will have 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week in February, 2 weeks at Easter, 1 week at the end of May, 6-7 weeks July / August & a week at the end of October which adds up to about 3 months. Simialr amoutns of time apply to Scotland but the May through October dates are different
Jun 29th, 2006, 03:10 PM
#35
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DinPa-there's a world of difference, particularly in Venice, between July and the last two weeks of August. Most Venetians told me (and they were right) that the humidity is much less then, and I would probably not need air conditioning-it was cool several days in August last year-but July (almost always is) very hot and humid.
Jun 29th, 2006, 04:45 PM
#36
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GirlTravel and dinpa -- I experienced some cooler days in Venice in late August 2 years ago. And also in Tuscany last year... we had to buy sweatshirts during our 2 weeks there because we had several cooler days. I've also heard that July is usually worse than late August.
Jun 29th, 2006, 04:49 PM
#37
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Thanks Amarena, I'm out here trying to tell people this, but they've got it in their heads that one month is just like the other-Venice is a coastal city, and the temps. are affected greatly by the sea. Like you, I froze and had to layer up in Venice when I first arrived after a hard rain last August, and then, it warmed up nicely to around 84 or so.
