Italy closed for business in July and August

It's a country. It doesn't close down. You might find some smaller shops and restaurants closed for a few days but, for the most part, you won't even notice it. What do you consider inexpensive?

Where did you hear that? That's a myth, like Italian men pinching girls rear ends. Many places in tourist areas will be open. The only exception might be some small family businesses (some shops or restaurants, for example) that close in the first two weeks of August to go to the beach. The only time where all cities become ghost towns is around August 15th, which is a major holiday (Ferragosto) when most Italians take time off for a long weekend and head to the beaches or mountains. But you'll find something open even then, especially Rome and Venice. Stay out of Milan around that time. That's the business capital of Italy and not so much a tourist destination. Milan is more likely to be a ghost town in August. Specify the type of accommodations you want to stay (apartments, hotels, villas, farmhouses, B&B)

I've been in Milan twice on August 15th (there was no way to avoid it with other constraints). It's fine. The Duomo and museums are open, as are plenty of restaurants. However, most of the restaurants that are open are either touristy or lower quality. The family places close so they can take the holiday. Once we just accepted that we would have a mediocre meal, and the other time we ate at a fancy hotel restaurant. Many shops are also closed, so don't expect to be able to buy many souvenirs or go shopping for high end items (fashion). I'm not a big shopper, so I only know about this problem because a traveling companion went shopping while I hit another museum (she ended up with specialty chocolates from a department store). Long story short, Milan is certainly better at other times, but it isn't totally shut down around August 15th. Just adjust your expectations.

I think when we are in Italy we to be able to visit the small family shops and eateries as opposed to the tourist only places. That is why I asked about it being "closed" So thank you for the information. My daughter really loves fashion which is why we are going to Milan. The historic part is for my son. My husband and I will take it all! Roberto, in terms of types of accomodation I don't really know. Likely hostel, hotel, villa but not an apartment as we won't be staying in any one place for very long. HK, we will be in Italy the end of July as we have figured that much of our itinerary out recently. Good to know about August 15 though for future reference. Donna, inexpensive means we are on a budget and can't spend $150 dollars a night on accomodation. Since I have never been to Italy I have no idea about costs at this point. I guess I am trying to figure out what things cost over there. What is it reasonable to expect to pay for accomodation for a family of four? In North America that would be at least $150. I am hoping that is not the case in Italy which is why we are looking at hostels as I have heard that they are cheaper but don't know what costs are yet. I have to still research that.
Thanks

Tanja, $150 is about 110 euros. For a family of four that is not a lot of money. Finding a room for that price really depends on the areas you decide to stay in. If you choose the city center in Rome you won't find a family room for that price. You "may" find a room for that price near the termini or Vatican. These areas are still close to sites and restaurants but they are not as charming as the city center. I don't know that I would stay in a hostel with my family. You might want to look for an apartment instead. You can use venere.com to find hotels within your budget. Donna

Tanja, that is a tight budget yikes! Hostels price per head, so often they are not a good deal for a family( figuring they often price out about 30-35 euros per head for a 4 or 6 bedded family type room if available, that still puts them over your budget.
You may have to stay off the island in Venice, and commute in for sightseeing, cheaper accomadations are available that way. For 110 euros a night an apartment might be your best options, which may mean moving a bit less ... There are still going to be many small restaurants etc open in summer, they need tourist dollars and are less likely to close down for weeks at a time then even a few years ago, plus there are so many places and of course they don't all close down at once if at all.