We are planning a trip for the first week of August. We've ruled out Provence because of the insane crowds and are hoping we can explore somewhere in Italy with more reasonable crowds. I assume Positano and Amalfi Coast will be insane, but are there other places that will be more tolerable? We know crowds are inevitable that time of year, just don't want insanity. Looking to avoid big cities. I'll also be 26 weeks pregnant, so don't want to be insanely hot (we are from the south, so can handle heat, but don't want to go somewhere that is totally miserable that time of year unless it's coastal and we can take swimming breaks). One idea was lake Como area or Tuscany (have been to Florence and Siena but not to some of the other towns). I love exploring charming towns. Also considered adding Slovenia or Austria if Italy is too busy. Thanks for any/all advice!
Posted by
5316 posts
Since you mentioned the Amalfi coast--if you want coastal, look into the Cilento coast, just an hour south. It will certainly be filled, but not intolerable like the AC would be (to me). You would then not be too far from Basilicata as well.
If the lakes, I would look at the other lakes, just not Como. Again, they will be bustling but maybe not bursting at the seams because you don't have Italians on holiday plus visitors from all over.
If I were in your shoes, I would look interior--since you mentioned Slovenia and Austria, perhaps Friuli-Venezia Giulia. I know little about the north, but have looked into that area because of its proximity to Croatia and good flights to Trieste.
I would nix Tuscany, but not Abruzzo and Umbria.
good luck!
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
The cities may not be as crowded as the Lakes, Coastal areas and other vacation type regions.
Reason being the Italians are on vacation and leave the city for these other spots in August.
Posted by
1539 posts
We did florence, lake como varenna , and venice by train the 1st 10 days of July. We actually stayed in mestre, at which point we rented a car and drove to lake bled, stopping at aquileia, which has amazing mosiacs. We drove through the julian alps and the corner of austria on way to lake bled...We stayed at an agriturisitmo outside of the town and walked in, but that might be a bit ambitious for you.
Anyway, varenna and lake bled could be a fabulous combination, but you will probably need to get housing reservations early.
Posted by
NYC
490 posts
Everywhere in Italy or Europe for that matter is crowded in August.
If you are just interested in relaxing in small towns and not sightseeing all over the place...I recommend ISCHIA.. a large green lush island off of Naples 1 hr by ferry...it is known for spas and white sandy NOT rocky beaches and some notable historic sights like Castle Aragonese. This is where some of the beautiful scenes from Il Postino and Ripley films were shot. I have visited every fall for 12 years!
It gives you a very real Italian summer family vacation experience...there will be a few Americans, Brits and lot's of Germans some Russians and plenty of Italians!
You can take a boat trip around the island that lets you off in each of the 4 towns for a bit to explore..then go back to the towns that you enjoyed. I do recommend renting a car on Ischia..it is very easy to drive there, just one big loop...or stay at a larger resort with private beach access and just leave for dinner!
Posted by
Washington DC
28462 posts
Weather-wise, the Dolomites are usually very pleasant in the summer as long as you stay in one of the mountain villages rather than the (otherwise very nice) valley cities of Bolzano and Bressanone. However, I can't say there won't be other tourists there. Still, I visited that area at the beginning of July in 2015, and I didn't see anything like the crowds I'd expect at the major tourist destinations. Other mountainous areas could also be considered.
If you're willing to branch out from Italy, I recommend northern Spain between the Basque Country and Galicia. It tends to be quite cool and continues to get some rain in the summer.