Hi there,
Were are planning a trip to Italy in August and hoping to visit Bologna, Florence, Lake Garda, Verona & Venice. We know it will be hot and have heard that many local stores & restaurants will be closed in August for summer holidays... and also that many places (sites/museums) are closed Sundays and Mondays in general. We would like to see some of the major tourist locations but also like getting off the beaten trail and exploring smaller towns & local experiences/food/wine/artisan crafts so we are debating staying in the bigger cities vs staying in the countryside (properties w/pool & AC) and making day trips. Will things in the smaller towns be even more closed/dead than the cities? We have heard the major cities like Florence will be so hot & crowded but the big sights/stores will be open - we will have a car but we were thinking of that as a day trip by train...what about Bologna? Are the food markets open? Is it worth staying in the city center or better as a day trip from Modena or Ferrara? We would appreciate any insights - Can anyone share their experience/recommendations for traveling in Italy in August?
Thanks so much!
Kerry
Posted by
Tucson
116 posts
While there may be some smaller mom/pop places closed mostly everything will be open during August. We will be staying in Bologna for two weeks in August and highly recommend it as a home base. Bologna is the food capital of Italy, has a wonderful university, and overall historic and lovely and off the beaten track with excellent train connections for day trips. From Bologna we will be doing day trips by train including the Parma Delicacies tour: factories, tastings & lunch which was highly recommended by travelers on the RS site and also has excellent reviews: https://www.getyourguide.com/parma-l2480/parma-delicacies-tour-factories-tastings-lunch-t133914/.
We are also staying in Florence for a couple of weeks late July into August, however, on the Oltrano side of the Arno river away from the crowds. Florence is wonderful to wonder around and also a great home base for day trips with excellent train connections. Before Bologna and Florence we will also be in Venice for five days. Check this out only occurs every two years and is happening this summer in Venice: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2019/information
Yes, it will be hot but so will most places then in the US. Last summer we were in Paris for a month during the hottest period Paris has seen in a generation and it was fine. There are always things to deal with that are less than ideal. Don't let it dissuade you.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
We were in Bologna for a week in August. Many places were closed for the month, despite what is reported above. Stay somewhere with AC.