Portable Neck Fans

Those seem like gimmicks to me. the advice I've seen lately is to get a small microfiber towel, soak it, wring it out, put around neck

I have tried using the neck fans. If it's really hot, they just blow hot air into your face. It also makes some type of noise so if you are trying to hear somebody talking, it may be a problem.

There are products similar to the microfiber towels that worked for me. They are kerchiefs/towels that are filled with little beads. You soak the whole thing in water and then put it around your neck. You put them in water for a little more when they start to wear off.

These are the ones I bought but they are no longer available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004XX4XA8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

One of the best things you can do is get yourself a hat to wear outdoors. Make sure it has holes in the top to allow heat to escape from the top of your head.

And make sure you have water with you at all times.

Actually cooling your core is better for you than a fan. I second the cooling neck ties Frank II suggests. Even wet, wrung out bandanas around your neck will help cool your core. Or the microfiber neck towels mentioned.
Also embrace the sunshade. Amazon sells a number of sun/UV umbrella parasols. They are lined, so a little heavier than an pocket umbrella, but when the sun is out, it is surprising how much it helps. But you want to be mindful where you use it so you don't impede others or endanger eyeballs ( I seem to be tall enough that many umbrella spoke tips are way too close to my eyes for comfort).

For hot weather, I carry a very small pump spray bottle of water to mist myself with.
You’d be amazed how much cooler you feel as it dries on you.
I’ve had strangers ask me to mist them in the heat of Italy! :))
You can get them in dollar stores.

As someone who does not do well in the heat, my fan is the only thing getting me through these insane temps. I’ve bought this one- it’s super compact so you can easily put it in your pocket or bag when needed.

https://a.co/d/8NV7JCw

I'm another who can't handle the heat. I used one very similar to that in Thailand, and my kids just bought be a new one for our trip to Italy and Switzerland later in the year.

They are worth every penny.

Thanks all, appreciate all of the responses.

I used a borrowed portable neck fan at Disney World this past Friday. 94 degrees with humidity making it feel like 106. I thought it helped a lot. I am buying one for my trip to Italy.

When I went last year, i used one of these foldable neckfans, so its not too big and obvious and easy to carry around. Heres a tip though, as some here have suggested, the neck fan + cooling towel = magic. Just by itself, the neck fan only does so much, but if you combine it with a cool towel, wow! Hope that helps mate!