3094 Where to go to escape Italy in August?

I have heard nemerous times that July and August are difficult times in Italy. Between the heat and the "tourists" a lot of natives and expats flee. Where do you go? Should I think Greece? The Alps? Any and all advice and experiences are greatly appreciated. I have a lot of time share weeks I can use but need to book far in advance.
Jane

Category
Travel & Holiday Advice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 11:51

We love to be here in Italy in July and August! The touristy areas are no worse than any other country at peak holiday season. Our garden is very peaceful all year round. We prefer to take holidays in the winter.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 12:20

July and August are two out of twelve best months of the year here in Italy!

August, particularly (so long as you keep away from the beaches!) is quite peaceful from the touristy point of view.

Late July is usually the hottest time, but if you have the chance of a holiday pad somewhere up in some beautiful mountains (700 - 800m altitude would be perfect) you will get some nice breezes and a wonderful tan in any part of Italy!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 12:51

You could always escape to the UK :D

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 13:04

WOT??? For the refreshing rain I suppose :):) (and for all those Italian tourists clogging up England in August...!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2006 - 14:04

when we lived at the coast it was so humid in August, I did escape to the Uk and loved it. Now we have a villino in the hills the views and weather are spectacular at that time. But Rome closes and we tend to avoid it, like most of the Romans, in August

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/31/2006 - 00:39

I can fully understand why you want to escape from Italy in August. It's absolutely my least favourite time in southern Tuscany. Everywhere is so crowded, roads are packed, takes an age to get anywhere, can't park when you do arrive. It really isn't nice at all.

Greece is just as crowded (and very hot) in both July and August and not, in my opinion, at its best. Mid May to mid-June I believe is the nicest time, especially for the islands. But you mention the Alps and we've enjoyed some wonderful holidays in July and August in the Austrian, Swiss and Italian Alps and the Dolomites too. Word of warning: the weather can be very unpredictable and we've twice had a week a snow in the Austrian Alps in August even at relatively low altitudes. But I still think it's a lovely time to visit the mountains.

V

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/31/2006 - 01:35

The best place to escape in the summer and tourists for us, is Lake Fiastra and the mountains. Its a peaceful haven without the wall to wall bodies, or we stay at home with the pool and wonderful countryside views.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/31/2006 - 01:50

Agree with Pam and others who enjoy staying home in the Summer and going away in the Winter. I'm a sun lover however------well coming from the climate in Scotland who wouldn't be???
We are only minutes away from the busy beaches but home is in the countryside with a view of the coast and Gradara castle------a bottle of wine in the pool and I'm quite happy.
We do sometimes however go for a short break to Ascona on the swiss side of Maggiore. It's lovely there with lots of great mountain walks.Not many swiss around either-----they're all down here in August!!!
I think I would prefer to keep Greece for later in the year as summer there is also jam packed with tourists.

Whatever you do enjoy it.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/31/2006 - 03:06

My italian friends either 'head for the hills' or more often, pop over to Croatia for a couple of weeks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/31/2006 - 05:01

We have festa's most of the time through both months, lovely time, so, why escape, could take the 35 minute drive to the coast I suppose, so long as I was back before the action starts in the evening :) sleepy little Francavilla rocks in the summer ;)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/31/2006 - 14:41

I really appreciate all the good advice.
I think I sort of knew about Greece but, there are lots of little places not very many tourists know about.
Our daughter loves the idea of heading for the Alps.
Oh what difficult decisons we have to make!
Poor us!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/01/2006 - 05:44

Greece - I reckon is best to do on one of those MotorSailors - but you need a group to make it worthwhile - [url]http://www.exasyachts.com/[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/01/2006 - 07:28

Here's a suggestion.............how about the Costa del Sol?

You'll get all the usual delightful souls who love [i]Eng-er-land[/i] with a passion, you'll be able to get the spelling corrected on your tattos, supp some Watney's Red Barrel, chow on some [i]proper[/i] food (none of this foreign muck!), ah, and it'll remind you why you're in Italy ;)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/01/2006 - 07:44

...sorry that wasn't very charitable!

Why not old Blighty though?

Apart from Wimbledon, Cowes week, Henley Royal regatta, the Grasmere festival (or the innumerable highland games, for any 'foreigners'), but there's also many other events that capture the true British spirit! For example, there's:
[list]
[*]UK Mobile Phone Throwing Championships in Richmond on 7 July(!)
[*]World Pea Shooting Championships in Witcham on 8 July
[*]Wicker Man Festival in Kirkcudbright from 28-29 July
[*]Egton Bridge Heaviest Gooseberry Show in Egton Bridge (dur!) on 1 Aug
[*]Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, Newchurchfrom 20-21 Aug
[*]World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells on 30 Aug
[/list]

Who could ask for more!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2006 - 12:35

You are making some very inaccurate assumptions.
I am not a Brit.
I am not thinking to leave Italy to escape the Italians or its' wonderful cuisine.
I am in fact thinking of leaving to escape the hoardes of Brits who invade Italy during this time.
Next time you choose to get "snippy" it might help to have your facts correct.
Jane

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2006 - 13:41

[QUOTE=jane2ron]You are making some very inaccurate assumptions.
I am not a Brit.
I am not thinking to leave Italy to escape the Italians or its' wonderful cuisine.
I am in fact thinking of leaving to escape the hoardes of Brits who invade Italy during this time.
Next time you choose to get "snippy" it might help to have your facts correct.
Jane[/QUOTE]

Jane, you misunderstood my snippy thread. I was trying to be amusing; apologies for any offence at the tone (or bad humour).

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2006 - 13:58

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Tusc, I thought it was funny, especially as there is a distinct lack of humour these days. :D [/FONT][/COLOR]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2006 - 14:14

[QUOTE=jane2ron]Apology accepted.

Jane[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Jane.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/28/2006 - 00:37

[QUOTE=jane2ron]I really appreciate all the good advice.
I think I sort of knew about Greece but, there are lots of little places not very many tourists know about.
Our daughter loves the idea of heading for the Alps.
Oh what difficult decisons we have to make!
Poor us![/QUOTE]

I don't want to run down Italy, but Greece is simply fabulous - people, food, landscape, everything (except the coffee). And you're right about there being lots of little places not very many tourists know about. If your daughter likes the idea of the Alps, remember that Greece also has stupendous mountains (e.g. the Zagorochoria or Evritania, in the Pindos, which are never unbearably hot, or the backbone of Crete). [url]http://www.great-adventures.com/destinations/greece/zagoria.html[/url]

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