To think I have a cat in Hell's chance of finding an Italian holiday for this August?

[ThoseAwfulCurtains]

For 2 adults, 2 adult DCs and a 14 year old? Or should I just give up now unless I'm prepared to spend a million billion pounds?

In my defence, we were waiting on a date for surgery before booking and I've only ever booked 1 'package' holiday before - when Tesco were giving away clubcard points like fresh air and you could only book via 1 website.

Other holidays have been camping/youth hostels etc so I'm a complete novice at holiday booking.

If IABU I'd rather know now than spend loads of time stressing on the PC.

OP - yes it will be hot! Mid 30s I would have thought...having been to sorrento/Pompeii etc late june/early July when it was late 20s-early 30s... Lakes and mountains would probably be cooler.

We spent our honeymoon in Italy in August and it was very hot but fab.

We flew into Pisa and drive down to Tuscany and had a week self-catering in a villa. Visited Sienna, Florence and Saint Giminiano etc.

We then drove to Rome for two nights and crammed in as many sights as possible - the heat was searing though.

We then caught the train to Naples and got a taxi to Positano on the Amalfi coast, where we spent a week in a fabulous hotel - Le Sireneuse. Whilst there we visited Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. ALL FAB. This was when we were both working full time and pre DC

I was looking for similar yesterday on holidays lettings and owners direct. If you can get to Italy cheaply - there are definitely bargains to be had.

We did Sorrento in late July last year. It's hot, but manageable. Also, the weather in that area an be a bit unpredictable. You're not guaranteed wall to wall sunshine every day. Having said that, I'd go back in a flash, it's a simply stunning part of the world.

Good luck with finding something suitable!

Italy in August is really, really hot. We're going to Rome on 30th August and I'm expecting it to be at least 27 degrees.

It's usually cheaper because of the high temperatures though.

Try Agriturismo as suggested. Did that in Sicily. V hot in October will be super hot August I would imagine. Can your big children contribute? You are competing with all the European school holidays so nowhere will be cheap though the euro is good value currently.

I fainted in the heat in Rome whilst queuing for the colosseum...

I was in southern Italy 2 weeks ago - it was 30 degrees at night and 33 at 9am. You should expect 35 plus at the very least. Check out Ryanair flights because they did have some cheaper ones mid August. The crowds and prices will drop after Ferragosta, when a lot of Italians start to head home, so the last week of August might be cheaper.

Sicily is lovely but in August it's hotter than hell.

It's do-able but we didn't do anything but lie by the pool.

One evening we bought an extra bottle of iced mineral water to soak napkins in and lay on our necks.

A family at our hotel went to Etna on the train because their kids badgered them. They staggered back barely alive. To add insult to injury the kids were whingeing because they'd expected to see boiling lava and dinosaurs

The plus point is that in August and September in Taormina they have a wonderful arts festival. I'm really not an arty person and had no idea about it.

We had no difficulty getting tickets for things including a ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet at the amphitheatre which overlooks the sea.

Just as the music struck up there was a shooting star. I couldn't believe it. I can't guarantee you'll get that.

It was hot though. Even at midnight. And hire a cushion because those 2,000 year old stone benches are murder on your bum.

Not quite sure whether you want to go to Rome or not.

It will also be very, very hot. It's in a bowl and it's a city so is humid and even though they've banned cars from parts it's still polluted - but not unbearable.

The worst thing is that lots of places are shut in August. You'll still find places to go and plenty of other tourists but it's probably not the best time.

I'd say the same thing about Tuscany in high summer but people love it. But I find the heat and humidity stifling.

I love Rome and can't count the times I've been.

I'd really try for the coasts.

You could try the Cagliari area of Sardinia in late August. Northern Sardinia is ruinously expensive.

Italians are quite regimented about their holidays and generally leave on the last Saturday in August.

It's not Italy but you'd probably find the same applies in Corsica and the scenery is even nicer than Sardinia.

Right well - after my dismissal of Greece earlier today as too confusing, DH has flashed Santorini in front of me and I've fallen in love .
Sadly, the lowest combined price I can find via SkySkanner /Airbnb is just over £3,000 for 7 nights self catering.

We also looked at this thread and decided, given the heat factor, that we'll save Italy till Easter and maybe there'll be fewer people going as the 2 older DCs will be revising for uni exams (important ones to get on/stay on their Masters courses).

DH is now looking for cheaper Greek islands. There are supposed to be bargains galore yes?

And thanks very much again for all your input - it hasn't gone to waste.

Buy flights. Look at air b&b . Job done if you aren't too set in what you want to do and are happy to let the accom availability tell you where to go.

( also look at other apartment rental type site or villas of course - there will be late cancellations )

The only thing I'd say about Greece - apart from the Euro situation is that parts of it can get very nippy in late September.

I was in Crete in mid-September and locals were talking about the weather changing from good to bad in late September/early October like a curtain coming down.

I couldn't believe them because it was gorgeous. We had a wonderful holiday but on the last day at the airport the skies went black and there was a terrible storm. No idea whether that was a coincidence but it might be worth thinking about because you might pour money down the drain.

Theas18 that's the trouble - we need a mix of stuff to do as most of us can manage sitting about for no more than a day at a time (and DH struggles with even 1 day tbh).

Santorini had a great mix of geology, history, snorkelling, boaty stuff, wildlife.

Limited I can only go in school holidays but thanks for the tip.

Italy in August has high potential to be brutally unpleasantly hot. Did Emilia-Romagna a couple of years ago and was 38-40 degrees every day. Lots of stuff shut as the Italians had sensibly all gone to the beach. Last year in Umbria they were thankfully having a 'bad summer' and it was quite pleasant.

Sicily will be monumentally hot. Much better for Easter.

Isn't Santorini eye-wateringly expensive?
Airbnb is always worth checking for accommodation - we're staying on slopes of Etna this year and got a cracking deal on a self catering place - booked direct with owner having seen it at a far higher price elsewhere.

Sadly, yes. Santorini is out of our range even with Skyscanner/Airbnb. Going to look at Crete and the Lindos side of Rhodes tomorrow. bob DH would be green with envy - staying on an actual active volcano. I'd love to know whether you'd recommend it when you've been.

Easter in Italy is always great - make sure you arrive on the Thursday as that's when the celebrations start. In our town everyone visits the local churches (you have to visit an odd number so 1, 3 or 5) in the evening which are open until midnight and decked in mourning. Friday sees the traditional parade with the Madonna following the coffin. A small town in Sicily would be great for this.

I booked 10 days in the Italian lakes for 2 adults 1 child - £1000 including flights, self catering villa and car hire mid August.

August is the busiest month due to many,many factors. This year is particularly bad with the strong Dollar and sterling.

Having vacationed in most of Italy I second the book flights and accommodations separate obviously you'd rent a car. Driving is Italy is a laugh)

I have driven through the center of Paris, Whats - how bad can it be?

Travelzoo
Teletext holidays
Secret Escapes

Try them all - they have some great deals.

Saw in the paper today that there are random strikes in Italy affecting access to Pompeii and other historic sites. Also a rat infestation at the Trevi fountain - bleugh!