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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Italy in August

105 replies

Welbru · 16/07/2021 14:18

Would I be totally mad to visit a city in central Italy in August. I know it will be hotter than ideal and that Italians flock to the coast and mountains to avoid the heat, but I can't move my holiday and I can have a cheap room there at that time as someone I know will have a place there.

I'm not a siesta type person - can't sleep in the afternoon so getting up early and staying up late because I'm sleeping in the afternoon isn't really an option. I'd be happy to sit and rest rather than sightsee all the time, but I won't have a pool.

I don't have excellent tolerance for extreme temperatures, but I'm better with heat than the cold. I do tend to feel a bit uncomfortable if it's in the 30s and I haven't had time to acclimatise though.

YABU- no, go somewhere cooler
YANBU - go anyway

OP posts:
Polkadotties · 16/07/2021 17:45

@Hellcatspangle

Well I've been to Italy when it's been over 35 degrees and I've still enjoyed myself!
It’s a good excuse to eat loads of gelato 😂
Lemonmelonsun · 16/07/2021 17:46

Unfortunately op I'd say stay away it will be too hot... I went once in heat and we could not do anything, unbearable heat

ElliottSmithsfingers · 16/07/2021 17:46

I would absolutely go. It's tolerable indoors at all times (keep windows open in the early morning when it's cooler, shutters down when it's really hot) and only go out until 11 and then again from 5 onwards. Not sure about the Covid situation but in normal times there's lots of events / open attractions until very late. I'm so jealous, Italy is beautiful all year round.

HarrisMcCoo · 16/07/2021 18:33

I was in Florence, Lucca, Rome, and Calabria region in 2016. Wouldn't recommend going in August as it was ridulously hot (especially the south). We were there in Calabria for a wedding otherwise would never go at that time of year.

HarrisMcCoo · 16/07/2021 18:34

I am talking rubbish, was there in June/July but it was so hot. Unbearable.

Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:36

@FakeColinCaterpillar

We went to Rome in august. It was bad. There was a reason the flights were so cheap.
The flights aren't even cheap now as I need flexible/refundable ones. I have cheap accommodation though and some company, whereas if I go somewhere else I'd be alone.
OP posts:
Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:38

" It's tolerable indoors at all times"

Even without aircon? (I suppose they'll have a fan or I could buy one).

OP posts:
imnottoofussed · 16/07/2021 18:40

We went to Rome when it was 35 degrees. Spent most afternoons in the air conditioned room to be honest, not sleeping just cooling/drying off and the rest of the time dripping in sweat. Also it wasn't even august it was June Grin

Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:40

@Lemonmelonsun

Unfortunately op I'd say stay away it will be too hot... I went once in heat and we could not do anything, unbearable heat
What kind of temperatures?
OP posts:
Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:47

"Get up early "

Me getting up early on holiday - not gonna happen :(

I've heard people say to stay in in the afternoon, but the flat doesn't have aircon :(

I can't sleep in the afternoon either, but I'd be happy to rest of course.

OP posts:
Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:51

"Go in Autumn."

I can only take holiday in August plus if I go in August I will have a place to stay and a friend is there. I can't go in autumn unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:53

@NoMoreCovidPlease

I went to Rome and Milan two years ago at the end of July. The forecast was 36-39 Celsius in the shade every day. It was HOT, absolutely relentless and no way could you stay somewhere with no air conditioning. I say that as someone who already lives in a hot country year round.
I'm wondering if I can book, but then cancel if the forecast is for temps over 35.
OP posts:
NashvilleQueen · 16/07/2021 18:55

Just for balance i went to Malcesine in august and it wasn't too hot at all. In fact the pool was freezing.

everythingcrossed · 16/07/2021 18:56

You can get used to it and you can pace yourself - visit one attraction then home for a rest - but the heat is very oppressive. My Italian aunts do crazy things like get up at 5am to do their ironing because it's too hot after about 7.

Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 18:56

"I will be in a flat in Italy without a pool in August because I live here and can't afford to go away for a whole month."

I suppose you will be more used to the heat than me. Also, you won't feel any pressure to 'do things' because you've paid to get there. But I will also go with the idea that it's OK just to lie on my bed reading.

OP posts:
jclm · 16/07/2021 18:57

If youre going to Milan it will be pretty horrendous and very little will be open. Having said that you can make the most of it if the holiday is booked xx

Original poster
Welbru · 16/07/2021 19:00

@NashvilleQueen

Just for balance i went to Malcesine in august and it wasn't too hot at all. In fact the pool was freezing.
A lot more north. I'd be in Umbria, flying into Rome.
OP posts:
GoWalkabout · 16/07/2021 19:02

The accommodation is more likely to have tiled floors, thick walls and shutters to keep closed all day? And hopefully mesh insect screening so you can open the windows at night time? Rather than air con. We went in August in the hills in Tuscany, knew it would be baking but had an air conditioned hire car, went to the beach, paced ourselves sight seeing. We managed but would avoid in future.

RedHelenB · 16/07/2021 19:03

Only ever been in August to Italy and it was fine. Yes it's not but if you wear a hat and drink loads you'll cope. I do think you'll need air con to help you sleep at night though.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 16/07/2021 19:06

Yes please.

dreamingbohemian · 16/07/2021 19:06

The whole point of a holiday is to enjoy yourself and have a relaxing time. It's a false economy to say oh I've got cheap lodging so let me go to this place where I'll be melting the whole time. Why not just go somewhere cheaper and more comfortable?

AnoymousCoward · 16/07/2021 19:10

Both times I've been it was August, and hot... but it's dry heat, and not as oppressive as humid UK heat.

Allywill · 16/07/2021 19:13

We went to Rome in August it was unbearably hot. I sat on the Spanish steps at 9 at night and burnt my bum on the heat coming through my clothes as they had retained the heat during the day. We lay on the bed in the air con room for at least 3 hours in the middle of the day. My husband has been in Afghanistan in a tent in summer (army obs) and he found it exhausting. It didn’t help I had all the wrong clothes as my husband told me we were going to Milton Keynes. He wanted Rome to be a surprise. It was. I told him to never do that again.

Everythingiseverything3 · 16/07/2021 19:14

I've done Florence in August, very hot but not unbearable. Quite a few restaurants close at that time of year. You need Aircon though. Tuscany in July also hot but certainly not unbearable, and I have a low tolerance to heat in general, although maybe that's due to pool and Aircon. But we visited museums etc with no problems

miltonj · 16/07/2021 19:18

I went to Milan in July, a few years ago. I don't recall it being any hotter than Spain, Greece, Portugal etc at that time of year. I'm moving to Italy later on this year, and now worried that the heat will overwhelm me!