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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Italy in August

46 replies

TheNinthLock · 11/03/2023 18:33

Hello, I wonder if you can help.

DH has to go to Italy for work in August. He will be based 40km inland from Venice (roughly)
I’d like to fly out once the job has finished and we’d take a 5 day (roughly) holiday together. Can’t stay much longer due to other work commitments.
We want to avoid Venice as think Venice at the height of summer and in peak tourist season is not ideal?

Where would you go?

OP posts:
Flowersinmai · 11/03/2023 18:36

Have a look at Lido de Jesolo. Very popular with locals.

KnittedCardi · 11/03/2023 18:38

You could go down the coast to somewhere like Ravenna?

Philandbill · 11/03/2023 21:16

Verona. Or up to lake Garda.

TizerorFizz · 11/03/2023 21:30

@TheNinthLock
I would consider Bologna. You can base yourself there and visit Ravenna, Parma, San Marino, Modena, and the Ferrari museum. So many interesting things to see in Bologna too plus great food. You can fly to Bologna and DH can get the train to Bologna (probably). The other possibility is Verona. Wherever you go it will be hot!!

PillBoxes · 11/03/2023 21:33

Depends on what you like/want. Beach, town, city, art, scenery etc.?

For info, I flew into Treviso and got down to Bologna by bus and train, which was brilliant, the food, the food!. Then took the train to Ravenna, another lovely place. Then back up to Padua which is delightful, and did a day in Venice (half an hour from Padua) which was enough for me as it was totally rammed and uncomfortable. Cruise ships had docked doh. 8 days in total.

It will be HOT and crowded in August all around that area so pick your spots carefully and don't do too much. We were there in April and it was great apart from Venice, which although nice to see was a place I couldn't get out of quick enough. I'm sure it is delightful after the crowds have gone in the evenings. Another time maybe!

BigWhiteRabbit · 11/03/2023 21:47

Vicenza is beautiful for a day or two and not touristy. Lakes or dolomites definitely worth considering if the heat is an issue

MujeresLibres · 11/03/2023 21:48

Lake Garda. Had a holiday there last July, it was beautiful.

Original poster
TheNinthLock · 11/03/2023 21:49

Thanks all, lots of places to consider. We are not big beach goers. So towns, art, history, a nice market, locals, not a large resort….
Hot and crowded is my fear….

Dh was in Sweden for work last month. That was cold. If only the Sweden and Italy trips could have been swapped!

OP posts:
GracePooleslaugh · 11/03/2023 21:49

If you want the beach go to Grado, it's lovely and really close. Much classier than Jesolo etc

WomensLandArmy · 11/03/2023 21:51

I would go to the coast as Italy in August is feckin boiling! (worked there for a couple of summers a good few years ago).

Original poster
TheNinthLock · 11/03/2023 21:51

I like the idea of lake Garda!
But dh’s ears pricked up at the mention of the Ferrari museum 😁

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 11/03/2023 21:52

So towns, art, history, a nice market, locals, not a large resort….

Lake Garda ticks all of those boxes, plus it is stunningly beautiful.

WoodlandWalks123 · 11/03/2023 21:55

Tbh I wouldn’t go anywhere in Italy in August, it’s just too hot but I can’t tolerate the heat too well

Original poster
TheNinthLock · 11/03/2023 22:22

I think Lake Garda it is. Especially if I can swim in the lake? Am not great with heat so am thinking a leisurely strolls, swimming, shady terrace kind of holiday 😊

OP posts:
Shmithecat2 · 11/03/2023 22:29

Verona - we went in August a couple of years ago and I really want to return. Lake Garda is just stunning. Beautiful area, as is Verona. Monte Baldo cable car trip is fab. Movieland theme park is awesome! .

RampantIvy · 11/03/2023 22:54

The northern end of Lake Garda is breezier and is more mountainous so the views are stunning. If you take the ferry to different towns it is a relaxing way to see the lake and the breeze is very cooling.

Curlyfluff · 11/03/2023 22:57

I would avoid Jesolo, it's like Benidorm 😄

Original poster
TheNinthLock · 11/03/2023 22:59

Am going to look into northern end of lake Garda tomorrow - thanks for the tip 😊
Thank yiu all!

OP posts:
ratticus4 · 11/03/2023 23:07

We had a great time in Venice in August last summer. Apart from a couple of very narrow bits near the Rialto we didn’t find it crowded. Don’t discount it if you haven’t been before. This was my third visit - the first in twenty years - and I’d forgotten just how beautiful it is.

NotABeliever · 11/03/2023 23:24

Or you could be in Florence in just over one hour by fast train!

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 11/03/2023 23:31

MATERA, in the south is full of history SmileSmileSmile

Maraudingmarauders · 11/03/2023 23:58

I'd do Lake Como over Garda, personally. But go out of the main tourist areas - Argegno on the west side is absolutely wonderful. We really enjoyed Hotel Belvedere, right on the lake.
You could also fit in some visits to Modena and Bologna. Modena has a fabulous food market, and is great for just wandering and stopping for coffee etc. Don't forget to buy some Balsamic, I treasure my two bottles I brought home as the quality is far superior to anything I get in the UK. Ferrari is by Modena so an easy dual trip.

Maraudingmarauders · 11/03/2023 23:59

www.villabelvedererelais.it/

Verite1 · 12/03/2023 00:13

Another vote for Lake Garda. The north is beautiful (and a bit cooler than the south). We went to riva del Garda last year and it was so beautiful that we are going back again this year.

mathanxiety · 12/03/2023 01:05

A lot of Italian businesses shut for their two weeks annual holiday in August. Obv not the one your H will be working with, but look at local customs before committing yourself to a quiet city break.