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Holidays

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

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Original poster

Florence, Italy....are we mad?

115 replies

Hairydogmummy · 17/07/2023 23:30

We're booked to fly to Tuscany on Thursday to stay in a lovely villa with pool belonging to a colleague of DH but there turns out to be no aircon and in this heatwave?!! I've only just found this out. I'm worried about the whole trip but especially all the sightseeing we've booked on Saturday in Florence. We could still cancel this day trip at least without losing money. I've never been to Italy and was so excited to see and do as much as possible. DH colleague has advised us to just stay around the pool. WWYD? My DSD18 and DS 19 are coming with.

OP posts:

AllAboardTootToot · 19/07/2023 09:14

Take spray bottles with you, fill with ice water, just a spray of that on you when becoming hot really helps.

spent many nights in similar temps with no air con and this is the best coping tip I was taught (dessert training). Amazing how a little mist instantly cools in the right places.

watermeloncougar · 19/07/2023 09:15

@steppemum even if the house is (relatively!) cool, who wants to go to Tuscany and spend their whole time sitting in a house?!

The OP would be far better off going in warm weather (not stiflingly hot) so the family can enjoy being outdoors, visiting Florence for the day etc

Fluffycloudsblusky · 19/07/2023 09:24

Keep the bedrooms like this during the day: shutters (if you have them) closed. Also windows and curtains. Open only at night.
Sheet in a plastic bag in the freezer is nice to start off in bed.
Pet stores sell cool mats for dogs. Maybe that would be useful?
Go out in the late late afternoon. Or early morning. Lots of water and Lollies etc.

steppemum · 19/07/2023 09:30

watermeloncougar · 19/07/2023 09:15

@steppemum even if the house is (relatively!) cool, who wants to go to Tuscany and spend their whole time sitting in a house?!

The OP would be far better off going in warm weather (not stiflingly hot) so the family can enjoy being outdoors, visiting Florence for the day etc

well, you spend the day in and out of the pool and the nights in the house?

Most comments on here are about it being too hot at night due to no a/c.

I go to a similar farmhouse in France. Even on extrememly hot years house is cool enough at night (expect bedroom in the attic).
Daytime is pool, shade, pool shade, sleep, read.

On cooler years we sightsee and go out and about.

Original poster

Hairydogmummy · 22/07/2023 09:08

Thanks so much everyone for comments! Happy to report that up here in Tuscan hills it's not been hotter than 30. We postponed Florence until the end of our holidays on Wednesday. House isn't as cool as we hoped apart from lower ground floor but hot water bottle tip and fans are helping. Water is well water so it's always dry cold.

OP posts:

heldinadream · 22/07/2023 09:22

Oh glad you made it OP! I thought it would be more manageable in the hills and in an older building.
So you're doing Florence this coming Wednesday, is that right? Let us know how it goes, I'm really interested how bearable it is, a friend of mine has had to travel to Italy for family reasons and she's got fragile health so I'm worrying how she's coping but also not wanting to bother her with loads of messages.
Hope the house is lovely!

BlowDryRat · 22/07/2023 15:49

I'm glad you went OP! It's miserable and raining steadily here today.

Hope you have a great time.

Original poster

Hairydogmummy · 22/07/2023 17:31

Thanks @BlowDryRat @heldinadream having a lovely time so far. It was hot in Arrezzo today but only normal Mediterranean country type hot. Not ridiculous. @heldinadream I will report back after Florence on Wednesday. Forecast looks like high 20s. High up if definitely the place to be. Have to say if this place was mine I would put aircon in the bedrooms for sure cos the ceilings are just the underside of the terracotta roof tiles so are very warm. Downstairs is cool tho.

OP posts:

coxesorangepippin · 22/07/2023 18:40

Sounds amazing!! Any chance of pics of the views? Sounds idyllic

Original poster

Hairydogmummy · 23/07/2023 09:04

@coxesorangepippin this is the view that I can see from my bed this morning!

OP posts:

Quisisana · 23/07/2023 16:11

Lovely! I was going to say if you're in the hills you'll be fine!

Original poster

Hairydogmummy · 26/07/2023 19:44

@heldinadream Florence was glorious. Not too warm at all. Nice breeze and then a storm freshened it up. Would totally recommend. My DH and DSD18 were a pain in the bum however but that's another story...

OP posts:

heldinadream · 26/07/2023 20:04

Hairydogmummy · 26/07/2023 19:44

Aww thanks for coming back and telling me. I think my friend is ok but probably struggling in all sorts of ways, not just the heat to contend with.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Florence, it's such an amazing city. Everyone should get there once. Italy is heaven when it's not too hot.

coxesorangepippin · 26/07/2023 20:12

What a view! Absolutely lovely 🌹 glad you had a good time

Maddy70 · 27/07/2023 16:24

I live in Spain. It's cooled down a bit this week. We haven't had our air con on at all. I appreciate we are used to the heat but as long as you have fans you'll be ok

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