Originally Posted by
PWMTrav
Oh boy. I suggest rethinking your itinerary. Don't go to Cinque Terre at all. A lot of things will be closed, and it will also be packed. The worst of both worlds. I'd probably even say to skip Florence that time of year too.
Florence is my favorite city in Italy to visit, and no way would I go if I were bound to 10 days in August.
If I had to go to Italy that time of year for 10 days, I'd probably fly into Rome and spend the first 5 there, then head to Torino for the last 5 days. Rome never really sleeps, even in August plenty will remain open, but it'll be warn/hot. Torino may have some closures for vacation, but it'll be cooler up there and it doesn't get the crowds that Rome/Florence/Venice do. I think you'd have a nice time in those places.
You are right, Torino doesn't get completely dead in August, but it is substantially diminished. A little too ghost-townish for a tourist. Florence, like Venice, won't close down because of the tourist demand, but I wouldn't prefer to go to either place in the summer, but it seems as if the OP wants Florence. There are better places to be than either place during the summer in Italy. I think we both agree, Rome is not a bad choice. Of course, there are plenty of splendid choices off the tourist grid, but that's another story.