Originally Posted by
jdrtravel
Thanks so much for all of the feedback. I really appreciate it. Two more questions:
1) If you had 10 days in Italy during these dates and had not been there before, what itinerary would you advise? I'm willing to throw out everything I currently have, though J class tickets with miles are currently booked into Milan and out of FCO.
2) If you could go anywhere in Europe over these 10 days in August, where would you go?
Thanks so much.
Originally Posted by
PWMTrav
I've been to Florence in August and would never do it again.
1. What I'd do is fly into Rome, plan for the first 5 days there. I'd then keep the next 5 flexible. Meaning no prepaid hotels if you can help it. Make some reservations that you can afford to cancel or shorten in Florence or Venice (whichever you're more inclined to visit). Take the train there and spend a day and night. If you think it sucks, move on. But to where?
Well, if you want to vacation like an Italian at the beach, maybe with a little partying, consider Rimini (on the adriatic coast). If you want a city, Genova (especially if you like aquariums). Ravenna if you like Roman history.
Full disclosure, I don't like heat. I live in Maine. I won't suggest going south in August.
2. I'd probably still go to Italy, but that's my answer to everything. If I had to pick somewhere else, again, I'm going north. How about Copenhagen?
1. I wouldn't go to Venice in August either. I've lived through it, and it's insane. Most people who try it will come back saying they hate Venice. I know the out of the way places to hide and to eat, but a tourist won't, and will be miserable in August.
2. If I could go anywhere in Europe in August? That's too broad a question. Europe is a big place. It's a matter of taste. Personally, I'd probably go to Sicily or someplace else in the South or way up north like Bolzano, or to Berlin, or Provence.
3. Sicily is hot, but with lots of breeze, and not humid at all. I had no trouble at all spending a good part of the summer of 2014 in Siracusa and Palermo. Great beaches, great food, great weather, few tourists, beautiful everything. The population can't all flee and go to the beach because they are already on the beach. So instead of closing like other parts of Italy they have great events and parties on the beach during Ferragosto. August is a great time to go.
4. Since you are arriving in Milan, you can go to Lake Como directly in about an hour from Milano Centrale by public train. The lake is surrounded by quaint, small towns. They make their living in the few warm summer months, and so most don't close down. Bellagio will be overrun, but Varenna and Menaggio much less so. You can take the ferry from town to town on the lake and that is a wonderful thing to do, or take the train to Colico and go to a nice beach on the lake. August there is nice, and the crowds are tolerable. There are many nice towns on the lake. After relaxing around the lake you can take a train down to Rome. No big problem with Ferragosto in Rome. Some of the nice restaurants are closed, but there are always a lot of options.