Parma in August
 

I have to be in Parma for a meeting in late August. I'll have some time for side trips - planning to fly into Milan, and would stay for a few days. I see that Cinque Terra and Genoa are nearby. Another possibility is the opera in Verona. Any suggestions?

Ferragosto- the August holiday. The Italians close their businesses and swarm to the beaches, so much of Parma will be closed and the beach/resort places like Cinque Terre will be overrun with tourists.

Personally, one of my favorite places in Italy is Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, it will be nice in August; the gallerie (covered galleries filled with stunning sculptures) will be shady and cool, and the hillside mausoleums will also be shady. I've spent many days wandering around there, and I still haven't nearly seen all of it.

http://stonecarver.com/Staglieno.html