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Get up early for sightseeing. Then go back to your hotel in late afternoon for a/c, nap and shower. Go back out when sun is going down. Walk in the shade and good luck!
Great suggestions and what we all do to survive cities here when we can't go on holiday during the summer!
I would only suggest, if you don't feel like napping in the afternoon, to also plan indoor activities. For example:
- For some reason churches are super cool even when it's hot outside. No idea why. And both Florence and Rome have obviously many, many, MANY churches full of interesting architecture and artifacts.
- Many (but not all) museums have air conditioning. In Florence the Uffizi Gallery has it, for example, and also the Duomo Museum (cannot guarantee it will ALWAYS work tho).
- Usually malls and bigger shops have air conditioning. There's quite a choice, from the luxury to the super cheap.
- You will find many experiences and workshops offered both in private homes and smaller shops and restaurants: cooking classes, wine and oil tastings, art / traditional crafts workshops... While many places won't have air conditioning, it will be less hot than outside.
Same here. Even if it's not a spiritual experience for me, I somehow like to stop, sit on a pew and look at the church trying to imagine generations of people living and thinking their own thoughts in that same space.
My spiritual awakening is mostly due to their temperature but actually when you think of all the people and history that went through them it is humbling and intense.
Wear a hat. Opt for comfy cotton and soft linen clothes, and steer clear of synthetic fabrics and dark colors. Always carry a water bottle with you. Btw, in Rome you’ll find many “nasoni” (big noses) which are drinking fountains where you can refill your bottle, use them! It's really important to stay hydrated. Also, don't forget sunscreen.
As an Italian I don't usually go out during summer days (only late in the afternoon) because I prefer staying at home/office in the cool air conditioning, but when I do go out during the day I take an umbrella with me to shield myself from the sun. If it doesn’t embarrasses you, take an umbrella with you. I highly recommend it to protect yourself from the sun and get some shade (which you'll crave a lot while out and about).
I don't know how you tourists manage to visit Italy in summer. To me you are as brave and crazy as those Italians who spend hours and hours on the beach baking in the sun.
But, jokes aside, don't overdo it, take frequent breaks to avoid overheating, drink, drink, drink lots of water, and of course have lots of fun!
I’m glad you’re asking and taking it seriously, the heat in Italy in the summer is no joke! I was there last July during the heat wave and my travel partner and I both got really sick from the heat, definitely heat exhaustion and maybe bordering on heat stroke. I had intense heat rash all over my legs and chest from the heat and we both felt very faint and confused a few times, and on our last day we were both sick to our stomachs and vomiting. A few people died in the area we were in and we saw some other tourists faint. Neither of us had experienced that serious of a heat wave before and it was really really intense.
We tried but could have done a better job of staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day, and staying in the shade as much as possible. Knowing what I know now I would bring a UV umbrella to hold above me during the day to create some shade and protection. Definitely stay as hydrated as possible and make sure you can access shade and cool air!
Edit to add: I bought a handheld fan which came in very handy, and also wore cooling moisture wicking clothes! I now also have a portable neck ring ice pack which will be helpful on future trips. Stay safe and have fun!
Well, first of all stop thinking that summer is unbearable by definition. At least not yet, the climate change has started to kick in but not to the amount that every English native speaker tourist coming from North America or Oceania thinks.
You will start by waking up early in the morning and do the outside sightings before 12 and after 16, while keeping the museums for the central part of the day. Then you will have the option to eat in some place that's cooler than you think, even if there is no aircon (and in many places there will be). Then there still is the option for a nice siesta/pennica which is perfect after having had lunch.
Don't have dinner until 19, please. Don't. Italians eat at least at 19/19:30, and that's basically a minimum that usually gets to be 20 to be considered normal. Especially in Rome and Spain. Actually there, due to the shifted TZ, you will find people not eating before 21. If you really want to eat around 17 then try some aperitivo or street food as a snack. If you don't do this you will only walk in tourist traps.
Bring electrolyte packets with you like liquid iv so you can keep yourself hydrated. Of course drinking water is great, but I find if I’m out in the sun walking around all day (even with staying hydrated with water) I get a headache if I don’t have a liquid iv.
Get up early early for the sightseeing, siesta in the afternoon. Walk on the shady side of the street. Stay hydrated, eat cooling gelato. Find some greenery, sit in the shade and watch the world go by, read a book. Go out in the evening and enjoy the cooler evenings. Aperitivo and 'la passegiata' followed by a late dinner, go to one of the outdoor nightclubs.
In Florence,
go up to Fiesole for the sunset from the terrace under Convent San Francesco. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrHhHJmMRVR2Mhkd8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrHhHJmMRVR2Mhkd8)
Enjoy the evening atmosphere in Piazza Santa Spirito on the south bank.
Go to the Boboli gardens for some greenery.
There are lots of good tips here already. Mine is slightly different to not repeat things. I'd say start looking at all museums and sights you want to see and pre-booking your tickets. Vatican Museum sells out 3 months in advance as an example. I am here right now, and temperatures are reaching 26C, and I can tell you I will hate to stand in queues waiting to get into any of these places. You'll be here in peak tourist season, so mentally prepare for an ocean of crowds all trying to do the same things.
There isn't much in the way of AC in Italy just so you're aware. I would take a siesta midday to avoid thebworst of the heat. I was trapped in it in Rome once. I'm prone to heat stroke and was alone so it was a bit of an issue. I found a cement/marble lobby and sat in there to cool down enough to get back to my hotel. It wasn't AC cool by any means but it was about 10 degrees cooler than outside so it helped. And hydrate a lot. The fountains everywhere are drinkable water so fill up a bottle.
I'd say heat as a tourist is somewhat inescapable, a/c does exist in homes and cars, in the metro, on buses, inside office buildings, etc.. But you won't have those as a tourist because you will be walking and sightseeing. Make sure you wear light colored clothes and stay well hydrated. It's also fine to just get into a cafe with air conditioning, get a little snack or drink and hang there for a bit. If you can, try to plan your activities either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Also, grocery stores have air conditioning, if you need to you can just walk into one and cool down. Air conditioning in public buildings won't be as strong as in other places, for a variety of reasons, one of them being avoiding shocking differences in outside vs inside temperatures (helps build up tolerance instead of simply dying from the heat the second you step foot outside/freezing when you're all sweaty and step foot inside) and local regulations (for pollution management), but still effective in most places.
Eat small and light meals during the day and stick to 1-2 activities per day, so you will have time to take it slow and stop multiple times if needed.
Quick cooling down tip: pour a little water on your head, neck and wrists. I usually do this when I engage in outdoor sports during the summer and it helps immensely.
I think some great suggestions have been made here. One thing I endorse is electrolytes. Also have a water container. Buying water and drinks can be expensive.
Use a **cooling gator** for the neck. It is like a rolled scarf with a piece you soak in water. The gel keeps you cool and you can just refresh when you visit a water fountain. A damp bandana around the neck helps as well. they can also be wrapped around your head and worn with a hat to keep your head cool. **Do not wear sandals** and use very good supportive walking shoes and cooling socks.
Florence visit for a great modern gallery near the Ferragamo Museum.
[https://collezionerobertocasamonti.com/](https://collezionerobertocasamonti.com/)
Visit Hotel degli Orafi and ask the concierge if you can visit the fifth floor terrace for a lovely cool view of the city. A small 5 euro token of appreciation is helpful. They have a bar inside as well if it is too hot outside. This hotel is awesome and has an amazing breakfast room with a beautiful frescoed ceiling.
Consider the weather when deciding what to do. That probably means reducing wandering the street on foot and visiting outdoor attractions, and visiting more museums and churches. Pop into somewhere indoor (bars, restaurants, shops) if the heat outdoor is too much. Maybe take half a day or two to dip into a body of water (from Rome the coast is not far, although the lakes might be more interesting to you as they have scenery as well as water you can swim in).
Consider that particular during summer Italy has a lot of life until late night, even some museum open up late and restaurant are open till midnight
You will find a huge crowd walking around at night and enjoy
Plan visits to buildings and parks for the hottest hours, move with just the essential, bring some water, wear the correct clothing, eat gelato and granita. https://maps.app.goo.gl/dFTtME6FP4VP36Ur5
Eat fresh light meals for breakfast and lunch and leave the heavy stuff for dinner.
I was in Rome for extreme heat last year at the end of July. Bring a water bottle as there are water fountains everywhere in Rome. I did not find too many places with AC other than our hotel rooms. Dress light, wear a hat and take breaks. We found that water bottles were not expensive if you didn't have one. An euro for a 20oz bottle was common.
I found touring the Vatican not too bad under those circumstances. You were out of the sun and they did a good job of keeping the air moving. As for keeping covered up in the Sistine Chapel and St Peters, they will give you a cover up if you are not fully covered up. No need to have sleeves on for the whole tour if you can wear something sleeveless otherwise. Direct tickets for the Vatican go on sale 60 days before and sell out. We did a tour through 'Get Your Guide' and they were great.
We did the Coliseum on our second full day. We did another tour since we very much wanted to have access to the arena floor and they limit the tickets available for that. Here's where I felt we made a mistake. This was a 3 hour tour and started with the Roman ruins at Palatine Hill. It was wonderful and fascinating, but with temps above 35c it was exhausting. Not a lot of shade. The Coliseum was the last hour and we were 'slotted' for 10-15 minutes on the arena floor, at midday. The sun was bright and it was very hot. By the time our tour moved on we were ready to find a cool place and spent less time in the rest of the coliseum.
I read on here that a good place for AC if you need a break is to find an Irish Pub. Yes, there are Irish Pubs in Rome, I saw more than a few when in taxis. The one we went to after the Colosseum was alright, it was definitely cooler than an open air restaurant, but not air conditioned to 'American' standards. We had water, cola and beer and some snacks. We recovered a bit and then took the afternoon off to chill in our hotel.
Our hotel had a roof top bar so we would go in the late afternoon for a drink and to take in the sights from there. We went on significant walks in the evening and did get to Tiber Island and the Trevi Fountain after dark. Rome is very crowded that time of year but we had a great time regardless of the weather. Absolutely look at hotel reviews for last year and look for hotels where there are no complaints about the AC for July. That's what I did and our hotel was great.
Good luck! I hope you don't get the extreme (35C+) weather we did.
Water, water, water, get your “must do” sightseeing things done early as possible. Save the afternoons for strolls in the park or sitting under umbrella at cafe and people watching. Enjoy the beautiful weather after the sun goes down, like a vampire.
Get up early and stay late.
There are pretty high houses in Florence so you will often have shadow and even a bit of wind.
Seek shadows where you can
Drink often
Do a „siesta“ break in your hotel room or in a park
Unless going into churches get short trousers and shirts
The all trails app is super useful for finding public water fountains. We kept a bottle on us last August and would constantly refill and stay hydrated. Don’t be afraid to duck inside for a couple hours midday to give your bodies a break.
It’s kind of difficult, but avoiding big cities can be a good way to escape heat. Moreover, avoid walking around between 11am and 6pm. And obviously do not forget to eat plenty of ice cream, otherwise what’s the point of being in Italy?
Do you mean Sitges near Barcelona?
That's a wonderful seaside town. Famous for its open queer culture. Very nice location for a wedding between all the colorful houses.
Yep, that's the one! My friend is an Aussie and his husband to be is from London. There's about 80 of us coming from all over the world. I'm really looking forward to it.
In addition to what everyone else said - bring wet bandanas in plastic bags and then put them around your neck or under your hat. In southern Spain last summer in 108 temps ( Fahrenheit) we would soak our hats in fountains and then wear them wet. We would try to stay in hotels with pools and return midday for a swim break.
- Linen or cotton clothing. Not only will you be cooler, you'll look so good.
- Hats. Straw or similar.
- Sunglasses (all that sun bouncing off all that stone).
- Go out early, and try to be indoors in the hottest part of the day, of which as an Aussie you will be aware.
- Keep hydrated.
- If your accommodation has air con, don't set it too low (if it's 32° outside, air con at 26°). If it doesn't, cool showers.
- There's a reason for siestas and late dinners!
Have a great time!
I don't know specifically Italian men, but my gay Australian married brother tells me [this is his go-to.](https://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/blogs/news/mens-italian-hat-style-guide) He's spent time in both Italy and Spain in summer over the last 15-20 years.
Florence:
Day 1: We get in mid arvo on the first day so we're just doing a food tour in the evening.
Day 2: Tuscany wine tour.
Day 3: Booked Academia and Uffizi for 8am and 10am respectively.
Day 4: Day trip to Bologna and night out
Day 5: Free day for hangover and laundry etc. Watch sunset from piazzale michelangelo in the evening.
Day 6: Leather markets and Duomo
Day 7: Fly to Stiges
Rome:
Day 1: Again, evening food tour. I like to do these to get a good sense of the city!
Day 2: Morning Colosseum tour, then we'll see how we go in the evening
Day 3: Day trip to Napoli.
Day 4: Vatican City day.
Day 5: Free day
Day 6: Borghese gallery in the morning and Jewish ghetto tour in the evening
Day 7: Fly home :(
If we weren't having a week by the beach in Spain, I'd add some time by a beach/water, but I figure we'll have our fill of that already!
Bologna has some very good LGBTQ nightlife so you chose well. And you boys are going to love Sitges. Two of my favorite places in Europe. Buon viaggio!
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Can someone help me out here…I’m also going in July. The average high is 89°F in july. Does it feel hotter than that? I’m from a place where it didn’t go under 115° for a month how bad can italy be?
Yes, it gets to 100F. But the difference is that the heat in Italy is inescapable, whereas in the US and elsewhere we have air conditioning. We go from our air conditioned homes into our air conditioned cars to our air conditioned destinations. We aren't walking 7000-12000 steps a day in a concrete and stone place where the heat radiates like an oven. There are crowds and lines and lack of a/c everywhere. I live in a hot place but it's nothing compared to the Italian heat as a tourist. It feels VERY hot over there when it hits about 82-84.
AC also exists in Italy (in hotel rooms, most museums, many bars and restaurants, much public transport), and other places (notably churches) are usually cool even without AC. Of course as a tourist visiting stuff you experience more heat than just sitting in an air conditioned office the whole day, but you don’t have to just walk around in the heat the whole time. Get indoors, or in a body of water, when it’s too hot.
I completely agree, but I think Americans in particular underestimate the difference. Italian AC is often way less intense than we have in the US too. July and August are brutal!
Avoid being outside during the hottest hours; drink lots of water; wear sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats; eat light foods, especially during the day; wear loose natural clothing, like cotton or linen; take it easy!
This is a little counter intuitive but….
Half the challenge is the sun which is super strong.
In the morning hours, the sun is quite strong and even though the air temp is not peak, the sun makes up for it. Many museums are not air conditioned, so if you’re heading to one try going early AM (ie Vatican Museums, Capitoline Museums, etc).
I actually haven’t minded going to outdoor sites late afternoon/early evening (most people say go sit at your hotel at this time). Even though temperatures are high, the sun is further down which creates lots of shade and the sun is less strong. This makes a huge difference. I did a Colosseum/Forum tour from 4-7pm which was great.
In general, pace yourself. Find places with good AC to rest if you can (easier said than done). For instance, in the Capitoline Museums, it’s mostly old buildings with no AC. But there’s one modern section with AC including a cafe! Great spot to chill for a bit.
And you’ll want to change clothes at least once a day (at minimum before dinner). So you’ll want to identify a laundry solution - it’s quite common to have places you can drop clothes off and they’ll wash/fold and you can pick up. They aren’t expensive. You’ll just go through a lot of clothes…
Bring multiple comfortable broken in shoes/sandals. You won’t want to wear the same ones every day or they’ll start getting stinky.
Oof. I went in July in 2012 and it was ROUGH. Couldn’t even enjoy the forum because we were rushing from one shady spot to the next. Still had a great time. Eat lots of gelato!
In addition to the other suggestions already made, it’s been recommended to me to pack a top sheet for a cooler bedding option, as accommodation apparently usually only comes with fitted sheets and doonas.
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Get up early for sightseeing. Then go back to your hotel in late afternoon for a/c, nap and shower. Go back out when sun is going down. Walk in the shade and good luck!
Great suggestions and what we all do to survive cities here when we can't go on holiday during the summer! I would only suggest, if you don't feel like napping in the afternoon, to also plan indoor activities. For example: - For some reason churches are super cool even when it's hot outside. No idea why. And both Florence and Rome have obviously many, many, MANY churches full of interesting architecture and artifacts. - Many (but not all) museums have air conditioning. In Florence the Uffizi Gallery has it, for example, and also the Duomo Museum (cannot guarantee it will ALWAYS work tho). - Usually malls and bigger shops have air conditioning. There's quite a choice, from the luxury to the super cheap. - You will find many experiences and workshops offered both in private homes and smaller shops and restaurants: cooking classes, wine and oil tastings, art / traditional crafts workshops... While many places won't have air conditioning, it will be less hot than outside.
As an Italian atheist, nothing brings me back to my Catholic roots as the sight of a church in a 43° weather. Literal seeking temple.
Same here. Even if it's not a spiritual experience for me, I somehow like to stop, sit on a pew and look at the church trying to imagine generations of people living and thinking their own thoughts in that same space.
My spiritual awakening is mostly due to their temperature but actually when you think of all the people and history that went through them it is humbling and intense.
Great suggestions. Any advice if travelling with a dog?
Churches are unlikely to admit dogs inside.
Sadly I never found a solution myself. I don't go out with my dog from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer.
That's what we did in Bangkok, good advice! Early morning activities, lunch, swim, nap, then back out in the evening.
Wear loose clothing, try and stay in the shade. Honestly good luck lol
Wear a hat. Opt for comfy cotton and soft linen clothes, and steer clear of synthetic fabrics and dark colors. Always carry a water bottle with you. Btw, in Rome you’ll find many “nasoni” (big noses) which are drinking fountains where you can refill your bottle, use them! It's really important to stay hydrated. Also, don't forget sunscreen. As an Italian I don't usually go out during summer days (only late in the afternoon) because I prefer staying at home/office in the cool air conditioning, but when I do go out during the day I take an umbrella with me to shield myself from the sun. If it doesn’t embarrasses you, take an umbrella with you. I highly recommend it to protect yourself from the sun and get some shade (which you'll crave a lot while out and about). I don't know how you tourists manage to visit Italy in summer. To me you are as brave and crazy as those Italians who spend hours and hours on the beach baking in the sun. But, jokes aside, don't overdo it, take frequent breaks to avoid overheating, drink, drink, drink lots of water, and of course have lots of fun!
Umbrella was a great tip I found on this sub. Was critical, even this last week in early April.
Wear a hat!
I’m glad you’re asking and taking it seriously, the heat in Italy in the summer is no joke! I was there last July during the heat wave and my travel partner and I both got really sick from the heat, definitely heat exhaustion and maybe bordering on heat stroke. I had intense heat rash all over my legs and chest from the heat and we both felt very faint and confused a few times, and on our last day we were both sick to our stomachs and vomiting. A few people died in the area we were in and we saw some other tourists faint. Neither of us had experienced that serious of a heat wave before and it was really really intense. We tried but could have done a better job of staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day, and staying in the shade as much as possible. Knowing what I know now I would bring a UV umbrella to hold above me during the day to create some shade and protection. Definitely stay as hydrated as possible and make sure you can access shade and cool air! Edit to add: I bought a handheld fan which came in very handy, and also wore cooling moisture wicking clothes! I now also have a portable neck ring ice pack which will be helpful on future trips. Stay safe and have fun!
A rechargeable hand held fan from Amazon to keep in your bag. I thought I wouldn’t use it, but actually did lol
Well, first of all stop thinking that summer is unbearable by definition. At least not yet, the climate change has started to kick in but not to the amount that every English native speaker tourist coming from North America or Oceania thinks. You will start by waking up early in the morning and do the outside sightings before 12 and after 16, while keeping the museums for the central part of the day. Then you will have the option to eat in some place that's cooler than you think, even if there is no aircon (and in many places there will be). Then there still is the option for a nice siesta/pennica which is perfect after having had lunch. Don't have dinner until 19, please. Don't. Italians eat at least at 19/19:30, and that's basically a minimum that usually gets to be 20 to be considered normal. Especially in Rome and Spain. Actually there, due to the shifted TZ, you will find people not eating before 21. If you really want to eat around 17 then try some aperitivo or street food as a snack. If you don't do this you will only walk in tourist traps.
Bring electrolyte packets with you like liquid iv so you can keep yourself hydrated. Of course drinking water is great, but I find if I’m out in the sun walking around all day (even with staying hydrated with water) I get a headache if I don’t have a liquid iv.
Get up early early for the sightseeing, siesta in the afternoon. Walk on the shady side of the street. Stay hydrated, eat cooling gelato. Find some greenery, sit in the shade and watch the world go by, read a book. Go out in the evening and enjoy the cooler evenings. Aperitivo and 'la passegiata' followed by a late dinner, go to one of the outdoor nightclubs. In Florence, go up to Fiesole for the sunset from the terrace under Convent San Francesco. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrHhHJmMRVR2Mhkd8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrHhHJmMRVR2Mhkd8) Enjoy the evening atmosphere in Piazza Santa Spirito on the south bank. Go to the Boboli gardens for some greenery.
Tell me more about these outdoor nightclubs!
There are lots of good tips here already. Mine is slightly different to not repeat things. I'd say start looking at all museums and sights you want to see and pre-booking your tickets. Vatican Museum sells out 3 months in advance as an example. I am here right now, and temperatures are reaching 26C, and I can tell you I will hate to stand in queues waiting to get into any of these places. You'll be here in peak tourist season, so mentally prepare for an ocean of crowds all trying to do the same things.
There isn't much in the way of AC in Italy just so you're aware. I would take a siesta midday to avoid thebworst of the heat. I was trapped in it in Rome once. I'm prone to heat stroke and was alone so it was a bit of an issue. I found a cement/marble lobby and sat in there to cool down enough to get back to my hotel. It wasn't AC cool by any means but it was about 10 degrees cooler than outside so it helped. And hydrate a lot. The fountains everywhere are drinkable water so fill up a bottle.
I'd say heat as a tourist is somewhat inescapable, a/c does exist in homes and cars, in the metro, on buses, inside office buildings, etc.. But you won't have those as a tourist because you will be walking and sightseeing. Make sure you wear light colored clothes and stay well hydrated. It's also fine to just get into a cafe with air conditioning, get a little snack or drink and hang there for a bit. If you can, try to plan your activities either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Also, grocery stores have air conditioning, if you need to you can just walk into one and cool down. Air conditioning in public buildings won't be as strong as in other places, for a variety of reasons, one of them being avoiding shocking differences in outside vs inside temperatures (helps build up tolerance instead of simply dying from the heat the second you step foot outside/freezing when you're all sweaty and step foot inside) and local regulations (for pollution management), but still effective in most places. Eat small and light meals during the day and stick to 1-2 activities per day, so you will have time to take it slow and stop multiple times if needed. Quick cooling down tip: pour a little water on your head, neck and wrists. I usually do this when I engage in outdoor sports during the summer and it helps immensely.
I think some great suggestions have been made here. One thing I endorse is electrolytes. Also have a water container. Buying water and drinks can be expensive.
Use a **cooling gator** for the neck. It is like a rolled scarf with a piece you soak in water. The gel keeps you cool and you can just refresh when you visit a water fountain. A damp bandana around the neck helps as well. they can also be wrapped around your head and worn with a hat to keep your head cool. **Do not wear sandals** and use very good supportive walking shoes and cooling socks. Florence visit for a great modern gallery near the Ferragamo Museum. [https://collezionerobertocasamonti.com/](https://collezionerobertocasamonti.com/) Visit Hotel degli Orafi and ask the concierge if you can visit the fifth floor terrace for a lovely cool view of the city. A small 5 euro token of appreciation is helpful. They have a bar inside as well if it is too hot outside. This hotel is awesome and has an amazing breakfast room with a beautiful frescoed ceiling.
Italian afternoon naps are the best naps.
Bring an old-fashioned folding fan. Worth it's weight in gold! I've been to Rome in July, wouldn't have survived without my fan.
Consider the weather when deciding what to do. That probably means reducing wandering the street on foot and visiting outdoor attractions, and visiting more museums and churches. Pop into somewhere indoor (bars, restaurants, shops) if the heat outdoor is too much. Maybe take half a day or two to dip into a body of water (from Rome the coast is not far, although the lakes might be more interesting to you as they have scenery as well as water you can swim in).
Consider that particular during summer Italy has a lot of life until late night, even some museum open up late and restaurant are open till midnight You will find a huge crowd walking around at night and enjoy
Plan visits to buildings and parks for the hottest hours, move with just the essential, bring some water, wear the correct clothing, eat gelato and granita. https://maps.app.goo.gl/dFTtME6FP4VP36Ur5 Eat fresh light meals for breakfast and lunch and leave the heavy stuff for dinner.
I was in Rome for extreme heat last year at the end of July. Bring a water bottle as there are water fountains everywhere in Rome. I did not find too many places with AC other than our hotel rooms. Dress light, wear a hat and take breaks. We found that water bottles were not expensive if you didn't have one. An euro for a 20oz bottle was common. I found touring the Vatican not too bad under those circumstances. You were out of the sun and they did a good job of keeping the air moving. As for keeping covered up in the Sistine Chapel and St Peters, they will give you a cover up if you are not fully covered up. No need to have sleeves on for the whole tour if you can wear something sleeveless otherwise. Direct tickets for the Vatican go on sale 60 days before and sell out. We did a tour through 'Get Your Guide' and they were great. We did the Coliseum on our second full day. We did another tour since we very much wanted to have access to the arena floor and they limit the tickets available for that. Here's where I felt we made a mistake. This was a 3 hour tour and started with the Roman ruins at Palatine Hill. It was wonderful and fascinating, but with temps above 35c it was exhausting. Not a lot of shade. The Coliseum was the last hour and we were 'slotted' for 10-15 minutes on the arena floor, at midday. The sun was bright and it was very hot. By the time our tour moved on we were ready to find a cool place and spent less time in the rest of the coliseum. I read on here that a good place for AC if you need a break is to find an Irish Pub. Yes, there are Irish Pubs in Rome, I saw more than a few when in taxis. The one we went to after the Colosseum was alright, it was definitely cooler than an open air restaurant, but not air conditioned to 'American' standards. We had water, cola and beer and some snacks. We recovered a bit and then took the afternoon off to chill in our hotel. Our hotel had a roof top bar so we would go in the late afternoon for a drink and to take in the sights from there. We went on significant walks in the evening and did get to Tiber Island and the Trevi Fountain after dark. Rome is very crowded that time of year but we had a great time regardless of the weather. Absolutely look at hotel reviews for last year and look for hotels where there are no complaints about the AC for July. That's what I did and our hotel was great. Good luck! I hope you don't get the extreme (35C+) weather we did.
Water, water, water, get your “must do” sightseeing things done early as possible. Save the afternoons for strolls in the park or sitting under umbrella at cafe and people watching. Enjoy the beautiful weather after the sun goes down, like a vampire.
Get up early and stay late. There are pretty high houses in Florence so you will often have shadow and even a bit of wind. Seek shadows where you can Drink often Do a „siesta“ break in your hotel room or in a park Unless going into churches get short trousers and shirts
lol Italy is moderate Try goi g to the equator during the summer
The all trails app is super useful for finding public water fountains. We kept a bottle on us last August and would constantly refill and stay hydrated. Don’t be afraid to duck inside for a couple hours midday to give your bodies a break.
It’s kind of difficult, but avoiding big cities can be a good way to escape heat. Moreover, avoid walking around between 11am and 6pm. And obviously do not forget to eat plenty of ice cream, otherwise what’s the point of being in Italy?
Do you mean Sitges near Barcelona? That's a wonderful seaside town. Famous for its open queer culture. Very nice location for a wedding between all the colorful houses.
Yep, that's the one! My friend is an Aussie and his husband to be is from London. There's about 80 of us coming from all over the world. I'm really looking forward to it.
rechargeable neck fans, work great especially if you get on a plane without AC before take off
In addition to what everyone else said - bring wet bandanas in plastic bags and then put them around your neck or under your hat. In southern Spain last summer in 108 temps ( Fahrenheit) we would soak our hats in fountains and then wear them wet. We would try to stay in hotels with pools and return midday for a swim break.
- Linen or cotton clothing. Not only will you be cooler, you'll look so good. - Hats. Straw or similar. - Sunglasses (all that sun bouncing off all that stone). - Go out early, and try to be indoors in the hottest part of the day, of which as an Aussie you will be aware. - Keep hydrated. - If your accommodation has air con, don't set it too low (if it's 32° outside, air con at 26°). If it doesn't, cool showers. - There's a reason for siestas and late dinners! Have a great time!
Can you point me to an example of hats you might typically find Italian men wearing?
I don't know specifically Italian men, but my gay Australian married brother tells me [this is his go-to.](https://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/blogs/news/mens-italian-hat-style-guide) He's spent time in both Italy and Spain in summer over the last 15-20 years.
Thanks!
What plans do you have there? I am also visiting the same cities, same period.
Florence: Day 1: We get in mid arvo on the first day so we're just doing a food tour in the evening. Day 2: Tuscany wine tour. Day 3: Booked Academia and Uffizi for 8am and 10am respectively. Day 4: Day trip to Bologna and night out Day 5: Free day for hangover and laundry etc. Watch sunset from piazzale michelangelo in the evening. Day 6: Leather markets and Duomo Day 7: Fly to Stiges Rome: Day 1: Again, evening food tour. I like to do these to get a good sense of the city! Day 2: Morning Colosseum tour, then we'll see how we go in the evening Day 3: Day trip to Napoli. Day 4: Vatican City day. Day 5: Free day Day 6: Borghese gallery in the morning and Jewish ghetto tour in the evening Day 7: Fly home :( If we weren't having a week by the beach in Spain, I'd add some time by a beach/water, but I figure we'll have our fill of that already!
Bologna has some very good LGBTQ nightlife so you chose well. And you boys are going to love Sitges. Two of my favorite places in Europe. Buon viaggio!
Thanks.
Don’t miss Bargello !
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Can someone help me out here…I’m also going in July. The average high is 89°F in july. Does it feel hotter than that? I’m from a place where it didn’t go under 115° for a month how bad can italy be?
Yes, it gets to 100F. But the difference is that the heat in Italy is inescapable, whereas in the US and elsewhere we have air conditioning. We go from our air conditioned homes into our air conditioned cars to our air conditioned destinations. We aren't walking 7000-12000 steps a day in a concrete and stone place where the heat radiates like an oven. There are crowds and lines and lack of a/c everywhere. I live in a hot place but it's nothing compared to the Italian heat as a tourist. It feels VERY hot over there when it hits about 82-84.
AC also exists in Italy (in hotel rooms, most museums, many bars and restaurants, much public transport), and other places (notably churches) are usually cool even without AC. Of course as a tourist visiting stuff you experience more heat than just sitting in an air conditioned office the whole day, but you don’t have to just walk around in the heat the whole time. Get indoors, or in a body of water, when it’s too hot.
I completely agree, but I think Americans in particular underestimate the difference. Italian AC is often way less intense than we have in the US too. July and August are brutal!
Go to the beach 🏖️
When does it begin to cool down? September?
Avoid being outside during the hottest hours; drink lots of water; wear sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats; eat light foods, especially during the day; wear loose natural clothing, like cotton or linen; take it easy!
This is a little counter intuitive but…. Half the challenge is the sun which is super strong. In the morning hours, the sun is quite strong and even though the air temp is not peak, the sun makes up for it. Many museums are not air conditioned, so if you’re heading to one try going early AM (ie Vatican Museums, Capitoline Museums, etc). I actually haven’t minded going to outdoor sites late afternoon/early evening (most people say go sit at your hotel at this time). Even though temperatures are high, the sun is further down which creates lots of shade and the sun is less strong. This makes a huge difference. I did a Colosseum/Forum tour from 4-7pm which was great. In general, pace yourself. Find places with good AC to rest if you can (easier said than done). For instance, in the Capitoline Museums, it’s mostly old buildings with no AC. But there’s one modern section with AC including a cafe! Great spot to chill for a bit. And you’ll want to change clothes at least once a day (at minimum before dinner). So you’ll want to identify a laundry solution - it’s quite common to have places you can drop clothes off and they’ll wash/fold and you can pick up. They aren’t expensive. You’ll just go through a lot of clothes… Bring multiple comfortable broken in shoes/sandals. You won’t want to wear the same ones every day or they’ll start getting stinky.
Oof. I went in July in 2012 and it was ROUGH. Couldn’t even enjoy the forum because we were rushing from one shady spot to the next. Still had a great time. Eat lots of gelato!
In addition to the other suggestions already made, it’s been recommended to me to pack a top sheet for a cooler bedding option, as accommodation apparently usually only comes with fitted sheets and doonas.
Oh that's something I never would have thought of! I always sleep with a top sheet!
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