Italy in August - Is it really that bad

Travel, Wine Tourism, and Restaurants Forum
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So I have read multiple articles about traveling in Italy during August and higher temperatures being an issue. They also mentioned some smaller towns shutting down a lot of restaurants and shops during this hot month. We are considering going with another couple who has to go during this time frame, maybe the last two weeks of the month.

What are your thoughts about this? We will be planning to visit Tuscany and Piedmonte regions.

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Josh, we were in Tuscany in August '08. Indeed, the heat is a consideration but the nights are cool. Southern Italy is a lot hotter than in Tuscany and Piemonte though so it won’t be too bad.

Any businesses that are closed are not closed because of the heat but because it’s what they do in August. August is sort of a national holiday month in Italy. That’s when most Italians take vacation. Most places will be open but some may not be open every day and they may have shorter hours on other days. We didn’t encounter any issues regarding closed businesses. Have fun.

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yeah August is a holiday month - it’s not optimal and, while the heat is more manageable in the north, it’s still pretty hot. Now, if you’re going to rent a villa, hang out and lounge… meh, not an issue. If you want to avoid heat, tourists and have a better chance of good restaurants, shops and wineries being open, August isn’t a great month.

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Chris/Rick - Thanks for the quick feedback. I had not come across the month being mostly dedicated to a national holiday. I did read about Assumption Day that fell on a day we were supposed to be Tuscany, so we were going to change things up a bit. I am guessing this is it. As I figured, I have decisions to make.

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To be clear, it’s not a national holiday in the sense of Christmas etc… it’s that most people take vacation then, i.e. they go on holiday. The risk is that places you’d like to go might be closed because the owners are off on vacation.

If you can, I’d recommend September… school’s back in, tourists are less prevalent, the weather is nicer and people are back from vacation. The only reason to avoid Sept would be winery visits as harvest is in progress and they’re busy.

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Hi Josh,

Yes, as said, many Italians on holiday.

If you wish to visit wineproducers you may find they are also on holiday.

I alway travel to Piemonte in May and September, good time to spend your holiday there.

If you need any help visiting restaurants or wineproducers let me know and I will see if I can help you.

Ciao
Birger

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I was there in August in 2003. That was pretty hot but still not THAT hot. Late September or October is a MUCH nicer time to go, but given a choice of going in August or not going at all, well that is easy. Now a nicer place in August is Lago di Como just lounging by the lake…

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Thanks Everyone for the continued feedback!

Birger - Here is the list I have gathered to visit for the Piemonte region. I have about a day and a half for wine country, maybe two. I also have 1-2 days in Tuscany but have not researched it enough yet. I think my best bet is to email all of these places now, and find out their schedule for August. We are hopefully staying in La Morra here (http://www.villacarita.it/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Wineries (probably can’t visit all figuring 2-2.5 hours at each one to play it safe):
Sandrone
Bartolo Mascarello
Vietti
Paolo Scavino
Aldo Conterno
Elio Grasso

Here are two restaurants I have found through other threads:
http://www.leradicieleali.it/" onclick=“window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.trattoriadellaposta.it/” onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Let me know your thoughts if you get time.

Thanks again!

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Josh,

well Piedmont is mostly wine country - there’s really not much else to do aside from eat and drink :slight_smile:. In Barbaresco proper, try Antine and Antiche Torre (the roast chicken at Antiche Torre is heaven). Remember, you’re not zooming up and down Napa or even Sonoma style roads - things take longer to get to so don’t plan on 3 places before lunch, etc. Plan on 2 in the morning, 2 more in the afternoon max. If you’re in Neive, try La Luna Nel Pozzo for lunch or dinner btw.

Get appointments. GET APPOINTMENTS. Ask the place you’re staying at if they can help (email them a week beforehand).

Same thing in Tuscany - the wineries in the south of Chianti, out near Montalcino, take longer to get to and between than distance might indicate. If you’re doing any museums in Florence, you can make reservations. Or rather, you can for the Uffizi and the Accademia (where the David is). Since the lines tend to be 2-3 hours long, do t his - the hotel can do it for you. You pick a day and a time, then show up at that time with the reservation ticket in hand and walk in.

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Hi Josh,

As Rick says, make sure to visit Cesare at La Luna, it is the old part of Neive.

I hope you have the time and luck to visit the producers you mention.

My favorite restaurant is http://www.davidepalluda.it/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in Canale, make sure to visit Davide. Tell him you know me [truce.gif]

Also http://lasalita.it/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in Monforte d´Alba is good, not the same quality as Davide but good.

If your Visacard is good [truce.gif] visit http://www.laciaudeltornavento.it/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; panoramic from the balcony, and great food.

If you go to Canale, just outside is http://www.filippogallino.com/" onclick=“window.open(this.href);return false; amazing producer of Roero wines and a great Barbera, ask for Laura. Also in Canale you will find http://www.matteocorreggia.com/” onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Sarah.

Other family run producers, friends of mine:

http://www.manzonegiovanni.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Mauro

http://www.rocchedeimanzoni.it/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Laura. The most beautyfull cellar I have ever seen.

http://www.brunorocca.it" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Luisa

http://www.sottimano.it" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Andrea

http://www.gianfrancoalessandria.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Vittoria

http://www.piancanelli.it" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ask for Silvio. Great Moscato d´Asti and Pasitto.

http://www.bussopiero.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, ask for Emanuela

Crissante Alessandria, no website. The Barolo on my avatar. It is in Santa Maria outside La Morra.

I hope it helps.

Ciao
Birger

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Some photos for you:

Davide Palluda in Canale:




Vittoria:




Luca of Vietti:

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Luisa of Bruno Rocca:

Anna and Rino Sottimano, talking with Stefan Töbler

Roberto:

Cellar of Manzoni: Each vintage has it own room, more than 1.000.000 bottles there.

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Do not say hello to this guy [whistle.gif] Dog at Manzoni.

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OMG, don’t mess with that dog, wow what a powerful looking brute!

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Hi Eric,

Valentino had two, but one died. I love dogs but Guiseppe ( visit manager ) always tells me not to walk to the dog [bow.gif] and I do not [wink.gif]

Ciao
Birger

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I have two dogs and love them, but I think that Guiseppe’s advice is very sound. Amazingly powerful creatures. That one especially.

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Hi Eric,

I have an American Bulldog, also very powerful but nice.

This is Sergio Germano ( son of Ettore Germano ) with my dog in my house.

Davide Voerzio ( Roberto Voerzio ) also has an Cane Corso ( Italian Mastiff ) but that goes free on the estate … but only when Davide is there [blink.gif] It came to me during our visit, but Davide also told me not to touch it [swoon.gif]

This is Davide, serving me wine in his cellar:

Ciao
Birger

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Wow - lots of dogs that suggest one should not just wander onto a winery’s property in Piemonte unannounced!

For me the best time to go to Italy is late May/early June - comfortable late spring/early summer weather for me (from the Northeast US), everything is open, even at seasonal places like the Lakes, and the days are very long with light unitl 930-10PM which allows for optimal sightseeing, especially with driving on those country roads at night. Accommodation pricing is usually better too. August you will definitely be paying full tarriff in both airfare and lodging. September & October have similar weather but much shorter days.

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Wow Birger, you have outdone yourself with the pics…at work now but will take a closer look at home tonight. All of the info is very useful. Much appreciated! [thumbs-up.gif]

That dog looks like he owns the place. I will stear clear of that boy.

Sean/Rick/Eric - Thanks as well, I will look a little closer tonight. Early June is sounding ideal, but as Eric put it, I guess if August ends up being our date we have to go with, I really can’t complain too much.

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“Cellar of Manzoni: Each vintage has it own room, more than 1.000.000 bottles there.”


Wow!