Intense, I would say unbearable, summer heat is the new normal in Italy, and it changes how you should be planning a trip. This episode covers when to actually go (spring over fall, with one exception), what to do if summer is your only option, and why “I’m used to heat” doesn’t mean the same thing in Dallas as it does in Rome.
In this episode:
Why hot summers in Europe can no longer be treated as an anomaly
Best time to visit for Venice, Florence, Rome: spring (minus Easter week) over the increasingly-booked-out fall
The seaside strategy for anyone who can only travel in summer — including how to structure a day around the heat
Why an Italian beach club is a unique cultural experience
Where to find real sagre and summer festivals
The single biggest mistake I have to unravel for clients overstuffed itineraries
Tipping in 2026: what’s expected now for guides, drivers, and restaurant staff — and why even the Germans are tipping.
All podcasts are free, but if you want to hang out with my live, and ask questions, consider becoming a paid subscriber. On August 27th at 8 pm ET, I’ll be doing a Destination Deep Dive on Pompeii, Herculaneum, Baia, and Oplontis. Because even though Pompeii is worthy of a thousand visits, it’s just one piece of the story, and one of these others sites might actually be more appropriate for your trip.
