ITALY: Tourists in Rome take to the city's fountains for respite against sweltering temperatures

Record ID: 861883

  • Title: ITALY: Tourists in Rome take to the city's fountains for respite against sweltering temperatures
  • Date: 22nd August 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN TOURIST, ROBERTO BARBIERI, SAYING: "We keep stopping to freshen up at the fountains and every now and again have a lemon soda, water and ice-cream."
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • City:
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVA88RPPT883K15IL6P1SI0XVVO7
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  • Story Text: Italy faced record temperatures for the year on Wednesday (August 22) with the thermometer reaching 40 degrees in parts of the capital Rome.
    Experts said Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far with eleven cities across the country being put on alert.
    With little breeze and the stifling heat, tourists braved the streets in the capital. Many sought respite listening to the sound of running water from the fountain at the Spanish steps and people huddled into the few areas of shade to be found.
    "You just suffer and sweat. We try and survive how we can, eating ice-cream and ice crushes and drinking lots of water," said Italian tourist Walter Brunelli.
    Rome's Piazza del Popolo was virtually deserted as the sun beat down on the huge open square. The few tourists who ventured into the piazza, huddled into a thin slither of shade near the central fountain.
    "It is very hot in Rome, very, very, very," said a Spanish tourist at one of the many drinking fountains in the city.
    But one Hungarian tourist wasn't letting the heat prevent his tour of Rome.
    "It is very hot, I have water and a wet cap and very good, everything in Rome," he said.
    Most Roman residents have fled the city and will not return until the end of the week. For the tourists that remain, the trick appeared to be to move slowly and stay hydrated.
    "We keep stopping to freshen up at the fountains and every now and again have a lemon soda, water and ice-cream," said Italian tourist Roberto Barbieri.
    The high temperatures are expected to last until the weekend when there should be a drop of 7-8 degrees.
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