Buon Ferragosto

Una bella spiaggia a Monterosso al Mare, Italia

It is August 15th, 2025 and I want to send to all a heartfelt, "auguri di buon ferragosto agli italiani nel mondo e tutti altri amanti della cultura italiana del nostro Bel Paese". During my first vacation in Italy I took the picture above while visiting the charming Cinque Terre of Liguria. It is a marvelous site to see all the preparation that goes into creating a beach vibe that sooths and frames the gently lapping waves. It goes without saying, that beach life is at the core of the Italian identity, paired with an Aperol Spritz. Ferragosto is the national holiday in which the citizens flock to their beach houses, vacation rentals, beach front hotels, load up the camper van, you name it for some time to lock up the shop and just have some relaxation time, and indulge in a little gastronomic pleasure. If you have never heard of this holiday, you probably haven't traveled to Italy yet, but don't worry, we'll break it down for you here. The origins of the holiday hearken back to ancient Rome when Emperor Augustus in 18 BC declared a celebration to honor the end of summer harvest and celebrate the Roman Empire. It is also associated with the Assunzione di Maria, a religious event dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Most importantly, it is a time to take a break and enjoy family time, grilling and chilling. Sound enticing? We await you in Umbria to experience la dolce vita during this beloved stagione estiva. Vi aspettiamo. A presto!