Italians love the summer season for many reasons and whether they are children, grown ups or elderly, everyone enjoys this time of the year because it’s possible to spend a long time outdoors.
The Italian peninsula can get very hot and humid during these months but the country is also blessed with mountains, lakes, coastal areas and green countrysides so there is something for everyone.
Children love this time of the year because they get three months off from school from early June to early September…parents are a bit in trouble because they must keep working but Italian people do get many vacation days (approximately 4 weeks a year not including public holidays).
It’s not uncommon for children to spend their summers with their grandparents whether traveling, going to the countryside home or to the beach.
But what is summer for Italians?
Summer is …
- …beach obviously. Public or private, Italians feel like it’s almost “mandatory” to go to the seaside during the summer period. Everyone likes it? Not necessarily. The beach is a social place where to socialize, meet friends and have children play together, especially if you live in a coastal town.
- …nights at the ice cream parlor. The parlors are open all day but at night they become a meeting point where to socialize. Some parlors only open during the summer months and they normally have an outdoor seating area. At times tourists get confused but the seating area is only open to ‘table service’ which means a waiter will get your order and you can get a giant sundae with toppings of all kinds or milkshakes. If you opt for a cone or a cup you’ll need to order it yourself at the counter and take it to go without sitting down.
Also try the granita, an ice slushie made with natural juice or syrup which is available for sale only in the summer period.
- …sagre! Sagre or food festivals are held in summer. Anywhere and everywhere you’ll find food festivals organized in beautiful locations such as orchards, woods, picturesque old villages and by the sea. Each sagra has a specialty food: wild boar, fried fish, cornmeal, pesto or even some desserts but many are the dishes on menu. I have dedicated a blog on this topic.
Sagra is food, music, kids entertainment and beautiful locations
- …fireworks. Fireworks viewing is a must for every summer. People normally gather on the beach to view them as they are shot over the sea. Some shows come with music and most of them are held honoring the saint patron of the village where they take place. Friends grab some to go food such as pizza and sit on the beach to watch the show.
- …fried fish. Although it could be eaten and it is eaten year round, fried fish is a food staple for the summer just as much as ice cream or granita. The Italians simply call it ‘fritto misto’ (mixed fried) and it includes fried and battered squid, octopus, fresh anchovies and prawns accompanied by some lemon slices. Some variations include some fried vegetables too. It is delicious and it can be eaten at a proper restaurant or in a cone as street food.
- …water park. Water parks are open only in this season; slides, pools with artificial waves and other water games make them the perfect place where to spend a humid and hot summer day.
- …late nights. Although in the winter time children go to bed early because they have school, in summer anything goes and kids have late nights out with their parents. Many are the events organized for the younger ones: baby dance sessions, puppet shows, circus acts, film screenings on the beach and games.
Summer is late nights at the beach …
… and outdoor puppet shows for kids
In summer, every (especially coastal) village and town in Liguria aims at attracting the most visitors so they organize a program of events at the beginning of every summer and most of such events are free and they have the goal to promote hotels, restaurants and cafes.
