It’s Ferragosto in Italy, which is synonymous with VACATION in that part of the world.
Almost everyone in the country takes a holiday at this time of year, so if you’re visiting, you’ll find most everything closed in the bigger cities, at least on August 15th but often straight through the entire week.
Italians leave their desks and head to the nearest seaside town (the people who work in the tourist industry in these seaside towns are very much NOT on holiday during Ferragosto, as it’s the busiest week of the year for them). Everything feels festive and relaxed, and the day is second only to Christmas as a time for family, friends, food, and total relaxation — with a whole lot of beach time folded in.
When I think Ferragosto, I think daydreaming by the sea, and so in the spirit of this national holiday, I wanted to share some of the things that were lazily drifting through my head when I myself was lounging on the beach in Sardinia a few weeks ago.
My holidays were a time for me to completely disconnect. We chartered a boat for a week and sailed around the island and even up to Corsica. My laptop stayed safely tucked away in my suitcase the entire time — something that pretty much never happens during the rest of the year. So I had a lot of time to think, to be inspired, and to think ABOUT the things that inspire me.
Here are just a few of the kinda random, kinda fun things that are making me happy these days.
You might not be able to tell your boss you’re going on holiday this week because it’s Ferragosto (Ferra-what-sto?), but I’m hoping this will motivate you to take five minutes and let your mind wander to the things that are making YOU excited right now.
Who knows? One might be the seed that grows into the next bellyflies-inducing event in your life, whether that’s a trip abroad, a sweet kitchen reno, or an afternoon dedicated just to reading that new book you’ve been meaning to pick up.
4 Things We’re Loving Right Now
1. Airbnb Plus
Airbnb has made it so much easier to sift through their listings and find the cream of the crop — you know, those places with the kind of attention to detail that will make you as excited about your accommodations as the actual city you’re traveling to. With Airbnb Plus, you’ll find the very best homes in Italy and beyond. We love this listing in Rome to bits. Browse all the Plus listings for Milan here and Rome here.
2. Reading fiction (preferably on a beach)
I’m a non-fiction junkie. I told myself years ago that I’m allowed an unlimited Amazon budget for books, guilt-free. I order and read books almost weekly (I have shelves and shelves of them, but I insist on getting paper copies so I can sign them out to friends, like a library). BUT, I did something really out of character and cozied up to a work of fiction on the beach in Sardinia in July and was SO SO SO happy. It really allowed my brain to take a vacation of its own for once. So many of our clients recommend Italian novelist Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, especially if you’ve got a trip to Italy coming up and you want to get in the mood. (I also just read Amy Tan’s The Hundred Secret Senses that my friend Tim gave me. LOVE.)
3. New groovy Italian locales
There are constantly new hotels, restaurants and cool concepts popping up all over the place in Italy. What do we have our eyeballs on right now? In Florence, we’re all over a sweet new hotel called Ottantotto. In Venice, we want to move right into Casa Flora (or at the very least steal the furniture). Will you be in Rome anytime soon? The sophisticated chic at Daforma, a new gallery cum restaurant cum cocktail spot, make me smile from ear to ear.
We update our City Guides monthly with the latest news of what’s happening in Rome, Florence, Venice and the Cinque Terre, so when you’re traveling you’ll know that you’ll be hearing about the latest buzzy gallery, market, pop-up dinner, or sadly, train strikes.
4. A design book called Your Creative Work Space The Sweet Spot Style Guide to Home Office + Studio Decor
This is such an inspiring book! Written by my friend Desha, it’s a perf way to get your office or that nook in your closet you’re thinking of repurposing into a cute little workspace into way prettier shape. I’m featured in the book, too! You’ll see me in Lucca, riding my bike around. My office is mobile ‘cause I run the company from a laptop, and while my main workspace is an extremely comfy chair with a messy whiteboard as a backdrop, Desha’s book has inspired me to add a few key pieces that have really leveled up my creativity and headspace. It’s truly incredible what a couple of simple changes to your environment can do for your energy! The book is full of cool women and a few dudes sharing their tips for work, life and self-expression. Plus you get to peep into their offices. Who doesn’t like a little creative voyeurism, amiright?
What are some little nuggets you’ve read about lately or seen that have sent a quick jolt of inspired energy up your spine? What’s making you smile right now? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
Looking for some 2019 travel inspiration? Join our 2019 Tour Interest List and be the first to get all the juicy details about our tour season next year — emails about what’s on deck for 2019 are coming very soon! Questions? Write us at ciao{@}italianfix.com.
