… or summertime and the living is easy.
The cliché “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” is an ok one by which to live. So when the mercury hits 38C+, the 
humidity means you stick to everything/everything sticks to you and the light is so bright it seems like you’re inhabiting the latest 3D animated film, it’s time to escape to il mare, il lago, la montagna, (sea, lake, mountains) or anywhere less sticky than urban Italy.
The only rules that govern life these sultry, halcyon days are, 1) siesta from 1-4pm (or later), 2) don’t dine before 9pm (or later), and 3) la passeggiata e il aperitivo! (An evening stroll walk and an aperitif.)
Buon estate a tutti! (A great summer to all!)
- Contributed by Lynda Higgs, global nomad, writer, and observer of this beautiful and bewildering, fascinating and frustrating place in which I currently live.
I remember it well, I would get up at 8:00 a.m. to go to the beach, come home for lunch, sleep til 4 or 5, get up again walk to the Belvedere to meet up with friends, come home to eat and then go back to the Belvedere or go to a disco. I miss the siesta and beach part the most.
Where is the beautiful beach in the bottom photo!
That water looks sooooooooo inviting! In certain parts of Florida it
hit 101 and, believe me, the humidity is right up there with it. I’m with Lucy – hit the beach/lunch/sleep/walk/eat/dance. What more could you ask for? :)
Roseann – glad you like the look of the beach. If it were a secret place I wouldn’t be sharing this info, but as it’s a pretty popular destination I’m not giving away any secrets – it’s on Monte Argentario, Tuscany (a really beautiful, but sadly somewhat over-crowded and over-priced place).
So well described! Wish I was back in Italy now!
Americans have not discovered the joys of strolling after a meal,and getting an ice cream or coffee. And usually escape on the weekends in better weather does indeed mean al mare, un lago or le montagne (the beach, a lake or the mountains). But dining before 9 is often an Italian tradition, unlike the Spanish who even with entremeses still don’t eat before 10 pm. However, the Italian dinner may go on well into the evening depending on how warm it is that night. Enjoy Italy al fresco, it is, in many ways, how life should be lived!
Happily or sadly I live in Berkeley, California and like San Francisco (across the bay) we either rejoice or suffer our summers being our weather is Scandinavian, it’s soon to be August and I have the heater on full blast at the moment. I guess this year we’re rejoicing being the rest of the States is broiling. Hence while in Italy the heat and humidity are so strong and foreign to my senses that initially it all scares me, even in the tropics when I go out for the evening I bring along a jacket…
In Sicily the heat takes on mythic proportions especially when viewing the coast of Africa and seeing the Scirocco coming in, it IS scary; once that wind hits the air can go from dry to terribly humid seemingly in seconds, plus it’s possible to see wisps of humidity twirling around like air borne devils. But when the sun sets then all becomes magic, all go out for the evening walk to spend time socializing at coffee or ice cream shops, or getting a light bite at a restaurant.
The way to endure hot humid weather is to do as the Italians and dine on very light meals, maybe a broth, simple salad, and either a very small amount of pasta or meat, chicken is best. Thank you for the photos Lynda.
Italy was known a the land with the perfect climate. In recent years like most of the planet, it has been dealing with uncharacteristic heat.
Please, try to be more specific about where in Italy during a heat wave, is it so hot and humid. Not the Alps, Dolomites, and the long stretch of the Appenine mountains that reach the south.
I am repeatedly baffled at this description of Italy. It gives the wrong impression. Sounds more like a tropical Island.
To me, New York City during a heat wave is unberable, Wahington DC deadly, Florida, visit only in winter.
Connie – I am trying hard to understand what you hoped to add with your comment. The note gives a vision of Italy in broadbrush from various areas around Italy. It is summer here – this is what it is like. This summer has been uncharacteristically cool with a short term heatwave in the north for a few days. This, however, is irrelevant to a short article that celebrates the fantastic diversity of spirit and opportunity that flourishes in the summer in the Peninsula.
Steve- I liked your article and photos. My comment was meant for Gian Brachero’s description of Italian summers. I failed to mention that.
This is the last Italian Notebook note I received!! Did the editors stop writing it for the summer? I have resubscribed, so I would not continue missing them. Maybe my Firefox is treating it like spam; but, why now? Have been receiving these regularly for a year or two. Anyone else have this problem?
I too have not received a daily notebook for over a week so I just re-subscribed. Hope that works because I miss my daily shot of my Italy fix.
Hi Marilyn, it’s not Firefox, so not to worry. This was the last note until the end of August, as the Editor as, like all of Italy, he’s taken August off. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to see that someone is missing their regular notes.
By the way, Connie, it’s me that’s the author of the above note – glad you liked it. Lynda
What’s Italian for ‘whew’?
Wonderful information we enjoy it well but this is the last
Italian Notebook I recieved. Is there an interuption for some reason and will it resume I miss the daily reports. Is it something I did on my end. Please let me know what happened!
Thank you MaryAnn Richardson
email address: {richardsonmarya@verizon.net}
“Whew” in Italian is “uiiuu” (or “meno male” for the literati).
I agree with Connie’s comment about the incredibly diverse climates one finds in Italy. Lynda also alluded to that diversity in her article (mare, lago, montagna). For example, just drive one hour northeast from broiling hot Rome in August and you’re in the Apennine Mountains, with perfect daytime temperatures and chilly evenings.
I often run across people who think of Italy’s climate as near-tropical, and typical Italian sports and other recreational activities as geared to that climate. This, of course, is far from a complete picture. From the fantastic mountain climbing and ski resorts of the Dolomites, Alps and Apennines, to the gorgeous beaches and resort towns all along its 7,600 kilometer (4,700 mile) coastline, and the “campagna” in between, one can find just about any climate fit for humans somewhere in that enchanted land.
ITALIAN NOTEBOOK SUMMER BREAK – although I’m only a contributor, as mine was the last note before the Editor went on summer leave I thought I’d let anyone reading this (i.e. this far down into the comments) that Notebook will resume in September. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to know people have missed their daily “fix”.
And thank you for the comments. Rome has returned to hot and humid status, as you’d expect in August, which is a challenge when you’re trying to keep a pre-schooler entertained, but it’s all part of the experience of living here and nothing a little cooling granita di limone can’t cure.
This morning, while editing my email folders, I realized Italiannote stopped. Reading this note, I understand now.
Regarding the Italian temperatures. Many, if not all, of the main cities are located on rivers. Combine this with tall buildings and you have humidity. Heat and Humidity, my worst enemy.
I live in Woodland Hills (suburb of Los Angeles), it is the hottest place (40+) in the “valley”, but not humid. I have been to Italy in August and it’s much nicer than here. (excuse me while I vent, I hate heat). Anyway, right now it is 75 in Benevento and the humidity is 52%. Yesterday, in Woodland Hills, it was 105 at 4pm. I hate hot.
Ok, vacation is over, it is Sept 6, when can we expect the next episode of ItalianNotebook
Thanks for the article and pictures and comments. Also, regarding the notebook. I was wondering the same thing as I haven’t received any as of today 9/10/2010. I re-subscribed also. Will be looking for it. Hope all had a wonderful summer. It was in the top 90s and some 100s here in Florida.
I’m also wondering when the next edition is due … hope it’s soon.
I agree with others; I miss the daily “fix” of the Notebook. Keep up the excellent work.
Buona Fortuna
Phil and Pasquale- I don’t know if you’ll see this late post, but, it also should be mentioned that the extreme heat-waves experienced by tourists in low areas of Italy, are new to the Italians and other European countries also. This patern started twenty years ago or so. Most Italians, living in the low areas, never needing aircondioning before had to gradually get used to it. Others, living on the mountain range still don’t need it. They love life, and celebrate it like no other, of course, they welcome the warmth that matches their soul. But these heat-waves are a bit much,(they don’t like it). With immense creative spirit, it will be interesting to see what they do with it.