Italian Summer: beach etiquette, quirky superstitions, and the celebration of Ferragosto

There is nothing quite like estate italiana. Lazy seaside days, striped beach umbrellas, copious

amounts of caffè freddo, fresh tomato salad, spaghetti alle vongole — the list goes on. If you

didn’t know, Italians take summer and beach-going very seriously. Italy is a peninsula, after all,

with over 7,500 km of coastline and more than 450 islands to pick from. So when August rolls

around, many shops, businesses, and locals shut down, hang hand-printed signs reading

chiuso per ferie, and head out of town for a week (or more) of rest and relaxation. Though times

have changed — with many places and restaurants staying open in busy tourist towns and

major cities like Rome, Venice, or Florence — it’s estimated that the average 3-star hotel now

costs families over €3,500 for a week.

Still, Italians are resilient and will set aside every centesimo to enjoy a bit of fun in the sun.

Below, we’ll explore tips on how to blend in like a local at the beach, uncover some

summer-themed superstitions, and take a peek at how Italians celebrate one of the season’s

most spirited holidays!

Common Italian Beach Etiquette

Pick up where you left off

Although Italy faces a daily waste management crisis in major cities, it takes littering very

seriously, especially in nature reserves and protected beach coves. Throwing a cigarette butt

can cause fines up to 300euros, and pieces of plastic, empty cups, or even a water bottle can

come with a similar price tag. Moral of the story? Throw away your trash!

Dress the part

Wearing swimwear and a practical pair of flip-flops or beach shoes is totally acceptable when

you're on the sand or lounging in your lettino. But when it comes to heading to the beach bar,

restaurant, or even packing up and going home for the day, it's expected that you always cover

up. Don’t be that person who shows up to lunch shirtless! It’s as simple as throwing on a t-shirt

or a pareo (beach sarong) to keep it practical and respectful.

In fact, in some Italian beach towns, it’s actually illegal to walk around shirtless or in a swimsuit

— so it’s always best to follow the local norms and avoid taking the risk!

Bookings and the different types of beaches

In Italy, there are typically two types of beaches: spiagge libere and stabilimenti balneari. If

you're headed to a free beach (spiaggia libera), it’s best to bring towels, a packed lunch, and an

umbrella. Everything you’ll need to spend the day comfortably, since these beaches are

accessible to everyone but don’t offer services.Stabilimenti balneari, on the other hand, are private beach clubs that provide sunbeds,

umbrellas, and additional amenities like showers, snack bars, or even open-air restaurants all

for a daily fee. It’s best to scope out these beach clubs in advance and reserve your spot by

booking in advance, especially during peak summer months as spots are taken up quickly.

Quirky Beach Superstitions

Italians have many superstitions, so many it’s hard to keep count. Don’t expect a stress-free

vacay to come without some beliefs. The biggest one that is country-wide is waiting at least two

hours after eating to take a dip and go for another swim. If lunch time is at two and you finish at

three, Italians believe it is best to wait at least until 5:00 pm to even think about dipping your

toes. Why? Digestion. Italians believe that if your stomach comes in contact with any body of

water after eating, you will face horrible indigestion!

Speaking of water, it is also frowned upon to leave in a wet bathing suit, and don’t even think

about not bringing at least an extra pair of swim trunks for a young child to change into as soon

as they get out of the water. If not, they will get sick! (or so the Italians say). And ice? Another

water-related taboo. It will also pause your digestion. Even on the hottest day of the year, no ice

is best.

Famed Ferragosto

Many Italians strategically book their bed and breakfasts or beachside family-style villas and hit

the road right around one of Italy’s biggest anticipated and celebrated holidays of the year:

Ferragosto. Celebrated on August 15th, Ferragosto is a public holiday dating back to ancient

Roman times. Originally called Feriae Augusti, it was created by Emperor Ottaviano Augustus,

who declared August 1st a day of rest after weeks of hard work in the agricultural sector.

Over the years, although much has changed, the importance of Ferragosto in Italian culture

remains the same. Today, Ferragosto is a moment to relax, unwind, and hit the pause button (for

a day, extended weekend, or even a few weeks) before the chaos of ordinary life begins and the

rientro happens. There are parades, picnics, local religious festivities, and, without a doubt,

hitting the beach.

Author - Gabriela Proietti

Italian Weddings: Customs, Culture, and Celebration

Summer in Italy is not only synonymous with long beach days, peaches soaked in wine, seaside lunches, or a weekend mountain retreat to catch a cool breeze amidst the heat wave. Summer also symbolizes the kick-start of wedding season in Italy—so let the festivities for the couples-to-be commence!

Before getting into what exactly goes down in an Italian wedding, along with the typical customs and traditions, why do Italians decide to slot the celebration during summer? It could be the abundance of long, sunny days, venues along the Mediterranean coast, or settings nestled amongst the vines of a Tuscan vineyard. Italian life seems to slow down a bit during June, July, and especially August, allowing the bride and groom—and their loved ones—to enjoy the time off and celebrate with a long-weekend holiday.

There’s also the symbolic reason: summer is associated with life, harvest, and abundance—all symbolic of a fruitful marriage.

Whatever the real reason may be, if you’re attending a wedding in Italy during the summer… beware! The days can be long and hot!

Types of Weddings in Italy

In Italy, there are technically two types of weddings that can take place. There is a civil wedding, which is in the town hall and is led by a government official. Then there is a religious wedding—most commonly a Roman Catholic ceremony, since Italy is culturally Catholic. These weddings take place in a church, are officiated by a priest, and are legally binding (they are both civil and religious), though not without some official paperwork, of course.

Wedding Weekend

The serenade: First, there’s the tradition of La Serenata—a special custom that gained popularity in central and southern Italy after World War II. This gesture, typically carried out the night before the wedding, is a public declaration of the groom’s love and commitment to his soon-to-be wife. Through music and flowers, he expresses his devotion, offering a symbolic “yes” ahead of the official vows.

While some might now see La Serenata as old-fashioned, the tradition still endures—adapting with the times—and is often seen as an informal way to kick-start the wedding festivities. Guests gather the evening before the wedding outside the bride’s window (typically her home, but it depends where the venue is), and the groom sings to her and climbs to her window with flowers.

The day of the wedding: In Italy, Friday weddings are a no-no, as they’re considered bad luck. Sunday, on the other hand, is seen as the luckiest day for a couple to marry, symbolizing joy and prosperity. Saturday is also considered lucky—but not the luckiest! Most Italians get married on Sunday, though Saturday is perfectly acceptable too.

The bride is in white: An Italian bride always wears a white dress—the color symbolizing purity and new beginnings. Along with white, most brides accompany their look with intricate veils, often made of lace or embroidery, or even with a family heirloom attached. Guests know better than to wear white—it’s a color strictly reserved for the bride.

The bride’s bouquet: There’s a beautiful (and rather lengthy) ritual around the bride’s bouquet that is not as simple as ordering personal flower favorites. The parents of the bride are the ones who initially present the bouquet to their daughter before she leaves the house to get married. The bride then gifts her bouquet to her soon-to-be mother-in-law, symbolizing her gratitude. Finally, the groom gives her a fresh bouquet to accompany her to the altar—the last gift she receives as an engaged woman.

The ceremony: The wedding ceremony is typically an hour long, usually held in a Catholic church and officiated by a priest. It includes the bride walking down the aisle (usually with her father), mass, prayers, and the exchange of rings. In Italy, the bride and groom don’t typically prepare sappy or personalized vows to recite in front of the church. As for the rings, most Italians opt for very simple, matching gold bands that symbolize modesty.

Rice throwing: After the ceremony ends, guests make their way outside the church doors with fists full of rice—another item symbolizing fertility and prosperity—ready to greet the newlyweds. As the couple exits the church, rice is launched at them, showering them in love.

The extravagant dinner party: In true Italian style, the dinner party after the wedding ceremony is not for the faint of heart. Come VERY hungry, as food absolutely takes the spotlight—sometimes even outshining the bride. There are cocktails and antipasti served while awaiting the couple’s arrival, followed by a menu that often includes at least seven courses, all accompanied by wine and finished with dessert. This is the norm.

Confetti: I confetti in Italy—sugar-coated almonds wrapped in tulle or ribbon with a sweet message—are a staple at nearly every life milestone celebration. There is no wedding without them! These little bundles serve as a thank-you to guests for coming and are often beautifully displayed on a “confetti table,” featuring different varieties and colors.

Monetary gits: In Italy, it is absolutely the norm to give money as a wedding gift. The money is placed in envelopes, often accompanied by a sweet letter from the guest. At the dinner reception, there’s usually a basket where guests can drop their envelopes—and sometimes, the bride is even adorned with a small pouch or slip bag to collect them.

Have you ever been to a wedding in Italy or an Italian wedding? What were some things that surprised you or caught you by surprise?

Author Gabriela Proietti

Confetti

Panettone vs. Pandoro: Italy’s Greatest Christmas Debate 

As the changing leaves of October and the rainy season of November leave us behind, there is something increasingly magical about the cool and mystical month of December in Italy. Twinkly lights illuminate city squares and old-school palazzos, shop windows are packed with delicious delicacies and delights, and holiday spirit fills the air. Christmas in Italy is no short of tradition and long, cozy days spent with family and friends. Would it be Italian if food wasn’t the center of the day and conversation? 

From freshly fried fish and stacked layers of lasagna to perfectly crafted tortellini in steamy hot brodo, the savory part of the day is not a miss. But what about the sweet? Sure, there are ricotta-filled cakes that hail from Sicily or lightly fried dough Zeppole from Naples. Still, there is a staple (or two), that all Italians would remiss if they didn’t include at least one on the after-dinner table, and if just so happens to be one of Italy’s biggest culinary debates.

Panettone vs. Pandoro

You may have heard of Panettone or Pandoro before, two Italian Christmas cake-like staples that at first glance seem nearly identical, but are worlds apart. Still, nonetheless, both have become widespread traditions across the Boot and globe. Let’s take a look at the two. 

Panettone, the oldest and maybe the most recognizable thanks to its tall, cupola shape and citrusy aroma, this sweet bread dates back to ancient Roman times (although the “official” recipe was born during the Middle Ages). The name"panettone" derives from the Italian word "panetto," meaning a small loaf of bread, combined with “-one," meaning something large. Therefore "panettone" translates to "big bread." An old wives tale credits the creation of panettone to a young man who was the baker to the Duke of Milan in the 15th century and was forced to use leftover ingredients, including floud, butter, and candied fruits. Although panettone comes in decadent variations and flavors like pistachio cream filled or chocolate coated, thanks to commercialization, the tried and true version is flakey and lightly sweet, containing candied orange, lemon zest, and raisins, giving it a distinct fruity flavor.

Panettone’s rival, Pandoro, has a much more clear storyline. Hailing from Verona, the recipe we see used in bakery shops is nearly always credited to a Veronese pastry chef who created the first commercial version in 1894.  The name"pandoro" comes from the Italian words "pan" (bread) and "d’oro" (of gold), attributed to its rich, golden color and decadent ingredients. Made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, unlike panettone, Pandoro does not include candied fruits or nuts, offering a more simple, buttery flavor and it is baked in a star-shaped mold, reflecting the magical spirit of the winter holidays. 

So the million dollar question is this: are you team Panettone or team Pandoro? While both breads are cherished during the holiday season, their distinct historical, geographical, cultural, and culinary factors influence preference (not to mention, Italians are always up for a bit of cheery debate!). 

Enjoying at Home

Making pandoro and panettone, well, is not for the faint of heart. It is one of the most difficult Italian recipes to master, so leave it to the masters. If you want to incorporate some Italian magic into your dessert table, local artisanal Italian shops in person or online are sure to make your Christmas panettone and pandoro wish come true. 

Regardless if you’re team panettone or team pandoro, enjoy each the Italian way, after festive meals accompanied with sweet wine or a freshly brewed shot of espresso. 

Author Gabriela R. Proietti