Daily Life In Italy in Summer
2,568 viewsMaybe some people are wondering just what daily life in Italy is like in summer. Well, once the warm weather hits this country, the routine in the north does change a little.
First of all, most of the schools in Italy close for summer at the end of June, which means many children suddenly find themselves with not much to do, while many of their parents are still working.
Families With Children
What Italians generally do when the schools close, especially whose wives don’t work, is take the kids to the sea or the mountains, while the husband stays in the city or town to work. When both parents have jobs, Italian children are sent to their grand parents, who either have or have rented houses or apartments down on the coast or up in the cool of the mountains. The 30°C+ heat in Italian cities can become oppressive and potentially dangerous for very young children.
For many Milanese, the coast generally means the Liguria region, the area on both sides of Genova. However some, especially those with family down in the south of Italy, may well send their children down to grand parents or relations down in the southern areas of Italy.
Those who do not have grand parents or relations, and who have the resources, will have a ‘colf’, which is basically a nanny who is often employed full time to look after younger children. Sometimes, the colf will take the children out of Milan, and at weekends parents will join the children.
Older children, teenagers, may well be sent off to the UK or Ireland to do a summer English course, although some English courses for children are held around Italy. I knew someone who held such courses up near Varenna on Lake Como.
The Amercian style ’summer camps’ do not really exist here, although I do know of one parent who sends his 10 year old son off to Switzerland to a summer camp. Other alternatives for keeping children occupied before parents start their own summer holidays involve organisations such as the scouts. Some scout groups are run by the Catholic church, but others are deliberately non-religious.
Those without the financial resources to rent summer houses or employ a colf, will try to get by with the services of a baby sitter, but this is quite expensive at around €10 per hour. Working single parents can find summer something of a struggle.
Recently, infant schools have been set up as summer centres, which are schools that stay open, more or less, until the end of July. Attendance levels are well down from the end of June onwards, which is why only a small number of there summer centres are open.
Italians Without Children
Those who have jobs, and are yet to start families, generally head off for the seaside at weekends from around late May to July at weekends before the holidays start. Others who dislike the chaos of the seaside areas in summer will head for the tranquillity of mountain areas, especially those with parents coming from these zones.
Students often use the summer months to go on tours, either within Italy or around the world. it is quite rare for those of working age to take on summer jobs. However, those whose parents work in the tourist sector will often help out in the day to day running of family businesses during the summer months. These individuals may not be paid technically, but they will often receive extra pocket money or other donations from their parents.
Those few students who do decide to work through at least part of summer, will often take jobs at Italian holiday villages. Some may find similar jobs in holiday locations popular with Italians abroad.
Businesses Close
Many shops and companies in Italy, which are not involved in the tourist industry, will shut down in August or maintain a skeleton staff, just to keep things ticking over. This is changing slightly, and more and more Italians without families are opting to work at least part of August and take vacations at other times of the year. This means that more and more businesses are staying open throughout August, especially those with extensive dealing with companies outside of Italy.
Christmas time is a popular time with Italians who wish to have a break from cooler winter weather and jet off to hotter climates. Northern African countries are popular destinations for many Italians incidentally.
During the Week in the City
Summer evenings are lively in the run up to August, and many Italians, especially the under 40s will pass their eveinings in with friends in one of Milan’s many evening bars. These are chic places, and everyone puts on his or her most trendy summer wear. These bars close at around 2 in the morning.
In Milan, and other cities, the municipal authorities will often put on a series of summer events, such as the Milano Jazzin Festival being held at Milan’s Arena.
Weekend Traffic Chaos
With parents working and children not a school, this means that summer life in Italy up here in the north, more often than not leaves the major cities with far fewer people in them at weekends than at other times of the year.
WIth people shuttling to and from coast and mountains most weekend, Friday and Sunday evening traffic levels can be significant, often adding hours to journey times.
Good Quality of Life
All in all, summer life in Italy in general is not at all bad, and the predictably hot weather means that planning ahead is quite possible.
Especially in the south of Italy, many flock to the cost during the summer. It is probably true to say that the majority of Italians prefer seaside areas to mountainous or hilly regions.
More articles on similar subjects:
Email This Post
Comments
2 Responses to “Daily Life In Italy in Summer”
Have your say
News From Ansa- Soccer: Lippi looks to Rossi October 14, 2008Villareal striker asked to show more against Montenegro
- Gomorra writer 'death sentence' October 14, 2008Camorra 'wants Saviano dead by Christmas'
- September inflation drop confirmed October 14, 2008Pasta and bread still post double-digit jumps
- Soccer: Lippi looks to Rossi October 14, 2008
- Beppe Grillo
Hi.
Been to Italy this year for the second time and love it. Last year my wife and 2 kids went to Bibione for a week (a little short) but we loved it so mch that we also went there this year. What I like about Italy is the climate (warm, but dry), the country (diverse), the people (passionate about averything) but what I dislike is the horrible infrastructure - Last year it took me 2 hours to get from the mainroad to the cost (for only 17 km!!!) So this year I arrived at 7 o clock in the morning (everyone still asleep) The Beach is super for kids, the water temperature is great.
Last year we went to see Venetia (crowded). This year I wanted to visit a city so we went to Trieste. Beutifull city, but there is no real ’shopping centre’, the shops are devided all over the city (difficult when you walk)
We will go back there (or an other coastal place) next year.
Ciao!
Hi Frank,
Thanks for commenting, and very glad to hear that you had a good time in Italy!
Italy really is an excellent place for a holiday. It has everything - panoramas, wonderful architecture, glorious food and wine, and many other things going for the place.
Trouble is, I don’t think Italians realise just what a fabulous country they live in!
Still, keep on coming here. There are a life time of holidays in this country!
All the best,
Alex