Our Best Tips For Ferragosto 2015
The 15th of August is a National holiday in Italy, with most stores and businesses closing to spend time with their family and friends, typically on the seaside. The holiday itself dates back much further than most might imagine, in fact all the way until the Roman times, named after Emperor Augustus 18 BC. Back then it was a considered a rest-time, especially for those participating in hard-labor kind of work.
It was later adopted by the Christian faith and now during the month of August, it marks the peak time of holiday for most. The seaside is jam-packed with people escaping the suffocating summer heat. One fun thing to look out for is the Perseid Meteor Shower which happens during this period. For those in major cities in Italy, it can feel a little bit like a ghost town, with mostly holiday-goers from foreign countries filling the city streets.
For those in Tuscany and Florence, there are a variety of options of activities for those in or around the city, so make your own day of rest with our top list of ideas.
Florence & Surrounding
Visit a museum, the Accademia and Uffizi galleries will both be open with extended hours until 11pm, along with the Bargello Museum (a hidden gem) and the Palazzo Vecchio museum. The Pitti Palace and San Marco museums will also be open until 6:30pm. Several Medici Villas will also be open to the public, la Petraia, Poggio a Caiano and Cerreto Guidi, also the Pratolino Park (bus 25A from piazza san marco in Florence).
Florence’s Cathedral, 1:30 – 4:45 pm
Cathedral dome (Cupola) 1 – 4 pm
Bell Tower & Baptistry, 8:15 am – 6:30 pm
A “Sand-Castle competition” will be held from 3:30pm – 8:30pm at the Easy Living Urban beach in Florence (near San Niccolo tower), participation is free and welcomed.
Tuscany Area
Other interesting events in this region is the maritime palio in Porto Santo Stefano in Monte Argentario, the Carnival Resurrection in Viareggio, and in the Mugello region there is a sagra (food festival) in Borgo San Lorenzo.
From Villa Campestri, we wish you all a very happy Ferragosto!
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