The bank holiday on August 15th marks the exodus of the whole population to the coast, to  the extent it is possible to dance on the usually lively streets in town. At the beach, however, you won´t find an empty bed or sun chair. Big companies like Fiat and most offices have factory holidays, also shops and Restaurants in town close and the owners join their family at the beach.

culinary tour italy, ferragosto
The typical villeggiatura – summer vacation – when the family spends the whole summer at the beach house and the head of the family joins in for 2-3 weeks around Ferragosto, is something different and has become rare. Many families still own a beach house or have relatives who have one and so the whole family, including grandparents, uncles, cousins, spends at least 2 weeks all together.  The beach house has become “la seconda casa” – the second home for generations.