'I live in Italy and tourists should know one thing if they're coming this week'
Multiple Italian cities draw massive tourist crowds, including Rome, Venice and Florence. Italy provides vibrant city experiences and varied landscapes where visitors can unwind and enjoy stunning scenery, from diverse coastlines to the Italian Alps and rippling countryside. The country also presents a variety of activities to cater for travellers with different preferences and interests. However, a resident of Italy has shared valuable advice for travelers heading there this week, offering insight into why towns and cities may appear 'quieter' than usual.
Rob Murgatroyd, who relocated from the United States to Florence with his family in 2021 in search of a new way of life, explained the situation.
He shares his Italian adventures on TikTok and in a recent clip he revealed: "It's summer right now and Italy has this tradition called Ferragosto.
"On paper, it's an ancient Roman Catholic holiday that officially falls on August 15th but in practice, it feels like as we get closer to August, people just kind of disappear."
Rob has spotted that during this period local shops shut down and the streets become noticeably less busy
He disclosed that he lives in central Florence, the capital of Italy's Tuscan region, and his regular café has shut for six weeks so the staff can take a trip to the sea.
The expat added: "Most of our local spots are closed for at least a few weeks. They could be working. They could be making money.
"But they said 'no, I'm going to go to the beach and I'm gonna have pasta with my Nonna.' And that's when it hit me. I spent my whole life mastering hustle."
Rob, who enjoyed a thriving chiropractor career in America, hadn't grasped until relocating to Italy that whilst he understood how to graft hard and get by, genuine "soul on fire living" remained completely "foreign" to him.
He continued: "Simple traditions like Ferragosto, taught me that life isn't just about what you produce, it's about what you pause for.
"Italians pause for joy, for family, for a moment in the sun. They showed me that the game isn't about maximising output, it's about maximising moments."
Carpe Diem Tours explains the historic roots of Ferragosto, detailing that the festivities were introduced by emperor Augustus in 18 BC to grant Roman Empire labourers a break following months of intensive agricultural work.
Initially scheduled for August 1, the Catholic Church later shifted the date to August 15 to align with the Assumption of Mary.
Ferragosto allowed countless Italian families to explore artistic treasures in Venice, Rome, Florence and Naples for the very first time, while landlocked families finally got their chance to experience coastal life.
The Rome-based tour operator explains that nowadays Ferragosto encompasses the entire summer period around August 15, when Italians traditionally close their businesses to venture outdoors for lengthy strolls, discover beaches or mountains, and simply enjoy quality time with loved ones.
In his TikTok video caption, Rob added: "In Italy, Ferragosto isn't just a holiday. It's a full-on summer shutdown.
"August 15 marks the peak of vacation season when cities empty, beaches fill, and shops close for weeks, sometimes even a month. Here's what it's like when Italy hits pause."
The footage has amassed thousands of views and likes and more than 200 comments.
One Italian resident remarked: "Yeah I work in a family owned plants nursery and in August I am the only one working and taking care of plants.
"My boss and all her family is on holidays. I have the keys [to] go everyday water, clean and look after plants but it's only me, even the neighbouring businesses hardly have anyone working. It's like I am in an abandoned area."
Another user chimed in: "Bingo! Building wealth and focusing on protecting your family's future is important, but you need to stop, breathe and enjoy life along the way."
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