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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I live in Italy and tourists should know one thing if they're coming this week'
Italy ranks among Europe's most popular holiday destinations, especially during the summer months. The nation is renowned for its rich heritage, art, fashion, architecture, cuisine and iconic landmarks. 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."
The Star
16-05-2025
- The Star
Chinese man subdues thief in Spain, highlights trend of mainlanders tackling criminals abroad
A Chinese man has gained widespread attention online after subduing a thief with a rear chokehold on a Spanish street. Tian, a photographer originally from Shandong province in eastern China, has been living in Spain for 10 years and works for a company in Barcelona. On April 29, while filming on the street, Tian was approached by a man holding his colleague's phone. The stranger tapped him on the shoulder and asked if it was his. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. 'When I reached for the phone, he would not let go. He was stalling so his partner could grab my gear which was nearby,' Tian said. Moments later, an accomplice made off with a camera and stabiliser worth more than 5,000 euros (US$5,600). Worried about losing important footage, Tian chased the man down and put him in a rear chokehold. 'After a few seconds, he passed out from lack of oxygen. I loosened up to let him breathe, and he started apologising, saying he felt dizzy,' said Tian. During the scuffle, his colleagues recovered the stolen equipment. In a now viral video, Tian can be heard warning the thief: 'Relax. If you struggle, I will squeeze harder.' The hold lasted about two minutes before the police arrived. Tian then let go. Officers helped the shaken thief to a nearby flower bed, where he was seen crying and gasping for air. Onlookers broke into applause, cheering Tian for his swift and courageous actions. Tian told the mainland media that he has trained in kickboxing and holds the highest black belt rank in taekwondo. 'We Chinese do not seek trouble, but we are not afraid of it either,' he added. Many netizens messaged Tian asking how to perform a rear chokehold. Tian urged caution. 'Do not use martial arts lightly, especially abroad. You never know if someone might be armed,' he said. While Barcelona is known for its beautiful architecture and coastal charm, it has also earned the title of Europe's 'pickpocketing capital'. According to Carpe Diem Tours, nearly half of reported crimes there in 2023 were pickpocketing, mostly in tourist-heavy areas. Tian offered safety tips for travellers heading to Barcelona, avoid deserted spots, do not carry large amounts of cash, skip flashy designer logos, and set your credit cards to require a password. 'If you spot a thief, shout. Passers-by will always help,' he said. Tian's story has captivated mainland social media, with related topics attracting more than 30 million views. One netizen wrote: 'Tian is smart and brave. He is the true pride of China.' Stories of Chinese people catching thieves in Europe have become a trending topic online. In March, three students from China chased a phone thief for 800 metres in Italy, earning widespread praise for their bravery. Meanwhile, a 'European Pickpocket Map' created by Chinese international students is making the rounds on mainland social media platforms. It features photos of suspected thieves and crowdsourced antitheft advice. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
