As I sit in my comfortable 75-degree air-conditioned living room, the temperature outside is soaring close to the 100 mark. I'm not a fan of the heat. Like most Texans, I tend to beat the summer heat by enjoying a favorite iced beverage, heading to a dark air-conditioned movie theater, or spending lazy days poolside. Hearing news stories of heat waves in some of my favorite Italy destinations got me thinking . . . how do my Italian friends stay cool during the dog days of summer?
Nancy Aiello (ItalyTravelista) says she and most people in Rome deal with the summer heat by enjoying museums and churches. They often escape with day trips to the Roman port, Ostia Antica, the Roman castles, and sometimes to Maremma in the south of Tuscany.
Gloria (CasinadiRosa) knows all about extreme temperatures living in Tuscany. So much so, she wrote an entire blog post on the subject in At Home In Tuscany. Although Gloria swears the thick stone walls of most Tuscan homes keep them cool and comfortable, she admits it is helpful to keep windows open while closing shutters. This blocks the sun while allowing the air to circulate. Outside, she advises wearing cotton clothing. For visitors, Gloria says it's best to reserve visits to churches and cellars for the hottest part of the day. They are generally a cool respite. When in need of refreshment, most local bars offer watermelon (but avoid the alcoholic beverages). One of Gloria's most interesting tips: take hot showers or visit one of Tuscany's hot springs. When one gets out of the water, the external temperature seems much lower. Lastly, Gloria says, "Don't forget ice-cream and granita!" (Definitely my favorite tip!)
Further south along the Amalfi Coast, Laura Thayer (CiaoAmalfi) says, "Staying cool on the Amalfi Coast means only one thing--the beach!" She tells me some beach-goers show up early in the morning to escape the afternoon sun, while others arrive mid afternoon with coolers and beach lunches fit for a king. Laura assures me that a dip in the cool Mediterranean Sea is the best way to survive the heat!
Near Milan, university student Andrea Ferrario says, "Gelato is a must, but other examples of summer dishes that help fight the heat are insalata di riso (cool boiled rice with vegetables), prosciutto e melone, and the ubiquitous anguria (watermelon) eaten after every picnic." In Lombardy (the region where Andrea lives), there are many beautiful lakes within one hour by car (Lago di Como, Lago di Garda, Lago Maggiore, for example). He says a lot of people spend their weekends on these lakes, leaving Milan on Saturday morning and heading back on Sunday evening. "We also go to the Alps looking for cooler temperatures. There are many trails for trekking that offer nice views. Fortunately for us, swimming pools and waterparks are quite common, too" says Andrea.
What do you do to survive the unbearable heat of summer?
