You know it's summertime in Italy when...

      ….you stroll into a sunbaked campo and spot a group of gray-haired women sitting in the shade snapping the tips off freshly picked string beans and listening to the sound of Enrico Caruso billow through the curtains of a nearby window.

….after dinner your neighborhood gelateria has a blockbuster-like line out the front door.

….colorful preprinted fill-in-the-date cards with the words Chiuso per Ferie da….a…. (Closed for Vacation from….to…..) pop-up in storefront windows all across town.

….big-rig trucks disappear from the autostrada and cruise ships appear at the port.

….clusters of green fruit drip from the vine patiently waiting to be sweetened into red or gold.

….the fresh basil in your garden begs to become pesto.  

….even those who have never heard of pilates, yoga or Technogym brave their bathing suits and enjoy the sun, sand ‘n sea.

….the real definition for hot fashion strays from Paris Hilton’s use of the word and goes back to the classic linen sundress, an elegant handheld fan and a broad-brimmed straw hat.

….the locals leave the cities to the tourists and head to their beach or mountain homes.

….you gladly share the name of your favorite restaurant in town and make a list of things-to-do for vacationing family and friends because you want them to love the magic of Italy as much as you do!