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COVID-19 RULES

Dining outdoors and hiking: How visitors plan to holiday in Italy this summer

As the summer holidays draw closer we asked whether you'd be spending your Italian holiday differently this year. Many readers responded with optimism, but some are hesitant about the ongoing Covid situation.

Some visitors to Italy plan spend most of their time outdoors this summer.
Some visitors to Italy plan spend most of their time outdoors this summer. Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP.

As Italy continues to relax its anti-Covid measures in a bid to boost its pandemic-hit economy, the country is gearing up for its strongest summer season in the past couple of years.

We asked in a recent survey whether you’d still be travelling to Italy this summer despite the health situation country’s restrictions still in place and most of you said yes, although many had reservations.

READ ALSO: ‘I hate masks’: Why some visitors choose not to travel to Italy this summer

Out of those who are still going ahead with their travel plans, we wanted to know whether your trip to Italy would look different this holiday and how.

A large proportion of the 215 respondents said their travel plans would be unaffected by Italy’s health measures, and many of you said you intend to explore new parts of the country.

“The Cinque Terre is a new area I will be visiting. I’m going to an outdoor concert (Andrea Bocelli) and will try get some paddle boarding in,” wrote Tina Morgan.

Shona Stewart, from Essex in the UK, said: “We’re trying different day trips, for example Imperia from San Remo and Tellaro from La Spezia.”

Liguria remains a popular destination for visitors coming to Italy this summer.

Liguria remains a popular destination for visitors coming to Italy this summer. MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

Several of you told us that you’d be travelling by public transport to get around Italy too.

“We hope to take a train trip to Venice, Vicenza and Padua, plus a few days on the Adriatic at Alba Adriatica with grandchildren,” said Debra Camastro, from Florida, USA.

Jan Bennett said they’d be using the train and the bus for their upcoming Italy holiday, while Kat Lync from Los Angeles in America said she will be traveling by train to Caserta and Naples from Rome.

READ ALSO: Will tourism in Italy return to pre-pandemic levels this year?

But others have expressed concern over using public transport in light of the ongoing, albeit improving, Covid situation.

“I will not be using train transportation to get to new regions as I would normally do when traveling with family. I do not feel confident enough,” wrote Mary Jones from the USA.

Jesse Voccia from Los Angeles in the US echoes this concern, saying, “I’m very concerned about contracting Covid on trains or in crowded public areas. We are staying in isolated areas planned around nature rather than museums and restaurants.”

While many of you have plans to travel to parts of Italy for the first time and try out new activities, plenty of respondents said they’d still avoid crowds and would opt to wear masks.

Some foreign visitors still intend to mask up in Italy this summer, regardless of whether it's required.

Some foreign visitors still intend to mask up in Italy this summer, regardless of whether it’s required. Photo by ANDREA PATTARO / AFP.

“No group tours such as food tours or farm tours where one is transported in a small van with 8-10 people for example,” wrote Rosemary Murtagh.

Kathy Freise from Virginia in the US said she’d be “staying in one place mostly”, while another reader anonymously said they would be “spending more time outside. Wearing a mask all the time”.

They added that they had “purchased a face shield that I might wear if I feel the need to. Will not be dining indoors or shopping as much.”

Jennifer Gray from Missouri, USA, said they will “avoid heavily touristed spots – in Florence I will spend time outside of the city rather than museums.”

Some plan to wear masks in all spaces in Italy, even where there is no longer the requirement to do so. “I will mask while in public spaces, both in the open and enclosed spaces,” wrote Marlowe Ng from California, USA.

READ ALSO: Reader question: What type of mask will I need for travel to Italy?

Keeping away from crowds, dining outdoors when going to restaurants, and spending more time in private accommodation is on the agenda for many travellers to Italy this summer.

Many foreign visitors say they'll stick to outdoor dining in Italy this summer.

Many foreign visitors say they’ll stick to outdoor dining in Italy this summer. Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP.

“We will only eat outside, will avoid crowds (the best places!),” said Joseph Stone.

“I won’t eat inside so hope that even with the rain there are outdoor eating options,” added Michelle Camicia.

For Darryl Ainsley from Canada, he will “probably do more walks in the countryside, fewer museums. Outdoor eating only, unless case counts are very low.”

One anonymous reader from the US said they also intend to spend their holiday “hiking and not spending time indoors,” and another unnamed respondent from Australia said that they would be “not travelling outside to other regions, staying quiet, in place.”

“We plan to stay at home and avoid people as much as possible,” said Jesse Voccia.

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ROME

The best things to do in Rome in May 2024

Whether you're a Rome resident or just passing through, the Eternal City has plenty to offer throughout the month of May.

The best things to do in Rome in May 2024

Circo Massimo Concertone – May 1st

Rome’s traditional Labour Day Concertone (‘big concert’) this year moves from its usual location in San Giovanni to Circo Massimo. Noemi and Ermal Meta are hosting the 2024 edition; entry is free.

Conca d’Oro street food festival – May 1st-5th

Ushering in the start of May, the Conca d’Oro neighbourhood is playing host to a five-day-long street food fair. 25 chefs will be present in the parking lot where this year’s festival is taking place.

Charity Cafe Jazz and Blues concerts – May 1st-4th

This intimate jazz cafe in the Monti district is hosting nightly Jazz and Blues concerts from 10pm from May 1st-4th. As of April 30th, the venue’s events calendar hasn’t been updated for May, but there’s typically something every Tuesday-Saturday.

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Italy in May 2024

Photography exhibits – Various dates

At the Museum of Rome in Trastevere you can catch a series of photography exhibitions in May. A retrospective of the works of German street photographer Hilde Lotz-Bauer closes on May 5th; 100 works by the Spanish artist and photographer Ouka Leele will remain on display throughout the month; and a retrospective of Cameroonian photographer Angèle Etoundi Essamba will open on May 17th.

Free museum Sundays – May 5th

As usual, Rome will be opens most of its museums and cultural sites to the public for free on the first Sunday of the month. That includes the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, Galleria Borghese, Castel Sant’Angelo, and many more (full list here).

Rome’s Borghese Gallery is one of the sites open for free on the first Sunday of the month. Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP.

Incanti illusionist show – May 2nd-5th

Following a stop in Grosseto, the Incanti (‘enchantments’) show of illusions comes to Rome’s Teatro Olimpico for four days before moving on to Florence.

Swan Lake orchestral concert – May 2nd-4th

The Santa Cecilia National Academy orchestra is putting on a performance of Prokofiev’s second piano concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake suite at Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica from May 2nd-4th.

READ ALSO: Nine of the best events to attend in Italy in spring 2024

Baby Sound – May 4th-5th

Also in conjunction with performers from the Santa Cecilia National Academy, Baby Sound, a musical workshop for young children aged 0-2, will take place at Auditorium Parco della Musica from May 4th-5th.

Internazionali d’Italia tournament – May 6th-19th

The 2024 edition of the Internazionali d’Italia – Italy’s most prestigious tennis tournament – will unfold at Rome’s Foro Italico sports venue from Monday, May 6th to Sunday, May 19th, with Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner set to take part in the contest.

World Press Photo Exhibition – May 9th onwards

The 2024 World Press Photo Exhibition opens at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni on May 9th and is set to run for one month until June 9th.

Arrosticini festival – May 9th-12th

The ex-Mattatoio events and exhibition space in Testaccio is preparing to serve up lamb/mutton arrosticini skewers and other traditional Abruzzese fare over the course of four days from May 9th-12th.

READ ALSO: Eight unmistakable signs that spring has arrived in Italy

Fava bean and pecorino fair – May 12th

Fava beans and pecorino cheese, a traditional Roman combo, are on the menu in the town of Filacciano, an hour’s journey outside the city, on this May 12th food festival.

Joel Nafuma Refugee Centre fundraising dinner – May 24th

After a long hiatus, Rome’s Joel Nafuma Refugee Centre is starting up its fundraising dinners again on May 24th. This one features Syrian and Palestinian food supplied by Hummustown, and costs €30 (discounted rate €20).

ARF! comics fair – May 24th-26th

Another event taking place at the ex-Mattatoio in Testaccio in May is the ARF! comics festival, three days of exhibitions, talks, and workshops, including a kids’ corner.

It’s set to coincide with the Street Sud Festival featuring southern Italian street food, which is also scheduled to take place at the Mattatioio from May 23rd-26th.

Japan Days – May 25th-26th

Prati’s bus depot plays host to this Japanese market, where you can expect to find 100 exhibitors selling items from kimonos to kokeshi dolls, along with talks and presentations bonsai workshops and an abundance of Japanese food.

Recurring events

Campagna Amica sells locally grown fresh produce every Saturday and Sunday on Via di San Teodoro 74.

The Porta Portese flea market, which takes place every Sunday, is one of the largest (and busiest) the city has to offer.

Performances Verdi’s La Traviata, The Three Tenors, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Bach’s masterpieces continue to be held on various dates at St Pauls Within the Walls throughout the month of May.

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