Mid-August in Sardinia, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, and Elba

On August 15, Ferragosto is celebrated throughout Italy. This holiday, which we generally associate with beach vacations, is not celebrated in the rest of Europe. This holiday has very ancient origins dating back to 18 B.C., when Emperor Octavian Augustus decided to establish, in the sixth month of the Roman calendar—which he later named August—an additional holiday linked to the end of the harvest. In fact, by that time the major harvests had been completed, and consequently the main agricultural work had also come to an end. The establishment of “Feriae Augusti” (Augustus’s rest) turned the month of August—already a sufficiently festive month—into a month of complete rest; and since this did not significantly alter existing practices, it was viewed by the people as a gesture intended to boost his popularity. Even the draft animals used for work in the fields, such as donkeys and mules, took part in these celebrations, decked out in flowers. The farmers offered their best wishes to their masters, who reciprocated with a tip. It’s worth noting that August 15 is not only a secular holiday, tied to the land and the harvest, but also a religious holiday. In fact, the Assumption of Mary is celebrated on this day throughout all Catholic European countries. But for those for whom Ferragosto means a beach vacation, we can’t help but invite you to stay at one of the beach resorts on our wonderful islands and in the southern regions, which offer tourists a wide selection of vacation homes in Sardinia, apartments in Sicily, residences in Puglia, and resort villages in Calabria.