Ideas on how to spend August in the city.
In this article we’ll take a look at how to enjoy August in the city. The fact is that our beautiful cities offer a wealth of activities, cultural events and more, that are great fun and accessible to everyone, so we can all enjoy a truly memorable summer.
Spending summer in the city is a fantastic opportunity to explore hidden corners of the places where we live. The city empties, and we can take evening walks in the quiet streets, enjoying the cool air and finding places that usually go unnoticed in the rush of daily life.
Milan offers a packed program of events. Some highlights worth noting:
Estate Sforzesca is a series of events, concerts and performances taking place in a unique venue: the courtyards of Milan’s Sforza Castle.
The events are held in complete safety, thanks to the bookings service: to take part, just click on THIS LINK. The evening shows offer pop, classical music or theatre in the shade of the Sforza Castle ramparts, a symbol of Milan. Before the show, you could explore the interior of the castle with a guided tour.
On the other hand, if you’re more interested in a trip out of town, Lombardy offers breathtaking scenery and cooler temperatures than the city. An example?
The Franciacorta region is characterized by the Alpine foothills, which ensure more pleasant temperatures, even in high summer. In Franciacorta, you can enjoy hills, mountains and lakes, just an hour’s drive from Milan.
You can explore the area’s wonderful towns and villages, and enjoy the magnificent sight of Lake Iseo. You can also explore the vineyards that make this area one of Italy’s winemaking landmarks.
We recommend stopping off at a winery for a tasting, which will give you a deeper understanding of the area and its distinctive features and flavors.
Meanwhile, if you’re in Turin, don’t miss this:
August is the perfect month for walking the historic streets of Piedmont’s capital. With this experience you’ll explore the habitually crowded streets and discover some of this wonderful city’s hidden gems. You’ll enjoy hitherto unseen views of this scenic Savoy city, lit up and shining brightly in the darkness.
We suggest exploring the city with a tour guide, who will bring the former capital of Italy to life for you with history and anecdotes.
If you’d like some respite from the city heat, the weekend is ideal for adventures out of town. We suggest
The Langhe and Monferrato region became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. We’ve already discussed the area in an earlier article, which you can read by clicking here:
Less than an hour from Turin, it’s a true gem just waiting to be explored. Its historic villages and stunning scenery are world famous, while the climate, along with the area’s geography, is key to the production of the excellent wines made here.
In fact, this area’s food and wine culture is among the oldest in Europe, and particularly appreciated both in Italy and abroad. So don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour combined with a tasting of excellent Barolo wines at a winery in Serralunga d’Alba.
Continuing our exploration of great summer activities in Italy, we have to mention the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence, which is offering an unusual and fascinating project.
Apriti Cinema takes place in Piazzale degli Uffizi. This open-air cinema offers a series of art films, providing opportunities for reflection and debate. The program of films, which you can view by clicking here:is wide-ranging, with both Italian and international titles.
The unusual thing is that all films are shown in their original language, naturally with Italian subtitles. This means can enjoy the cinema experience to the full, appreciating the subtleties of all the international languages featured. What’s more, to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the death of the Supreme Poet Dante Alighieri, this year’s program includes a number of documentaries about the great Florentine writer. You can find detailed information by clicking here.
But if you’re looking for respite from the Florentine heat, we can recommend a very special city in the hills, deep in Chianti land.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Siena is a veritable open-air museum. Here, Gothic and medieval architecture come together in perfect harmony.
To escape the summer heat and see the city in all its glory, we recommend an evening walk with a tour guide.Don’t miss the opportunity to explore monuments and palaces with centuries of history such as Piazza del Campo, the Baptistery and Palazzo Piccolomini.
Meanwhile, if you’re spending August in Rome, there are some interesting events for both movie buffs and outdoor enthusiasts.
In the Villa Borghese Gardens, more specifically at the Ettore Scola Outdoor Theater, Casa del Cinema presents film screenings. Launched in summer 2007, the venue seats an audience of 300.
There are some great films for the upcoming edition: you can tour the world with the Caleidoscopio series of movies shot in India, Germany, Lithuania, Africa and many other countries.
Alternatively, in the EUR district until September 9, you can enjoy a variety of international films at the Tim Floating Theater. This unusual venue will be screening films from every part of the world. The program includes both newly-released films and real cult movies from cinema history. The Tim Floating Theater gives film fans a chance to enjoy an alternative August in the heart of Rome.
These are just a few of our suggestions for what to do in our cities in August. Do you know of other events, and do you have any favorite things to do in summer? Let us know!
