It’s that time of year in Italy when cities empty, beaches fill, and shop windows declare “chiusi per ferie”: closed for holidays. The whole week around Ferragosto (August 15th) is considered the peak of summer: a national holiday rooted in ancient Roman celebrations, an excuse for everyone to slow down, eat well, and escape the heat. For Italians, it’s almost a sacred pause, and they usually take the whole month off. For visitors, it can be both charming and mildly frustrating (“Why is everything closed?!”) We’ve selected a few of our favorite videos which perfectly capture the feeling of summer in Italy, pick one and share your personal favorite 🌻