Ferragosto

Today is a national holiday in Italy. As an aside, the Italian PM, Silvio B, is planning to move several public holidays from weekdays to weekends as part of his austerity/reform package to boost the economy. Not sure that will do the trick.

Anyway, today is the start of the traditional summer shutdown as Italians decamp from the towns and cities to il mare.

Last year we went to Rome and it was a pleasure. Streets not clogged with blue "politico's" cars but calm. The whole city was just easy to navigate. Yes some restaurants were closed but there were still enough open to get by.

This scene will be in large part repeated across Europe.