Mid-August is fast approaching. Still no plans? A day at the beach or around town? Here’s a little something for a last-minute getaway

Days by the sea, barbecues and daytrips are typical summer’s fare, and yet finding a destination for a quiet holiday in August, especially during the week of Ferragosto in Italy, can often be a challenge. 

Here are some tips to help you grab a few days’ R&R in some of Italy’s most evocative destinations, enjoying the sea or the artistic wonders of Italy’s crown jewels.

Rome

August 15th in Rome: what to do on August 15th in the Italian capital? A little-known fact: in ancient times, this public holiday was known as Sextilis, until the Roman Senate renamed the month of August augustus in the year 8 B.C., in honour of Emperor Augustus. The Italian name Ferragosto (feriae Augusti) takes its name from this feast.

So many things stay open for people still in town or interested in a day out: museums, shows, open-air movies, food festivals, entertainment and the inevitable summer fireworks display. A number of exhibitions and museums open specially for this holiday. Feel like dedicating a day to art? Visit the Corsini Gallery, Galleria Borghese, Galleria Colonna, the National Etruscan Museum or Palazzo Barberini.

August 15 is one of the best days of the year to discover Italy’s capital: the weather’s generally sunny, so what better than to take a daytrip from Rome? The Monster Park in Bomarzo and beautiful Viterbo are not many miles away.

Where to stay in Rome

A refined and comfortable stay, full of Roman charm and luxury a stone’s throw from the centre... What more could you want for a few days of R&R? Come to UNAHOTELS Decò Roma, a Gruppo UNA hotel where evocative architectural design and an art deco interior offer a truly Italian-style welcome.

Naples

Naples on August 15th? Why not? Any opportunity is a good opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Naples. So many reasons to come, even if it’s only for a few days, from the sea to its castles, Vesuvius, the islands and the Amalfi Coast... and of course, there’s always pizza! 

Naples and the surrounding area puts on a busy programme of events for August 15, 2021 to celebrate Ferragosto. Hit the seafront for a fabulous fireworks display in Via Partenope: the seaside promenade stars in its own beautiful fireworks display at midnight, lighting up the Gulf with multi-coloured lights. 

On the Amalfi and Sorrento coasts, try out the “Fireworks of the Assumption” event for celebration and entertainment with a ton of music, tasty local eats and a unique, fascinating spectacle of the coastline illuminated by hundreds of boats surrounding the pontoon on which the master firework artists let loose.

Where to stay in Naples

UNAHOTELS Napoli is in the heart of Neapolitan elegance, a stone’s throw from the city’s most famous sights, excellently-placed for getting around the centre. This is the place if you want to sample an authentic Neapolitan atmosphere. 

Bari

Every year at Ferragosto, the town of Bari holds festivals and open-air concerts in its squares to celebrate mid-summer’s day. In fact, August offers a plethora of activities. 

In addition the town of Bisceglie hosts "Libri nel Borgo Antico", a literature festival that attracts over a hundred authors, well-known names from the literary, television and sports worlds who come here to present their latest books. Bisceglie’s historic streets and squares swarm with writers, bibliophiles and curious visitors at this veritable festival of culture. 

If you’d rather spend a special afternoon drinking in the traditions of Salento, a little further to the south, we recommend going to Sternatia for the pizzica and tamburello workshop. During the afternoon, get to know and appreciate magical places like Sternatia, while learning about the sound of Salento tambourines and the “la pizzica de core” courtship dance. 

Where to stay in Bari 

With easy access to Bari and its cultural riches, architecturally-inspired by ancient Apulian villages, if you’re looking for Apulian tradition, Gruppo UNA’s UNAHOTELS Regina Bari is the ideal place to stay. Our hotel offers a wide range of amenities, including the famous Noha restaurant, serving traditional Mediterranean and Apulian dishes in a picturesque indoor and outdoor setting. 

Catania

At the foot of stunning Mount Etna, whose eruptions imbue the town with its special feel, Catania overlooks the Ionian Sea. A splendid city of art and an undisputed example of Sicilian Baroque, along with the other Val di Noto cities, Catania enjoys UNESCO world heritage status.

Every visit to Catania brings surprises. That’s why we’ve selected it among our 2021 Ferragosto vacation destinations. Stroll along its grand 18th-century boulevards, relax in one of the clubs along the beautiful Via Etnea, the beating heart of Catania’s social life and an ideal place for shopping… Or if you prefer, head out of town to the nearby Etna Natural Park, a high-altitude mix of pine woods, black lava expanses and smoking craters.

If you’d like a quick trip out of town, go discover the soul of the area by touring local outdoor and covered markets. Catania is very generous with its historical markets, the best-known of which are Piscaria and Fera ‘o luni.

Where to stay in Catania 

Gruppo UNA’s UNA Esperienze | Palace Catania looks forward to welcoming you to Sicily. In the heart of the city, with breathtaking views of Mount Etna from its large roof garden, the hotel is a true Sicilian idyll and a tribute to Italian style. 

Syracuse

In the south of Sicily, Syracuse wears its almost 2800 years of history well: Ancient Greek theatres, Roman ruins, mysterious caves, Norman castles, and Gothic and Byzantine churches stand cheek by jowl with modern buildings... The city’s many pasts (and its present) coexist side by side, making Syracuse one of the most appealing cities in Sicily, if not the whole of Italy. Take advantage of your vacation time to see for yourself…

You can also take advantage of Syracuse Sacra 2021, a series of brand new moonlight walking tours, a cultural stroll of discovery to places that are either little-known or usually closed to the public. Night visits tell the city’s story from another point of view, revealing hidden wonders in Ortigia’s alleyways, and among the ancient galleries of the Jewish quarter, offering sights of incomparable beauty. 

Where to stay in Syracuse 

A stone’s throw from the sea and easily accessible from historic Syracuse, the Gruppo UNA's UNAHOTELS One Siracusa offers a wide range of services, including its famous Akademia restaurant, serving local dishes with a gourmet touch, and a charming Sky Roof. Wellness and fitness facilities are also on offer, making this a perfect place for a few days of R&R.