In August many Italians are on holiday.
va-CAN-za — stress on second syllable. 'Agosto' — a-GO-sto, stress on second syllable.
Know this when planning any business or service interactions in August in Italy. Many things simply close. Many restaurants close. Many professionals are unavailable. August is Italy's collective holiday month.
'Ferragosto' (15 August) is Italy's main summer holiday. Around this date, the country essentially empties of its inhabitants — heading to the sea ('al mare'), mountains ('in montagna') or home towns. Tourist areas fill with foreign tourists while residents leave. Business correspondence is not expected to be answered.
L'ufficio è chiuso per ferie fino al 20 agosto.
The office is closed for holidays until 20 August.
Standard message on Italian business emails in summer.
Siamo chiusi per ferie.
We are closed for holidays.
Sign you will see on many Italian shop doors in August.
Ci rivedremo a settembre.
We'll see each other again in September.
The Italian way of acknowledging that August is essentially written off.
Italy's August holiday tradition has deep historical roots — even the ancient Romans fled the heat of the city in August. 'Ferragosto' comes from 'Feriae Augusti' (Augustus's holiday), a Roman celebration instituted by the emperor Augustus in 18 BC. The tradition has never stopped.