August 15th for Italians is a special day, it's Ferragosto!
On August 15th in Italy, in the Canton of Ticino and in the Republic of San Marino, the Assumption of Mary in Paradise is celebrated, both with the body and with the soul.
The religious festival takes the name of Ferragosto, a term that derives from a pagan tradition, the Feriae Augusti (August holidays), called by Ottaviano in 18 BC.
It is therefore an Italian term, hardly translatable to the letter in another language.
Let's say then that there is not a literal translation of Ferragosto in English.
So in mid-August nobody stays at home ... everyone goes out to spend the day doing picnics, visiting art cities, sunbathing on the beach etc...
In general for Italians Ferragosto is the week that usually everyone goes on vacation.
Last year I went to the Verona Arena to listen to Beethoven's ninth symphony!
This year I did not go out with my friends, so I decided to take my parents for an easy hike in San Nazario.
I parked the car and we walked among the few houses that were to go up the Hill of Berretta.
Walking around surrounded by a beautiful landscape I took a picture of two nice old people telling their stories of youth.
They seemed to be part of a painting.
All old people should have old age like them!
It's hard not to stop and take a picture so beautiful!
A few steps further we met two young people who were resting in the sun...the girl in the foreground was sleeping deeply...I think she got a sunburn!
A little further on, there were some horses in the shade of a tree.
The horses are beautiful animals that I especially appreciate because when I was a child I was riding.
I did some show jumping but the real horse riding enthusiast is my dad who has been president of various associations, he has been a guide for horseback rides accompanying up to 50 horses and riders. He has won numerous show jumping competitions...
Continuing along the road the vegetation became thicker ... in the shade of the plants it was much better!
We have often seen the typical galleries of the First World War.
In some parts we have seen them at a distance of 10 meters from each other!
When you climb into the mountains it is always a surprise the view that lies behind the curve.
A higher point of view offered us an almost 360 degree view. Spectacular!
Here we see the houses near where I had photographed the two elderly people sitting...
We met very few people, only 4, who were taking a walk to digest their lunch.
The day was fabulous, there was little humidity and you could see even the farthest mountains.
In this photo it seems that the landscape was smiling at me!
We went into the woods, the air was fresh and the smell of pine needles was intense.
Some flowers appeared at the side of the path.
At the side of the path the wood was thick and little light passed... only the sounds of the forest animals could be heard.
You walked easily, there was little slope.
We noticed that around us it was full of raspberry plants!
What good are the raspberries!!
The forest service controls the wood, cutting old and dangerous plants and letting the younger ones grow.
Even my mom likes raspberries!!
For my excursions I use an app called "Tabacco". It is very useful because you can buy the topographic maps of the hikers for a fee...they are the most famous in Italy and they are very reliable!
You can also buy topographic maps of paper.
I wanted to follow the path 920, but we were off the road and we realized that to continue on that path you had to overcome a strong difference in height.
My dad has yet to recover from the hip surgery he did last month, so we decided to go back ... patience ... health first of all!
Going back I found some mushrooms...there were different types. Unfortunately I did not find the "Porcini" that are the best you can find...
If you come to Italy, in a mountain area, you must taste the Risotto with Porcini!
We came out of the woods and showed us the landscape we had seen when we walked the path.
When I see these landscapes I think:
Maybe I should buy a drone!! (If the cryptocurrencies go up in price maybe I buy it !:D)
We had almost arrived at the car, while walking I thought of a vlog project that I would like to realize...
I think it would be nice to show you the places I visit with my videos, my impressions...
Here are my parents, a bit 'tired but satisfied with the walk.
We saw some beautiful landscapes and ate delicious raspberries!
I hope you enjoyed the post!
Before saying goodbye I wanted to ask you to comment below what you think of the idea of making a vlog on the hikes and trips to Italy.
I have a doubt that does not make me sleep at night ... do you prefer if I speak in Italian subtitled in English or directly in English?
Consider that some mistake to speak in English I will definitely commit...
Thank you for visiting, see you soon!