The First Swim of Summer in Italy

The ritual that, for me, marks the start of summer is my first swim in the Ionian.

In years past, I managed it before the end of May, but summer has been slow to arrive. It was only a few days ago that the water was only moderately icy and warm enough to take the plunge!

Right now, it feels like summer will be endless. It'll be filled with beach days, watermelons, late-night beers, and Saturday night dancing. Cousins, tarantella, and endless laughs.

Davoli, for being such a small town, comes alive in the summer when those who have fled the nest come back to reminisce with old neighbors and share a bottle of wine. Now that we live here, I know there will be impromptu dinner invites and aperitivi.

Our house is steps from where one of Davoli's big festivals happens. Talk about convenient!

I'm waiting for Fra to break out his Vespa and teach me to drive it so I can still go to Soverato, where parking is nonexistent in the summer (unless you have a tiny Vespa!).

Here's to the best Italian summer ever!