Entire families take to the streets, venturing out in their finest, emerging from darkened alleys that open up onto to lively piazzas. For townspeople of all ages, the passeggiata reinforces a sense of belonging. The greeting of friends and acquaintances, the swapping of gossip and the sharing of the latest news weave everyone into the human fabric of the community.
Older folks sit along the route, nursing a cafe or a glass of wine. Couples show off their new romance, as well as their new shoes.
The most important thing, it seems, is simply seeing and being seen. “Andiamo a fare qualche vasca”! “Let’s go do some laps”, as the Italians say to one another.
The sound of music often lures people to Piazza San Sebastian and into the small church there to listen to Vivaldi. You may also enjoy the dueling café orchestras in the Piazza San Marco. Piano, violins, and accordions play waltzes, classical music, and pop standards, each orchestra deferring to the next, while people sit and drink, dance in the square, or enjoy a gelato.
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