In the ten years that I’ve lived in Vasto, September has become my favorite month. It certainly wasn’t when I was living in northern Europe! Here are my top 7 reasons for loving this month:
1. The September air
We get up early all through the summer season. When I start my day on the balcony, saying hello to the sun, I can detect a clear change in the air in early September. All of a sudden, the morning air has a cooler touch, a less sweet perfume, and the sky has less saturated hues. You can feel a new season arriving.
September morning sky on the beach in Vasto Marina.
2. You can still go to the beach
Even if the night and morning air starts getting cooler in September, the days are still warm and sunny enough to go to the beach. For me, September also means lovely Indian summer afternoons, relaxing moments under the umbrella, reading a book or daydreaming.
3. It’s not crowded anywhere
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy and embrace the vibrant summer season here. But there are moments during the very high season in August that Vasto gets extremely busy. September is far more relaxing. You can find availability pretty much everywhere, without needing to plan ahead, make reservations and stand in lines. And you can read your book on the beach in silence.
September is still a great month for working on your tan - and no need to pre-book your umbrella.
4. Vendemmia - grape harvest
Hrvesting some Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
September is an important month for wineries. White grape varieties like pecorino d’Abruzzo get harvested first, followed by reds. “Vendemmia” of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, our region’s quintessential red, can last into early October. When you now drive through the countryside, you encounter trucks packed with heaps of grapes, it’s a fun sight.
Some wineries organize events where you can participate in the harvest: help cut the bunches of grapes, learn about the wine-making process and enjoy some traditional Abruzzo food. I love the fragrance of grapes ripened underneath the Adriatic sun!
5. Fig season
Figs are our favorite fruit, both red and white.
Umberto and I adore figs. They are ripe and sweet in September. Unbelievably enough, not everybody cares for this delightful fruit so you can also spot fig trees dropping their treasures on the ground.
We eat them natural as they are, or I prepare a nice “antipasto” with figs, slices of mature pecorino cheese and drops of honey.
6. San Michele
The last week of September is enchanting in Vasto: it’s our patronal festival, San Michele. The historic city center is all illuminated and there are many kinds of festivities. I wrote abut it in this blog a year ago.
Festive lights for San Michele get attached to our facade. The atmosphere is quite magical on our balconies!
7. Soft September nights
Yes, September days are shorter and night falls earlier. You may need to cover your shoulders when you go out in the evenings, especially later in the month. But these nights can be so beautiful, soft, dark and mysteriously beautiful when the moon is full.
Wishing you a happy rest of September!
Anita
Questions, comments? Email me at anita@palazzoflorio.com
The Gulf of Vasto, a September night with a full moon.
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