On Life Goes

On life goes, in Italy as elsewhere.  In Italy, these next immediate weeks, however, will be rough for a country that has been through so much — most of all 102.000 deaths (this would represent the entire city of Arezzo).

Premier Mario Draghi said Friday that the “maximum level of caution” was needed as his government tightened COVID-19-linked restrictions.  “Unfortunately, one year after the start of the emergency, there is a new wave of contagion”. This is largely the “English strain”, and it is this surge that positions most of Italy’s 20 regions into the “red” category, meaning that non-essential shops must close, bars and restaurants may provide exclusively takeaway services and students will learn only via distance learning.  Residents may leave their home for essential reasons, including work.  This will continue until April 6, but the entire country will go “red” for April 3, 4, and 5.  On those days you may pay a visit to one other household only.  And only one person aged 14 or older may accompany you.

“Disastro”, says my friend Franco, the restauranteur.  No Easter lunches out in his restaurant, with every table booked weeks ahead.  No stuffing the picnic basket with goodies and going out with the family for an outdoor feast on Easter Monday.  Disastro.

Restaurants are a central element in Italy’s social fabric: beyond the economic devastation, the psychological cost of lockdown for restaurants is more than disastro, but truly catastrophic.

Still, Italy has now a fairly clear national vaccination strategy, and Draghi has appointed a new COVID-19 commissioner, an army general and an ex Alpino, to direct the immunization campaign, enlisting the country’s military for implementation.  Italy is deeply serious about speeding up vaccinations. The 60s – 79s are now in the queue for vaccination soon —  or have been vaccinated at least once.

On Friday, the single-use Johnson and Johnson vaccine was approved for use by AIFA, the Italian FDA.  That brings to four the vaccines used in Italy.

Among our hotel favorites and villas we see many that will be fully organized to receive visitors and offer the warmest welcome by May.

Meanwhile, Italy has never, ever looked more beautiful.

My younger neighbor says to me, with longing  : “Madonna !  Che bravi i americani !  Vaccinano giorno e notte, che forza l’America !”  (“Madonna, how admirable the Americans are, vaccinating night and day, what a wonder !”)  And in fact the majority of my friends in North America and the UK have received at least one shot or are have a confirmed vaccination date that is not far away.

Therefore… life goes on !

In 2021 or 2022, if you plan to celebrate life and freedom with an Italy trip, please won’t you now buy forward a personalized travel plan for yourself ?   Or give planning to your children, your parents, your spouse/partner, your friends ?

Let us begin the delight of discussing, planning and dreaming; we can fine tune when you are ready to go.

Can we call you to discuss ?  Will you complete our no obligation travel planning survey ?

Andiamo !