I used to hate going to the beach that is until I did the beach, Italian style.

Now as an English person, arriving on an Italian beach the first thing you will notice is the noise, the second things you will notice is the people all packed in together like sardines on sunbeds that are literally inches away from eachother. Before you say euchhhh and recoil in British horror!! Try viewing it from the Abruzzo Italians perspective.

The beach in Abruzzo  is like a huge slice of Italian life. People come from all over the country to relax on the beach in Abruzzo. There are people of all ages, sizes, and shapes on the beach.

The best thing about the Italian beach by far is people watching. It is a true spectator sport. Italian people are very superficial and they love to be seen. They love to be seen sporting a tan and the latest fashion items. Italian people look as groomed on the beach as they do in any other setting. They also “peacock” meaning they take great joy in parading themselves around for all to see. This activity can only be enhanced by wearing designer labels or outrageous accessories. It is amusing to say the least.

One of my favourite things to do is to take a long walk by the water’s edge to stretch the legs, this location on the beach in Italy is not really the water’s edge, it is the fashion runway. And all eyes are on you. But also your eyes are on everyone else too. It is great fun to people watch especially as most Italians can’t understand what you are saying.

For people watching as a sport

I recommend wearing dark glasses.

The entertainment value of watching Abruzzo life unfold on the beach is priceless, it is like a real life soap opera but more noisy.

Italians are not half hearted about any aspect of their social time. This goes for life on the beach, you can very often see full scale beach parties and family occasions celebrated with a variety of ages groups having fun together on the beach. It is fun to watch. Also the children, you can see families having fun entertaining their kids and the little ones building some of the most elaborate sand castles you will ever see.

Abruzzo kids are a lot more interactive than English kids and the parents in general still encourage them to be so. It is very refreshing. I have had little kids run up and talk to me and sing me songs and scream to their Mums, “look at the lady with the white hair” It is sweet and brightens up your beach walk.

Pescara has a very cosmopolitan feel with all the young students etc. It means that you can also extend your people watching into the beachfront bars along the promenade. You can sit in a quiet corner of an ice cream bar and watch the world go by for hours just soaking up the atmosphere.