Campo DeFiori (Photo from <a href=

Globalization, the Internet, and worldwide traveling have shrunk the cultural gap between countries and created avenues for similarities in some cultural arenas, especially among youngsters enjoying free time. Italy, like any Western modern economy, exports as well as imports cultural elements.

In Italy, cities organize their entertainment according to the seasons. Most nightclubs indeed have two versions for the two seasons, and many outdoor sites appear from May to September and then close down. Concerts in the open and special events are usually organized and featured throughout the summer. Italians enjoy street walks and standing happy hours outdoors, so many piazzas are filled with people in the warmer periods, and can be almost empty in the colder months. Beach towns usually have an active life during the summer months when tourists fill the clubs. The best places are Rimini and Riccione on the east coast and the Adriatic Sea, and across the country in Tuscany, towns such as Forte de'Marmi also have a reputation for entertainment and fun. In fact, virtually every city and town that has access to the sea becomes alive and full of energy in the summer.

Dancing at club Meccano in Florence Italy.

Night Life in Italy

For the all-nighters and wild party goers, Italy offers great clubs and some of the best deejays, often setting the musical trends for the rest of the world, typical of the best European tradition. Remember that clubs are different than bars; bars are more geared to gathering for a drink or two, and maybe a fast refreshment, and to converse and talk with friends. However, some of the fancier ones might, in the evening, offer what Italians call the "Aperitivo," a sort of happy hour after work. This was very typical in Milan in the 1980s and is now a relatively common ritual nationwide.

Italy can be a fun country in which to go out at night for many reasons besides the nightclubs. One of the extraordinary reasons is the panoramic scenes, especially in places like Rome, Florence, or Venice where walking around is already a night event. However, every city has great jazz clubs which usually host prime international musicians and in recent years Brazilian music such as Bossa Nova has became very popular. If you look for traditional Italian music you'll be disappointed as it's not very common, unless a bus-load of tourists has just arrived.

Of course, the number one reason to go out in Italy, just as in any other nation, is to eat. There are plenty of restaurants and Italians enjoy international cuisines, in particular Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. A few American steakhouses and Mexican places are also popular. Culturally each major city features important theatres and opera houses, while during the summer often classical music concerts are organized in some villa or city park; usually these are enchanted locations, truly magical, where the whole experience is actually enhanced just by being there. Rome is very famous for its Estate Romana, (Roman Summer). Once a year, White Night takes places and most stores and museums stay open all night long; this is becoming a traditional event, copycatted from other European cities.

Club in Florence Italy.

Italy is usually a safe place by night; however always use your discretion and intelligence. Drinking in the streets is allowed, but screaming and throwing bottles around are not. Another little tip: always carry some cash as often bars and clubs don't take credit cards, and be prepared to wait a long while to get your drinks. Italians are not fast drinkers, drinks are expensive, and bartenders don't really work on tips so the service can be slower than you might be used to.

Overall, Italy has a great nightlife winter or summer. Check it out in both seasons for the entire experience!