Italy's reputation as a romantic and dazzling place to visit is well-founded, and with stunning blue waters, delicious food and vibrant people, what's not to adore?
Surrounded on almost all sides by sea and under the golden sun, Italy invites you to live every moment of the long, warm days in summer. And while B.C. isn't Italy, there are things you can do to channel the Italian lifestyle here on Canada's West Coast.
When it comes to capturing the essence of Italian summer, following the lead of Peroni Nastro Azzurro isn't a bad idea. Brewed in Italy to the original recipe since 1963, every drop is a nod to the Italian craftsmanship, passion and flair that inspired it. High-quality ingredients and the unmistakable essence of Italian style mean every sip feels like an Italian summer.
For an authentic Italian experience this summer, don't miss your chance to win a cooking class for two with a professional Italian chef. Once you master pasta basics, you'll get to "saluti" with Peroni Nastro Azzurro and take home some special prizes. Entries are open now to Vancouver residents who fill in this form (must be 19+ to enter) by September 3, 2024.
If you're craving a touch of Italian flair this summer, here are seven things you can do in B.C. to embrace la dolce vita on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Embrace the outdoors
The Italian landscape is unmistakable, with green-capped rocky cliffs that plunge into the iconic azzurro of the sea. It's the kind of scenery that invites you outside to swim, sail, cycle and soak up the sun during the warmest days of the year.
You can pay homage to this essential part of Italian summertime in B.C. by visiting the sloping vineyards of the Okanagan Valley, touring the lakes by sailboat or sipping Peroni Nastro Azzurro on a patio as the sun sets golden behind the mountain.
Eat like an Italian
Eating like an Italian doesn't just mean eating Italian cuisine (which you should also do); it means adopting the Italian approach to superior flavour, food and dining. The Italian style is about simple combinations of high-quality ingredients prepared with techniques that allow them to shine. It's confident, it doesn't fuss and the final product is simply unbeatable.
This approach elevates everything genuinely Italian, from wood-fired pizza and gelato to Peroni Nastro Azzurro — brewed exclusively with Nostrano dell'Isola maize from Lombardi, pure water, hops and barley. Live in the moment this summer and let the simple things take the spotlight.
Take to the sky in a seaplane
Off the coast of the iconic "boot," Italy consists of over 400 islands, and the view of these gems scattered over the Mediterranean is breathtaking from a seaplane. If you're yet to take a seaplane from Vancouver to Tofino, you're in for a treat with a touch of Italian flair as you wing your way toward one of Canada's coastal hideaways.
When in Tofino, soak up every second of sunshine by taking surf lessons or hop another seaplane up the coast to the secluded Hot Springs Cove for a relaxing and unforgettable trip to the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
Perfect your patio game
Three friends share a meal on a patio.
Courtesy of Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Taking a long stroll at the end of the day, chatting with your neighbours, and passing time downtown has an unmistakable Italian summer flavour, just as sitting on a sun-soaked patio with a Peroni Nastro Azzurro in hand.
It's just as well that B.C. has plenty of gorgeous patios where you can while away a summer evening, whether sitting down to a meal or grabbing a drink. Robba da Matti, Parker Rooftop and The Wicklow in Vancouver deserve mention, as does Victoria's Glo.
Discover the summery side of Italian cuisine
Some of Italy's best-known recipes include lasagna, osso buco and tiramisu. Despite their unquestioned deliciousness, they don't capture the essence of summer quite like a cool cone of gelato, the freshness of a Caprese salad, the lightness of seafood or a delicate carpaccio.
For authentic summer Italian fare in B.C., check out Ask For Luigi, Fiorino and Sopra Sotto in Vancouver; Boom + Batten in Victoria; La Bussola in Kelowna; Whistler's Il Caminetto; and Marzano in Nelson.
Enjoy open-air entertainment
Summer's long, warm days are perfect for catching stunning performances under the open sky. The Italians know this well — the nearly 2000-year-old Arena di Verona famously hosts the largest open-air opera festival in the world every year.
For a taste of Italian summer, catch one of the many outdoor operas and performances across the province this season, like those featuring the Vancouver Opera or Vancouver Symphony.
Be in, on or near water at every opportunity
Two people drinking Peroni Nastro Azzurro under a blue sky look out to the horizon.
Courtesy of Peroni Nastro Azzurro
An Italian summer means never being far from glittery blue water, and you can channel this mood in B.C. thanks to the abundant lakes, rivers and beaches that invite you to swim, paddle or sail the summer days away.
Make it extra Italian by booking a yacht tour through one of the province's bellissimo locations, like Okanagan Lake, Howe Sound and Vancouver, and picture yourself sailing across the sun-soaked Adriatic Sea.
No matter where you are, adding a little Italian flavour to your plans is a recipe for a fabulous time this summer.
Don't forget to enter the Italian cooking class contest for your chance to truly embrace the essence of Italy. You and a guest could be savouring the flavours of handmade pasta and a cold Peroni Nastro Azzurro with a professional Italian chef. Entries are open now for Vancouver residents, and all you need to do is fill out this form (must be 19+ to enter) by September 3, 2024.
Whether you're admiring the view from a seaplane, sipping a Peroni Nastro Azzurro as the sun sets over a lake or placing an order at your local trattoria, let the Italian lifestyle act as your guide to a summer infused with superior taste and style.
Keep it simple, and live every moment.
To learn more about Peroni Nastro Azzurro, visit their website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Narcity does not condone the overconsumption of alcohol. If you're going to drink alcohol, please do so responsibly and only if you're of legal age.