It’s that time of the year again—the tourists spill in, the locals filter out and Florence is filled with a strange asymmetry you won’t find again until next August. It’s Ferragosto season, and while most Florentines have closed up shop and are headed to the beach, others aren’t so lucky. If you happen to be one of the few who aren’t able to spend weeks away because of finances or work, have no fear—we’ve compiled a list of the perfect places to go for a quick day trip or weekend getaway.

ISOLA D’ELBA

Isola D’Elba is just six miles away from the Tuscan coast, but the second you step on the shore you’ll feel like you’re much farther from the cities you’re escaping. Elba is usually full of secluded beaches, but not during this time of year—this island is a prime spot during Ferragosto, so it’s easy to blend in with the vacationers and spend a day or two on the Capo Bianco with others celebrating the summer holiday. A fun fact for the history buffs: this was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite spots and where he spent his time in exile. Check out the Palazzina dei Mulini, the farmhouse-turned-palace Bonaparte used to inhabit.

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