My phone’s activity tracker congratulated me: the number of steps I took per day suddenly multiplied fivefold, along with my daily mileage. The reason? I recently had the immense good fortune to visit Florence and Sorrento, Italy. Nothing gets me outside and active—not to mention renewed and re-energized—like a trip.
I took note of the Italian outdoor culture, particularly in Sorrento. Every restaurant, cafe, and convenience store had a small cluster of outdoor tables where locals gather to catch up. The passeggiata, or the evening stroll that’s still common for many Italians, is not a workout; it’s a social ritual that often seems to include a cappuccino, gelato, a glass of wine . . . or all of the above.
I walked away from the trip with memories of incredible art, mouthwatering pasta, stunning cliffside beaches—and the reminder that exercise is important, but leisure time outdoors, in the company of family and friends, goes even deeper, restoring the body, the mind, and the soul.
But you don’t have to travel to Italy to experience a similar effect. Sometimes, the best advice is simply: take it outside.
Our Outdoor Issue celebrates a few unique ways to enjoy open-air fun. A 60-mile drive from Greenville, the 25 Drive-In Auto Theatre in Greenwood accomplishes the nostalgic fun of a night under the stars. Geocaching is an outdoor activity that both kids and adults love, combining the joys of hiking with the excitement of a treasure hunt. It’s celebrating 25 years of getting folks out and exploring parks and trails.
We meet the folks behind the Barn at Sitton Hill Farm, appreciate the nature-centered art of Maggie Grace Design, and enjoy the tasty perks of local honey. Plus, we preview fall football season with profiles of Gamecocks head coach, Shane Beamer, and Voice of the Tigers, Don Munson.
And don’t miss our wedding section, a perfect match for our outdoor theme, as statistics show that at least half of weddings are held outside, with numbers rising. We showcase two jaw-dropping local weddings, check in with in-demand calligrapher Ashley Sellars, and learn about the latest trends in engagement rings.
Here’s to getting outside and celebrating la dolce vita, the sweet life, this September.
