by Francesca Di Meglio

Pasquetta, also known as Easter Monday, is still a holiday in Italy. Those who haven't taken off on vacation, often take a road trip on Pasquetta. If they are already at their destination, then they are probably going to pack up a meal and have a picnic somewhere beautiful and outside - unless the weather forces them indoors. In 2004, I was in Ischia again and in the middle of our Pasquetta picnic, a torrential downpour drove us inside. There's something so laid back and relaxing about a picnic the day after a major holiday that none of us cared. After we finished eating, the sun started to shine again - and there was a rainbow. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect picture.

Hikes in the forest or strolls on the beach are popular post-picnic activities. I spent another Pasquetta hanging out with a horde of twenty-somethings on the beach. We dug our toes in the sand and talked and talked. The sun was hot but the beach breeze kept us cool. We topped off the day with a bit of gelato and then the others scooted home on their Vespas. "Ciao Franci," they shouted as they waved good-bye.

Pasquetta - any year - just might be the perfect day. And Easter is the perfect season to get acquainted with Italy - and yourself.