Italian term of the day: 'Build the bridge' (Indicates taking a day off work between a holiday and a weekend)
Going on a Long Weekend Escapade in Italy? You're Doing the Bridge!
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Italy's public holidays often land smack dab in the middle of the week, and that, my friends, spawns an exciting Italian custom known as "doing the bridge."
Many gutsy Italians, the "fare il ponte" crew, enjoy flexing their way around this situation and create a whopping long weekend when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, much like the Liberation Day (la Festa della Resistenza) happening on April 24th this year.
Missed the Holiday Party? Catch Up Here: Italy's Public Holidays 2023: Make the Most of Your Time Off!**
While countries such as the UK move their public holidays to guarantee they fall on a Monday, Italy lets them land on whatever day of the week they please. You can expect groans when they fall on weekends, but heck yeah when they grace a weekday.
So what's a hardworking Italian to do when a Republic Day or Ferragosto lands on a Tuesday or Thursday? Work one day, relax the next? That's just plain crazy!
The civilized thing, obviously, is to "make a bridge," which means taking that pesky Monday or Friday off, thus linking the weekend with your day off and voila, a fabulous four-day break!
Thanks to the bridge, we've scored four days off.We took three days off.Any plans for the weekend, mate?
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If the holiday magically lands on a Wednesday, you're in for a treat - it's time to create a "pontone" or a giant bridge! You can take two days off - or if the mood strikes, call in sick for the whole workweek!
Italy's Labour Day (Festa dei Lavoratori) this year will fall on a Monday, so even though this muddies the waters for a perfect bridge, you could always take Friday or Tuesday off and treat yourself to a mini four-day vacation for the cost of a single holiday day. That's not half bad!
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- Italy's unique tradition, known as "doing the bridge," enables Italians to extend their weekends significantly when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, like the Liberation Day happening on April 24th this year.
- To "make a bridge" means taking off the Monday or Friday, thereby connecting the weekend with your day off, resulting in a marvellous four-day break.
- If the holiday falls on a Wednesday, it's time to create a "pontone" or a giant bridge, allowing for a two-day break or even a whole workweek off if desired.
- This year, Italy's Labour Day will fall on a Monday, offering the opportunity to take Friday or Tuesday off and enjoy a mini four-day vacation for the cost of a single holiday day. This might not be half bad!
