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“Not much work today, huh?” teases an old man to a lifeguard sitting on a chair facing a sea calmer than ever. The lifeguard laughs and replies with a few words about the weather. Leaning on his cane, the old man continues his walk along the shoreline before stepping into the water with determined steps, not the least bit frightened by the temperature. He is the only one daring to take a dip this May afternoon under a grey, cloudy sky, except for another brave soul in a wetsuit who’s just finished a windsurfing session. Only a few buoys float in the water. It’s been a grey week, with rain and wind, but the charm of Altamarea still worked its magic.

A few sunbeds are out, some lucky few are occupied, used by passersby who stop to lounge for a few minutes or hours, enjoying a rare break in the clouds. The bright blue fabric of Altamarea’s sunbeds and umbrellas reminds me of the vivid blue sky that summer offers us and of the beautiful, warm sea that invites us to dive in headfirst. Today, they remain folded. The shy sun barely pierces through the thick, almost threatening clouds looming above us. A few couples or solitary souls dare to stroll around in the heart of the afternoon. They stop to enjoy a well-deserved coffee at the bar.

It’s quiet at Altamarea. At the orange reception, Mirella and Daniela plan and discuss every little detail to make sure everything is perfect. In the back, the rest of the team, Marta, Diego, Manuela, Michele, Mirco… are hard at work. Their tools break the slow silence of the beach and are proof of their commitment and daily efforts. There’s always something to be done here!

You can feel the wait, even the impatience. When I take a deep breath, I can almost already smell sunscreen, fresh fruit, and ice cream melting in the sun. As I take off my headphones, I can hear the Altamarea entertainers getting kids and adults to dance to upbeat music. I even hear a few dogs greeting their owners with joy, thrilled by their special VIP welcome this year. I hear splashes in the large pool and sighs of relief and relaxation from the jacuzzi and the wellness oasis.

What I hear is the joy radiating from Altamarea. It’s coming, very soon.

For now, we wait patiently. In a world where everything moves too fast, waiting feels good. Enjoying this calm before the summer storm. And watching every corner of Altamarea get ready to welcome its long-awaited vacationers.