If there’s one thing that Americans don’t understand, it’s how fully-grown adults can “take a summer off.” It’s just foreign to us and our work-centric culture. We’re flabbergasted when we see Europeans arrange for two-month holidays away from it all. Well, George Clooney has been trying to adopt that whole European-summer thing for a while. For about 15 years now, he’s owned a beautiful villa in Como, Italy. And come hell or high water, he always schedules a break in the summer so he can spend a good two months in Como. It’s become a thing with his friends too – everybody in his circle tries to make the journey to Como for a few weeks to relax and hang out with George, and now Amal too.
All of which to say, George and Amal’s summer vacation has already started. George did the promotion for Catch-22 and he must have scheduled nothing for at least two months afterwards. These are photos of George and Amal out to dinner at Gatto Nero’s in Italy. Amal’s tiered minidress is…not as cute as she thinks it is. But they look happy and good for them. The Italians love George in particular, you know. They call him Giorgio and he’s been fully adopted into Italian life. Apparently, the Clooneys are expecting some special guests this weekend:
There aren’t too many scenarios one could imagine that would necessitate the creation of a 300-foot “exclusion zone,” for which an actual fine is incurred on any “vessel or vehicle” that infringe on a 300-ft radius of a particular spot—but such will be the case this weekend, according to the Daily Mail, when the Obama family descends upon the Clooney enclave at Laglio on Lake Como.
The outlet reports that the former president and first lady, as well as daughters Malia and Sasha, will be making their way to Italy, hopping on a private jet to Milan, from Provence, where they were reportedly staying at a $60,000-per-week villa in the country’s wine region. The Obamas are expected at the charity dinner for the Clooney Foundation for Justice on Saturday evening.
When the high-profile family does arrive to hang with the Clooneys, locals hoping for a blurry (but chic!) long-lens Instagram Story of the group will be out of luck. The Laglio governor has imposed a fine of approximately $565 on anyone who gets within 300 feet of the villa, which is typically accessible to the public. The mayor confirmed to a news outlet that there were added security measures being implemented for the occasion: “The parking lot at the back of Villa Oleandra will be closed for two days, Saturday and Sunday, because it should be available for the security service cars. In the territory and also on the lake, numerous men and law enforcement agencies will be in service,” he said to Estadao. A nearby beach and local pier will also be closed over the weekend, save for boat owners, and the water around the villa will also be included in the exclusion zone. The Daily Mail also reports that there is a “warning to potential drone pilots” aiming for overhead shots.
The mayor seems excited, though, about the boon this could provide to the area, calling it “an exceptional promotion for our territory and a great honor,” even if there are logistical complications. “For such a great honor, there is a price we must pay,” he said.
The Obamas are SO missed, aren’t they? Europeans are like “PLEASE COME BACK.” Yeah, we feel the same way. As for this trip to Como, I bet Michelle and Barack will enjoy it. But will there be any young people around for Malia and Sasha?
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
I would love to take a summer vacation that long if I could afford it and I wouldn’t get fired for doing so!
Amazingly, some companies here (Germany) force you to take a certain amount of WEEKS back to back, as part of their corporate policy. The average US citizen response to all this has been: How awful! I agree.
Sounds like heaven to me! Is it paid time off?
I’m not going to single the Obamas out – all these politicians of both parties live extremely comfortable lives when they get out, what with speaking fees and books and boards. And he certainly deserves it more than a lot of the others. (Never started a war that we’re still in, never preyed upon an intern, never sold arms for hostages….)
But it does make Jimmy Carter – back to Georgia, a few books but no big money, Habitat for Humanity, Sunday School – look even more remarkable and admirable.
If Jimmy Carter were to leave office today, he too would have a multimillion dollar book deal. A behind the scenes look at the Iran crisis? Are you kidding me? That would really sell. But that was a different time.
And he has been a successful author in his own right, too.
No President Carter would not be out shilling for the corporate lecture route. As far as the multi-million dollar book deal, he made that and donated the proceeds. I have nothing against one’s who does this, as long as it doesn’t buy influence I see no harm. However, even though President Carter wasn’t a great President, he is one of the few people who live the walk and is a very religious man, in the good sense. He has been very wealthy in his life. Who would have thought peanut farming could make you a multi-millionaire in the 70’s. Still he has lived a very modest life. This is choice of piety and humbleness. It’s very admirable. Granted I couldn’t do it, but I do admire it.
I hope they have a great time! I’m sure Malia and Sasha will be okay, lol.
It’s Italy. They’re going to love it
Malia’s been away at school. The sisters are close. Just hanging with each other for a couple of days sounds about right….
Well that’s the problem with American work culture. We value work more than we value living life. Which is sad and dysfunctional. America was named the most overworked nation in the world. Overworked and underpaid. Also keep in mind that many countries – like France – have a government mandated number of days that companies have to give their employees.
And overworked BECAUSE underpaid.
I can’t say I’ve ever met any Europeans who take 2 months off work in summer, barring the kind of wealthy people for whom work is more of a optional hobby.
Most Europeans get 4-6 weeks vacation time if they work full time, but that doesn’t mean they take it all at once or that they could afford to actually be on vacation for all of that time if they did. I use the bulk of my vacation time to stay at home during my children’s school breaks so I don’t have to find and pay for temporary childcare. No glamorous ‘European summers’ here.
A lot of Americans don’t even have the vacation time to ‘cover’ those school breaks, so they really scramble in terms of child care, day camps, etc. Any school days off strike fear into the hearts of so many families, especially the women.
I hope after Lake Como the Obama family swings by Windsor just in time for little Archie Harrison’s christening. In my fantasy they will be selected as one of his many godparents.
🤞🏼
In a perfect world, this would happen!
I’d love to hear their private discussions about Trump and what a mess he’s made.
2 months summer vacation? LOL . It’s more like 3 weeks, actually.
Everyone I know takes either all of July or all of August off — to coincide with school holidays. It’s pretty nice. I always refuse because prices skyrocket and everywhere you go is filled with kids. So I usually take my breaks in the fall
We like to take our vacation just before Christmas (Note: our vacation is not a month long. More like a week or so.). It’s perfect. It forces us to be ready for Christmas early. It gives us a chance to relax before getting together with family at Christmas. Even though most kids are on break families are usually not on vacations at this time – they’re getting ready for family gatherings. We end the year relaxed and ready for the next year to begin.
I visit Lake Como at least once a year in my daydreams 💭🤦♀️🤷🏼♀️🖖🏽
I wish I could have two months off in the summer! That’s one of the few things I miss about being a kid lol.
Me too! I know that teaching is HARD and that teachers aren’t really off during the summer because they usually work additional jobs or are preparing for the next school year but dang it would be nice to have a break for a few months- just the idea of not having to show up at the same place at 9am every day would be wonderful. I think that is what becomes so exhausting, for me at least.
The Obamas here in Italy? I’m so happy!
And you’re right, George is like a son for Italians.
Americans are not flabbergasted at the idea of taking a full summer vacation. Americans who have money do exactly that. They leave the city to go away to their houses in the Hamptons, Palm Beach, rent a boat to surf the Mediterranean for months or travel overseas.
I’m so glad the Obamas are living their best life after what they had to put up with as POTUS and FLOTUS.
I would LOVE it if either Michelle or Barack was little Archie’s godparent! Can you imagine? My goodness Fox News would have a nuclear melt down, and all those Daily Fail racists, too. Please, universe make this happen. . .
I read the other day someone suggesting that Obama run for senate again. Apparently several other presidents have gone back to politics in a different position after their presidency. I highly doubt Obama will do this but in my liberal day dreams I picture him relocating to Kentucky, staying there for however long it needs to be for him to run, and kicking McConnell’s ugly old ass.
He did recently say that he is very worried about the current state of things and plans to be more active for the 2020 campaigns so at least we’ll be seeing more of him (and hopefully Michelle!) soon.
Supreme Court Justice. There’s historical precedent, and the position would fit him. And McConnell would lose his damn mind.
They’re all good friends of Harry and Meghan. I wish to be a fly on the wall with all the things that will be discussed. Also Amal and Michelle r both lawyers. Harry, Obama and Clooney all married women of colour. I think that’s why they get along so well. They’ll have to many in common.
Is Amal considered a woman of colour?
She’s Lebanese, so yes (as far as I’m aware that is generally considered as a POC ethnicity)
So it’s true that George Clooney is considering actively entering in politics and wants to be seen as a big player? Other than that, i can’t see how they would at least be friends with the Obamas unless he is donating a lot of Money to the party.