September is increasingly vacation-like. Ten million Italians are taking a break: where they go and how much they spend.

Vacations continue into the second half of September, which continues to be the month of mindful holidays: over 10 million Italians choose this period to enjoy one or more vacations, with an average spending of €600 per person, up 3% from the previous year. This is according to a Confcommercio analysis, which found that 35% of travelers prefer the last month of summer as the ideal time due to less crowded destinations and more affordable prices, while a further 18% prefer it due to the rich calendar of local events, from festivals to shows and cultural events.

The majority, approximately 6.4 million, opt for short stays of up to two nights; 1.8 million choose vacations lasting up to five nights, while 2.2 million opt for longer trips, lasting at least a week. This latter category especially affects those who consider September the highlight of their summer.

Hotels are the preferred accommodation option for 23% of vacationers this season, followed by B&Bs (19%). Second homes and staying with friends and relatives are next, accounting for 17% of the total, followed by other accommodation options.

Italy is the destination of 78% of cases (2% more than last year) – with 6 out of 10 moving beyond the borders of their own region, a decidedly broad range of action – while, of the remaining 22%, two-thirds remain in Europe.

The seaside remains in first place, with 21% of preferences, but art cities, with 13%, and large cities, with 12%, collectively account for another quarter of travel choices. This is also confirmed by the destination choices by region, with—in order— Tuscany , Lazio, Emilia Romagna, and Liguria leading the way, followed by Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, and a surprising Abruzzo, which is becoming increasingly popular among Italians for "experiential" vacations. The map of destination choices is particularly rich in September, however, and includes virtually all regions, demonstrating that the month still holds great untapped potential for tourism development as a "shoulder" season.