An Italian couple was relegated to the cheap seats on Pescara beach. (symbol image)Image: Shutterstock
April 1, 2026, 1:55 p.mApril 1, 2026, 1:55 p.m
After almost half a century in the same beach resort, an elderly Italian couple has lost their regular place by the sea.
The retired couple Rosaria and Luigi Gabriele (82 and 86) from Pescara on the Adriatic received notice from the Croce del Sud beach resort – obviously because the two were no longer spending enough money. They recently paid 4,000 euros (3,680 francs) per season for their preferred seat in the front row. The two now have to look for another place to lie down.
The case caused some discontent in the city of 120,000 inhabitants – especially since the termination after 46 years was made via WhatsApp message, according to the local newspaper “Il Centro”. It said briefly: “We are redesigning our premises and cannot confirm your space allocation. We wish you all the best for next season.” The lido with decades of tradition changed hands two years ago.
The operator wants younger and more affluent guests
The new operator Giampiero Galletta added to the newspaper: “We are gearing the facility towards a more dynamic clientele who enjoy the lido to the fullest and follow other usage patterns.” This is “less a question of age than of attitude”. According to Rosaria Gabriele, she was also told “that they prefer young people who spend money in bars and restaurants.”
After the initial excitement, the couple was offered a new seat in the fourth row, but only with reservations. After some time to think about it, the Gabrieles declined. The pensioner told the newspaper: “It was a patch of earth, worse than a hole. We won’t allow ourselves to be treated like that. I don’t want to see her anymore.”
In Italy it is very common to pay a seasonal rental fee for a place with loungers and a parasol by the sea in one of the many stabilimenti balneari. There are around 7,200 such beach resorts across the country, many of which are family-owned. The beach lounger (Italian: lettino) and the parasol (ombrellone) are, so to speak, national cultural assets. (cma/sda/dpa)