tombolo

On the east coast in Abruzzo, L’Aquila-based artisan Simona Iannini used a special lace technique called tombolo aquilano, practised in the 1400s by Benedictine nuns, to make hers.

They wore bright green silk pants printed with fields of wildflowers, and wisps of chiffon bristling with lace versions of the same, made in a local style called Tombolo.

“It’s pretty nerve-racking to make decisions as business owners, and to not know if it’s dangerous or safe,” said Alsace Walentine, the owner of Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Fla., which is allowing customers inside by appointment only.

The least-glamorous of the island’s retreats, Decatur Head is a tombolo connected by a spit to the rest of the island.

Recent storms have made the tombolo weaker, so currents are increasing within the lagoon, but the beach still remains a safe bet for families.