Top 10 Things to Do in Italy This Christmas with an Italy Tourist Visa
Italy being a country that celebrates culture and festivity, gets transformed into a beautiful winter destination during this time. Featuring beautiful and remarkable structures, picturesque small cities, and delicious gastronomy, Italy changes into a holiday country of Christmas in Italy for tourists. From the beautiful city roads of Rome to the countryside beauty of Tuscany, the country presents a lot of Things to Do in Italy that are associated with the festive season. If you are intending in Italy Tour Packages of this beautiful country during the holidays, you must apply for an Italy tourist visa in good time.
Italian Christmas is not only about the lights and Santa Clause, but it is also about tradition, markets, and delicious Italian food. From celebrating midnight mass at Vatican City to the statuary of Neapolitan presepi, Christmas in Italy has its own allure that tourists cannot resist. The country’s cities, small towns, and villages have the holidays being celebrated in joyful events that make the holidaymakers, both locals and tourists, have the best time of their lives.
As much as there is to do and see during the Christmas time, Italy is one of the best places to visit for the festivities. The Christmas season in Italy is also a wonderful time to ski in the Swiss Alps and to walk along floodlit streets in Florence and Venice. Therefore, make your holiday trip plan now, apply for your Italy visa and pack your bags to celebrate Christmas in one of the most beautiful countries globally.
Here is a detailed guide to the ten best things to do in Italy this Christmas
1. Christmas markets Rome
Rome is a city that is filled with holiday atmosphere during Christmas celebration in Italy. It is one of the most attractive festive traditions of Germany that is worth visiting during the Christmas markets. Go to Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, where you can find a lovely Christmas market with handmade souvenirs, ornaments, cribs, decorations, and sweets such as chestnuts and warm wine. There is a lot of energy and enjoyment in the air due to variety of street performers, musicians, and sellers. One should not omit the large carousel that contributes to the atmosphere of the market.
2. Discover the Magic of Christmas in Venice: the Lights
I have always wanted to visit Venice and this post makes me want to visit the city of canals even more during Christmas time. During winter, the whole city is lit up and the canals radiate the beauty of the nighttime winter sky. When strolling through the narrow streets and crossing the bridges, you will see the lights, trees and other ornaments associated with Christmas. Go shopping at the Piazza San Marco where you will see the large Christmas tree and other decorations. Christmas markets also sell local souvenirs from Venice that are interesting and may include hand-made products.
3. Visit and marvel at the Christmas tree location in Milan, Piazza del Duomo.
Milan, the fashion capital in Italy, transforms to a Christmas carnival during Christmas in Italy. The largest decorated tree for the holiday season is the Christmas tree planted in the Piazza del Duomo in Milan. What a beautiful tree it is, all lit up with hundreds of lights and standing very near the beautiful cathedral. This one is another splendid image that people, including residents of the country, like to visit. During the Christmas season, Milan is also a shopper’s dream, as you will find well-decorated shopping streets like the Via Montenapoleone.
4. Take the Pope’s midnight blessing at Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica
If one is longing for something more spiritual, going to the Midnight Mass in the Vatican, in St. Peter’s Basilica, is a must during Christmas in Italy. Vatican is the central point of the world’s Roman Catholic Church, and the Christmas celebration of the Vatican is famous all over the world. The Midnight Mass that is also presided over by the Pope is a big affair that brings so much respect and serenity to St. Peter’s Basilica. The ceremony is succeeded by the blessing of the Christmas tree and the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square, allowing the guests to immerse themselves in the Italian Christmas religious rituals, feeling the atmosphere in the most famous place.
5. Christmas Cribs in Naples
One of the traditions which have been in Naples since ancient times is preparation of presepi, that is, nativity scenes. In Christmas, there are beautifully arranged creches, which are representations of the birth of Christ and usually use small statues. Spaccanapoli district in Naples has large, life-size Christmas crib and there are many shops selling such cribs. A visit to these cribs is a great way to get a feel of Italy’s craftsmanship and is a must do during the Christmas season.
6. Christmas in Florence’s Historic Centre
One of the most beautiful cities of the world, famous for art and history, Florence is a great place to be in Christmas. The main part of Florence looks very cute with Christmas lights; one of the best Christmas fairs is located in the square of Santa Croce. You can buy fine handcrafts, taste Tuscan Christmas specialties such as cantucci—almond cookies—and vin brulé—hot spiced wine—or simply take a walk along the banks of the Arno River. When it comes to Christmas lights, Florence is a dream thanks to the historical architecture of its buildings that enhances the beauty of the illumination.
7. Italian Christmas Treats.
Of course, no trip to Italy at the end of the year can be successful without trying some of the delicious Christmas specialties. Panettone and pandoro are two traditional Italian holiday sweets that you should not miss. Panettone is a tall, dense sweet cake containing candied fruits and nuts which is popular now, although it was created in Milan. Pandoro is a sweet product which is a golden-coloured, star-shaped cake originally coming from Verona and best eaten with powdered sugar. Other traditional sweets are the torrone, a candy made with honey, sugar and almonds, and the struffoli, small fried pastries dusted with honey and colourful sugar. These products are available in local bakeries and supermarket stores and they are usually well packed for sale and sharing.
8. Have a winter ski trip in the Alps
For the winter lovers, Italy has some of the most beautiful alps to offer in terms of skiing destinations. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio, and Val Gardena are the resort areas that offer the Sunswept slopes, authentic Alpine huts, and plenty of Christmas cheer to make the holiday unforgettable. Skiing in the Italian Alps enables one to ski and enjoy fresh air and scenery of the Italian Alps together with Christmas festivities.
9. Go on a Drive to Explore Tuscany in winter
Tuscany has become a popular region due to its hill country, beautifully painted small towns, and wine farms. During winter, the region becomes so quiet and the environment beautiful, making it an ideal place for a drive. The wine tasting is a must-do The best wine country is Tuscany and you can visit the less crowded towns like San Gimignano, Volterra and Siena. The vineyards are also found in Tuscany and if one has to visit Tuscany in winter, then there will be beautiful scenery to look at, The mountainous regions are capped with snow during the Christmas period in Italy.
10. Watch the Christmas Concerts in Bologna
Bologna is a city which boasts of a rich cultural history and it has several Christmas concert and performances. In the Christmas period, many of the large churches in the city—and even some of the smaller ones—play host to concerts of classical music, with performances of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and other pieces generally associated with the festive season. These concerts are perfect to get to know the Italian artistic and musical culture; therefore, if you are looking for a cultural Christmas in Italy, you will find it very useful.
Conclusion
Italy boasts of beautiful markets, stunning decoration, and great cultural practices during the Christmas holidays. From the outstanding luminous view of Venice to the sacred atmosphere of Vatican City, Italy offers everything during this joyful time. Always remember to apply for your Italy tourist visa early enough to avoid a lot of stresses during your travel. As it was shown, there are many incredible things to do in Italy this Christmas, so it is the best place to make unique memories with the closest people.
Read More:
- Tips for Avoiding Italy Visit Visa Rejection: What You Should Know
- Italy Tourist Visa Requirements: What You Need to Know Before Applying
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