One of our favorite subscribers, Lee Laurino, took this photo in the center of Sorrento (on the Amalfi Coast) several weeks ago. What a wonderful scene of Christmas in Italy!
Christmas in Verona Italy: Celebrating the Italian Nativity Scene
During the Christmas season in Italy, the presepe, or nativity scene, is a reminder of Italy’s deep-rooted traditions. Italians’ love for art and religion combine in these gorgeous scenes. It’s nearly impossible to visit Italy during the holidays and not stumble across presepi in store windows, cathedrals or museums. The event Natale in Arena in Verona celebrates presepi from November …
Christmas in Italy: A Living Nativity in Umbria
Settled on a hilltop in rural Umbria halfway between Rome and Florence off the A1 autostrada is Monteleone di Orvieto, a municipality of Terni built in the 12th century. During three days throughout Christmas season, visitors can meander through the cobblestone streets of the centro storico, the setting for the Presepe Vivente or “living nativity.” During these special days, the residents …
A Classic Christmas Dessert Recipe from Sicily
Updated 2018. When writing my guest article on Italian Christmas desserts, I asked my friend Maria Louisa Manca, who is a very good cook from Catania (a beautiful city situated on the slope of Mount Etna) to share a favorite dessert from her native Sicily. Here is Maria Louisa’s classic recipe for Croccante alle Mandorle Siciliano: Ingredients: (for 7-8 servings) 500 grams almonds, …
Finding Santa’s Bones in Southern Italy
Updated 2019. Click here for all Christmas in Italy travel suggestions While the above headline is no doubt alarming, don’t worry, I have it on good authority that Santa Claus is alive and well and quite busy up at the North Pole. But his inspiration, the original St. Nick, a 4th-century Greek bishop, rests in the region of Puglia. Saint Nicholas …
Will Strega Be “Bewitching” Your Italian Christmas Celebrations?
One thing Italians and Americans have in common is their love of heavy, elaborate meals at holiday celebrations. Only the Italians, though, can make the excuse that drinking liquor after your meal is good for your digestion. One of my favorite digestivi, especially around Christmas, is Strega (Italian for witch). It comes from Benevento, a city in the Campania region that …
Christmas in Puglia: The Living Nativity in Tricase
The town of Tricase, almost at the tip of the Italian heel in Puglia, is often called “The Bethlehem of Italy” for the living nativity (Il Presepe Vivente di Tricase) that takes place here each year. Supported entirely by volunteers from civic groups and schools, everyone from children to grown-ups (about 250 residents in total) dress in period costumes that …
Christmas in Italy: ‘Ndocciata Torch Parade
Updated 2019. Italy has many special Christmas celebrations, but there’s one in the region of Molise that may be among the most unique. The ‘Ndocciata, or torchlight parade, takes place on December 8 and 24 in the town of Agnone. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the world. The ndocce are 6- to 8-foot-high torches made of silver …
Christmas in Italy Video: La Befana Through the Eyes of a Child
We think you will really enjoy this video of La Befana (Italy’s Christmas witch) through the eyes of a child, produced by our friends at Walks of Italy. When you’re finished watching, check out our article on La Befana in Rome and the guest article on Christmas markets in Italy by our friends from Walks of Italy.
Recipe: The Ultimate Italian Hot Chocolate
There’s a chill in the air and the holiday season is upon us. Our friend Judy Witts Francini aka Divina Cucina is our go-to-gal for all things dolce and she contributed several holiday dessert recipes to our Christmas in Italy guide (free download). Here’s her version of the ultimate Italian hot chocolate: One of my favorite chocolate shops in …